Page 29 of Wicked & Wildflower

So far, there haven’t been any sleepover or birthday party invitations, but it’s only the second week of school, so I’m trying not to overthink it.

“Well, logically, it sounds like your daughter is better off with you and you alone.” Malcolm shrugs as he takes another bite of his lemon bar. “Plus, her father doesn’t have a legal leg to stand on if he voluntarily gave up rights.” He pauses to swallow. “But, I suppose it’s possibleyourparents could attempt to file for some kind of guardianship if they have strong legal counsel and unlimited funds. Would be a hell of a fight for them, though.” Malcolm shrugs. “Ifthat’s a route he’s looking to take, he may think garnering the support of your child’s other parent, regardless of if the man has rights, would be beneficial.”

I brace my arms on the counter, my hands flexing. Darby inches across the kitchen toward me, covering her hand with mine. “He doesn’t have it in him to go to those lengths.”

“What if it’s Dad trying to take her from me? As a punishment to us.” The words scorch my throat as they force their way out of my body.

“That’s not going to happen,” Leo says with stern authority when he sees my sister’s eyes begin to water over.

I take a breath, willing the shaking in my tone to cease as I say, “Jason said she doesn’t have a support system here. Her grandparents, both on my side and his, are back in Kansas. That I uprooted her life without thinking. That I’m a bad mother for doing that. That I’m selfish and she’s better off with him.” One rogue tear falls from my eye. “And I know those weren’t his words. They were Dad’s.”

My sister wraps her arms around my waist, letting her head fall against my back. “You are not a bad mother. Leaving Crestwell was the best decision for both of you, for all of us. She has a support system here. She has us. This is the only place she’d like to be.”

Malcolm nods. “She’s getting to the age now where she can testify for herself in court as well. She can voice her opinion, and it’ll be taken into consideration. So as long as you’re right about that, that she’s happier here...” He reaches out for another lemon bar, and I slide the plate across the kitchen island, meeting him halfway. “Sorry, those are really good.”

“Help yourself.”

“Better yet, we’ll send you home with some, because I can’t handle having this much sugar in my house,” Leo adds, blue eyes glistening playfully, as if attempting to lighten the mood.

“But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves,” Malcolm adds, pushing his dark-rimmed glasses up his nose. “You’re a far way from court testimonies. Like you said, he doesn’t have any rights. I’m sure this will all blow over before we get that far.”

Malcolm doesn’t know my father, but I nod in agreement, attempting to tell myself and everyone else in the room that it’ll be okay.

He must catch my expression anyway, because he continues, “It helps if you can ensure that for whatever support system her father claims to have in Kansas, she has a better one here.”

“How so?” I ask.

“Get her in some extracurricular activities, maybe? Have her meet friends. Birthday parties. Clubs and sports.” He takes another bite. “Do you have any family here?”

“No–” I say at the same time Leo says, “Yes.”

He gives me a pointed look. “My family is here. My parents and my brother. My brother is giving her surf lessons, and my mom is just… absolutely smitten with Lou. So, yes. They have a support system here.”

Malcolm looks at me again. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Do you have any friends? Connections outside of Leo and his family?”

I bite my lip. “Not really. I’m starting my new job on Monday, though.”

“Good.” He nods. “That’s good. What about finding a place to live?”

“I’m looking,” I murmur.

“Is it bad if she’s living here?” Darby asks.

“Not necessarily, but planting roots helps, I think. You should show you don’t have any

intention of bouncing from place to place, that you can offer stability. A job is good. Owning a house would be better.” Malcolm shrugs.

I nod in contemplation. These were all things I wanted to do for Lou anyway.

My mind wanders back to the thumb drive in my bedside table. I know that’s why my father is going to such lengths. It’s not the only reason— he’d do anything to have Darby back home with him, the child he considers his true daughter. I think he could honestly give a shit about me or mine.

I can’t help but wonder why my blackmail couldn’t keep him away, though. He knows what files I have, knows what I have could put him away for years. He knows it’s enough that he wants it back, but it isn’t enough to keep him quiet.

My only conclusion is that he doesn't believe I have it in me to actually turn him in. That realization only makes me want to do it more, to show him how lethal I can fucking be when he gets my kid involved. He doesn’t understand the need to protect, love, and nurture a child. He doesn’t have those qualities in his bones. It makes me want to go that much farther in my effort to protect Lou. Maybe it’ll finally make him understand what we’ve been missing from him all our lives.

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