Page 90 of Choices

"I'm not on a list."

"What?"

"Like...an approved list for who can get the kids from school."

"You're smart. You'll figure it out."

With a small nod of his head, we part ways. Logically, I know I'm walking into a trap. He'll have a dozen armed guards, and honestly - I would gladly die to protect Hannah. She'd mourn me for a while, but she'd have her kids to keep her going.

Chapter forty

Matty

My throat hasn't left my stomach since I heard Johnson's words. I'm feeling a million different things. Angry, scared, heart racing, bile in my throat, already deciding I can't go on if she's killed. Can I go on if Rico gets killed? Or if Santiago doesn't make it?

Yes. As long as Hannah's okay.

I come up with a few quick ideas on the way to the school before I'm parking in visitor parking and buzzing the coms on the door.

The locking mechanism disengages and the door buzzes, letting me know I can walk in. I shove all of my feelings and emotions aside - look how mature I am - and plaster on my charming smile. The person manning the front desk is a young woman so I send up a silent 'thanks' to the big guy in the sky.

I walk up to the counter and lean against it, flashing my million dollar smile. She looks up and me and blushes. "Good afternoon...Betty," I say, reading her name tag. "I'm the Greenwich's family lawyer. There's been an accident so I'm here to collect the kids for this weekend." I fish a business card from my pocket and slide it her way.

"Oh...Okay, mister...Richardson." She stammers, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. If my parents did one thing right is was give me good genetics.

She types into the computer before pouting a little. "I...I'm sorry Mister Richardson, but I don't have you on the approved list."

I smile wider,waving a hand dismissively. "An oversight, I'm sure." I feign seriousness. "You see, Mister Greenwich has taken off with his mistress and hasn't been seen for months. And unfortunately Mrs. Greenwich was in a car accident and is in surgery, so she's not able to call the school and approve me."

Betty gnaws on her lower lip. "I can't just let them go with a stranger." She fiddles with the phone. "Let me just call Mister Greenwich, just in case."

Fuck. I hadn't planned for this. She dials a number and waits while it rings. Suddenly, I hear a male voice answer. "Mister Greenwich? I have a Matthew Richardson, esquire here to pick up you..."

"Yes!" I can hear the worm shout from the other end of the phone. I chuckle as I'm pretty sure I hear him mutter "Whatever that psychopath wants."

Betty hangs up the phone but still looks unconvinced.

"Look, I get it. You love these kids and want them to be safe, right?" She nods eagerly. "They're so lucky to have someone like you at this school." I flatter. "Look, call the kids up to the office. If they seem wary at all to see me you can call the cops on me."

She chuckles a little before blushing. "I'm sure that won't be necessary."

She calls down to three separate classrooms to have the kids come to the office. I hide my sweaty palms in my pockets. "You're doing the family a huge favor, Betty. I'll make sure the kids bring in some brownies for you next week."

"Matty!" Viv and Jack squeal when they finally see me and rush into my arms. I look over at Betty to see her shoulders soften and a smile spread on her face.

"Don't think you're too cool fora hug from Uncle Matty." I tease, pulling Aiden in for a super manly side hug.

"What are you doing here?" Aiden questions.

"Your mom had some work to do in the city so she asked me to spring you three from jail for a surprise weekend at the farm!"

Jack and Viv squeal again and talk over each other about the dogs and horses and Lauren and Diego, while Aiden nods, trying to hide a small smile.

"Alright, you four. Have a great weekend!" Betty calls to our retreating backs from her desk. Fuck. I accidentally gave her my phone number. I hope she doesn't take my flirting in earnest. Whatever. I'll let her down easy. What matters most is getting these kids safe.

As the kids pile into my car, I text Diego.

"SOS. Kids coming to yours." Before locking my phone. I don't want it to accidentally connect to Bluetooth and give any excuse for the kids to be nervous.

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