by Kaylea Cross
The only reason Tiana had agreed to the terms of the plea bargain was to spare her daughter that additional trauma. Ella had been through more than enough, and Tiana was determined to protect her daughter from any more harm.
That plan included steering clear of any more romantic relationships, and men in general until Ella was all grown up. Maybe longer.
Maybe forever.
Her cell rang as she drove down Front Street along the water, past all the charming wood-framed shops and businesses and the wide expanse of sandy beach and rolling ocean beyond it. Aunt Lizzie, her mother’s younger sister. The closest thing Tiana had ever had to a real mother, and the only family she had any contact with. “I’m just on my way home, so perfect timing,” she told her aunt.
“It’s a gift,” Lizzie replied. “So, how did it go at the sheriff’s office?”
“Depressing as hell, as expected.” She relayed everything Noah had told her.
“When will you hear about the plea bargain?”
“Not sure. Last I heard the State Attorney’s office was still finalizing it.”
Lizzie grunted. “I hope the pedo takes it. It’s more than he deserves, especially if he’s molested other girls, but I’d hate for Ella to have to go through the stress of a trial to put him away.”
“Me too.”
“And what else? I can tell there’s something else. Spill.”
Aunt Lizzie knew her too well. “It’s Evan.”
A shocked pause followed her announcement. “As in, Ella’s deadbeat sperm donor who ditched you both before her first birthday and disappeared to chase women and his dream of being a famous musician?”
A perfect summation. “That’s the one.”
“What did he do now?”
“Our mediation is over. If I don’t grant him visitation—they call it parenting time here—then the court will enforce it.”
“What?”
Tiana winced and turned the volume down on the car’s Bluetooth system. “Yep. Got the letter couriered to my office Monday morning.”
“That’s insane. He didn’t want anything to do with Ella for her entire life up to now, hasn’t paid you a dime in support, left you both to fend for yourselves, and now he suddenly wants access to her?”
The weight that had been sitting on Tiana’s chest for the past several months as the start of the trial loomed suddenly grew heavier. “Yes, and since he’s agreed to pay the child support he owes, the court will side with him if I keep fighting it.” She hadn’t gone after him for child support when he’d left because she’d just wanted him out of their lives permanently and had been willing to go without the money to get that.
“What are you going to do? Does Ella know?”
“The initial visit would be here with a court liaison to supervise. It’s better for everyone if Evan and I can work out something amicably between us in terms of a visitation schedule, but since he’s in California it’s even harder. As for Ella, I’ve brought up the subject to see how she reacted.”
“And?”
“She actually seemed excited about meeting him.” It had surprised Tiana. “According to my lawyer, I can’t fight this unless I can prove he’s a criminal or poses a threat to her. Which, given my track record with men, he probably is, and I won’t be able to prove anything until it’s too late.”
“Then you’re not going to fight it?”
Part of her desperately wanted to. She wanted to keep Evan as far out of their life as possible, because as far as she was concerned, he’d forfeited any rights to Ella the day he walked out on them. “I can try, but it won’t look good in front of the court and it’ll burn through money I’d rather put into a mortgage and a college fund for Ella.”
“God, I hate that man. Why the hell does he want to see her now?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t trust his motives even with the money he’s willing to pay to see her.” He’d abandoned her and Ella when they’d needed him most. There was no reason to let him back into their lives now. Raising Ella alone had been the hardest thing Tiana had ever done, but she’d never once regretted her decision. “I may have to come to terms with him having supervised visits. But if he tries to file for any sort of custody, I’ll fight him for as long as it takes.”
“Good girl.”
“My lawyer’s looking into what can be done about that, but right now it’s all up in the air.”
“Honey, the universe owes you a big break.”
“God, don’t I know it. Now let’s change the subject before the last of my determination to stay positive disappears and I’m forced to eat both quarts of ice cream currently sitting in my freezer when I get home.”
“Is one of them mint chocolate chip?”
She smiled at her aunt’s hopeful tone. “You’re coming to visit this weekend, so of course.”
“You always were my favorite niece.”
Tiana laughed under her breath. “By process of elimination, that’s not saying much, is it?” She was Lizzie’s only niece.
“You’d still be my favorite even if I had twenty nieces. Which, considering the crazypants, whackadoodle family we both come from, I’m thankful I do not.”
She grinned at the apt description. “Imagine how boring we’d have been without their influence, though.”
“True. I’m still determined to write my memoir one day and sell a million copies, wind up on Oprah and all that. I’ll save a few chapters for you to put in your story.”
“You’re too kind.” She sighed. “I miss you so much.”
“Hang in there, sweetie. I’ll see you in a few days.”
“You can’t get here soon enough.”
“Love you, Tia-bear.”
A lump formed in her throat. Lizzie had been there for her when no one else was. She had taken Tiana in when she had nowhere to go, and given her the only unconditional love she’d known through her life. “Love you too.”
She ended the call, but even the prospect of Lizzie’s impending visit couldn’t ease the awful pressure in her chest. Ever since that night last summer when she’d learned the truth about Brian it felt like her world was caving in.
Now she was flat out scared. The thought of Evan trying to take Ella away even part time was enough to put her into a panic.
Rain continued to splatter across her windshield as she drove beyond the town and finally turned onto Salt Spray Lane. Tall cedars and Douglas Firs bordered either side of it, and at the top of the rise her first destination came into view. Beckett and Sierra’s gorgeous heritage Victorian stood proud in the center of its ocean view lot. Warm light spilled from its windows into the gloom.
Knowing her daughter was safe and warm and cared for there put a smile on Tiana’s face. The first she’d had all day.
But as she pulled into the driveway, she spotted Ella sitting on the side porch not with Beckett, but with that man who worked for him—Aidan MacIntyre.
Her jaw tensed and her spine went rigid.
Hell no.
She’d taken all she could take today, and he was the last damn straw.
*End Excerpt*
About the Author
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
You can visit Kaylea at www.kayleacross.com. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please join her newsletter.
Direct link: http://kayleacross.com/v2/newsletter/
Complete Booklist
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Crimson Point Series
Fractured Honor
Buried Lies
S
hattered Vows
DEA FAST Series
Falling Fast
Fast Kill
Stand Fast
Strike Fast
Fast Fury
Fast Justice
Fast Vengeance
Colebrook Siblings Trilogy
Brody’s Vow
Wyatt’s Stand
Easton’s Claim
Hostage Rescue Team Series
Marked
Targeted
Hunted
Disavowed
Avenged
Exposed
Seized
Wanted
Betrayed
Reclaimed
Shattered
Guarded
Titanium Security Series
Ignited
Singed
Burned
Extinguished
Rekindled
Blindsided: A Titanium Christmas novella
Bagram Special Ops Series
Deadly Descent
Tactical Strike
Lethal Pursuit
Danger Close
Collateral Damage
Never Surrender (a MacKenzie Family novella)
Suspense Series
Out of Her League
Cover of Darkness
No Turning Back
Relentless
Absolution
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Empowered Series
Darkest Caress
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
The Vacant Chair
EROTIC ROMANCE (writing as Callie Croix)
Deacon’s Touch
Dillon’s Claim
No Holds Barred
Touch Me
Let Me In
Covert Seduction
