Page 101 of Damaged Prince
“Mama’s here, baby,” Laney says, reaching into the stroller to pull him out.
“Mama?” Stacy snarls. “You are not his fucking mother. I am.”
“No. You are not.” I step forward. “Laney is his mother. Laney is the mom Benny deserves. She loves and cares for my son. She would never cause him harm. That is something you can’t say.”
“He is mine.” She starts to cry again.
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on, or why you aren’t in jail where you should have been. Trust me, I plan on finding outand making sure you end up where you belong. But I do know that we still have restraining orders out on you, and you are violating all three.”
Stacy looks like she wants to argue, but swallows it down. “This isn’t over, Logan.” She says, taking a step back. “I’m doing what the judge asked of me. Rehab is only the start, but I will get my son back. Mark my fucking words.”
I’m vibrating, body tense, anger coursing through my veins. It’s not until Stacy is out of sight that I’m able to breathe.
“Fuck!” I rasp, turning to Laney with lost eyes. “How? How is she here? How the fuck isn’t she locked up? We were told she was charged. That she was going to pay for what she did to my fucking son.”
“I know.” Laney’s worried eyes stare into mine. “I know, baby. I know. We will figure this out.”
“She’s not getting anywhere near my fucking son. Over my dead body.”
“And mine,” Laney vows, her intense love for me and my son is almost too much right now.
Pulling her into my arms, I kiss the top of her head before burying my face into Benny’s hair. He’s calming down, sucking on his thumb as he cuddles into Laney.
“I’m so confused," I growl. Pulling back, I look into Laney’s deep brown eyes, trusting her with my vulnerability. “And fucking terrified. She’s a monster, Laney. A fucking monster. How the hell is she out walking around?” My voice cracks as tears spring to my eyes.
It’s not in fear for me, I couldn't care less what happens to me. No, I fear for my son and what harm having her out will do to him. And Laney. Stacy hates Laney, and after seeing Benny call Laney his mama, she’s not going to let it go.
We might have restraining orders out on her, but Stacy’s family never lets stuff like that hold them back.
“She’s not going to hurt us. Not again.” Laney cups my face. “Look at me, Logan. I have you. I’m here. We’re going to be okay.”
I want to believe her, I really fucking do. But if Stacy can be sent to a rehab when we all believed she was in jail, what else is her family capable of?
“We need to get home. I have to talk to my dad.”
Laney nods. We rush back to the car and get Benny in his car seat. I swear I feel Stacy’s eyes on me the whole time.
I don’t feel safe until we’re locked behind the gates of my home.
“Dad!” I shout as I storm into the house. “Dad, are you home?”
“I’m here,” James says a moment later, rushing into the foyer from his office. “What’s wrong?” His face filled with worry and concern.
“Call the fucking lawyer,” I demand, another wave of fury filling me. “And ask him why the fuck we didn’t know that Stacy hasn’t been in jail this whole fucking time!”
“What?” Dad looks confused. “What are you talking about?”
“We were out at the mall, ready to go home, when we bumped into her. She’s out, Dad. She’s free. Walking the fucking streets when she should be rotting in jail.”
“This can’t be right.” Dad shakes his head, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Give me a moment.”
Dad makes a call, and I spend the time pacing.
“Logan, breathe.” Laney tries to soothe me, but I’m too far gone.
“I can’t do this again, Laney.” I shake my head. “I can’t live like that. Wondering if I’m gonna see my son again. Wondering if he’s safe when he’s there. What else did she do to him when I wasn’t around?” I ask, voice cracking. “Was that her first timeleaving him alone? Was he hurt before, and I didn’t fucking know about it?”
“Stop.” Laney grabs my arms. “You have to stop beating yourself up over the past. It won’t help. It won’t change anything. Right now is what matters and what comes next. Focus on that.”
