Chapter Twelve #3
The promise made my throat tighten painfully. This cop was trying to comfort Lily by using her trust in me, reassuring her I’d fix a situation I felt powerless to change.
“Cash will come get me?” Lily asked, her voice small but hopeful.
Before I could answer, Ms. Winters interrupted. “Officer Martinez, we need to proceed. The placement family is expecting us.”
“Placement family?” Eliza stepped forward, alarm flaring in her eyes. “You said she would go to the children’s center, not to strangers.”
“A verified foster home is the appropriate placement for a child with Lily’s needs,” Ms. Winters replied coolly. “The family has been briefed on her medical situation.”
“You can’t just give her to people who know nothing about her condition,” Eliza protested, desperation creeping into her voice. “She needs specialized care until the medicine has time to start working and she gets stronger.”
“The foster parents are experienced with medically fragile children,” Ms. Winters assured her with professional detachment. “All of her needs will be addressed.”
Lily began to cry in earnest now, clutching Mr. Flopsy tighter.
I couldn’t stand it anymore. I stepped forward, ignoring Hannah’s warning hand on my arm.
“Lily,” I said gently, kneeling down to her level.
“I need you to be brave for a little while longer, OK? Your mom, me, and everyone else here are going to fix this.”
She looked at me through tear-filled eyes. “You promise?”
“I swear it,” I replied, meaning it with every fiber of my being. I would tear down whatever barriers stood between this child and her mother, legal or otherwise. “Can you be brave for your mom?”
Lily nodded solemnly, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “I can try.”
“That’s my girl,” I said, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. “Mr. Flopsy will help you be brave too.”
Officer Martinez stood, giving me a slight nod of acknowledgment. “Time to go, kiddo,” he said to Lily, his voice gentle but firm.
Eliza rushed forward, dropping to her knees to embrace her daughter one last time. “I love you so much,” she whispered fiercely. “This is only for a little while.”
Ms. Winters checked her watch pointedly. “Ms. Jans, please don’t make this more difficult than necessary.”
Officer Martinez shot Ms. Winters a disapproving look before guiding Lily toward the door. “Come on, little one,” he said kindly. “We’ll get this all worked out soon.”
Lily looked back over her shoulder as they walked away, her small face streaked with tears. “Bye, Mommy,” she called, her voice breaking. “Bye, Cash.”
I stood rooted to the spot, watching helplessly as Officer Martinez led her through the security doors. Ms. Winters followed, her briefcase swinging at her side with businesslike efficiency, not sparing us another glance.
Through the glass doors, we watched as they crossed the parking lot to the waiting police cruiser.
Officer Martinez carefully helped Lily into the back seat, making sure Mr. Flopsy was secure in her arms before closing the door.
She immediately pressed her face against the window, her small hand splayed against the glass in a goodbye that tore my heart to shreds.
As the cruiser pulled away, I caught a glimpse of Officer Martinez saying something to Ms. Winters, his expression hard as he gestured toward Haven. Whatever he said, she dismissed it with a wave of her hand before sliding into her own government sedan.
Eliza stood frozen by the door, one hand still pressed against the glass as if she could reach through it and pull her daughter back. Nobody spoke. The silence felt physical, pressing against my ears like the moment after an explosion.
I watched Eliza carefully, recognizing the signs of someone holding themselves together by will alone. Her shoulders remained rigid, her spine straight, until the moment the car vanished from sight.
Eliza’s shoulders slumped and her knees gave way. I moved without thinking, closing the scant distance between, wrapping my arms around her waist. She sagged against me, clutching my cut and T-shirt in her small fists.
“I’ve got you,” I murmured against her hair as I gathered her against my chest. “I’ve got you, Eliza.”
Her first sob sounded like it physically hurt, raw and primal in its intensity.
She clutched at my cut, her fingers digging into the leather with desperate strength as wave after wave of grief shook her small frame.
I tightened my hold, one hand cradling the back of her head as I guided us both to the floor, my back against the wall for support.
“Why? Why c-can’t I c-catch a b-break? I did everything they asked!” She sucked in a sobbing breath. “They keep m-moving the b-bar!”
Each word felt like a knife in my chest. I had no comfort to offer, no reassurances to offer in the face of her devastation. She didn’t need my words. Instead, I held her, letting her cry while my own rage burned cold and steady beneath the surface.
