Sonja leaned into him, needing the warmth his presence provided. She had legal and physical custody of Casey, so she really didn’t have to tell her ex-husband anything. Regardless, she didn’t want to deal with Thomas for a thousand different reasons, and the main one was sitting next to her. Sonja shook her head. She didn’t want to think about it. Casey was going to be fine. Any other option wasn’t possible. Closing her eyes, she willed the cab to move faster.
When they arrived, James paid the driver and Sonja jumped out, ran for the ER door and headed straight for the reception desk. “Casey Martin?”
“You are?”
“Sonja Martin. Her mother.”
James came up next to her and the man behind the desk typed on his computer.
“Ms. Martin?”
Sonja wheeled around to find a short and stocky red-haired police officer there. “Yes?”
“Officer Noellyn.” He shook her hand. Then looked at James and shook his.
“James Donnelly.”
Enough with the pleasantries. Sonja adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. “Where is Casey?”
“They’re taking good care of her. I can take you back to see her in a minute. But let’s have a seat and talk first,” the officer said in a thick New York accent.
Impatience beat through her. Sonja glanced back at the receptionist. “Can you let her know we’re here at least?”
The receptionist nodded. “I’ll let the nurse know. They should be bringing her back from x-ray in a few minutes.”
“X-ray?” Panic flooded her veins and she glanced back at the officer. “I thought you said she was okay. X-ray doesn’t sound okay to me!” James wrapped his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him. “I’m sorry, but I want to see my daughter first.”
“Ma’am, I understand you’re upset. She’s fine, just a little banged up.”
“Oh? So, you’re a doctor as well?” Her panic gave way to anger and her heart thudded in her ears. “My goodness, do you have a cape underneath your uniform too?”
The officer said nothing, just stared at her, his stone features betraying none of the colorful thoughts Sonja assumed were running around his mind. Screw him; she was done putting up with anyone’s bullshit. Sonja crossed her arms, daring him to come back at her. She was a fucking lawyer, which meant she was more than capable of dancing circles around him in the argument department.
James gave her waist a little squeeze. “Honey?”
“What?” Snapping her head to the side, she glared at him. Point for him, he didn’t flinch.
“Look, Ms. Martin. The sooner we talk, the sooner you can go back and see your daughter.”
Sonja returned her focus to the officer and pointed her finger at him. “You get five minutes of my time. No more than that. You have more to say, then you can say it after I’ve seen my daughter.”
“Fair enough.” He motioned them both over to the waiting room chairs. Sonja took a seat, and James did too. The officer sat across from them. “As I mentioned on the phone, Casey was involved in an altercation. The young man she was with…” He pulled out his little notepad and glanced at it. “Drake Defazio was engaged in a physical altercation with a Peter Franklin. Do you know either of them?”
“Drake Defazio is her boyfriend. I don’t know the other boy.”
“I see.” He scribbled in his notepad. “Mr. Peter Franklin isn’t a boy, and he assaulted a minor.”
“Great. How does Casey play into this?”
“According to witnesses, Casey tried to defend Mr. Defazio and was caught in the fray between the young man and Mr. Franklin. After I spoke with her briefly at the scene, I ran a check on her. She showed up in our database as a runaway. Are you willing to take her back home?”
“Of course I’m willing to take her home. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I mean no offense, Ms. Martin. It’s a standard question.”
“Well, not to worry. I have every intention of taking her home. Are we done here?”
Officer Noellyn let out a loud sigh. “Yes. I believe we are.”
“Good.” Sonja stood and walked back to the reception desk. She knew she was being a bitch, but she truly didn’t care. All she cared about was getting to Casey. “I’d like to see my daughter now, please?”
Jimmy followed Sonya into the back halls of the ER. He chose to keep silent; she was a powder keg ready to blow, and saying the wrong thing would for sure set her off. The nurse led them to the treatment area where Casey was being held.
“Oh my God!” Sonja rushed past the nurse, the curtain flying out in a flourish, and pulled Casey into a frantic embrace.
“Mom, I’m fine—oww!”
Sonja jumped back. “Crap. Sorry, honey. Sorry. Where are you hurt?”
“It’s okay. Just don’t hug so hard.” Casey shifted on the gurney and winced. “I think I sprained my ankle, but that happened last night. And now, maybe broken ribs and my head hurts because I banged it on the ground really hard.” She rubbed the back of her head.
Jimmy came around the other side of the bed and clasped her hand. “Had your mom and me really frickin’ worried, kiddo.”
Sonja stared at her daughter. The expression on her face was like a punch in Jimmy’s gut. He let out a slow breath. All things considered, Casey looked pretty good. Her makeup was smudged under her eyes, her hair a bit of a mess, but other than that she looked fine.
Sonja swiped a tear from her cheek as she bent forward and kissed Casey on the top of the head. “If you weren’t hurt, I might take you over my knee and spank the daylights out of you.” Sonja let out a small laugh and pressed her nose into her daughter’s hair.
Casey shifted her arm and adjusted the IV line attached to her hand. “Mom, seriously? That’s not funny.”
Jimmy ran his palm over his goatee. “You’re right, it’s not. But it’s true.”
