Page 38 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“Relieved, I guess. I expected a bigger fight. Her capitulation unsettled me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m happy. I’m just concerned…”

“About?”

“She’s fighting me for custody of Mira.”

Finally.“But you told me she’s not a good mother, right? That she hasn’t been involved in Mira’s life?”

“But the courts will see her as the mother. Courts always side with the mother.”

“Things have changed. But I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. We’re a long way from court. If she really plans to fight, we should consider mediation.”

He shook his head so vehemently, she startled.

He sliced his hand the air. “I don’t want mediation. There’s no discussion about this. There’s no middle ground. She cannot be near Mira under any circumstances. I can’t allow it.”

His certainty was unyielding—and nothing like her reality. She used negotiations and plea deals every day. Most of the cases crossing her desk pled out. Actual trials didn’t take up much of her time compared to heated discussions. “Are you sure?” She modulated her voice, not letting any emotion in. “Perhaps supervised visitation is an option.”

He leapt from his seat and paced the room. “It can’t happen, Remy. I’ll take Mira away before I let Sissy anywhere near her. We can leave. We can go somewhere and start over again.” His words came in a rush.

Panic clawed at her throat. She relied heavily on him. And not just as Calleigh’s nanny, he was an integral part of her life. She looked forward to coming home at night. She was excited to spend time with both Mira and her father.

“You don’t have to leave. I’m just suggesting if you’re less strident, maybe you’re more likely to get primary custody.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me, Rusty. Make me understand.”

He stopped his pacing and sat heavily back on the couch. “Do you remember, when we first discussed Sissy? When I told you she’d had a momentary lapse in judgement that’d brought her into conflict with the law?”

“And you told me she was no longer in the picture and I didn’t need to worry about her. I believed you. I don’t understand what’s going on.”

“My ex-wife left our daughter in the car while she went to buy pills from a drug dealer.”

Oh, shit.She drew a sharp breath because she’d imagined many things, but not this. Seeing him so uncomfortable pulled at her.

He leaned forward and interlaced his hands.

He stared at them so intently, she wondered if he was still with her at all. Compelled to speak, she offered, “The story made its way around the office, but I never would’ve connected it.”

“Why would you?” I guess I was naïve in believing I might keep it quiet.” His words were a hushed whisper, spoken brokenly.

“Can you tell me what happened?

“It’s a long story.”

“I have all night.”

His eyes drifted shut, as if tired of carrying all the worries on his strong shoulders. “Sissy’s a drug addict. She has her reasons, but it doesn’t justify her behavior.”

“What’s she addicted to?” It might not matter, but she worked best with facts and different drugs came with different problems.

“Painkillers. OxyContin." He rubbed his hand over his face. “Mira’s birth was a disaster, and they hurt Sissy. Badly. She’s had four surgeries and still she says she’s in pain.”

Remy hesitated. “She says…do you believe her?”

“I do believe her, but the medical professionals are convinced she’s hooked on painkillers, and that’s why she’s continuing to claim she’s in pain.” He closed his eyes and pressed his fists to his forehead. After a moment he lowered them. “It almost doesn’t matter what I think. The doctors refuse to prescribe her more pills, so she’s willing to take desperate measures to escape further pain.” He hesitated, pain etched across his face. “Who am I to judge? I’m not in her body. I can’t say how real her pain is.”

He was hurting. That much was plain to see. But there was more. “You blame yourself.”

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