Page 124 of War

“Do you love Tyler?”

Incredulous, I scowl. “What does that matter?”

“Answer the question.”

“Yes, of course I do.”

“And do you love Josie?”

I roll my eyes. “Obviously.”

Silently, Beckett arches a brow, and for the space of a few heartbeats, he only watches me. “My marriage was also a contract.”

Stunned, I gape at him.

“It isn’t anymore,” he says, almost affronted. “Livy is my entire world. Our family is my entire world. But yeah, the way our marriage began was a little suspect.” He smirks, like maybe he’s remembering the times before it became the real thing. “And her ex tried to go to the press about it.”

“But I never?—”

“Because I have the best fixers in the world. And the best family.” Beckett laces his fingers, forearms resting on his knees. “Lucky for you, you’re one of my people, and I always take care of my people.”

“Beckett.” Tears fill my eyes. I doubt he can really do what he’s offering, but the sentiment is beautiful, nonetheless. “It’s too late.” I shrug. “The judge already knows.”

The glint in Beckett’s eye means he’s certain he’ll get his way. I’ve seen it time and again when Liv is fighting him on something at work. And honestly, he does get his way a lot. Though in the end, he’s usually gotten Liv on his side. He’s pretty good at making sure she’s happy. “It’s never too late, Ava. You just have to be willing to fight. So tell me, are Tyler, Josie, Scarlett, and Brayden worth it?”

The answer is easy. Even if I still don’t believe it’ll fix anything, Beckett is right. I may have lost my sister, but I fought for her until the end. How could I not do the same for the people who are just as much my family as she was?

Hours later I’m lying in Hannah’s spare bedroom, exhausted. As expected, the girls showed up and loved me hard. I hold my phone in one hand, not quite ready to talk to Tyler yet. Not when I don’t know how tomorrow will go.

I open the message I received from my sister’s number and reread the words.

Andrea: I know I haven’t always been the person you need, and for that, I’m so sorry. But I love you and I’m so proud of you. When you’re ready for me to come meet your babies, I promise I’ll be better to them than I was to you.

Throat clogged with emotion and tears clouding my vision, I type out what will likely be the last message I ever send to this number.

Me: Mommy, I need you.

FORTY-NINE

TYLER

The soundof Scarlett calling for her mama from her bed guts me. I’ve been up for most of the night, lying in our bed, trying to figure out how the hell I’m going to get through this day. Hoping that Ava’s okay. Beckett texted to tell me he found her and that he brought her to Hannah’s, but I can’t help but worry that she’s still bottling everything up. Hiding her emotions from everyone.

I scrub a hand down my face. Fuck. I can’t avoid the inevitable any longer. Rubbing at the tattoo around my ring finger, I take a deep breath, then another. This symbol only solidifies that this woman is out of her mind if she thinks I could ever move on from her. Even when I thought this was a necessary arrangement, I was crazy enough about her to ink her name and our wedding date on my skin. She’s my endgame, whether she believes it or not.

But I have to make it through this hearing before I can fight for my wife.

An hour later Scarlett is snuggled on the couch with Maria—thank god for her—Josie is ready for school, and Brayden is already on the bus.

“Ava will take me to dance tonight, right?” Josie has asked for Ava no less than five times since she walked down the steps to have breakfast and didn’t find her here.

I don’t want to lie, but what the hell do I tell her? That I don’t think Ava will be home tonight? That’ll destroy her. I have to remain focused on the hearing for now. Then I’ll fix the rest.

“I’m not sure, fighter. But if she can’t, either Maria will take you or I will. You know how we roll. Someone will always be here.”

Josie eyes me in that way that tells me she’s not buying my bullshit, but the sound of a car door slamming outside has her swiveling her head, causing her braids to whip against her face. “Who’s here? Is that Ava?”

I rub at the ache in my chest. The way she keeps asking for her is breaking my heart.

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