that I’ve been trying to forget since it happened.
I want him to sign over his rights.
No.
I need that.
Not only because I don’t want to have anything to do with the creep, but I don’t want to have a predator raise my son. The bottom line is that I have no clue what else this guy is capable of. If he ever hurt Holden, I couldn’t live with myself.
Before I can think about another reason to be terrified, I feel a hand curve around my waist and a beard brush my neck before soft lips touch me. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispers against my skin.
Turning my head, I look back at him, and judging by the expression he’s wearing on his face, he believes that it will be okay, but he is still worried. I’m not just worried, I’m downright terrified. But Landry is like a rock, though he looks concerned, he doesn’t look scared, not at all.
“Susan is not going to get her way, not on this, not on anything. We will win, honey,” he says, his tone firm and unwavering.
Pressing my lips together, I dip my chin in a single nod, then shift my gaze back to the cityscape in front of me. Landry doesn’t move, I can feel the heat of his chest pressed against my back, his hand stays firmly pressed against my stomach and he rests his chin against the top of my head.
“We got this,” he says again.
I don’t say a word, not a single word. In fact, I lean back against his chest. Closing my eyes, I take a moment to just breathe. I honestly don’t know when I’ll be able to do that again.
This meeting will end in only one of two ways. Either with a side of anxiety or depressing as shit, no matter which way it happens, it’s going to be terrible and I’m not looking forward to it, not at all.
There’s a knock on the door and my entire body stiffens. “It’s time,” Landry murmurs.
“Just stay here one more second before the world falls apart,” I practically beg.
Landry doesn’t move, but he does speak and when he does, chills break out over my entire body and tears fill my eyes instantly.
“The world, our world, will not fall apart. I refuse to let it. What I’m going to do is protect you and Holden with my life. Nothing will happen and that fuck will not get custody of him. No way am I going to let that happen, do you understand me?” he growls.
Turning around, I tilt my head back and look into his determined gaze. “I understand, Landry.”
“I am dead serious, Tennessee. He will not get Holden.”
Licking my lips, I try to keep my tears from sliding down my cheeks. Lifting one of my hands, I place my palm in the center of his chest, my eyes searching his. “I love you, Landry.”
He shifts closer, his forehead resting against mine, his eyes open as he watches me. “More than you could know, honey. I love you more than you could know.”
He takes a step back, releasing me, and I watch him make his way toward the door as whoever is on the other side, knocks again. It doesn’t surprise me when he opens it and all three of his children walk through, with Bethie bringing up the rear.
Laurent leans into Landry, he says something and I can tell just by the look on his face that he is pissed off. He’s not just pissed off, no, he’s straight-up angry. He takes a step back from his father, then turns and makes a beeline for the bar.
I suck in a breath as Bethie hurries toward me. Her eyes are a little wild and her cheeks are flushed. When she arrives in front of me, she wraps her arms around me in a hug.
“Are you okay?” I whisper.
“Laurent is really mad that I’m here,” she says in a low hush. “He said he’s not ready for this kind of step.”
“He’s an asshole,” I snap on a loud whisper.
“I love him,” she admits.
Lifting my head, I take a step back to look into her face. “Oh, Bethie,” I whisper.
She shakes her head, closing her eyes and inhaling a deep breath. “I know. I went into this eyes wide open, but it still happened.”
My gaze shifts to the side, looking past Bethie’s shoulder and over to Laurent who is throwing back a shot. What an asshole. A serious asshole.