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As Justin clung to him and I held Phoenix’s arm, we walked inside the courtroom together.
When Phoenix stopped short, I followed his gaze. “Who is it?” I asked.
“My parents.” The glitch in his voice made me smile. I’d called his father, encouraging them to show up. At least the man had the decency to listen to me. “That’s Stoker, my captain and Riker, the guy I saved from the helicopter. That’s Colt and Maverick,” he continued, the tone of his voice as if he was surprised just how many friends he had.
“See. You have a huge family that you didn’t know about,” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
Then I noticed Cammie and almost lost it. She nodded, her smile huge. The attorney she had started seeing had suggested a very good family attorney to help with the hearing.
We were led to our seats, and I glanced at the Fishers. They had the same looks on their faces as they did the night they almost took Justin away.
“All rise.”
I felt sick inside, keeping one hand on Justin and the other on Phoenix.
As the proceedings began, there were far too many people that painted Phoenix as a dangerous man capable of doing anything. Reckless. Prone to violence. And when the fact he’d beaten up a reporter outside came up, it was all I could do not to lunge over the railing.
Then one by one, his friends and colleagues told a different side. One of courage and dedication, one of respect and admiration. But I could tell the judge wasn’t swayed. He kept looking at Phoenix as if he was a bad man.
And I was angry.
Livid.
So when it was my turn, I wasn’t the nice girl who always followed the rules.
I came out fighting.
And once I was given the chance, no one was going to shut me up.
“Ms. Tillman. Please state your full name and relationship to Mr. Wentworth.”
“My name is Wren Carmella Tillman and I am his fiancée.”
The basic questions were asked, the Fosters’ attorney trying to sway the conversation. I did what I could to keep my patience, my eyes never leaving Phoenix.
“Ms. Tillman. Have you had the opportunity to see interactions with Mr. Wentworth and his son?” the judge interrupted.
“Yes, Your Honor, and I’m going to tell you the real story behind Riggs Phoenix Wentworth, a man with more integrity and honesty than I have met in my entire life. This is the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back, never expecting it back. He’s kind and giving, enough so he made certain on a cold, snowy night that a woman he didn’t know was protected from the elements, brought to safety, at the risk of his own life. A man who thought nothing of racing through a burning wall of fire in order to save my life. And a man who made certain every night that he tucked his son into bed, reading him a story. A man who enjoyed taking his son to the park and the zoo, making certain he had a beautiful puppy to love and cherish and who hired the best nanny in the world to care for little Justin when he worked those long hours that the Fishers’ attorney called proof of being an irresponsible father.”
I took a pause, expecting to be challenged. When I wasn’t, I turned my head, staring into Phoenix’s eyes.
“Phoenix is the kind of father that every child should be lucky enough to have. And if you take him away from his beautiful baby boy, you will break him because he loves that child more than any possession, any person, or any job. And I couldn’t be prouder to stand by his side as Justin becomes an amazing young man. Do not take them away from each other. That perfect, sweet little boy needs his father in his life every day.”
There were murmurs in the courtroom then one of the smokejumpers shouted the Marine battle cry.
“Oorah!”
Several others did the same and I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
“Quiet. Quiet in this courtroom!” the judge bellowed, smashing his gavel down.
Finally, everyone settled down. Then the strangest, most beautiful thing happened.
Justin broke away from Phoenix, heading toward the judge, his eyes never leaving the man. I held my breath, uncertain what I should do. When the bailiff started to come forward, the judge threw out his hand.
