Page 6 of Broken Chains

“Okay, that’s probably not fair. I’ll keep the kid around, but I can’t have you second-guessing me and putting this place at risk like that. Do you have any idea who that was? Her family would sue the pants off me if anything happened to that girl and they got the money to do it. The safe thing would have been to let them check her out.”

“I understand, and I’m sorry, but does this really warrant firing me over a mistake?” I asked.

“I’m afraid so, Oliver. Look, I’ve had a few other complaints about you. You intimidate the customers.”

“I don’t,” I interrupted.

“You do.”

“I’m just trying to work hard and support my family,” I said honestly.

“I know that, son, and I’m sorry. I know people’s issues have more to do with your daddy than you and I’ve tried to defend you, but this is it for me. I’ll keep Kenneth on for now and besides, this shouldn’t be your life, Oliver. You need to find a real job.”

I snorted. “Funny, I thought I had one.”

I got up and stormed out, then jumped on my bike and waited for it to roar to life before kicking up dust as I drove off.

It had been three days since I last saw my daughter and I hadn’t heard a peep from Melina. I tried to tell myself it was best to give her a few days to settle down, but after this shit, I found myself driving straight to her house.

As I pulled up to the place, my heart lurched from my chest. Something wasn’t right. I jumped off my bike and ran to the front door. I banged loudly, but there was no answer. I looked through the front window and the place looked empty.

My wolf roared in my head. Where the hell was she? Where was Evie?

I walked around back. I checked every window. There was no sign of life or anything. She’d left, just like my mother. I tried to calm myself. Freaking out over it wouldn’t do me any good. I thought hard about where she could be. The only place I could even think of was to begin with her parents.

I jumped back on my bike and raced to their house. I found a little relief just seeing their car in the driveway. I took the front stairs two at a time and banged on the front door. Her mother answered, holding Eve.

I bent over and sucked in deep breaths, trying to calm myself.

“Oliver?” she asked.

“I went by the house to see Evie and it’s empty. Melina didn’t even bother to tell me she was moving,” I rambled. I was pissed, but I was more relieved just seeing my daughter.

I reached for the baby, but she cut me off.

“You should come in,” she said with a sigh.

Something told me my day was about to get even shittier than it already was.

“Sit down,” her mother instructed. “Terry,” she yelled down the hall, for Melina’s father. I had a very bad feeling about this, and the fact that she wouldn’t let me hold my own daughter was only putting me more on edge.

“Oliver?” he asked walking into the room and sharing a look with his wife.

“Why is it you both seem surprised to see me?” I finally asked.

“Melina said you didn’t want anything to do with the kid,” her father said.

“She did leave you a note, just in case you came by,” her mother added.

“She’s gone?” I asked, still a little confused. I had assumed she’d just moved home so she’d have more help with the baby. I knew she’d been struggling, but she also refused any additional help from me.

“I’m afraid so. She signed over her parental rights for the baby and left. We tried to talk her out of it. You know how she’s always wanted to move to Hollywood.”

“What? She’d do that to our daughter?” I asked aloud, clearly in shock. “Why the hell didn’t she just leave her with me? You two aren’t responsible for my daughter.”

“Actually, we are,” her mother said. “I have the paperwork right here.”

“I’ll fight that in court. She can’t just throw away my rights. I’m her father,” I said.

---