Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Then she started to cry quietly, and I lifted her up into my arms, even though she was long past that. But Kelly didn’t seem to feel she was past it. She wound her arms tightly around my neck as she sobbed into my throat. She was still in her pajamas. I caught London’s pained look over Kelly’s shoulder.
“Let’s take you home, m’eudail,” I told her gruffly.
“F-for good?”
“For good,” I promised because there was no fucking way I’d ever let Jill near her now. She’d proven time and time again she had no mind to our daughter’s safety. And just like that, any concern I had for my ex-wife burned beneath the fire of my fury.
The officers brought me Kelly’s coat a few minutes later and then we had another twenty minutes or so of signing papers and the police helping me gather what I needed to send to my solicitor so I could get my emergency court order.
Finally, we got Kelly settled into the back of the car and that’s when she asked, “What about all my stuff at Mum’s house?”
Unfortunately, her mum’s house was still an active crime scene. I clipped on my seat belt as London clipped on hers, and I looked at Kelly in the rearview mirror. “You’ve got your stuff at home, and we can get you new things until I can get everything from your mum’s. Is that okay?”
“Aye, that’s fine.” She yawned, clearly knackered from a night of not sleeping and the goddamn ordeal her mother had put her through. Still, her sleepy gaze moved to London. “So, you’re my new stepmum?”
London threw me a panicked look she quickly covered as she turned to meet Kelly’s gaze. “I am. I know it’s a lot considering everything … but I want you to know I’m here if you need me.”
“I don’t.”
I blanched at my daughter’s cold tone.
“I don’t need anyone but Dad and Nana. But if being married to you will help Dad keep custody of me and get Mum out of our lives, then fine. I’m tired. Wake me up when we get to the ferry.” Kelly slammed her eyes closed, her arms crossed tight over her chest. Her cheeks were pale and tearstained.
I watched London as she slowly faced front. Her anxious expression made me cross the boundaries I’d put in place … and I patted her knee in reassurance.
Her eyes flicked to me in surprise.
“It’ll be okay,” I mouthed.
London didn’t look convinced, but she nodded and turned from me.
Kelly had always been a friendly, warm kid, which surprised me, considering how much Jill toyed with her emotions. However, I think my daughter had been pushed over the edge, so no one could blame her for being cautious or resentful. And she was fourteen. I was due the teenage ups and downs with her, and this latest event seemed like more than enough trauma to kick it off.
Marrying a woman my daughter barely knew didn’t exactly make me Father of the Year, even if I had done it partially for her.
Jill and I had both failed our daughter.
And now I’d put London in an awkward position too.
This was one giant clusterfuck, and I had no idea how to make any of it right.
16. Murray
Kelly had reluctantly gone with London to the ladies’ restroom on the ferry, and I’d taken that opportunity to call my solicitor so she could contact the police to get the info she needed for the emergency order. Then I called Mum to tell her everything. She was understandably upset, and I asked her if she could come spend some time with Kelly in the morning. With that arranged, I hung up and contemplated calling Fraser back, but I had a pounding headache, and I just wanted to ignore everything for a while.
Jack was at the harbor that evening and greeted us as we came off. If he was surprised that I didn’t stop the Discovery to chat, he didn’t show it as we drove away with a half-hearted wave. We were all exhausted.
The last thing I wanted to see was my cousin standing beside his car outside my house.
“What the …” I heaved an aggravated sigh.
“Is that Uncle Fraser?” Kelly leaned between mine and London’s seats.
Technically, he was her second cousin, but because of the age difference, Fraser insisted Kel call him uncle instead.
“Uncle Fraser?” London asked, unclipping her seat belt.
“My cousin. My head of charter and distribution.” I turned off the engine, studying Fraser’s unusually serious expression and dreading whatever he was about to tell me.
What more could I take today?
We all got out and Fraser’s expression softened when he saw Kelly. “You all right, wee yin?”
I frowned because he didn’t seem surprised to see her. “London, will you take Kelly inside?”
“But Dad—”
“I’ll be right in, m’eudail.”
Fraser gave London a nod as she gestured for Kelly to follow her into the house. I waited until they were both out of earshot. “What the hell is going on?”