Page 20 of The Bad Girl and the Baby

“Draw up your goddamn form. I’ll sign it. Is that it?” She hoped so, because all sorts of feelings were churning up inside her. Feelings she didn’t want to put a name to.

“No. We need to discuss the terms of access. I’m recommending supervised visits only.”

“Supervised by who?”

“Me,” Matt said. “At first anyway. Later maybe with the nanny.”

She bit her lip, fighting her rising temper. “What the hell do you think I’m going to do?”

“That’s what we don’t know. But you have a record of violence.” The lawyer gave a little smile and another shrug. “I’ve discussed it with Matt, and what I’m suggesting is a one hour supervised visit per week. The most suitable time is between nine and ten o’clock on a Saturday morning. The visit will take place at Matt’s home, and you will not take the child from the house.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“On the contrary, I assure you I’m very serious.”

Darcy turned to Matt. “This is bullshit.” She got to her feet. “You know what? I don’t think I’m needed here. Why don’t you and your girlfriend just draw up your papers and bring them around for me to sign. But I want an afternoon a week. And we’ll be going out.”

She turned and headed for the door.

“Darcy,” Matt called, but she didn’t turn around until she reached the door. She felt about to explode, and that would not make a good impression. No doubt his stuck-up lawyer would see it as reason to deny her rights.

She took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face before she turned to face them. “Yes.”

He gave a shrug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to go this way.”

“What way did you mean for it to go?”

“I just wanted everything straight between us. So we both know where we stand.”

“Well, now we know. Just draw up the goddamn papers, and I’ll sign them. And it might be a good idea ifwekept contact to a minimum. Because you’re starting to piss me off.”

And she slammed the door behind her.

Though the truth was, she wasn’t pissed off. She was hurt. And she hated that.

…

“You still want to go ahead with this?” Elinor asked. “The woman is clearly unstable. Why don’t you let me draw up an injunction instead? I don’t think the courts will argue it. And she hasn’t a leg to stand on. I can make it so that if she comes near either you or Lulu she’ll be in violation of her parole and back in prison, out of your hair for good.”

Matt rubbed the spot between his eyes. He had a headache. And he suspected the feeling nagging at his mind was guilt. He knew the scorn in Darcy’s eyes as she’d left had been totally justified.

He hadn’t revealed the truth about Steven to Elinor.

He’d told himself that it was for Lulu’s sake. He didn’t want it generally known what an asshole his brother had been. It was better for Lulu if she could believe her father had been a good man.

But in reality, he was ashamed of Steven. And ashamed that he hadn’t known more about his brother. Maybe he could have gotten help for his problems. Instead Matt had kept his distance. Not gotten involved. “Draw up the papers giving her what she wants.”

“What?”

“Steven was an abusive bastard who regularly beat up his wife. Darcy went to prison for trying to protect her sister. She doesn’t deserve this.”

“You know that for a fact?”

“Yes. She might not be the sort of role model I want for Lulu, but she has a right to see her niece, and I won’t stand in her way. Now draw up the papers. I want to take them with me. I’ll wait outside.”

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