Page 91 of Declan's Dove

Caleb grabs Carter’s shoulder, pulling Carter back against his body, his arm banded across the boy’s shoulders. “I’ve got him.” He assures us.

“Hey there, son,” the asshole CPS worker addresses Carter, who folds his arms across his chest, matching my stance.

“I’m not your son.”

I fucking love this kid.

Caleb’s demeanor changes from one of confusion to fuck around and find out. Pulling Carter with him, he walks over to stand beside Liz and the bed, not loosening his grip on the kid. I see Caleb pull out his phone from the corner of my eye, certain he’s texting Pres. None of us are sure what’s about to go down, but having my brothers at my back would certainly even the odds a bit since the three people standing in front of me have the law at their backs.

“Can you tell me how you broke that same wrist so many times? You must’ve been a clumsy little guy, huh?” The man bends down, making himself almost Carter’s height.

Carter shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t remember. I was little.”

Carter doesn’t so much as flinch when he sees me watching him. I know he’s lying, but he’d do anything to protect his mother, and I’m damn proud of the fact.

The man stands up, not believing Carter either based on his expression. “Dr. Halloway says you’ve had several accidents, all hurting the same wrist. It took a while to find all your records since you’ve changed your last name.” The man looks pointedly at Violet, who’s now pale, eyes full of panic. “Are you sure you don’t remember? It’s important that you try, Carter. Dr. Halloway has expressed his concerns and so has Mrs. Cortez. If you’re unsafe at home, I can help you.”

“I’m not in any danger. I’m a little King. The Kings take care of their own. Right, Declan?”

My mouth curves, and I wink at the kid. “That’s right, kid.”

“See. Declan and his brothers won’t let anything bad happen to me or Mama,” he says with such conviction, my heart swells with pride.

“Mr. O’Malley is part of a local biker gang,” Dr. Halloway jumps in. “They’re known for being violent. I’m concerned the boy may be in danger?—”

Turning to face the doctor, my fist connects with his face before the good doctor can finish spewing his bullshit. There’s a satisfying crack and blood pours from his nose.

“You son of a bitch,” I roar. “You told them I hurt him?” It’s an accusation more than a question, because I know now that’s exactly what he did.

Violet stands in front of Carter, sandwiching him between her and Caleb, out of the way of the chaos. Dr. Halloway takes a swing at me, but I duck under the punch and throw another of my own, this one hitting his ribs with a thud. He grunts but tries to swing again. This time it connects with my jaw, but I don’t stop. I hit him three more times before I feel hands grabbing me and pulling me off him. There’s shouting and men talking behind me, but my eyes stay fixed on the soon-to-be-dead motherfucker in front of me. It’s not until I hear Violet’s voice screeching that I stop fighting.

“What the hell do you mean he’s being arrested?” Violet cries. “I don’t understand what’s happening. Why are you even here? My son is in no danger except from all of you!”

“Violet Dupree, you are under arrest for the neglect of a child,” an officer says, and begins reading her rights.

“Do you wish to press charges, Dr. Halloway?” another officer asks. Halloway glares at me. “Absolutely.”

“You set this shit up, Halloway. You told them we hurt, Carter. You fucking pathetic asshole.” I’m pulling at the officers’ grip, dragging them two steps to get in his face. “You’ll fucking pay for this shit, asshole.” I let him see the seriousness staring back at him, the determination I have to destroy the motherfucker for what he’s done.

It’s at that moment Pres comes through the curtain with Hawk and Jameson at his sides.

Thank fuck.

“What the hell is going on here?” Gabe bellows.

“Get a lawyer Pres. We’re being taken in.” I don’t explain any further. Caleb will do that for me. I just need Pres to know what needs to happen next.

“Carter, come with me, son.” McBride, the CPS worker, grabs Carter’s hand and pulls him away from Caleb. “You’ll be all right. We just need to talk to your mother and Mr. O’Malley to sort some things out.”

“He can come home with us,” Liz tells the man, grabbing Carter’s shoulders to keep him with her.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but that’s not how this works,” he explains. “I need to take Carter with me and ask him some questions. While the police get things sorted out with Miss Dupree, we will try to locate Carter’s next of kin.”

“No.” Violet breathes, her eyes filled with horror. “I’m his only remaining family. Caleb and Liz can watch over him until we’re finished here.”

“You don’t have a say in this, Miss Dupree,” McBride damn near growls, and if these two cops weren’t holding me and my hands weren’t cuffed, I’d break his fucking nose too. He pulls a screaming Carter behind him, dragging him away from Violet.

“Mama!” Carter cries.

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