Page 76 of Ace of Spades

That sweet little girl, sitting alone somewhere in a police station, eating cold donuts like some afterthought.

Theo shifts anxiously beside me, fists clenched.

“Make it fast,” I say, voice rough.

Chief Briggs nods once, like he gets it. He’s a dad too.

“We got Evie on a possession charge,” he says. “She was picked up outside a pharmacy trying to pass a fake prescription. When she got searched, they found more than enough to stick.”

I rub a hand down my face, the weight of it all hitting like a steel-toed boot to the ribs.

“And Josie?”

“She wasn’t with her at the time,” Briggs says. “Evie left her alone in a motel room. Neighbor heard her crying and called it in.”

Theo curses under his breath. Carter’s face goes pale.

I feel like I’m drowning standing still.

“She okay?” I ask, voice low.

“Physically? Yeah. Shook up. But she’s resilient. I think she’ll be okay,” he assures me.

A weak, broken sound huffs out of me. Half a laugh, half a sob, I choke down before it can betray me.

Briggs softens a little. Leans in. “But listen, Levi. We can’t just hand her over like nothing happened. Since Evie’s technically still her legal guardian, there’s a process.”

“What process?”

“Emergency protective custody,” he says. “It’s paperwork, but it’s important. You will need to sign temporary guardianship forms tonight to take her home. After that, you’ll need to file for full legal guardianship… if you want it to stick long-term,” he adds.

Full legal guardian.I can do that. Can I do that?

I stiffen. “Of course, I’ll sign whatever I need to.”

Briggs raises a hand.

“I know that. But it’s not automatic. CPS will do a home check. Background check. Interview. You know the drill. They’ve gotta make it official, for Josie’s sake.”

I nod stiffly, every muscle in my body coiled and ready to snap.

“And Evie?” Carter asks, voice sharp. He never did care much for my ex-wife.

“She’ll be offered a deal,” Briggs says grimly. “Court-mandated rehab instead of jail time—ifshe completes it. It’s her best shot at getting clean without losing every right she’s got left.”

“And if she doesn’t?” Theo asks quietly.

Briggs meets my eyes, no bullshit. “Then it’ll make the guardianship permanent.. No contest.”

Silence hums between us. Heavy and brutal. I can take care of Josie. Hell, I’ve been taking care of Josie. This would just make things official. Make it so Evie can’t just show up claiming to be done with that life, only to be called up again a week later.

“She doesn’t get another shot with Josie,” I say, voice like gravel. “She’s had her last shot.”

Briggs nods, understanding more than he says.

“I’ll have the paperwork brought in. It should only take a few minutes. Go see your girl, Levi.”

I don’t wait another second.

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