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“We beg to differ,” she said, crossing her arms. “Why do you want to see Josie?”
“I said I wanted my daughter,” Mike said.
He couldn’t even say he wanted to see her first. To meet her. To get to know her.
If he cared about his child that he’d never met, he’d do all those things first.
“Why?” she asked again.
“I want to get to know her,” Mike said. Her eyes went to his hand. He was rubbing his finger over his thumb even when he was staring her in the eye. He’d caught her gaze there and stopped the movement, crossing his arms this time in front of his chest like she was doing.
“No,” she said. “You had a chance for all of that and signed it over easily enough to get out of having to support her.”
“It was a mistake,” Mike said.
“Then where have you been the past eight years?” Carter asked.
“That’s none of your business,” Mike said, turning to Carter. “I’m not sure why you’re even here.”
“Not that it’s any of your concern, but Carter and I are in a relationship. He loves Josie as much as I do. Like his daughter.”
“I’ll be there for her and protect her,” Carter said. “That means from you.”
Carter’s arms were crossed like Mike’s.
“You haven’t been here that long,” Mike said.
“That means nothing to you,” Avery said. “What I’m going to tell you is that you’ve got no claim on Josie at all. If you think you want to try, you’re going to have to find some damn good lawyers because mine are out of Hailey Bond’s office. If you don’t know the firm, you can look it up. As you can tell, it’s kind of a close-knit family and community here.”
“We watch out for our own,” Carter said.
“I need money,” Mike said. “If you gave me some, I’d go away. I’ll sign whatever you want me to and never come back.”
It was exactly what she thought it’d be and it’d be easy to say sure, but it wouldn’t solve anything.
“I don’t need to give you any money or have you sign any papers. I’ve got them all.” She pulled an envelope out of her large purse and slapped it on the table. “Copies for you. The ones where you signed your paternal rights away are with it. If you think you can find a lawyer to fight that, go ahead.” She turned to leave on that note, but then stopped. “And I’ll know if you’re back on this island again. Just like I knew now. Remember that the next time you want to mess with me.”
She opened the door and stormed out, Carter behind her.
Griffin and Eli went into the room with Mike and she didn’t care what was said to him then. She needed to get out of there before she passed out.
38
Show of Confidence
Carter was trying to gather his thoughts after he’d witnessed that spectacular show of confidence and authority from Avery.
He wasn’t sure she had it in her but should have never doubted it.
She didn’t say a word to him as she marched to his truck, him almost running to keep up with her.
She got inside of it and all but collapsed, putting her head between her knees.
“What the fuck?” he said, jumping out and running to the other side and opening the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Get me home,” she said. “My heart is racing, but it’s adrenaline. I’ll be fine. I’ve faced much worse. It will pass.”
“I’m not sure,” he said. “I’m going to carry you back inside to get medical help.”
