The accusation hit harder than it should have, especially with Eliza watching, her face pale with shock at Ash’s outburst.
“This isn’t about us,” I said quietly, keeping my voice level.“It’s about keeping Lily with her mother where she belongs.”
“You think I don’t know that?”Ash stepped closer, his breath coming in short bursts.“It’s my daughter they’re threatening to take.Mine.”
I raised my hands in a peacekeeping gesture.“I know, man.We’re all on the same side here.”
Something in my tone must have pushed him over the edge.His face contorted with fury as he drew back his arm and threw a wild punch toward my face.I managed to shift just enough he only glanced off my jaw, but the impact still snapped my head to the side.Pain bloomed along my face as I stumbled back a step.
Before I could react, Knuckles moved with surprising speed for a man his size.He grabbed Ash from behind, pinning his arms and immobilizing him against the wall.“Enough!”he growled into Ash’s ear.“You’re making everything worse.”
Ms.Winters’ lips curled into a smile that never reached her eyes.“Well,” she said, closing her folder with deliberate calm.“I believe he proved my point about the environment here.”
Eliza looked devastated, her gaze moving between Ash’s struggling form, my bruising jaw, and Ms.Winters’ satisfied expression.The fear in her eyes cut deeper than Ash’s punch ever could.
Officer Martinez looked deeply uncomfortable now, his gaze fixed somewhere on the middle distance as if trying to dissociate from the situation.
“You set this up,” I realized aloud, the pieces suddenly falling into place.“You wanted this to happen.”
Ms.Winters ignored me completely, turning her attention back to Eliza.“Ms.Jans, given what has just transpired, I believe we need to discuss the next steps regarding Lily’s placement.Immediately.”
The blood drained from Eliza’s face as she realized what was coming next.I moved toward her instinctively, wanting to offer protection, comfort, anything to erase the devastation in her eyes.But I stopped short, suddenly unsure of my welcome after last night and the scene Ash had just caused.
Knuckles maintained his grip on Ash, who had stopped struggling but still vibrated with barely contained rage.Knuckles hissed something in his ear, obviously meaning business and Ash better shut the fuck up.
“If you’ll come with me, Ms.Jans,” she said, extending her hand toward the hallway leading to the residential area.“We need to collect Lily now.”
The words hung in the air like a death sentence.Eliza swayed slightly on her feet, and this time I didn’t hesitate, stepping to her side and placing my hand gently at the small of her back.She didn’t pull away.Instead, she leaned into my touch, as if drawing whatever strength I could offer.
“Eliza’s lawyer will be here soon,” Hannah said, her voice fierce despite her calm exterior.“She’ll get here and you can talk to her.”
Ms.Winters smiled thinly.“I assure you, I have everything required by law.Now, shall we proceed, or do I need to request additional officers?”
Pippa positioned herself between Ms.Winters and the hallway, her stance casual but her intention clear.“Ms.Thompson is on her way,” she stated firmly.“You might want to wait for her arrival before doing anything hasty.”
“I’m afraid I can’t delay,” Ms.Winters replied.“Not when a child’s safety is at stake.”
The standoff stretched between them, tension crackling in the air as Eliza trembled beside me, facing her worst nightmare becoming reality for the second time.
Ms.Winters pulled a folder from her briefcase, her movements deliberately slow as she savored her moment of triumph.“As I was saying before Mr.Hudson’s unfortunate display of temper,” she said, “I am filing for immediate removal of Lily from Ms.Jans’ custody.”She extracted a document bearing an official seal and held it up for all to see.“This emergency order has already been signed by Judge Harmon.I have the authority to remove Lily from these premises immediately.”
“Harmon?”Hannah stepped forward, her eyes narrowing.“Judge Whitmore has been handling this case from the beginning.She’s familiar with all the evidence and circumstances.”
“Judge Whitmore is unreachable on vacation,” Ms.Winters replied smoothly.“As is standard procedure, another judge reviewed the emergency petition in her absence.”
I watched Eliza’s face crumple at the words, her small remaining hope visibly extinguished.Ms.Winters hadn’t just planned this move, she had waited for the perfect moment when the judge who had previously ruled in Eliza’s favor wouldn’t be available to interfere.
“Convenient timing,” I growled, unable to keep silent.
Ms.Winters didn’t even acknowledge me.“Now, if you’ll step aside,” she said to Pippa, who remained planted firmly between her and the hallway leading to the residential area.
“No.”Pippa crossed her arms, her stance casual but her eyes hard.“We need to verify the order first.Our lawyer is on her way.”
“I’ll be happy to call in other officers.I’m sure they’d just love to have a reason to raid this place,” Ms.Winters countered, her voice taking on an edge of impatience.“Officer Martinez is here to ensure compliance.”
Martinez shifted uncomfortably, his hand instinctively touching his service weapon before dropping back to his side.“Ma’am, if their lawyer is on the way, maybe we should wait.Just to make sure everything’s in order.Last thing I want to do is traumatize Miss Lily again.”I liked the young officer addressed Lily with respect.It was the one positive in this whole fucked up situation.
“Everything is in order, Officer,” Ms.Winters snapped.“I want this done as quickly as possible.And I will not delay a child’s safety for the convenience of your motorcycle club’s attorney.”