Anger flares in me as I walk to my Ute and slip into the front seat.
Knowing how rattled Emma was by him last time makes me grip the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turn white.
He’s not getting away with this.
Bailey’s waiting out the front when I pull up. Her brows draw together in worry as she indicates I should park outside and waves me toward the front door.
“Grandad’s at the back door—Mum won’t let him in.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Do me a favour? Make sure your brother and sister are tucked out of the way.”
She rolls her eyes. “We’ll all be listening.”
I chuckle. “You shouldn’t. But I know I can’t stop you. Just stay out of his sight. The last thing I want is for you to be dragged into this.”
Bailey pauses, before flinging her arms around my waist. “You’ll take care of things?”
“I will, sweetheart, but I’ve got to get into the house first.”
She nods and drops her hands to her sides.
I slip in the front door and through to the kitchen toward the back.
Emma jumps when I slide my arm around her waist before turning her head, her eyes wide as she takes in the sight of me.
“What’s going on here?” I plant a soft kiss on her temple.
She stiffens briefly before relaxing into me.
Her father glares at me, and I force a smile. “I gather this isn’t a social visit?”
“I’m here to talk to my daughter. Not you.”
“Then you talk to both of us because we’re together.”
He sneers. “That didn’t take long.”
He might be angry, but I’m not about to bite. “And you know why. Was it too hard to be honest? My family would have welcomed Emma with open arms.”
His nostrils flare. “You weren’t part of the church.”
“And look how well that turned out.” I give Emma’s hip a squeeze.
“This has nothing to do with you.” He narrows his eyes.
“It has everything to do with me. You should be ashamed over how you treated your daughter. And you should know she’s protected now.”
He crosses his arms. “And how are you going to protect her when the court hands over everything she has?”
“You can waste all the money you want. They won’t do that.”
Emma’s grip tightens on my arm.
But I’m not letting her go down without a fight.
“You’re not the only one who can afford lawyers. I’ll fight for Emma and our family.”
I shoot a glance at her. The fear is in her eyes, but her jaw is set.
