the day off and he hoped she was feeling better. Right. Josie wasn’t immune to his tactics either. Where Presley barreled over people, her father gave them lip service. To anyone else, Preston sounded sincere. Josie knew better. He was buttering her toast so when she took a big bite, it would go down easier.
Josie deleted all the messages then dialed her mom.
“Josie? Are you okay? Why weren’t you answering your phone? Do you need me to come over?” Josie knew her mom was truly worried. It was part of why Josie loved her so much.
“Good morning, and I’m feeling much better. A good night’s sleep was all I needed. I told you I was turning my phone off, and I’m glad I did, or the five hateful calls from Presley would have interrupted my sleep-in.”
“She didn’t take the news of you quitting well. Your father was mostly resigned, but I’m sure he’s going to try and talk you out of it by offering more money and your weekends free.”
“Mom! You weren’t supposed to tell them anything other than I needed a day off. Why would you do that?”
“I didn’t mean to, but your father is a powerful attorney. He kept badgering the witness, and I didn’t have anyone here to object. When I told him you needed time to recuperate, he kept on until I told him to back off or he was going to lose you. It snowballed from there.”
Josie closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Yes, she was well aware of her father’s tactics. “Well, the good thing is he knows. But so does Presley. That might explain why I feel the need to get a restraining order against her.”
“What? Did she threaten you?”
“Oh yes. First, she said I couldn’t quit. That I owed her. It progressed from there to her saying she would ruin me. Something is seriously wrong with her.”
“You know she’s used to winning, honey. Not only is she losing Malakai to you, but you’re the reason she’s so good at her job. You make sure she has everything she needs when she steps into a courtroom. If you leave, her winning record could take a hit.”
Josie bristled, and for the first time in forever, Josie was angry with her mother. “Mom, Presley can’t lose Kai because she never had him to begin with. And after this morning, there is no doubt I’m leaving the firm. Not if, when. And that will be sooner than later. I’m sick of being her verbal punching bag.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I honestly didn’t know she was so bad.”
Josie started to tell her it was because she didn’t look hard enough, but Josie was already losing two of her family. She didn’t want to alienate her mom too. “Don’t worry about it. But for the time being, don’t expect me to come by for Sunday dinner. You and I can meet up for lunch instead.”
“Now don’t be rash. Your father loves you, and that will hurt his feelings.”
No, it really wouldn’t. Josie wasn’t the daughter he was proud of, and she had come to terms with that a long time ago. And what about Josie’s feelings? Now that Josie had her own man, she knew he would always come first, but would she still take his side if he treated one of their children the way her father did her? No, because Kai would never put her in that position. He was going to be a wonderful father.
“We can figure that out later. Kai has breakfast ready, so I’m going to enjoy it while it’s hot.”
“I’m surprised he found anything in your apartment to cook. You never eat breakfast.”
“That’s because I’m at his place. I didn’t stay at the apartment where everyone in my family has a key to let themselves in.” Josie wasn’t worried about that, because if things went the way she expected, she would be moving all her stuff out and terminating her lease. “I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”
“Josie… I love you too.”
Josie disconnected and flopped back on the bed.
Josie?
Josie grinned at the voice in her head. It amazed her she knew the difference in who was speaking.
Yes, Mr. Gargoyle?
Josie felt the chuckle, and it was enough to get her moving. She turned her phone off and left it in the bedroom. She would deal with her father later. There was no dealing with her sister.
When she entered the kitchen, Kai was leaning against the counter. He held his arms