Page 115 of Tortured Tones

“Ava, Luther’s offered to be flexible and give you more time on your dates with Josh beforehand.”

Luther? Flexible? That was a first. “Are you shitting me?” What was I paying this lawyer for? Incompetence? “That’s useless and impossible. I’m on my last assignment. I can’t change my roster. Wilson, this is a big no. Luther’s playing games. He’s not going to win. If he travels and takes Josh out of the country without my consent, he’s fucked. So let him go. That will be in my favor.” But not seeing Josh would kill me.

Wilson sighed as if he was over my custody battles. I certainly was. “Fine. I’ll deny the request and ensure the date is kept.”

“You do that.” Tears pricked my eyes as I paced the width of the small bathroom. “Luther’s got away with too much for too long. He’s not going to do that anymore.”

“No. He’s not.” Wilson’s tone was as flat as a deflated tire. “I’m on it.”

“Good.” But nausea flooded my gut. Had my lawyer lost interest in my case? I wanted someone who’d fight for me. Do whatever necessary to help me gain more custody of Josh. Fuck. I didn’t have time to find a new lawyer. I hated this process. I just wanted my son.

I ended the call and wiped the tears from my eyes. God, I hated lawyers. I hated Luther even more.

There was a soft knock on the door. Who the hell is that?

I sniffled and headed out to check. I peered through the peephole. Damn it. Cole...and Charlotte.

I swiped the last tears from my eyes and heaved open the door. “Hey? What’s up?”

Cole’s smile morphed from bright to a worry-filled frown. “Ava? What’s happened?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.” I wasn’t. But seeing Cole in his leather jacket made me feel a bit better. “Beckett’s in room seven-oh-two. We don’t have to head to the venue until three.” It was just after eleven.

“Charlotte wants pancakes and ice cream. There’s a café across the road. Beckett insisted on you being his backup. He’s waiting downstairs for us. I said I’d stop by your room and get you.” Concern darkened his eyes. “Can you join us...or...you want me to get someone else?”

Damn you, Becks. I was convinced he was trying to get Cole and I together. Well, he was wasting his time. That wasn’t going to happen. But I’d do my job. “No. It’s fine. The fresh air might do me good. Just let me grab my gear.”

“Cool. We’ll wait for you out here.”

“I’ll be one sec.” I let the door close and scurried to put my boots on, grabbed my two-way, belt, holster, and jacket.

“Where are you going?” Ramona didn’t open her eyes.

“Cole wants to go out with Charlotte. Becks wants backup. Duty calls.”

“Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I laughed softly. She was fucking the boss. I’d fucked my client. Were we much different? Nope.

Given the crowd of fans we’d encountered on our arrival, Beckett calling for additional security was the right thing to do. Slip was sleeping and would text me if he needed to go out. As I stuffed my earpiece into my ear, I walked out into the hallway full of laughter and shrieks. Cole and Charlotte raced up and down the long corridor. Charlotte crashed into my legs, giggling, and cuddled me. “Cole’s slow.”

Cole sighed and jammed his hands on his hips. “Charlotte, you are just too fast. You’re superwoman. See?” He picked her up, held her flat in his arms, and spun her around like she was flying.

Charlotte squealed and laughed.

My heart ached from missing Josh, but butterflies skipped in my stomach as Cole played with Charlotte. He was so good to her. It helped that he was just a big kid who loved to have fun too.

“Ava? Are you coming?” Beckett’s voice came across my two-way.

I pressed the button to talk. “On our way. Heading down in the elevator now.”

“Thanks for this.” Cole zoomed past me with Charlotte. “So much for rest time.”

“Time to sleep when we’re dead.”

“So true. Let’s go.”

Beckett met us in the foyer. More hotel security personnel were on duty now the band was in the building. Two policemen stood outside. It was good to know they were there if needed.

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