Page 71 of Broken Chains

Tensions were high as we waited for their return. Oliver took to pacing the room. My sisters all decided to stick around, and both Thomas and Luke were back. The entire place was filled with stress.

I assumed Katherine would demand to see Evie, but as the evening wore on, I couldn't justify keeping her up any longer. I excused myself and carried my daughter upstairs. I rocked her for a few minutes, then laid her down in her crib. In no time she was fast asleep, likely exhausted from the morning activities.

As I was walking back down the stairs, there was a knock at the door and the entire house went silent.

Oliver went to answer it, but I quickly caught up to him and linked my fingers through his.

"Unified front," he whispered, leaning down to kiss me before opening the door. I gave his hand a squeeze for encouragement.

Melina stood there, her mouth open as she gawked, staring at our conjoined hands. Lizzy had told them we were married, so I didn't get why she was looking so surprised.

"I told you they were flaunting it all over town," Trish said.

I had been so focused on the sad look on Melina's face that I hadn't even noticed Trish at first.

"It's Trish, right?"

"Yeah," she said snarkily.

I nodded. "This all makes more sense now," I said under my breath. Louder and addressing Katherine I said, "I assume you have your warrant and a witness I see."

She held up the paperwork. I took it from her and without even looking at it I handed it off over my shoulder, knowing Lizzy was there and waiting.

"It's all good," my sister confirmed.

I smiled politely, only addressing Katherine. "You may come in. We'll sit in the dining room," I said.

Two cop cars pulled in behind them, one from the county and the other from Collier. When James jumped out of the Collier car, I could have sworn I saw Katherine blanche.

"What the hell is James doing here?" she asked through gritted teeth.

I grinned. I knew there was probably one heck of a good story there, but now wasn't the time. James certainly left a lasting impression everywhere he went. In my opinion, he was probably the hottest of Thomas’s friend, though I could not recall him ever even dating before.

"Ma'am, Oliver, I'm Sergeant Turner. Just here to ensure there're no problems," the second cop said. "James? What are you doing here?"

"Same as you, Jake. This place has the unique benefit of split jurisdiction," he said, wagging his eyebrows up and down like he was amused and daring anyone to question it.

"Come on, let's get this over with," I suggested.

Oliver was quiet and tense next to me. I knew he was not at all happy about the situation, but he was also hurt. I tried not to take it personally. He had a child with this woman, of course he had once cared for her, but that thought only made my wolf surge in aggression that I had to fight back down for control.

Trish and Melina sat on one side of the table, while I sat across from them with Oliver and Lizzy. We gave the head of the table to Katherine while James and Jake hung back in the formal living room to oversee things. It wasn't long before Thomas and Luke joined them.

Melina looked around at the new additions and showed her first hint of discomfort.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith, where is the child in question?" Katherine started formally.

"Just Oliver and Peyton is fine," I assured her. Then I turned the video monitor towards her. "Eve just went down for a nap. She's upstairs in her bedroom."

She looked at the monitor, frowned, and jotted something down in her notes again. I dared a glance at Lizzy, who just smiled and nodded in reassurance.

"Oliver, you are the biological father in question?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am. I have paternity papers to prove it if needed."

"Do you contest his paternity, Melina?" she asked.

"No, ma'am."

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