Page 101 of Waiting for Redemption

“He acts like you when he’s hangry,” Tank says, standing from the couch with my legs still wrapped around him.

“Just accept the fact now that you have two of me, and it’ll make your life a lot easier.” He shakes his head, carrying me to the kitchen before putting me down to get our plates. When I take my seat next to Hendrix he’s practicing his punches and ducking to avoid invincible blows.

“Give it time, you’ll start to see a little bit of me rubbing off on him.” Tank beams from the other side of the kitchen, making me smile.

I can’t wait.

* * *

“Mr. Landry, Ms. Ranes. I’m so glad you were able to–” My attorney motions for us to have a seat in front of her.

“It’s Mr. & Mrs. Landry,” Tank corrects her, pulling my chair out for me to sit first.

“Of course, my apologies.” She smirks, though it gives me an uneasy feeling the way she’s looking at him. “I’m glad you were both able to work it into your schedule to sit down with me to discuss what happens next.” She folds her hands on top of her desk, but I can’t stop wringing mine. Tank notices and immediately grabs my hand closest to him, squeezing it firmly to reassure me everything will be okay.

“So, let’s get right down to it. A paternity test has been requested, as well as a face-to-face after said paternity has been confirmed. He would like to meet his son.”

“Absolutely not,” Tank growls from beside me.

“Yeah, there’s no way I’m taking Hendrix around this guy. Like I said before, he’s dangerous.”

“Though, not dangerous enough for you to have filed a police report or restraining order against him.” I see the way Tank rears back at her words, confirming that I’m not crazy and this isn’t a normal response from someone who’s supposed to be defending our case.

“Is there a possibility that your judgment of the situation could have been obstructed by the emotions you were going through during the time you told him about the child? That you may have misread the situation altogether? Maybe you subconsciously knew that things weren’t as bad as you were making them out to be, and that’s why you never filed any claims.” With every word that leaves her mouth, I feel like I’m on trial, and instead of herdefendingme, she’s waiting,hoping, to see me lose.

Who the hell does she think she is?

“With the respect that you’re due, ma’am—and believe me, it’s not much—if my wife says this man is dangerous, then you are to take her word for it. You are innoposition, whatsoever, to question what she’s been through, nor her ability to recall it as it happened. Hendrixwill notbe going near him. End of discussion. Now, do you have anythingusefulto add to this meeting? Because you’re about one idiotic statement away from being fired.” Just when I think I can’t love him anymore, he says things like that.

“Here’s the paperwork for getting the paternity test done. I’ll be in touch later this week about next steps.” She smirks, shoving the paperwork at me. My eyes fall to it, then drift back up to hers. I’m still unable to speak, think, or come up with a reasonable explanation for how this is all happening. Tank takes the papers from her hand, crumples them up, and throws them in the trash before getting my attention when he squeezes my hand.

“Come on, Honey. Let’s go.” He guides me out, tucking me under his arm as we walk back out to his truck. Once we get inside I finally blink away the brain fog, looking over at him as he blows out a breath.

“Baby, I want you to know I am in no way trying to sound disrespectful right now, okay? But where the fuck did you find that woman?” He points to the law office we’re still parked in front of.

“The internet. But she comes highly recommended by all her clients. I checked her out Tank, I swear.”

“Okay. I believe you. Did you also happen to steal her lunch, or I don’t know, slap her directly in the face the first time you met?” I can’t help but snicker at his comment.

“Tank,be serious!” He laughs along with me, unable to fight the need to laugh to keep from screaming.

“I’m sorry, Honey. I’m just trying to find a reasonable explanation for why she’s trying to victim-blame someone she’s supposed to be defending.” The wordvictimcoming from his lips makes me feel a sense of weakness I’ve never felt while being with him—and I don’t like it at all.

“I’m not a victim,” I mumble, trying not to take my anger out on him.

“You’re right. I chose my words poorly, but sheistwisting all the information she’s getting and putting the blame on you. We need to find a new attorney, immediately.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right. I’ll start looking as soon as we get home.” I lean my head against the back of my seat looking over at Tank, but something catches his attention, and his entire demeanor changes.

“Ruby. Tell me I’m not hallucinating, is that who I think it is?” I follow his gaze and immediately feel the color drain from my face.

“Oh, my god.” I open the truck door and throw up in the parking lot, while the ex that’s suing me, has his hands all over my attorney.

CHAPTER34

RUBY

“Shit, baby. You okay?”Tank runs over to my side of the truck, side-stepping the mess to brush my hair out of my face. I can’t fight the tears that immediately start coming, as my mind tries to comprehend what the fuck I just saw.

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