Page 121 of On the Wild Side

And then feel my blood go cold. Standing in the middle of the living room is a middle-aged woman with wild eyes, holding on to Daisy as if she’s a lifeline.

Daisy’s crying, and Abbi’s face is sheet white.

“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, keeping my voice casual. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

“Youbitch,” Janet bites out as she cradles Daisy and runs her hand down the little girl’s hair. “Howdareyou steal my daughter?”

“Mommy,” Daisy cries.

“Shh,” Janet says. “I’m right here. Mommy’s here.”

That only makes Daisy cry harder.

“Hello?” I walk around the woman so she has to look at me. “Hi. I’m Brady. You must be Janet. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Sure, it’s all recent, but I’ve heard a lot, nonetheless.

“Good, you’re here,” Janet says. “Call the police. I’ve finally found my daughter, and this little bitch needs to be arrested.”

She’s pointing at Abbi.

“Janet, you know that isn’t true,” Abbi says, keeping her voice soft. “You remember that Nate and I had a little girl, Daisy. This isDaisy, not Natalie.”

“You’relying!” Janet screams, and Daisy wails with her. “This is my baby. My little baby.”

I hold my hand out without looking her way, and Abbi slides her hand into mine, palm to palm, and closes her fingers tightly.

“Janet, a policeman will be here shortly to help us straighten all of this out.”

“Do you know what she is?” Janet asks, gesturing to Abbi with her chin. “She’s a lowlife. She trapped my son into a marriage. He didn’t know what he was doing. She used her tits and her cunt to lure my poor boy in.”

Janet’s crying now, and I’m seeing nothing but red.

“That’s not true,” Abbi whispers.

“Chase is coming,” I murmur to her and squeeze her hand reassuringly.

“And now she’s found herself another rich man,” Janet continues. “Arodeogod. What a joke. You’re all a joke. And I refuse to let you have my daughter for even a moment more.”

Daisy is just whimpering now, not even fighting to get away from Janet. I don’t care if the crazy old bitch talks all night now that her grip on my kid has loosened.

“Janet,” I begin and lick my lips, “would you mind if we set Daisy on the couch where she’ll be more comfortable?”

“No.” Her grip tightens, and Daisy whimpers. “You’ll take her. You’re all trying to take her.”

“Janet.” My voice is hard now, no more Mister Nice Guy. Her head whips up as if I slapped her across the face. “If you don’t take your motherfucking hands off of my daughter right now, you’re going to regret it.”

Janet blinks and then frowns down at Daisy, but her grip has loosened, and she looks back at me. “Who are you?”

“I’m her daddy. Now, please hand her to me.”

“Oh.” With a scowl, she crosses over, and I take Daisy from her, relieved when the little girl buries her face in my neck and holds on. My shouldersingsfrom the weight of Daisy, but I don’t give a flying fuck. “But she’smybaby.”

“No.” Abbi’s voice is full of rage now that Daisy is safe. “This isDaisy, your granddaughter. Not Natalie.”

Janet is crying hysterically and sinks onto the floor, her arms wrapped around her middle, rocking as if to soothe herself.

And Chase walks through the open door.

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