The other women and children had been directed away from the common room, likely to the courtyard or one of the recreation rooms. Hannah appeared with a blanket, draping it gently over Eliza’s shoulders before retreating again. Eliza turned her face into my chest to muffle the worst of her cries.
“This is my fault,” Ash’s voice came from nearby, rough with emotion. I looked up to see him slumped against the opposite wall, face buried in his hands. “If I hadn’t lost it, given the bitch exactly what she wanted…”
“You certainly didn’t help, but she was going to take Lily regardless,” Knuckles stated flatly, standing in the center of the lobby with his arms crossed. “She came prepared. Had the paperwork ready. Your little display just made her job easier. She tell you she was coming?”
Ash nodded. “Yeah. Called when she pulled into the parking lot. Said she was required to notify me, just like they did when they first told me about Lily.”
“That’s what I thought,” Knuckles said with a growl. “She set you up.”
Ash raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed and hollow. “I played right into her hands.”
“We all did,” I admitted, still holding Eliza as her sobs gradually quieted to shuddering breaths. “She knew exactly which buttons to push.”
Knuckles nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Winters has been gunning for Eliza from the beginning. This isn’t about Lily’s safety. It’s about covering her own ass.”
Eliza stirred against my chest, her tear-streaked face turning toward Knuckles. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it,” Knuckles said, moving closer to kneel at our level.
“She dislocated Lily’s shoulder when she took her from the hospital.
Then doctors confirm a medical condition explaining all the injuries she accused you of causing.
I don’t know if she truly believes she’s doing the right thing or if she doesn’t like to lose. Either way, I’ll fix this.”
The security door buzzed, and Lana burst through, her usually immaculate appearance slightly disheveled as she clutched her briefcase. She took in the scene with one sweeping glance, her expression hardening when she spotted Eliza in my arms.
“I missed her,” she stated flatly. “By how much?”
“About ten minutes,” Hannah replied, moving to intercept her. “She had papers signed by Judge Harmon.”
Lana swore under her breath. “Harmon doesn’t know the case, and I’ll bet my thong Ms. Winters only told him the minimum. Any judge will err on the side of caution.” She knelt beside Eliza, her professional demeanor softening slightly. “Eliza, I’m so sorry. I was in court when Hannah called.”
“Can you get Lily back?” Eliza asked, her voice small but steadier now.
“Oh, I will,” Lana promised, the steel returning to her tone.
“No.” Knuckles said, straightening to his considerable height. “You do what you have to with Ms. Winters, but I’m getting Tonio involved. I absolutely will not have Lily away from her mother and her home one fuckin’ second longer than she has to be.”
Lana’s gaze widened. “You want Tonio Miles to get involved in this?”
“I want him to call Judge Harmon and tell him to send Officer Martinez back with Lily immediately.”
Lana stared at Knuckles for several seconds. I could practically see her weighing the options. Finally, she gave an annoyed sigh. “Fine. But you tell him to leave Ms. Winters to me.”
“What’s happening?” Eliza looked up at me, then to Knuckles and Lana. “What’s going on?”
I helped Eliza to her feet when she moved from my arms. She swayed slightly, exhaustion evident in every line of her body. “You should rest,” I murmured, keeping one arm around her waist for support.
She shook her head firmly. “No. I need to hear this. I need to know how we’re going to get my daughter back.”
Lana gave Eliza a small but kind and sincere smile. “Honey, Cash is right. Why don’t you go lie down? Give us a couple of hours and I’ll have an update for you.”
“Cash,” Eliza said suddenly, her hand finding mine on the couch between us. “What she said about you… about us…” Her voice faltered, unable to finish the thought with so many people around.
I squeezed her fingers gently. “Don’t worry about it now. Nothing matters except getting Lily home.”
“But I dragged you into this,” she insisted. “All of you.” Her gaze flickered around the room. “Now she’s using you as reasons to keep Lily away. And how is this going to affect Haven? I’m so sorry.”
“This isn’t on you, Eliza.” Lana shook her head.
“And don’t worry about Haven. I guarantee you Winters didn’t tell Judge Harmon you guys were staying here; otherwise, he’d have known better.
