Page 78 of Love Notes & Lifelines
“No court would grant you custody, you have to know that.”
“No court? Maybe. But the judge? Becker, are you still so naive? I’ve spent a lifetime coercing people into my corner. Do you truly believe I won’t have a family court judge in my pocket? When it comes right down to the loving auntie who has been part of their entire lives, the one who knows how they got every nick or scar on their fat little bodies, or the reclusive bachelor uncle who didn’t even know they existed, who do you think the judge will choose?”
I feel Stella’s heat at my back—she tethers me and gives me strength, but I don’t want her anywhere near this woman and her baseless threats. I turn to block her from Danica’s putrid face, then walk her backward until she hits the hallway. A quick glance to my right proves that Daisie’s gone. I’d bet a thousand dollars she’s sitting on Emmy’s feet.
Stella doesn’t need to be infected by Danica’s vitriol, but her entire body is already shaking and the expression on her face makes me want to check every corner for ghosts.
“Marry me,” I murmur under my breath. I don’t even know where it came from. It’s not what I meant to say, but now that I have, a plan takes root in my mind.
Her face bleeds of color and she shakes her head as if she can’t believe what I just said. “What did you say?” she whispers in alarm.
I glance over my shoulder when I hear Danica inching closer. She’s a nosy pain in my ass. “Stay,” I command. She opens her mouth to protest, but I return my attention to Stella.
Pressing my body into Stella’s, I push until she inches along the wall, putting more space between her and Danica. It’s ridiculous. This is my home, and I shouldn’t have to hide to have a conversation.
“If we’re engaged, I’m no longer a bachelor. Children need stability, remember?”
She shakes her head in a way that shouts,have you lost your mind?Then she presses a hand to my chest and steps to the side. “Sorry to interrupt,” she says at full volume. “I wanted you to know that I’m taking the girls down to the beach.”
If we’re married, I’m no longer a bachelor. It’s jumping out of a plane without a parachute, but what choice do I have? I meant what I said and will spend a fortune to protect my sister’s girls—my girls—but without having all the pieces, I’m fighting an invisible battle.
What the hell was my sister talking about?The stars shine bright. Why the fucking riddles?
“Stella, hold on. I’ll join you.”
Stella stops short but keeps a pleasant smile on her face.Marry me.My words send a jolt of longing through me that I tamp down immediately. This is a farce. A solution to a problem, that’s all.
Marry me.It’sfake, but if nothing else, it’s a layer of protection I don’t have at the moment. Goodbye, reclusive bachelor, hello, insta-family man.
I search Stella’s face, silently begging her to go along with this.
“You see, Danica,” I say, but my gaze never leaves Stella’s. Oh, I’m going to take great pleasure in this lie. “Your plan is faulty.” My grin expands in time with Stella’s eyes. She knows I’m going for it.
I raise a brow. It’s her chance to jump ship, but instead, she nods. It’s a barely perceptible movement, but it’s a nod that I accept as a yes, and I slowly shift my attention to Danica.
“I assure you it’s not.” Danica’s nose is in the air as if everyone and everything is below her.
“You missed the most important piece in this scenario though.” My words drip with venom.
“I never miss anything.” I’ll give her credit, she holds her ground, but the lashes on her left eye flutter. If you weren’t watching closely, you’d miss it, but it’s a sign of weakness—a sign that she’s not as convinced as she’s pretending to be.
Her tell hasn’t changed since we were kids, and my give-a-fuck-ometer is significantly depleted.
I advance on her, standing to my full height so I tower over her. “You missed Stella.” Stella’s name rolls off my tongue—a kiss from a lover. “Take me to court for custody, you insufferable nightmare, I dare you. Let’s see who the court chooses. A single aunt who terrifies the girls just by breathing, or their uncle and his new wife who have uprooted their lives to move home because it’s what was best for the children.”
Her eye twitches even more noticeably and try as she might, she can’t control the fluttering of that one eyelid. I bet she’s regretting whatever caterpillars she has resting on her lashes now.
“You’re not married.” Her voice has lost some of the swagger she walked in with.
“Not yet,” Stella says, holding up her ring finger. She flashes it briefly before tucking her arms behind her back, but Danica and I both saw it.
Where the hell did she find a ring—an engagement ring—and why is she wearing an engagement ring?
“They’re still owners of Delacroix,” Danica stutters.
“Not until they’re eighteen, and if you think I won’t find a way to solve that issue before their birthdays, you’ve underestimated the wrong man, Dani.”
“That’s not the only trick up my sleeve, it was simply the cleanest. But unlike your father, I don’t mind getting my hands messy, so perhaps you don’t knowmevery well. Did you know you have this house for five more months before I bulldoze right over it and all your sad, fucked-up memories? Davis isn’t hereto save you this time, and trust me, that’s only the beginning of the Delacroix name tearing you limb from fucking limb. I’m so deep into this game and you haven’t found the start button. So when you fall, remember this. I gave you a choice and you chose wrong.”
