Page 36 of Shuttered Hearts

“I can’t believe we did that,” I say as we get closer to his truck. “There’s no way that doesn’t make it back to my family.”

“Would that be such a bad thing?” he asks, spinning me around so my back is to his truck, and he’s right in front of me, leaving the slighted amount of space between us.

“Not necessarily,” I tell him, fiddling with the buttons of his shirt. “But we should probably know what this is before they find out.” I look up at him. “Right now, I don’t think either of us knows the answer to that question.”

“Okay. Let’s talk about it.” He steps closer to me, sandwiching me between him and his truck.

“Not here,” I say, looking around and seeing so many people still walking around. “Can we talk back at my place?”

“Yeah.” Declan brushes a quick kiss against my lips and then opens the door for me. “Get in, Bug.”

I smirk at him but do as he says.

I stare out the passenger window on the drive back to the house. It’s quiet in the truck but not uncomfortable.

Declan reaches over the center console and places his hand on my thigh, squeezing it. “You’re not panicking over there, are you?”

I smile at how well he seems to know me. I like the idea of someone knowing me that well.

“No.” I glance down at his hand, picking it up and placing it between both of mine before turning back to the window. We stay that way for the rest of the drive home.

Declan pulls up to the house just as someone walks up the steps to the front door and rings the doorbell.

“Who could that be this late at night?” I say as I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out of the truck. There are lights on inside, so I know Dad is still up, but seeing someone here this late is still weird.

“Quinn, wait, you don’t know who that is.” Declan rushes to shut off the truck and follows me up the walkway.

“Can I help you?” I ask as I get to the bottom of the stairs. The man at the door turns around, and while I don’t know his name, he looks familiar.

“I’m looking for Scott Marks,” he tells me.

“What do you need with Scott at ten o’clock on a Saturday night?” Declan asks from behind me.

“I need to see Scott, and then I’ll be on my way,” the man repeats as Dad opens the door, leaning on his crutches.

“Hello?” Dad questions.

“Scott Marks?”

“Yes?”

“You’ve been served.” The man hands Dad an envelope before he turns and leaves.

“What?” I say, rushing up the porch steps to Dad’s side. “Served with what?”

Dad takes his time opening the envelope and pulling out its contents. He studies them before releasing a massive sigh. “Well, we wondered why your mother hasn’t been back since Max’s party.” He hands me the papers before heading down the hall and back to the living room.

I look at Declan, worry on my face, before looking at the papers and following Dad into the house, with Declan close behind. “She’s suing you for custody?” I exclaim. “What lawyer would take her case? She abandoned him!”

“Quinn, you’ll wake Max,” Dad says from the couch.

I look at him and then to Declan. “I don’t understand.” I take a seat on the loveseat.

“Let me see,” Declan asks softly, coming to my side and taking the papers from me.

“Your mother has always been good at making friends. I’m sure she conned some lawyer into believing some sob story she gave them,” Dad says.

“I’ll call my sister. She’s a family lawyer. She’ll be able to help make sense of this,” Declan tells us.

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