Page 38 of Broken Bodyguard

“Yes, honey. A tree.” I got down on her level, offering her a big smile while I rubbed the sides of her arms. From downstairs, I heard undertones of stomping and a male voice.Fuck.“Draw me the prettiest tree you can think of, okay? I really want a picture of a pretty tree.”

She nodded hesitantly.

“But do not come out of this room, okay?” There was more stomping from downstairs, and I could barely keep my worries at bay. I needed to get down there, but not with Grace. “I need you to stay in this room and play.”

“Okay, Mommy,” she whispered.

I kissed the top of her head and slipped out of the room, pulling the door shut behind me. Sounds of an argument drifted into the hallway from downstairs. My stomach wrenched and I hurried to the stairs, determined to see this through. Jericho wasn’t going away. We needed to take care of this once and for all, so our family could find the new norm.

That was my only wish.

As soon as my feet hit the ground floor, I spotted Jericho in the front hall. Both of my parents were there, looking worried.

“There she is,” Jericho sneered. He looked ready for the office, his dark blond tresses slicked back and his khaki slacks and light blue button up pressed neatly. But something dark twisted his classically handsome features. I wasn’t sure if it had always been there, or if it had just emerged since he’d gotten the divorce papers. But I barely recognized this man…even after having been married to him for almost five years.

“Jericho, why don’t we take this conversation outside?” my father suggested. He was a 6’1, broad-shouldered former football player who commanded respect, but something in Jericho’s stance suggested he’d throw a punch at anyone right now. Even my mother.

“I just want to talk to Maddie.” His gaze zeroed in on me. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I wasn’t avoiding you.” I didn’t budge from the foot of the staircase. There were three people between him and Grace, and it needed to stay that way. “I’ve been busy.”

“I deserve to see my daughter.”

“Then you can sign the papers and we’ll set up a custodial arrangement.” I crossed my arms over my chest, partly to hide the fact that my heart was racing a mile a minute. Like this would somehow bolster my confidence. I could hear Troy’s voice in my head.What’s the plan, babe?“If you don’t sign the papers, I’ll be moving forward with the divorce anyway. But you have to do your part if you want to get custodial rights.”

“I don’t need a judge to tell me whether or not I can see my owndaughter,” he spat. “That’s bullshit.”

“It’s not bullshit, it’s how it works.” I tried to hide the waver in my voice. “We’re not together anymore, so we need to set up parameters.”

“Parameters?” His bitter laugh nearly burned my skin. “I see. So you can run off with your little boyfriend while you’re still legally married? Sounds like something a fucking whore would do. I’m not playing your mind games, Maddie.”

“Jericho, you’re not going to speak like that inside my house.” My father’s voice landed like a hammer and he moved to push Jericho toward the door.

“You should leave now,” my mother said firmly.

“What did I say?” The hint of a smile twisted at his lips. “Come on guys. I said it sounded like something a whorewoulddo, I never said Maddiewasa whore. Even if it’s exactly what she fucking did. You guys can draw your own conclusions.”

My stomach twisted. Those types of mind games he accused me of were exactly the type he loved to play in our relationship. Just being reminded of the circular logic made me sick. The only way out was to not respond directly to it.

“Nothing to say, huh?” Jericho nodded my way as my father stood in front of him, urging him toward the door.

“I’ll give you ten seconds to leave on your own,” my father warned.

“The fact that she’s not even defending herself says it all, don’t you think?” Jericho was unfazed. “Doesn’t sound like a very fit mother to me. Do you want your granddaughter being raised by someone who breaks the sanctity of marriage? She and I exchanged vows. And still she ran off with some man and probably got railed all weekend like a slut.”

“Jericho,” my father warned. “This is your last chance to leave peacefully.”

“I don’t want to leave peacefully.” His voice was rising now. “I want to take my daughter and get the fuck out of here. I don’t trust you people. Least of allher.”

I straightened my back, rejecting all of the hurtful words he spewed. I willed them to roll off my body, like oil separating from water. “Jericho, you need to leave right now. Everything else will be figured out by the courts. You’re not taking Grace with you.”

“Like hell I’m not.” He stepped forward but my father hooked him by the arm, keeping him at bay for only a few moments. But the longer he was detained, the harder Jericho struggled.

“You’re not going to keep me from what I want,” he growled, snagging his arm back. My mom held up her hands.

“Jericho, think about what you’re doing,” she pleaded.

“If you take another step, I’m calling the cops,” I warned him.

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