She likely only said motorcycle club and let him draw his own conclusions.
I’ll take care of her, and no one will ever touch this place. ”
“Maybe you and Cash need to keep your distance.” Ash, the motherfucker, was about to get an ass whoopin’.
“Did you not learn your lesson?” Knuckles glared at the other man.
Ash winced, raising his hands and stepping back. “I’m just thinking of Lily. The harder we make it for Ms. Winters to object, the faster we get Lily back.”
The suggestion hit like a punch to the gut. Distance myself from Eliza when she needed support the most? The idea felt wrong on every level.
“No,” Eliza said firmly before I could respond. “I’m not pretending every single person here isn’t part of my support system just to appease Winters. And I’m not pushing Cash away either, Asher.” She glared at him.
“Eliza, honey --”
“No!” Eliza interrupted, steel entering her voice despite the tears still drying on her cheeks. “I won’t play her game. I won’t disown the people who have stood by me when no one else would. And fuck you anyway, Asher! You don’t get a say in any of this!”
Pride swelled in my chest at her words, mixed with a fierce protectiveness. Ash looked both livid but resigned. “I’m just trying to help.”
“Well, don’t,” she snapped. “If you’d wanted to help, you should have done it by not following those idiot friends of yours.” Eliza sucked in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, her eyes closed. “I’m sorry. This isn’t helping anything.”
“You’re entitled to say whatever you want to whoever you want, honey,” Lana said, grimly. “Do what Knuckles tells you, Eliza. I’ll take care of Winters.”
Knuckles’ phone chimed and he looked at it.
Grim satisfaction spread over his face as he looked up at Lana.
“Tonio says to give him a couple hours. Witch Winters waited until Judge Harmon left for his weekend golf getaway, and he turns off all technology when he goes. He’s notoriously hard to reach, but Tonio will take care of it. Said he’d call you.”
“I’ll wait for his call.” Lana checked her watch. “I’ll make this right, Eliza. I’ll bring Lily back to you and you guys will be OK.”
“Come on, Eliza.” Pippa took Eliza by the hand, and she and Hannah led her from the room, putting their arms around her for support.
As the women disappeared around the corner and Knuckles closed the door to the security office, I found myself alone with Ash for the first time since he hit me. My jaw throbbed dully as a reminder.
“I’m sorry about your face,” he said finally, gesturing vaguely toward my jaw.
“Any other time I’d tell you to fuck off. Then pound your face into the ground.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “But we’ve got bigger problems than a pissing contest to see who gets to claim Eliza.”
Ash sighed, scrubbing a hand through his hair in frustration. “I keep screwing everything up. First getting sent to prison, now this. I can’t seem to do right by either of them.”
“Makes two of us,” I admitted, the words surprising even me. “My being in their lives has just given Winters more ammunition, but I’m not letting Eliza go unless she doesn’t want me.”
We stood in uncomfortable silence for a moment. “She loves you,” Ash said suddenly, the words clearly painful for him to say. “Eliza. I can see it in the way she looks at you. Lily too.”
I shook my head, unwilling to claim something I knew wasn’t mine. “They’re vulnerable right now. They needed someone, and I happened to be there.”
“No,” Ash insisted. “I know Eliza. Even before prison, when things were good between us, she never looked at me the way she looks at you. Like you’re her only anchor in a raging sea. And like she truly believes you can make everything better.”
The description hit uncomfortably close to how I felt about her. “It doesn’t matter right now,” I deflected. “Getting Lily back is all that counts.”
Ash studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. “For once, I agree with you.” He extended his hand toward me, a peace offering. Must have cost him considerable pride. “Truce?”
I hesitated only briefly before accepting his handshake. “Truce.”
Eliza reappeared in the doorway, a mug of steaming coffee clutched in her hands though I doubted she’d drunk any of it. Her eyes moved between us, taking in our posture and proximity with cautious hope.
“You two aren’t going to kill each other?” she asked, attempting a weak joke.
“Not today,” I replied, meeting her gaze steadily.
She nodded. Eliza wore a determined expression matching the resolve hardening in my own chest. Whatever it took, whatever price I had to pay, I would see Lily returned to her mother. Then, hopefully, I would have them both in my arms. And they’d be safe.