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“No, we’re going to talk about how badly you fucked up right now.”
“Okay,” I agreed, walking around the foot of the bed, giving us a wide berth.
“To keep Eliza from filing charges against you and suing you for assault, I must drop the case with the police and say it was a miscommunication about the schedule and that I had agreed a few weeks ago for her to have the boys. I also cannot petition the court against her, and there will be no changes to our visitation arrangements. So…there’s that. You now have the floor.”
“I’m sorry, Jonathan. Before I attacked Eliza, I had a conversation with Grant, and he informed me that he had won a stuffed animal that he wanted to give to Kiyah. His mother was aware, took it from him, threw it out of the car window, and said that you, and I quote, ‘shouldn’t take in stray animals.’ Now, I don’t know about you, but I will not allow a washed-up baby mama to call me, nor my child, a stray animal. I had every intention of having words with Eliza about her statement, but then I overheard your argument and how she continued to blatantly disrespect me. I heard that moocher comment, and I lost it. A person can only be pushed so far; she got off easy if you ask me. She’s lucky I didn’t bury her ass.”
Jonathan nodded resolutely. “Now I see that ass-whooping was unavoidable.”
“I’m glad we see eye-to-eye,” I replied, rocking back on my heels. He stood and walked towards me, almost predatorily in aswagger I didn’t think he was capable of. The massive bedroom suddenly felt small, like the walls were closing in. But it wasn’t the walls that made me feel that way. It was Jonathan’s tall and lean form towering over me. It wasn’t until he held my hands in his that I realized they were shaking.
“You have blood on your knuckles,” he commented.
“Not enough, if you ask me.”
Jonathan chuckled and released them. “One of these days, that mouth of yours will get you in trouble,” he professed, tapping my lips with his finger before leaving my bedroom.
Rory used to say that to me all the time. Of course, when Rory did it, it was followed by a kiss and later on some serious headboard banging, but—
“By the way,” he said, pausing at the door. “I also have to pay for Eliza’s dental work.”
“Did I knock out a tooth?” I asked, masking my glee.
“Teeth,” Jonathan confirmed.
“How unfortunate for her. Thank you, by the way.”
“For what?”
“For sticking up for me and Kiyah and saying we were a part of the family.”
“You don’t have to thank me for telling the truth. Have a good night, Kierra.”
“Goodnight, Jonathan.”
Chapter Thirteen
Kierra
A cry broke through the darkness and roused me awake.
“Kiyah,” I mumbled, wiping the sleep from my eyes as I stumbled out of bed. I edged towards her bedroom, still sluggish from sleep. I shook it off altogether when her cries grew louder and sounded more distressed.
“Daddy!”
I flipped the light on, illuminating my daughter’s trembling form. She looked up at me with eyes full of tears. The sobbing came out in full force, stronger than before. She lifted her hands, and I took her into my arms.
“Mommy, I want Daddy.”
“I know, baby,” I whispered, holding her tight to my chest. “I’m so sorry, Ki,” I apologized as I paced her bedroom. The day and night had been eventful—missing kids, a beatdown, and a grieving toddler.
I’m spent.
Kiyah’s crying didn’t subside, and I feared she’d wake everyone in the house. I had to do something.
“Hey, Ki. Do you want to take a ride on Daddy’s bike?”
It took a couple of seconds for her to choke out her response. “Y-yes.”
