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"I'm also not dumb enough to go after an abusive motherfucker," I said. But damn, I really wanted to do something to him, especially if he hurt Natalie. No one was allowed to touch her. "At least, not until I know the facts."
Natalie took a sip of her tea, and I waited to hear what she wasn't telling us.
"He hit me when he accused me."
I fumed. It took all my willpower not to actually launch out of my sitting position and go off on the guy.
I hated abusers so fucking much, and how I wanted to go after them.
Natalie was the sweetest girl in the world and wouldn't harm a fly. She was taking a kid to hockey practice, and she got slapped. What the actual fuck?
Carter stared at me. I kept my ass planted, but I looked at him. "Is your fancy lawyer on his way, or do I need to call mine? Cause if Luke showed up at the rink and slapped her, you better believe we're getting a protective order established, or else I will do something stupid."
Carter chuckled. "He is on the way, and if we don't get a protective order, I will be there right with you. No one gets to mess with my little sister."
I was in complete agreement with Carter on this one. "Damn straight."
Then Natalie asked in a quiet voice, "But what about Eric and Annette?"
I bit my lip since that was the part that sucked the most.
"We can't do anything unless Annette decides to leave. But we can keep an eye on them and try to protect them by reporting him to social services."
Both Carmichaels’ shoulders sagged deeply since they both knew what I was saying was true. Carter found out how hard it was to intervene safely. We just had to hope and pray that Annette would be strong enough to leave again.
Chapter 33
Natalie
The day seemed like it would never end. All I wanted to do was sleep, and yet I was basically chained to this chair. Waiting for Carter’s lawyer. I still didn't understand why Spencer insisted on using his instead of his own.
I yawned and rested my mug on my legs. Spence took the mug away and left the room.
Once he was out of earshot, Carter leaned over. "Is there anything else you're hiding from Suzuki?"
I shook my head.
I was so afraid to tell him that I got slapped since I knew his temper. But the fact that he remained calm and had done all the right things let me believe that maybe he’d learned from his experience earlier this year and could control his temper.
"Are you sure?"
Spence walked in and said, "Stop interrogating her. She told us the truth."
I laughed. Yet again, my boyfriend knew me better than my own brother. Although Carter's heart was in the right place.
I reached for Spencer's hand. His strength felt right, but for the first time since I settled in the den, I hated the seating situation. I would love a proper cuddle, but the wingback chairs made it so difficult.
He must have sensed my desire to be held since suddenly, he pulled me up and into his arms, causing me to squeal and Carter to groan.
Carter had been so accepting of Spence and me after that first night, but he still had issues with displays of affection. Apparently, I wasn't allowed to be kissed by his best friend.
Thankfully, Spence didn't do anything more than cuddle, and I could just bury my head into his torso.
After a little bit, Mr. Lyons, Carter’s lawyer, showed up. Carter greeted him and led him back to the den. As soon as the guy arrived, he sat in the same seat that Spencer was in earlier.
"I'm going to use voice notes to create some notes for the evening unless you have some issues with that." The guy tapped a few buttons on his phone and lifted it up. We all nodded that it would be okay. "I understand that there's an issue that requires my immediate action. Care to catch me up?"
"I got slapped by a man, and I'm pretty sure that he stalked me as well."
