Page 53 of Falling for You
The deputy walks up the steps and knocks on the front door, of course they open immediately for him and welcome him into their house.
I feel like I’m pacing the driveway for half an hour, constantly looking over at Emma who’s just staring out the windshield with a blank look on her face, the tears still rolling down her cheeks.
I’m about to walk over to Emma when the deputy comes out of the house, without Olivia.
“Where is my daughter?” I stalk toward him, my fists balling at my side in anger. He’s supposed to be here to help me. I’m her fucking father, doesn’t that count for anything?
“Mr. Thomas, keep yourself in check.” He levels me with a stare, “Unfortunately, this is a civil issue. The Ryans have legal permanent guardianship of the child. I can only advise you to go home and hire a lawyer. They aren’t doing anything criminal, so I’m not able to do anything here.”
“Are you serious? They’re keeping my daughter from me, and there is nothing you can do besides telling me to go hire a lawyer?” I can feel the vein in my neck throbbing, the heat traveling up my back and neck.
“That is accurate. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“I guess not. Not if you can’t go in there and get my daughter.”
“Here is my card, please let me know if you need anything else or have any questions regarding the law surrounding custody.” He holds out the card between his fingers and I snatch it away, shoving it in my pocket.
I watch as he goes back to his cruiser and pulls out of the driveway.
I stomp back to my truck before I do something that they can record and have record of on their doorbell camera. I slide in the driver’s side and slam the door shut. I don’t talk to Emma, I can’t. Both of our emotions are too high, and she’s too fragile for my anger.
I drive to the closest fast food restaurant and pull into a parking spot. Gripping the steering wheel until it hurts and my knuckles are white.
“Roman,” Emma’s small voice breaks the silence in the cab of the truck.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I failed.”
Tears spring to my eyes and I will them to stay back.
“It’s not your fault, Rome. It’s theirs. What do we do now?”
I don’t miss the way she says we. “We hire a lawyer and fight to get our girl back. They’re not getting away with what they’re doing.”
“Maybe Wy can help us. He knows the laws, and probably can recommend a lawyer.”
Her shaky hands fumble trying to get her phone out of her purse. I place my arm on hers, stopping her.
“I’ll call him.” Her lower lip trembles, and the tears threatening to fall are starting to spill over. I kiss away the one tear traveling down her cheek.
“Rome, I can’t—” The floodgates open as her chest heaves with sobs.
Jumping out of the truck, I run around to her side. I rip open the door and pull her to the edge of the seat, wrapping my bodyaround hers. I couldn’t be there for her before, but I sure as shit can be here for her now.
I pull her tighter to me, as if I can hold us both together tight enough that things won’t break and fall apart without Livvy Girl. I need to be strong for the both of us, and get our girl back.
After a few minutes her sobs lessen and she stills in my arms except for a few sniffles here and there.
“Are you okay for me to let go so I can call Wyatt?” I feel her nod against my chest, but I don’t let go.
I only free one hand so I can reach across her to grab my phone off the center console. She doesn’t lift her head. I can imagine she isn’t ready to face me yet, she never was good about letting any of us see her struggle with something emotionally. It’s how I know how badly she’s going through it now. She never would have cried in the face of an emergency without taking charge of the situation first.
I hold my phone up to my face to unlock it. A brief moment of hesitation stirs before I hit the call button for Wyatt. The last time I saw him he was firmly on Hunter’s side of being pissed at me.
I inhale a deep breath, and release it as I put the phone to my ear.
One ring, two rings, voicemail.
Not fucking again. I can’t do this right now.
