Chapter 18 #3
“That’s what I thought,” Kennedy replied.
“I think his point was to try and prove that Rosie dresses inappropriately around the kids, but you could see more on a public beach, so I don’t know what he was thinking there.
He’s definitely reaching, except it’s actually given me ammunition because I can dress it up that Evan has sent somebody to invade Rosie’s privacy, and it’s giving pervert vibes.
I’m surprised the lawyer didn’t object to it for those reasons. ”
Rosie flicked through the pictures, shaking her head at them. “At least my tits look good in that swimsuit.”
I gave her The Smirk and muttered, “Baby. Your tits look good in everything.”
She rolled her eyes and went back to the photographs.
Kennedy snorted just as I flipped over to the next photograph and froze.
Rosie must have sensed something was up because she glanced over and asked, “You okay?”
My eyes lifted to meet hers, then I turned them on Rosie. “That motherfucker’s taken photographs of the kids.”
Ro closed her eyes slowly and sighed.
I held them out to her. “DJ’s in a clinch with some girl, which isn’t innocent seeing as they’ve got their tongues down each other’s throats, and it looks like Gabby’s gotten a little too close to Kai, but I’m pretty sure that one’s innocent seeing as Gabs is shy as fuck and would probably run a mile if a boy tried anything with her. ”
“Ahh,” Kennedy murmured. “I wondered when you’d get to that one.
I haven’t said anything to Kai because I agree with you.
Although they look a little too close for comfort, I’m confident it was entirely innocent.
Kai wouldn’t go there. Gabby’s too young and he knows it; plus, she’s his best friend’s sister, and he wouldn’t risk his bromance with DJ or his job with Donovan.
And if you look at the picture, their faces are close, but they’re not actually kissing.
It was probably an innocent hug caught at a weird angle. ”
Rosie took the pictures and studied them intently, her face twisting. “I’ll never understand Evan. What kind of father uses his kids like this?”
“I dunno,” I answered. “It’s beyond shitty, and if I were a judge, I’d never trust a moron who’d drag his kids into a custody battle by creeping on them. He’s using two teenagers who are doing normal teenage shit to get to you. It tells me everything I need to know about his character.”
“I agree,” Kennedy chimed in. “Especially since he’s dragging my boy into it too. I daren’t tell Kit. He’d break into Evan’s house when he was asleep and slit his throat.”
I pressed my lips together to stop myself from declaring that Evan getting his throat slit wouldn’t be any great loss to society, but on second thought, I decided it probably wasn’t the right time or place, though I suspected we were all thinking the same thing.
Rosie tossed the photographs on Kennedy’s desk. “I should be mad, and I am, but I’m also hurt. After everything he’s already done to me, why would he be so evil?”
“I’ll call Perry now. Tell him to step it up. Once I tell him what Evan’s done, I’m pretty sure he’ll push harder.”
I leaned forward. “Tell your guy I’ll pay overtime. I’ll remortgage the gym if it gets us what we need.”
“He’s on retainer, Donovan. It’s covered,” Kennedy assured me. “I already told Rosie that this one’s on me.”
I shot her a grateful smile. “You’ve got my marker, Ned. Thanks.”
She smiled back.
Rosie looked between us, her expression worried, yet still defiant. “So what happens next?”
Taking her hand, I rubbed my thumb across her fingers reassuringly. “Maybe we should ask Colt to deal directly with the PI?”
“Good idea. Those two together will be a force to be reckoned with.” Ned’s gaze slid to meet Rosie’s. “It’ll take at least a couple of months for the court date to come through. Just give Perry and Colt some time to work their magic.”
“Kennedy’s right, baby,” I told her. “You should tell the kids what’s going on. You need to prepare them because the family court will want their input.”
“Yeah,” Rosie concurred. “And I need to warn them that someone could be out there watching them and taking pictures. They’re going to have to stay vigilant, though telling them it’s because of their own father won’t be easy.”
A sharp pang hit my chest.
I knew this was killing her. The kids were already disillusioned by their dad’s actions.
All this shit was going to push them to dislike him even more, but what else could we do?
Keeping them in the dark wouldn’t be fair, and it was like I said, the courts would want to talk to them anyway.
Evan had forced his agenda and pulled the kids into the whole damned mess.
I squeezed her fingers gently. “You don’t have a choice, Ro.”
Rosie chewed her lip. “I know.”
In that moment, I knew for as long as I lived there was no way I’d give up. Seeing Rosie so confused and worried was like a dagger to the heart.
Her ex-asshole had a fight on his hands if he thought I’d ever let him win.