Chapter 67
Dax
She puts her hands to her temples and rubs. Once her hands are down, I take them both in mine.
“You’re unbelievable, Daxton.”
I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult, so I wait to hear more.
“We can’t do it. She’s going to grow up and be all messed up in the head when she finds out the truth. And she’ll know because Devin will tell her. That will send her right to the stripper pole, and I won’t be responsible for that.”
I almost want to cheer at her response. Mom gets closer and rests a gentle hand on Cori’s shoulder.
“We’re not going to lie to her. We’ll find a child therapist who specializes in adoption to help us tell her.” She looks down and shakes her head, but doesn’t offer a rebuttal.
“But Devin and my parents—”
“Sweetheart, this is not about Devin or your parents.” My mom’s nurturing voice fills the office. She sits, and I drop Cori’s hands and let Mom take both. Mom’s always had a soothing way about her, so I step back and let her help. “This is about a little girl who needs a loving home.”
“But I don’t have any maternal instinct. I—”
“You do. Your first concern was Ruby’s well-being. You don’t want to lie to her. You want her to grow up to be healthy and happy. That’s what maternal instinct is. It's about protecting that child at all costs, and that was your first impulse.”
“I don’t know, Momma.” She exhales. “I feel like a monster.”
“No one thinks that of you, honey,” Mom reassures Cori.
“I want the best for Ruby, but if we do this, it will be another way Devin gets over and dumps his responsibility on me. I’m not going to let him get away with it.”
“This isn’t about him, Cori.” Her eyes snap up and meet mine.
But only for a moment. The door to the office opens, and Leander comes in with a crying Ruby.
Finch follows behind, but she walks to Cori and rubs against her legs.
My wife’s hand lands on Finch’s head, and she rubs it.
I don’t know if she’s aware of her actions.
Cori pulls me out of the room and takes me to a corner. “I feel like I’m being set up to fail, Daxton.”
“What do you mean, baby?”
“I mean, I can’t do it all. I’m already pregnant.
” She looks around to ensure our privacy before continuing.
“Now, I’m supposed to be responsible for an infant, start a business, and go to school?
” She lets out a whoosh of breath. “I can’t do all of that.
My load just doubled, and it’s not fair.
You know what else is not fair? That they get everything.
Devin gets to walk away. My parents dump the responsibility on me, and they get to walk away and enjoy life. ”
I put my hands on her shoulders and look into her eyes.
“But you won’t do any of it alone.” I rest my hand on her stomach.
“This baby won’t be here for another seven months.
Your shop is practically ready, and we’re in the rare position of being able to afford help.
” I cup her cheeks. “I made a promise to give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of, and I’m going to do just that.
And they won't get everything. You're in charge.
" I point at her. "You dictate the terms."
She sighs and rests her head on my chest. I cradle the back of her neck until she takes my hand and leads me back to her office.
“The only way I’ll even consider this is if Devin lets us adopt her, and he has no rights."
"I agree."
She look up into my eyes. "I know you've donated to my dad's campaign in the past." I don't answer. She gets so close that her body ends up pressed against mine. "Is that a benefit to you."
"It is," is all I say.
"OK."
"Okay?"
"Ok. Keep him in your back pocket"
"Anything else?"
"Stop paying for all their shit. We aren't doing anything else for this family. Once Mom's a little better, they can pay for their own housekeeper."
"Done," I say without hesitation. "What else? Whatever you want, Bella."
"What about Ruby’s mother? I know she’s in prison, but doesn’t she still have rights?”
“She doesn’t.” Leander makes his presence known, and answers on my behalf. I'm unsure if he heard my wife's demands or not. Either way, he'll find out soon enough. He bounces Ruby, who is reaching for me. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
“I want Devin out of it completely. He’ll have to be out of it, Dad.
I’m not looking for him to be a co-parent.
If we take Ruby, Dax and I are the parents, and that’s it.
Devin can’t just walk back into her life.
He can’t make any decisions. He can’t get access whenever he wants, and if you and Mom try to guilt-trip me when he eventually comes crawling back, I will never speak to either one of you again. ”
Leander nods in understanding, and I see his body go lax in relief.
“You have my word,” he reassures her.
“That doesn’t mean a thing to me. I’ll only do it if it’s legally binding,” Cori says. “He will have to give up his rights and let us adopt her. That’s the only option. He has one chance. If he balks or tries to negotiate, I’m out. I won’t do it. Those are my terms.”
“I’ll put a gun in his mouth to get him to agree. If he won’t, I’ll pull the trigger. Either way, he'll be a non-factor.” I mean every word. “I know where he is,” I add.
“I’ll go with you to talk to him. I’ll convince him.” Leander, for all his size and bulk, suddenly seems small.
“I don’t want to see or talk to Devin.” Cori’s voice is soft but firm. “Daxton, you handle this. I’ll sign whatever I need to. I’ll meet with a social worker, go in front of the judge, but you’re going to handle the details.”
“You won’t have to do anything. I’ll take care of it all.”
My wife takes my hands and stares into my eyes. “I’m trusting you to be honest with me. If Devin balks even once, you will tell me.”
“Of course, sweetheart,” I say without hesitation.
“And you remember my terms?” She arches an eyebrow.
“You’ve been clear.” I lift and kiss the back of her hands. “You have my word. I’ll never lie or manipulate the truth. You can trust me.”
She exhales. “Thank you.”
“And we’re not dumping Ruby on you. Your mother and I will help. We just can’t—”
Cori holds up her hand, and Leander shuts up.
“We’ll take it from here. If we need your help, we’ll ask.”
“We can’t see her?” Leander looks crestfallen. “We love Ruby.”
“I didn’t say that. If you want us to raise her, we’re not going to share the responsibility with you. She’ll be ours, and you’ll continue to be the grandparents, but Daxton and I will make decisions where she’s concerned.”
"Okay." Leander nods in defeat. "I understand. Let's go, Daxton." He heads toward the door.
"One more thing, Dad." He stops but doesn't turn around.
"That money you took from me to give to Devin?
I want it back." His body goes stiff. I wink at my wife, feeling a certain amount of pride.
"For twenty-three months, you took five hundred from me.
That totals eleven thousand, five hundred dollars.
I want it in thirty days. That's non negotiable.
And since I'm feeling generous, I won't charge you interest, but if the payment is late… " she lets the threat dangle.
Leander remains frozen for a few seconds more. He doesn't answer with words, but his shoulder sag and he nods his head. He walks out a little smaller than when he walked in.
I pull Cori to me and kiss her temple. "You don't need the money, Bella. I have to remember to stay on your good side."
"It's the principle." She looks up and smiles at me. "I'll take you on a hot date when he pays me, and I'll put the rest in an account for Ruby."
I put my hand on her ass and squeeze it. "We'll go on the date, but your husband pays." I tap my lips on on hers. "Always."