Chapter Twelve
Cash
I leaned against my bike in Haven’s parking lot, watching the morning sun creep across the asphalt.
Sleep had eluded me after Eliza left my room last night, her apology hanging in the air between us.
My jaw clenched at the memory of her body tensing beneath my touch, walls rebuilding even as she lay in my arms.
Before I could figure out what the hell to do about fixing things with Eliza, a sleek government sedan pulled into the lot, followed by a police cruiser.
The sight of Ms. Winters stepping out sent ice through my veins.
This wasn’t a routine visit. Judging by the smug expression on her face, she came here to claim victory.
An officer emerged from the cruiser, his uniform crisp but his face troubled. I remembered him from when Ms. Winters took Lily from the hospital. He caught my eye briefly, a flicker of recognition passing between us before he looked away, discomfort evident in the set of his shoulders.
I pushed off my bike, moving toward the entrance with deliberate calm belying the rage building in my chest. Whatever was about to go down, Eliza wouldn’t face it alone.
“Ms. Winters,” I called out, making my voice casual even as I positioned myself between her and Haven’s entrance. “Bit early for a visit.”
She barely glanced at me, her gaze fixed on the security door ahead. “Mr. Kingston. I’m here on official business. Please step aside.”
“Official business usually comes with notice,” I replied, not moving. “And generally more than one cop.”
Martinez shifted his weight, avoiding my eyes. He shook his head slightly, keeping his gaze down. Yeah, whatever was about to happen didn’t sit well with him.
Ms. Winters brushed past me and approached the intercom. “Child Protective Services,” she announced into the speaker. “I need to speak with Eliza Jans immediately.”
I followed them inside as Hannah buzzed them through the security vestibule. The contrast between Haven’s warm interior and Ms. Winters’ frigid demeanor couldn’t have been more stark.
Knuckles and Pippa already stood near the reception desk, clearly alerted to the situation. Knuckles wore his cut proudly, arms crossed over his massive chest, his face an impassive mask. Beside him, Pippa looked deceptively calm.
Hannah approached with professional courtesy, but she didn’t smile at the woman like she welcomed everyone else. “Ms. Winters, we weren’t expecting you today. Eliza mentioned your scheduled visit was next week.”
“Plans change when concerns escalate,” Ms. Winters replied coolly, opening her briefcase and retrieving a leather portfolio. “I need to speak with Ms. Jans now, please.”
Movement in the hallway caught my attention. Eliza appeared, her face pale but composed as she walked toward us. Our eyes met briefly before her gaze focused on Ms. Winters. The memory of her beneath me last night clashed violently with the fear now evident in the tight line of her shoulders.
“Ms. Winters,” Eliza said, her voice remarkably steady. “What’s this about?”
“Perhaps we could speak somewhere private,” Ms. Winters suggested, her gaze sliding meaningfully toward me and the others.
“Anything you need to say to me can be said in front of my support system,” Eliza replied, lifting her chin slightly. The small act of defiance made my chest tighten with pride mixed with fear. Pushing Ms. Winters seemed dangerous.
The older woman pursed her lips but opened her folder, removing several documents.
“Very well. I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of concerns about Lily’s current living situation.
Specifically, your decision to expose her to dangerous influences.
” Her eyes flicked toward me before returning to Eliza.
“The involvement of multiple convicted felons in your daughter’s daily life constitutes an unacceptable risk. ”
“Bullshit,” I growled, unable to contain myself. “New Beginnings is a registered shelter in the city. Everyone here has been nothing but protective of Lily.”
Hannah placed a warning hand on my arm, her grip surprisingly strong. “Ms. Winters,” she said smoothly, “perhaps you could clarify what specific evidence you have that anyone here presents a danger to Lily. She’s received nothing but support and protection.”
“The evidence speaks for itself,” Ms. Winters replied, placing photos on the counter.
I leaned forward to see surveillance images of me with Lily at the hospital, Ash visiting Haven, even one of Knuckles speaking with Eliza in the parking lot.
“Ms. Jans has deliberately surrounded her vulnerable, physically fragile daughter with violent offenders. There are men here who’ve served time for aggravated assault. Armed robbery. The list goes on.”
“Those charges had nothing to do with children,” Hannah countered. “And both men have proven themselves trustworthy and supportive.”
“The court may disagree,” Ms. Winters said, sliding another document forward. “Especially given relationship has developed between Ms. Jans and Mr. Kingston.”
