Page 59 of Moonlight & Matrimony
“Um, yes,” she says, a hint of reluctance in her voice that sets my teeth on edge. “We were hoping you would be able to come in and speak to us.”
“I can be there in ten minutes.”
“We’ll see you then.”
I scramble around the house, feeling the panic rise as I search for my keys and purse, when Luca suddenly steps into my path, his steady hands cupping my cheeks as he scans my face. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure. The daycare called and asked me to come in.”
“I’m coming, too,” he says, releasing me, leaving no room for argument as he places a hand on my lower back and ushers me out to my SUV. I peel out of the driveway, and within five minutes, we’re pulling to a stop outside of Rylin’s daycare. I inhale a steadying breath before stepping onto the curb. If anything happened to my little girl, I will have their heads.
Once I’m within reach, Luca grabs my hand in a reassuring hold. “I’ll let you take the lead, but if you need me to step in, just squeeze my hand.” I smile in appreciation. That he’s willing to take a backseat when I’m certain every instinct is telling him to take charge means more than I can express. I spent years feeling like my voice was being muted, so it’s entirely new for me to have someone listening intently, even when I don’t have anything profound to say.
The moment we enter the building, the combined scent of crayons and disinfectant assaults me as raised voices carry down the long corridor. “Sir ,if you cannot calm down, we are going to have to escort you out of the building.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. I want to see my daughter. NOW.”
As Austin’s voice reaches my ears, my spine goes rigid and I squeeze Luca’s hand.
“What the fuck?” Luca growls, pulling me along with him as he stalks toward the commotion.
“Can I help you?” the woman asks, addressing my husband. He places an arm around my waist, pulling me into his protective embrace.
“I’m here about my daughter,” he says, claiming Rylin for his own without an ounce of hesitation. The color drains from my face as I take in Austin’s unmistakable rage. The woman glances between the three of us, recognition dawning when her focus lands on me.
“Oh, yes. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts. Rylin is waiting in the office. We had an incident we would like to discuss with you, but Mr. Taylor —”
“Mr. Taylor was ordered by the courts to stay away from my wife,” Luca cuts in. “He was subsequently removed from the daycare emergency contacts list and pickup authorization.”
“As I was saying, Mr. Taylor will be escorted off the premises if he does not go willingly.”
Austin steps into her space and she visibly recoils. “Fuck off, lady. I want to see my daughter.”
Luca steps between them, fists clenched tightly at his sides. “I think she was pretty clear that’s not going to happen. Leave.”
In the blink of an eye, Austin throws a punch that narrowly misses Luca’s jaw. Catherine disappears into the office, presumably to call security, and before my husband can retaliate, I force myself to intervene. The last thing we need is another reason for the courts to side with Austin, even if he did swing first.
“That’s enough!” I bellow, foolishly placing myself between my fake husband and my ex. “Why are you here, Austin?”
He smirks, crossing his arms over his chest as his eyes roam over my body, sending an unpleasant chill through my veins. We ran out of the house so quickly, I didn’t even realize I’m still wearing my ratty paint stained overalls and crop top. A wave ofself-consciousness washes over me, and Austin doesn’t miss a beat. “You really have let yourself go, Ivy girl.”
My stomach plummets as Luca pushes me behind him, his face a mask of cold fury. “Don’t talk to my wife. Don’t even fucking look at her.” He reaches for me, intertwining our fingers, when a small, familiar voice cuts through the rising tension.
“Mommy?”
“Hey, Ry,” Luca says, crouching down to meet her at her level.
A young woman who can’t be more than 19 years old stops in the doorway to the office, looking sheepish. “I’m so sorry! She just ran off.”
Luca lifts my daughter into his arms, carefully handing her off to me before resuming his protective stance. Austin’s gaze bounces between the three of us, his face contorted like he’s preparing to strike.
Ignoring the fear bubbling to the surface, I squeeze her to me, soaking in her warmth. “Rylin, you can’t just run off like that, love.”
“Sorry, Mommy.” She reaches out for Luca, and I reluctantly hand her over, watching as he pulls her into his arms and boops her nose. “You ok, Bug?”
“Mm hmm,” she murmurs, wrapping her arms around my husband while they simultaneously crumble yet another of my barriers. I should be jealous that she all but passed me over for Luca’s hugs, but I can’t even blame her.
Moments later, Catherine returns with security in tow, and they immediately escort Austin to the parking lot. I wish I could say I’m relieved, but there’s a much bigger part of me that knows this will only continue to escalate, and I’m helpless to do anything about it.
