Page 158 of Wicked Minds
“Why not?”
“She’s probably as clueless as Gray. Moreso, you heard her that night. She was barely even around her mom after everything went down. She’s not going to know anything more than we do.”
There’s something about the severity of his tone that has me narrowing my eyes on him. “Right, but we’re going to tell her about hermomtrying to sell herdaughter… aren’t we?”
He stares me down for so long that I already know the answer when he finally opens his mouth and states, “No.”
“Royce,” I growl in warning. “What the fuck do you meanno? We have to tell her! It’s her daughter! She has a right to know!”
“So she can have more nightmares?” he counters.Fuck. Dammit. I know he’s right.The last thing I want to do is add to her already overloaded plate of worries. “What could she even do to help?” he continues to push. “You think her mom is going to just let her rock up and take Aurora away?”Ehh, yes?He must see the thought written across my face because he scoffs.“Don’t be so naive, Logan. Lydia has custody of Aurora. Despite the shit she’s currently doing, in the eyes of the law, she is more credible. Given Riley’s documented history, she will have her word discredited at best and have her committed at worst.”
My mouth opens and closes, nothing coming out.Well, fuck. Is that possible? Maybe. Who the fuck knows. Is it a risk I’d be willing to take? Fuck no.
“Maybe my lawyers could do something,” I voice aloud. “I can call them later and find out.”
Royce nods. “Do that, but I think we’re out of time to do this the legal way. Shit like that takes time that we don’t have. The only way I see it, is we have to play Lydia—make her think I am who she thinks I am.”
“And you think Xander can help with that?” Grayson asks, the two of them filling me in on their pit stop at The Depot on their way home last night.
“I think he knows people who can.”
“You better fucking be right,” I half-growl, not the slightest bit happy about any of this. If it wouldn’t get me arrested, I’d drive to that bitch’s house now and just take Aurora myself. “So we play dress up, pretend to be some sick fucks who like to buy children, and get our girl’s little girl back for good.”
With the same daunting expression he wears in the ring, Royce nods. “That’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
“Logan,” Riley greets, a tentative smile slowly taking over her face and lighting her up from within.God, she looks fucking stunning when she smiles.
“Hey, Shortcake. Got you a coffee on my way over.” I thrust out my hand, drinking in the flush that crawls over her skinevery time I buy her one. It’s adorable as shit. Makes me want to hand her the world on a platter and see how deep that blush goes.
“Thank you.” Her voice is soft, and I hate how such a simple gesture means so much to her. Has no one ever taken care of her? It pisses me the fuck off how starved of love and affection she is.
However, I’m more than happy to drown her in mine.
Slinging my arm over her shoulder, I walk with her toward the library. She glances up at my wet hair before saying, “You left early this morning.”
The pressure that’s been residing in my chest since my conversation with the guys this morning cinches tighter. “Sorry, Shortcake. House meeting.”
“Everything okay?” she asks, worried.
“Everything’s fine.” My smile is strained. I fucking hate lying to her. Especially about this, although I equally don’t want to add to her stress, so she makes herself sick. I’m still haunted by the deadened look in her eyes when I found her in that shower. I refuse to let anything else drive her back to that state.
“How is Grayson doing?”
“He’s processing.”
She nods, chewing on her lower lip. “And the three of you… are you friends again?”
Blowing out a breath, I pull her to a stop and turn so we’re facing each other. “Do you want us to be friends? Do you want Grayson in your life—in any capacity?”
Lips flattened, she doesn’t immediately answer. “I don’t want to come between the three of you, and I know I already have. With the truth aired out now, I think his hostility toward me might change… or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.” Her forehead wrinkles, eyes dropping to the ground, and I reach out, tugging her face up to mine.
“His head is a mess, but he says he believes you. He seems… repentant. He obviously needs to make his own amends, but I don’t think he’s a lost cause.”
“Then you shouldn’t give up on him. You and Royce mean a lot to him. With his dad being released soon, he will need you both now more than ever. I don’t want him to go through all of this alone.”
Tucking a stray strand of auburn hair behind her ear, I murmur, “So selfless. He doesn’t deserve your concern.”
“Maybe not, but what sort of world would we live in if we can’t give people second chances and the opportunity to learn and grow?”