Eliza flinched visibly, her eyes widening as she looked at me. There’s no way she knew because I wasn’t talking and I didn’t think Eliza would either.
“My personal life is not relevant to my ability to care for my daughter,” Eliza said, her voice shaking slightly. “If everyone had just listened to me, none of this would have happened in the first place.”
“Your judgment is absolutely relevant,” Ms. Winters replied. “As is your choice of associates.”
The security door buzzer sounded again, drawing everyone’s attention. Through the glass, I spotted Ash standing outside, his face tight with anger as he repeatedly jabbed the intercom button.
“Mr. Hudson, I presume?” Ms. Winters noted with satisfaction that made my skin crawl. “Right on cue.”
Hannah hesitated only briefly before buzzing Ash in. The moment the door unlocked, he burst through with barely contained fury, clutching a thick manila folder. His eyes swept the room, landing on Ms. Winters with laser focus.
“Ash, who called you?” I whispered as he passed.
“Fuckin’ CPS.” Without breaking stride, Ash approached the counter and slammed his folder down with enough force to make everyone jump.
“I have rights too, you know,” he shouted, his face reddening.
“You called me because I’m Lily’s father.
Just because I haven’t been in Lily’s life doesn’t mean I don’t get my say.
Eliza is innocent until proven guilty. Isn’t that still the way they say it works? ”
Ms. Winters regarded him with clinical detachment, not even flinching at his outburst. “Mr. Hudson. How kind of you to join us.” She put her shoulders back and her chin up.
“When there is a concern a child is in danger, we have an obligation to act. I’ve seen the preliminary reports of Lily’s testing and they’re inconclusive. ”
“Inconclusive?” Ash’s voice rose dangerously. “Three specialists agreed on the diagnosis. Bone density scans confirmed it. What more do you want?”
“The full genetic panel, for starters,” Ms. Winters replied coolly. “And a treatment plan overseen by medical professionals, not a collection of criminals playing doctor.”
Officer Martinez shifted uncomfortably behind Ms. Winters. “Ma’am, did you show the judge those results? Because I don’t remember you saying --”
“The results will be reviewed by us when everything is in,” Ms. Winters cut him off. “In the meantime, my concern is Lily’s immediate safety in an environment populated by violent offenders.”
Ash slammed his hand on the counter again. “The only person who’s hurt Lily in this whole mess is you! You dislocated her shoulder, or did you conveniently forget that part?”
Ms. Winters’ expression hardened. “An unfortunate incident occurring during a necessary removal based on credible evidence of abuse.”
“Evidence you manufactured!” Ash shouted, his control slipping further.
I stepped forward, recognizing the dangerous edge in his voice. “Ash, man, take a breath. This isn’t helping Lily or Eliza.”
He whirled on me, his eyes wild with a mix of fear and rage I recognized all too well. “Don’t tell me what helps my daughter. Where were you before all this? Swooping in to play hero with my family?”
The accusation hit harder than it should have, especially with Eliza watching, her face pale with shock at Ash’s outburst.
“This isn’t about us,” I said quietly, keeping my voice level. “It’s about keeping Lily with her mother where she belongs.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Ash stepped closer, his breath coming in short bursts. “It’s my daughter they’re threatening to take. Mine.”
I raised my hands in a peacekeeping gesture. “I know, man. We’re all on the same side here.”
Something in my tone must have pushed him over the edge.
His face contorted with fury as he drew back his arm and threw a wild punch toward my face.
I managed to shift just enough he only glanced off my jaw, but the impact still snapped my head to the side.
Pain bloomed along my face as I stumbled back a step.
Before I could react, Knuckles moved with surprising speed for a man his size. He grabbed Ash from behind, pinning his arms and immobilizing him against the wall. “Enough!” he growled into Ash’s ear. “You’re making everything worse.”
Ms. Winters’ lips curled into a smile that never reached her eyes. “Well,” she said, closing her folder with deliberate calm. “I believe he proved my point about the environment here.”
Eliza looked devastated, her gaze moving between Ash’s struggling form, my bruising jaw, and Ms. Winters’ satisfied expression. The fear in her eyes cut deeper than Ash’s punch ever could.
Officer Martinez looked deeply uncomfortable now, his gaze fixed somewhere on the middle distance as if trying to dissociate from the situation.
“You set this up,” I realized aloud, the pieces suddenly falling into place. “You wanted this to happen.”