Page 157 of The Forever Play

“I’m not going to hurt her! I love her!”

“You’re scaring her.”

“She’s the best part of my life, and you’re trying to take her away from me. I thought when you moved to Nolan, we could finally be a family, but you’re being such a stubborn bitch about it!”

Sienna jolts back like he’s just slapped her, and I can’t fucking do this anymore.

Standing tall, I storm into the greenhouse with a growl and point my finger at Russell. “Let my daughter go. Right now!”

Russell sneers, his eyes wild as he clutches Zoey, who’s now squirming like a trapped animal. “I’ve been the closest thing she’s ever had to a father, and then this douche comes along and just takes over?” His voice pitches with incredulity. “That’s not right, Sienna!”

“Zanderisher father, and he’s a good one. I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out the way you wanted, but I’ve never loved you like a wife. We were never going to get married and raise Zoey together. That wasn’t in the cards for me.”

Russell’s expression buckles, his chest starting to heave.

Zoey whimpers, her bottom lip forming a deep pout just before her tears bubble out in a loud wail.

This is killing me, but I’m trying my best to stay calm. I don’t want to scare Zoey even more, so I hold up my hands and take a slow step toward them. “Look, man. I get that this situation sucks, and I’m sorry it’s turned out this way for you, but you need to let Zoey go. She wants her mom. Just let her go. Please. Let her go.”

“Shut up!” he bellows. “You shut the fuck up. You have no say here!”

Zoey covers her ears and cries even louder.

“You’re scaring her!” Sienna steps forward. “Please, just let me hold her.”

“No. She’s mine!”

Shit. This arrogant fuck just won’t see reason.

I’m just trying to calculate my next best move when I spot two blurry shadows moving past the back of the greenhouse. I dart my eyes back to Russell, making sure to distract him. “It’s obvious you’re not in a good headspace, but let me just say this… You took Zoey without Sienna’s permission. That’s kidnapping, man. The police are already on their way, and I’m not letting you disappear, so just make things easier for yourself and let Zoey go.”

Russell’s shaking his head, his jaw clenching as he tightens his hold on my daughter. Her wails increase to an earsplitting scream followed by a shattering of a glass.

Two bodies jump through the broken window, launching themselves at Russell and Zoey.

I run forward, worried for my little girl’s safety, asWily snatches Russell’s arm and Ethan clamps his fingers around the back of his neck.

Zoey starts to slip from his grasp, and I lunge, catching her just before she hits the ground. Hauling her into my arms, I cradle the back of her head. She’s still crying, whimpering against my shoulder as I turn back to Sienna, who’s running toward us with arms outstretched.

I walk into her embrace, wrapping my free arm around her and forming a tight huddle with my girls.

“Shhh, it’s okay, baby girl.” I kiss Zoey’s chubby little cheek, then press my lips into Sienna’s golden hair.

Thank fuck they’re both okay.

“Get your fucking hands off me!” Russell is yelling up a storm, and I have to get Zoey out of here.

“Take her.” I pass her to Sienna, who holds her close, shielding her from the chaos behind my back as she runs outside.

As soon as the girls are gone, I spin back, stalking toward Russell with a growl. Fisting the front of his sweater, I walk him backward and slam him against the greenhouse wall. “You fucker!” I roar in his face.

Wily and Ethan stand on either side of me, their glares lethal as they snatch his flailing fists and pin them to his sides.

Russell’s eyes flash with a manic look. “Careful, you three. I’ll press assault charges. I’m paid staff at this school. You can’t treat me this way.”

“I don’t give a fuck what you are,” I seethe. “If you ever scare Zoey or Sienna like that again, I will end you. I don’t give a shit what it does to my career. You stay away from my family!”

I give him one more shove before walking throughthe plastic tea set. Tiny cups and saucers go flying just as the faint sound of police sirens fills the air.

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