Page 101 of Perfectly Naïve
“Cici,” George begins, looking at her. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Alphas, we make jokes, stupid ones sometimes, and I never, ever meant to hurt you or for you to hear. Of course I’d never do what they’re trying to say. Be smart, sweetie. Daddy loves you, and I’d never let anything happen to you.”
Someone grab me a puke bag.
Cici doesn’t respond, except to glance away. Her fingers pulse around mine, and she fights tears. I hate that she’s hurting. I wish I could rip the pain away. Endure it for her. My little sister deserves so much better.
“Your witness,” the other lawyer says to ours, smirking in a way the judge can’t see. What a fucking dirtbag.
Thomas checks in with her. She dips her head, swipes her cheek, and takes a fortifying breath. Rising from his seat, Thomas strides toward George.
“Would you say you’re a family man, George?”
George’s eyebrows lift. “Of course.”
Thomas nods. “And what award did Cici win on her ninth birthday?”
Ourfatherfalters. He pinches his eyebrows together. “She was dancing...they won first place in the state competition.”
“Actually, Cici didn’t dance that year—do you know why?” Thomas walks toward the table with his paperwork, glancing over his shoulder at George, who is scowling.
“I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
Thomas grins. “You are smart.” He manages to make it sound like a compliment and an insult all at the same time. Picking up a file, he walks it up to the stand. “Maybe this will jog your memory.”
“Objection, Your Honor! We haven’t seen whatever this is.”
The judge looks at Thomas, who offers a copy to the judge and provides another to the other lawyer.
“Apologies, Your Honor, we just got the medical release this morning, but you’ll see it’s relevant to George’s character.”
The judge scans the file in front of him, his expression rippling with disgust, but only for a moment, and then he schools his features. “All right, but tread carefully.”
Thomas nods. “Can you tell me what this is?”
“An X-ray.”
“Of?”
George releases a short huff. “Of Cici’s arm. I don’t understand. This was an accident.”
“Was it? Or was it another one of your . . . jokes?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” George is as stiff as a board now.
“Didn’t you tell Cici to jump off the roof of the beach house to...” Thomas trails off and pretends to look at notes. “See if shecould fly?”
“She was pretending to be a dragon! We were playing.”
“Playing on a roof...which she jumped off of at your beckoning?” Thomas clarifies.
“Beckoning? No, of course not. I simply suggested?—”
“Did you use your alpha bark on her?”
“That’s not?—”
“Did you”—Thomas raises his voice—“use your alpha bark to tell your daughter to jump off the roof?”
“Answer the question,” the judge demands.
