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“But I’m not. I don’t want him to claim Gracie.”
“We know that, but that’s not the story he’s telling his wife. His ego is getting in the way of his logic. He’s been calling non-stop demanding that you meet with him. I guess his wife isn’t happy about it. She’s trying to protect her family…” Drew was cut off when I spoke over him.
“And I’m trying to protect mine.” I lowered my eyes to Cadence and she lifted hers to me.
“But how isthisprotecting us?”
“As soon as everything leaks, I release a statement requesting privacy for our family while we work on getting to know each other. You file for an order of protection from Dresden. If he doesn’t back off and his wife gets stupid and tries to go to the press, they look crazy. He’ll have to explain why you feared him enough to legally protect you and Gracie from him. I can’t imagine she would take it that far.”
“It’s better to play offense than defense,” Drew stated matter of factly. Cadence frowned at him until I spoke above her head.
“What he means defending your position is a lot harder to do than telling your truth.”The one we’re going to skillfully craft.“If we get ahead of this, that’s all Dresden can do. Defend his position. That’s if he refuses to let this go. I have a feeling that once we tell our story and it’s out there, he won’t have a choice but to fall back.”
“And if he doesn’t…” She drew in a sharp breath, holding it, waiting.
“We pursue him legally. On record, Sol will be Gracie’s father. No one will bat an eye at him defending his child’s mother and his child. Dresden will become the bad guy.”
“Her father on record…” she whispered.
“Only on paper unless you decide to change your mind. I’m willing to step up, Cadence. I haven’t changed my mind about that.” It was easy for me to make that claim.
I wanted her and Gracie in my life.
She was torn. She wanted to trust me but this was her kid. The stakes were a lot higher with Gracie’s heart than they were gambling with her own.
I would never in my fucking life hurt either one of them, but she had to get to a place where she believed that.
“Okay…” she said softly and I swear my fucking heart exploded.
Acceptance.
Trust.
She was allowing me to protect them.
“We’re doing this?” Drew asked, needing confirmation.
“Yes, but I don’t want the money. I know it’s not a big deal for you but it is to me. Taking that money makes me feel like you’re buying her. Buyingusand I don’t want that.”
Stubborn.
Independent.
Resilient.
And I loved everything about who she was.
“Then you don’t have to take it,” I asserted, knowing I’d figure out other ways to make sure she was good.
“Okay.”
I glanced at Drew over my shoulder giving him the green light to set things in motion.
“I’m guessing you’ll be buzzing in a few hours. Shouldn’t take long for the story to catch. I’ll release your statement in the morning. I’ve got dinner with Cori so if you need anything,don’t…”
I smirked and tossed my chin. “No promises.”
He groaned his annoyance with my answer, pausing to address Cadence. “If it counts for anything, I believe you when you say this isn’t about the money. That you’re only agreeing to any of this to protect your kid.”
