Chapter 48 Octavia
Forty-Eight
Octavia
As soon as Naomi dropped me off, I rushed into Javier’s house. He and Aleesa were nowhere to be found in the living room, kitchen, or sunroom, but I heard giggling coming from outside.
I placed my purse down on the kitchen counter and headed for the back door. Javier had a tube of bubbles in hand and was blowing them while Aleesa ran around in circles, swatting at some of them and trying to catch others.
I walked down the stairs of the deck, and when he heard my footsteps shuffling through the grass, he gazed over his shoulder. One look at me, and the biggest smile spread across his face. It was so warm and genuine, making his eyes sparkle and his face appear softer.
“You are back sooner than I expected,” he said, turning as I met up with him.
“Yeah, well, I sort of ruined lunch.”
“You ruined lunch?” His brows drew together. He started to speak again, but Aleesa rushed his way and took the bubble tube and wand from him. She tried blowing, but spittle came out instead. “How do you mean?”
I unlocked my phone and showed him my screen. “I mean, I confronted Rafael.”
This time, Javier put on a full-blown frown. “You what?”
“So Naomi and I were about to eat at Venicio’s, and he was sitting at the table right behind me. I heard him talking about you, Eloise, and Aleesa.”
Javier’s eyes seemed to darken. “What was he saying?”
“I have it all right here.” I pressed the play button, and Javier stepped closer to tune in. While giving a glance at Aleesa, who was still trying her hardest to blow bubbles, I increased the volume just enough for only us to hear.
As Javier listened, he seemed to zone out, but I didn’t miss the way his jaw pulsed. The recording played Rafael’s voice for about three minutes before it was just mine and Naomi’s.
I paused the recording and looked into his eyes.
“Did he put his hands on you?” he asked in a low growl.
I studied the deep frown on his face, the angry lines forming between his eyebrows. Out of all the things he’d heard, that seemed to piss him off the most.
“He grabbed my arm, but—”
“I am going to kill him.” He started to walk around me, ready to storm away, but I caught his hand.
“No, that’s not what you’re going to do,” I said when he whirled around.
“He tried to hurt you, Octavia!” he shot back in a loud whisper. He looked at Aleesa, who, thankfully, wasn’t paying any attention to either of us. Instead, she was now frustratedly dumping all the bubble solution onto the ground.
“Emphasis on tried,” I murmured, guiding him a bit farther away from Aleesa. “But he didn’t. If you go to him and incite violence, this recording will be for nothing. We have to play this smart. You understand?”
Javier was fuming, breaths coming out harshly through his flared nostrils.
“Javier.” I cupped his face in my hands.
He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head.
“Baby, look at me.”
Finally, he softened and slowly opened his eyes.
“Take a breath.” I inhaled, hoping he’d follow suit. He dragged in a big breath through his nose and exhaled as I did. “Good. Again.”
Reluctant, he did it again.
“Now listen to me,” I urged. “Right now, you’re not going to confront Rafael.
What you’re going to do is send this voice recording to your lawyer so she can have proof that Rafael does not have Aleesa’s best interest in mind.
After she has it and you speak to her, then you can go to Rafael and demand him to drop the request for custody.
You’ll give him an ultimatum: If he doesn’t drop it, we can send the recording to the press and leak it, or have your lawyer play it for the judge in court.
Either way, it’ll destroy his chances. The last thing he’ll want is news getting out to the press that he only wants Aleesa for financial gain.
It’ll destroy his brand and his business. ”
“I should’ve known,” Javier grumbled. “I knew he wanted something from this. Damn, Octavia.” He clutched my face in his hands and kissed me so hard, so passionately, I nearly stumbled. But he kept hold of me, and I laughed behind the kiss. “You are incredible. Do you know that?”
I could only smile . . . and blush.
“Seriously. I do not know why you fight so hard for us, but I am so thankful.”
“I fight because I care about you both. And I’ll be damned if anyone takes advantage of my Leesa.”
He chuckled.
Aleesa walked toward us with pouty lips. “I hungry.”
I scooped her up. “You know, I’m hungry too. Let’s go make a sandwich while Daddy handles a few things.”
“And strawbebbies,” she said, grinning.
I couldn’t help my smile. “With strawberries.”