AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I tighten my grip on Jonah, my voice low and dangerous. “You think you can just show up after all these years and play daddy? It doesn’t work like that.”
Jonah’s eyes meet mine, a mixture of desperation and hate in them. “I have rights,” he insists.
“Rights?” Fee’s voice is incredulous, her mouth open. “You lost any rights when you…”
She trails off, pain etched across her face. I long to comfort her, but I can’t let go of Jonah. Not yet.
“Fee,” I say softly, “what do you want to do? It’s your call.”
Fee sighs and closes her eyes for a moment. When she opens them again, there’s nothing but determination and resolve in her dark eyes. “Let him go.”
I stare at Fee, confusion and disbelief warring on my face. “You want me to let him go? After he admitted to stalking you and attacked me?”
Fee’s eyes meet mine, her gaze steady and determined. “You said it was my call, Angelo. I want you to let him go.”
Reluctantly, I release my hold on Jonah, every instinct screaming at me to keep him pinned down. I stand up, moving to position myself protectively near Fee, my eyes never leaving Jonah as he slowly gets to his feet.
Fee takes a deep breath, her voice firm as she addresses Jonah. “I’ll agree to a DNA test for you and Lou, but only under certain conditions.”
Jonah’s eyes light up with hope, but Fee continues before he can speak.
“You’ll go through family court. You’ll submit to a background check. Any visits will be supervised. And you’ll pay back child support for the last nine years.”
Jonah’s face falls. “That’s not fair,” he protests.
Fee’s laugh is bitter. “Fair? You think I want you in our lives at all? I’m only asking for what the court will mandate anyway. Did you really think they’d let a nine-year-old girl spend time with a stranger—a man whomaybe her father—without supervision?”
I watch the emotions play across Jonah’s face—anger, frustration, desperation.
Fee’s voice is cold as she delivers her ultimatum. “Take it or leave it, Jonah. Those are my terms.”
The tension in the air is palpable as we wait for Jonah’s response. I keep my body tense, ready to intervene if necessary. Whatever Jonah decides, I silently vow to protect Fee and Lou, no matter what it takes.
“Deal,” Jonah finally says.
Fee nods. “Now get the fuck out of here.”
I keep my eyes trained on Jonah until he’s out of sight. The moment he’s gone, I feel Fee sag beside me. I turn just in time to catch her as her knees give out.
“I’ve got you,” I murmur, holding her close as she begins to shake.
“Oh, God,” Fee gasps, her voice trembling. “What have I done? He could have rights to Lou. I can’t afford a lawyer. I can’t?—”
I cup her face gently, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Hey, listen to me. It’s going to be okay. I’m going to get my lawyer on this case. He’s a fucking shark, Fee. He’ll tie Jonah up in court for years if that’s what it takes.”
Fee’s eyes widen, a mix of gratitude and uncertainty in her gaze. “Angelo, you don’t have to do this. This is my baggage, my mess. You shouldn’t have to clean it up.”
I shake my head, my voice firm. “I want to, Fee. I want to protect you and Lou. Both of you… you matter to me.”
For a moment, we just look at each other, the weight of everything that’s happened hanging between us. Then, slowly, Fee leans in and presses her lips to mine in a soft, sweet kiss.
When we part, I rest my forehead against hers. “We should get out of here,” I say quietly. “Before Jonah decides to make another appearance.”
Fee nods, and I can feel some of the tension leaving her body. As we walk back to the car, my arm around her waist, I’m struckby how right this feels. Fee and Lou have become a part of my life in a way I never expected, and I’m determined to do whatever it takes to keep them safe and happy.
I pull out my phone and dial my lawyer, Victor Rossi, the moment we get into the car. Victor’s a goddamn bulldog in the courtroom—all five feet four inches of him—with a mind like a steel trap and an attitude to match.
“Victor,” I say when he answers, “I need you to dig up everything you can on a guy named Jonah Ansel. No stone unturned, got it?”
