Technical Threat (Westin Force #4) - Julie Trettel Page 0,51
I just wanted answers.
“I don’t hate you, Susan. You aren’t even worth my time to hate.”
While I kept my cool, Jimmy was ready to unleash on her, but I put a hand on his chest and shook my head. This was my problem, not his.
“Sapphire is old enough to leave on her own accord whenever she wants. But Sage is still stuck here with you. We both know that no matter how much you love her, you aren’t capable of being a mother to her.”
I knew it was coming and I didn’t stop her as she slapped me across my face.
“That’s my baby. I’d do anything for her.”
“Anything?” I asked while stepping in front of Jimmy who was turning beet red with anger. “Then do what’s best for her and sign over guardianship to me. Let her leave with me. You know it would be what’s best for her.”
“She’s my baby,” Shay said. “You can’t have her.”
There was a knock at the door, and she huffed and went to answer it.
“Matteo? Arthur? What are you doing here? Now is not a good time for a visit.”
“I called them mother.”
Her eyes widened.
“Sign the sales contract so Jimmy can get back to work and then we’ll have a little chat.”
She cursed me for all to hear.
“Is everything okay here?” Arthur asked.
“But of course,” Shay said trying to restore her façade.
“Susan said you require two witnesses for the sale?”
She turned to glare at me. The hatred I saw there spoke volumes. There was nothing I could ever do to make her love me. The truth still remained, that I wasn’t lovable. I tried not to react to the emotional rollercoaster that always did to me inside.
Much to my shock, she signed the papers. Jimmy’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head and my jaw dropped open. It had worked. She actually did it.
Jimmy and I both rushed to sign before she could change her mind. Matteo and Arthur signed as witnesses. I handed Jimmy the papers and shook his hand with a big smile on my face.
“Now get back to work. I’ll be over shortly to help.”
He gave me a quick hug. “My offer still stands,” he whispered.
I shook my head. “Thanks, but I’m still going to have to decline. I’ll be okay. I promise. I’m a lot tougher than I look.”
He chuckled. “Boy do I know it. I’m happy to see you recognize it now too.”
He left before I could ask what he meant.
With Jimmy gone, Matteo turned to me. “So what is all this about?”
“It was just a mere contract as she said,” my mother assured them, ready to shoo them from the house.
“Actually, I’m still concerned about my sister’s safety. With me leaving the area, there’s no one to protect Sage from you. And if I’m not here it begs to reason she’ll become your next punching bag.”
I had never seen my mother so angry. Her face was turning a strange shade of purple. She wasn’t able to contain herself. She raised her hand and slapped me again right in front of two local shifter councilman.
What happened after that was a whirlwind. They took immediate control of the situation. Shifters filled with that much anger proved a safety risk for all shifters within the area. With their assistance, she was forced to sign over custody of Sage to me before they took her away to get the help she needed.
They left and I flopped down on the couch. An enormous weight lifted from my shoulders and I felt lighter and freer than ever before.
I still needed to tell Sage. She would probably be upset by my actions, but I only had her best interests at heart. We could stay there now and continue to live in the house, or I thought Tarron would be okay with taking the both of us away, though I wasn’t certain about that.
I already knew I would put my sisters needs above my chance of a happily ever after. Just because I’d been impulsive and sealed myself to Tarron didn’t mean we had to live together or anything.
Just thinking that caused an ache in my heart. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I was stronger than people realized. I’d make it because I was a survivor.
Now all I had to do was explain things to Tarron.
Tarron
Chapter 17
I awoke to an empty bed. I had reached for my mate with a huge smile on my face, but the bed was cold beside me.