AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stare at Mick, flabbergasted. “You can’t just take matters into your own hands when we’re in the middle of a court case. This isn’t one of your stories. This is real life, and it doesn’t work that way.”
“Your way isn’t working either,” he blasts back.
I take a calming breath, rankled by his criticism on top of everything else he’s been dishing out, and rein in my temper. “There are rules and procedures for a reason. Just as there is case strategy. We are not relying solely on the potential bad acts of the Franklins to win. Admittedly, that would work to our advantage if we could prove it, but in the absence of that, we will still build a strong custody case.”
“That by your own admission would be stronger with evidence against the Franklins.”
“Yes, but I don’t see finding Joyce as a viable option.”
“I do.”
“And you always know what’s best for everyone, right?” Lines between personal and professional blur as I let him see my angry hurt.
“I take care of what’s mine.”
“That you do. No matter the cost.”
His eyes blaze. Mad as hell, Mick pushes to his feet and storms out the back door.
“I’ll go talk to him,” Victor says. “Mick thinks he has to be the one to fix this.”
I could cry. Mick thinks he has to be the one to fix everything.
ChapterTwelve
Micah
“Would you quit wearing ahole in my grass?”
I spare a side glance over at Victor as he strides across the back lawn with an indignant scowl.
“For God’s sake,” he mutters and clutches my arm, halting my pace mid-stride. “Stay!”
I tug loose. “What am I, a fucking dog?”
“Hey…” he gets in my face. “If it growls like a dog and snaps like one.”
“Back off, Victor.”
He inches away, but his expression remains severe and astute. “What was with that bullshit in there?”
“Since when is looking out for Dwayde bullshit?”
“When it’s wrapped up in something else and not making you think straight.”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. But what I do know is that we need to find out what these people did to their daughter because all the judge is going to see is a wealthy couple that has reputation and biology on their side.”
“And we have family. That’s what counts.”
“It should, but the system doesn’t always work for the good.”
“I work in the system, Mick. I’m not blind to its faults. But I still believe in it to be just and fair.”
Even as a kid, Victor played by the rules, his strong moral compass ingrained by two good and decent parents. For him, there are no shades between right and wrong, while for me it’s all too easy to play in the gray areas when I think I have to.
“If Joyce is still in Chicago, there’s a chance Stiles could find her. Then we’d be armed to take them on.”
He shakes his head. “She’s a hard-core druggie. Her information probably isn’t worth a dime.”
