Roman's Vow (Riley's Pride #4) - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,75
her mind, which was Roman leaving the minute he drove away from her school, to go back to Ohio for a couple of days.
“Yes. And you’re going to spend the night with them until I get back, and Maia’s going to bring you to school with Cristie and pick you up each afternoon. After you do your homework, she’s going to walk you over to Yvette’s so you can read to the baby,” Roman explained.
“Okay. When are you coming back?” she asked for the twentieth time.
“I hope I’m back Thursday, but if I’m not, I’ll be back on Friday,” he promised.
“Okay. I’ll miss you, Daddy,” she said, hugging him tight.
Roman hugged her to him and kissed her hair as he patted her back. “I’ll miss you, too, but I’ll be thinking of you every minute until I’m back home. It’s only three days at the longest, okay?”
“Okay. Be careful while you’re driving, Daddy,” she said, getting out of the SUV and smiling at him.
“I will. Be a good girl and listen to Aunt Maia and Aunt Yvette.”
“I will!” she called. Then she closed the door and the teacher that had just approached their vehicle took Darcie by the hand and walked her over to the covered drop off zone where she paused and waved again before disappearing into the building.
“I hope I bring your mama home to you, baby,” he said as he looked at the building once more before driving off.
Chapter 17
Roman dressed in his suit again, but this time with a different shirt and tie to make it look a bit different than last time. He stood in front of the mirror in his hotel room and breathed deeply as he regarded his reflection. He looked just like every other man. There was nothing to indicate that anything was any different with him than it was with anyone else. He ran his fingers through his hair one more time to smooth it into place and make sure it looked the way he wanted it to. Then he turned off the light, walked out of the hotel room, and placed the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door.
Roman made his way down to the lobby, then out to his vehicle. He did his best to return every smile the hotel employees and guests sent his way, but he knew his own expression was tight and stressed. He couldn’t help it. This day was one of the most important in his entire life. The beginning of his life with his mate depended on this day, and the little girl waiting for him back home needed her mama just as much as he needed his wife — so much rode on how this day turned out. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do to affect the outcome either way. He had absolutely no control. All he could do was wait to see what happened just like all the others this day would affect.
He drove to the same courthouse and walked into the same courtroom he and Riley did on their last visit. He was very early, and as of yet no one else had arrived. He took a seat in the same place he did previously, right behind the defense table. Leaning forward he rested his elbows on his knees, and his face in his hands. It was all he could do to maintain any semblance of calm. He breathed deeply and kept running the mantra in his head that he’d told Riley he was going to keep telling himself — everything will be good.
That was the condition he was in when a familiar voice spoke to him.
“It’s rough, isn’t it?”
He looked up. “Hey, Ms. Autry. How are you?”
“I’m good, Roman. I’m very good. I think we’re going to have good things happen today.”
“That’s what I'm praying for.”
“Mind if I join you?” she asked.
“Of course not, have a seat,” Roman said, indicating the seat beside him.
About that time, Talie’s legal team arrived.
“Roman! Ms. Autry! You’re early today!” Patrick said, striding up to the front of the courtroom.
Roman turned to look at Patrick Rooney, the man who’d come to represent his fight to get Talie free. “Yeah, I am. I’m anxious to see what this is about, and more than a bit hopeful.”
“I can certainly understand that,” Patrick said.
“Good morning, Mr. Lyakhov, Ms. Autry,” Raymond and Robert both said.
“Morning,” Roman and Ms. Autry both answered.
“Let me fill you in on what’s going to happen if they do release her today,” Patrick said.