Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,55
stared at the phone as if he could make the call disappear.
“Let them in,” he said through clenched teeth and stood.
Making his way back down the hallway with his two silent shadows, he found Anna opening the door.
“I need to speak with Liam Cobalt,” a man in a dark suit said. Behind him stood two more men dressed similarly.
“How can I help you?” he growled, stepping closer.
“I’m here to pick up one,” the man glanced at his clipboard, “Wesley Turner.”
“Wesley’s brother has custody of him. He’s only stepped out for a minute,” he lied.
“I understand, but we need to take Wesley into custody.”
“How did you even know Wesley was here?”
“Mr. Turner left this address in case of an emergency.”
That was news to him and he wondered if the guy was lying or had Spencer really put his address for emergencies? He wanted to lie and tell them Wesley wasn’t there and to get off his fucking lawn.
“Why do you need to take him into custody?” he growled.
“We need to determine if Wesley’s brother is fit to retain custody after the shooting at the house.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” he snapped, stepping closer. “Spencer had nothing to do with the shooting at the house.”
River, who was typically the cool one, laid a hand on his arm. It brought him to his senses.
“We have the papers.” The man refused to back up and held out the papers.
Liam snatched them up and browsed over the legal language settling on the signature of a Peter Brinkmann, head of Los Angeles CPS ordering the retrieval of Wesley Turner.
He pulled out his phone and dialed the number on the form.
“This is Colonel Liam Cobalt. I need to speak to Peter Brinkmann,” he demanded, holding the agent’s gaze as he spoke into the phone.
“Colonel, Peter Brinkmann here, what can I do for you?”
“Did you sign a CPS form to retrieve Wesley Turner from my residence?”
“I did.” Brinkmann sighed. “It came from the top. I’m sorry.”
Liam didn’t respond; he hit the call end button and squeezed the phone.
“Anna?” he clipped out.
“Yes?”
“Go get Wesley.” Jesus fucking Christ, could anything more happen to this family?
He stood waiting for Wesley, who came walking down the hallway. Wesley’s eyes were so wide with fear that Liam wanted to kill something.
A worried Anna walked behind the boy holding the jacket Liam had given him. Adam’s face was white and Jessica was crying softly in her brother’s arms.
Liam reached for the jacket and pushed the boy’s arms into it and then brought it around to close up the front.
“Where am I going?”
Liam pulled Wesley close. “CPS. Until I can reach Spencer, a lawyer, and a judge.”
“Why?” Wesley’s eyes were locked on his face and filling with tears.
“This is only temporary. I will get you back,” he whispered, yanking the boy tightly into his arms.
Wesley’s legs shook so badly, Liam had to keep him upright for a few moments.
Wiping at his face, Wesley nodded and then turned toward the men at the door.
The two men stepped up and one took Wesley by the arm in a tight grip.
“That’s not necessary,” Maddox barked. “He’s going with you willingly.”
The man sneered and pulled Wesley out the door and down the steps toward a waiting SUV.
“Liam! Don’t let them take me,” Wesley suddenly cried, tugging at the hand holding him, gazing back at him.
“I’m coming for you, Wesley,” he called back, stiffening his legs to keep from charging the guy who had put Wesley into the back of the SUV.
Adam rushed toward the door. “Wesley!” Liam snatched up Adam from rushing out and held him tightly.
“Wesley,” Adam sobbed, hitting at his forearms. “Let me go!”
“Shh.” Liam held Adam tighter as he struggled.
He turned to River and Maddox and said over Adam’s head, “Follow them. I need to know where they go. Don’t let them out of your sight.”
“We won’t,” Maddox assured him and left. The pair waited until the SUV left the grounds and then pulled out of the gate to follow.
“Adam,” he whispered against the boy’s temple, gazing at where Anna was holding Jessica.
“What?” Tears filled his cousin’s voice.
“I need to make some urgent calls.”
The trembling boy drew back and looked up at him. Liam cupped Adam’s face and wiped the tears from his cheeks with his thumbs.
“Do you understand?”
“Get him back, Uncle Liam.” Adam sniffled and let him go before turning to Anna and Jessica.
“I will,” he promised them before striding toward his office. Entering, he shut the door and dropped into his chair.
Councilman Coulier had