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“Well, for the record, I’ll always let you have your way with me, Harlow. You won’t even have to negotiate for that, baby,” Ryker promised.
They were home in no time and Ryker helped put Iris down after her bath. Everything about him staying with her felt right and she liked the way that he made her home feel complete.
Her mother had given up on texting and calling and she was ready for a shower and bed herself. Ryker’s phone rang and he pulled it from his jeans to answer it. “It’s Michael,” he said. “I’m putting you one speaker so that Harlow can hear you too,” he said.
“Hey, Harlow,” Michael said.
“Hi,” she said. “Any news?”
“Yep—and it’s all good, too,” he assured. She breathed out her sigh of relief that she felt she had been holding for days now. “Corinne won’t be making bail and she won’t be getting out of prison any time soon. Once your mother gives her statement, Corinne has agreed that she’ll take a plea deal. She’ll do a little over a year for attacking your mother.”
“That’s it?” Ryker asked.
“It’s better than nothing,” Harlow countered.
“How much time she does doesn’t matter,” Michael explained. “What matters here is that your ex-mother-in-law and your ex-husband will both be convicted felons. That will make it extremely hard for them to get their hands on your daughter, Harlow.”
“That’s all that I care about, really. I just want them both to stay as far away as possible from my daughter,” she said.
“I think that we have a strong case for that happening now,” Michael assured.
“That’s at least some good news,” Ryker said.
“How’s your mother doing?” Michael asked.
“She’s being admitted for a concussion, but she plans on giving the cops her statement just as soon as she’s medically cleared. The doctors want her to rest right now.”
“Well, I’m sure that knowing that Corinne will pay for what she has done, will help her to rest easier,” Michael said.
“I’m sure it will,” Harlow agreed. “Thanks for the update, Michael,” she said.
“Anytime,” he said. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow with more news, I’m sure. If the police have any more questions for the two of you, just give me a call and I can meet you back downtown.”
“Will do,” Ryker agreed. “Thanks, man.” He ended the call and reached for her hand, tugging her along to the bedroom. “You look about ready to drop,” he said. “Let’s get you in bed.”
“Thank you,” Harlow whispered. “I feel exhausted all of the sudden. I guess everything is finally catching up with me—first Billows and now Corinne. I’m hoping that it’s all over now.”
“I’m sure it is,” Ryker said. “And if not, we’ll figure out a way through—together.”
“Well, I did agree to marry you and all, so that sounds good to me,” she teased. She was sure that bringing up this next part would probably piss Ryker off, but she had to before she lost her nerve. “I need to go see Craig,” she breathed.
“What?” Ryker asked. He led her to their room and shut the door—not a good sign for a peaceful conversation happening between the two of them. “There is no fucking way that I want you going anywhere near Craig,” he growled.
“I have to,” she insisted. “I never faced him down for what he did to me. I testified in court, but I didn’t even go to the sentencing. I was afraid of him, but I’m not anymore. I need to stare him down and tell him to stay away from Iris and me. I need to make sure that he knows not to come looking for us when he gets out. I need to do this for me, Ryker. Please understand.”
He sighed and nodded, “Fine,” he agreed. “But I’m coming with you.”
“No,” she said. “That will only piss him off even more.”
“Good,” Ryker said. “I want for him to know that I’m going to be a part of your life from here on out. You did agree to marry me, honey.” He sat down on the bed and pulled her onto his lap. He was right, she had agreed to marry him and the sooner her ex knew that Ryker was in the picture, the better.
“All right,” she agreed. “You can go with me.” He gently kissed her lips, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Thank you for that, honey,” he said.
“You’re welcome,” she breathed.
“I’ll have Michael give me a copy of the restraining order that we took out against him for your mom, Iris, and you. I think he needs to have us personally serve him those papers. It will help drive home our message.”