The doctor walked into the makeshift room, chart in hand. “Hello there. Mom and Dad, I assume?”
Sonja leaned over and shook the doctor’s hand. “Just Mom.”
“I’m Doc Scalzi.”
“Is she gonna make it?” Jimmy leaned a hip against the gurney, shot Casey a wink, then returned his gaze to the doctor.
“The good news is, yes, she’s going to make it.” He gave them a small smile. “Her ribs are bruised, and she has a pretty good lump on the back of her head. No concussion. However, she has a hairline fracture at the edge of her fibula. Her ankle. We’re going to get her in a Cam boot and then she can go home.” The doctor wrote on Casey’s chart. “Any questions?”
Casey let out a groan. “How long do I have to wear a stupid boot?”
“Usually no longer than six weeks, unless you heal faster.” The doctor clicked the end of his pen and slipped it in his white coat pocket. “It’s not so bad. Better than a plaster cast.” He smiled before shifting his gaze back to Sonja. “Any questions, Mom?”
“Crutches, I assume?”
“Yes, for a little while. She’ll need to come back in a few weeks to have it x-rayed again. The nurse will give you all the necessary paperwork.”
Sonja clasped Casey’s hand in her own. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Casey, we’ll be in to take you to get fitted into the boot in a few minutes.” He smiled again, and then stepped out of the room.
“Well, there you go. A boot and crutches.” Sonja grabbed the small chair behind her, pulled it close and sat next to the gurney. “Tomorrow we’re going to have a long talk about what’s happened. You’re going to tell me everything, do you understand?”
Casey rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
Jimmy crossed his arms. “Case, the least you could do is pretend to be sorry. Your mom’s been out-of-her-mind worried. So have I.”
“Yeah, but she didn’t even call my dad, so she wasn’t that worried.�
�
Sonja stood in a huff. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Why didn’t you call Daddy?”
“Because!” Sonja shifted her weight to one foot and crossed her arms, her face a mask of anger.
“Because why?”
“Seriously? Cut your mom a break, will you?” Jimmy placed his hand on Casey’s shoulder in hopes his words would serve as some sort of a diversion. He’d rather have Casey pissed and reeling at him than at her mother. She’d gone through enough in the last forty-eight hours, and the last thing she needed was to be questioned by the very child who was the cause of all the turmoil.
Casey turned her fiery gaze on him. “I want to know why she didn’t bother to tell my father I ran away!”
“All right, stop! Right now! Whether or not I called your father and why are none of your business. I realize you’re tired and in pain, but I will not tolerate another word from you.”
Sonja had started out yelling, her eyes wide with rage, but ended up with her voice so low, Jimmy could barely hear her. Her tone, however, was laced with fury, and warning. A warning he hoped Casey was paying attention to because she was skating on some very thin ice with her mother.
“You don’t have to bother now because I called him myself when I got here. He’ll be home first thing in the morning.”
Sonja’s mouth dropped open, shock and hurt blanketing her features. Jimmy was at a loss for what to do or say. This mess was between her and Casey, and he didn’t want to overstep. But, dammit, his instinct to protect his woman was riding him hard, even if it meant protecting her from her own child. Rounding the gurney, he took Sonja’s hand. “Why don’t we step out for some air?”
“Thank you, Casey. I’m sure his visit will be most enjoyable.” Sonja yanked her hand free from Jimmy’s and stormed out of the treatment room.
“Nice one.”
“Whatever.” Casey crossed her arms and winced from the pain. “She should’ve called him. It’s fucked up she didn’t.”
Jimmy took a seat in the plastic chair. “I’m not going to debate it with you. I’m sure your mother had her reasons.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
Raising one leg, he rested his ankle on his other knee. “Ohhh, I don’t know. Maybe she was praying you’d come home, then she wouldn’t have to tell him? I can’t imagine they get along all too well.” He drummed his fingers on his thigh. “But, ya know? Why should you give a shit about how scared your mom was, or whether or not your dad worried for no reason? Or whether they get along well or not? Why should you give a shit about anyone other than yourself right now?” He kept his voice low, mostly because they were in a public place, but also because he was beyond furious with her, and if he didn’t keep a leash on his temper he might find himself yelling. There had already been enough of that.
“That’s not true. I do care!”
“Lower your voice, Casey. The entire hospital doesn’t need to hear your drama.”
A nurse entered. She glanced from him to Casey and back again. “Everything okay?”
Jimmy stood. “Of course.”
“All right. You ready to get booted up?” The nurse grabbed the IV bag and hung it on the pole attached to the side of the gurney.
“I guess so.” Casey rested her head on the pillow and the nurse wheeled the bed out of the room.
“See you when you get back.” Jimmy shoved his hands in his front pockets and watched her disappear out of the room. After a moment, he resumed his spot in the plastic chair. This was going to be a long night, regardless of what time they got back to Sonja’s house.
Chapter Forty-One
“No, Thomas. If you would only lis—”
“I’m talking now. When I’m done, and if I choose, you can speak. Until then keep your mouth closed. You had no right. None. You should have called me!”
Sonja bit down on her tongue and drew on every ounce of patience within her to get through the conversation. Thomas continued his rant, oblivious to anything but the sound of his own voice. She could probably put the phone down and walk away and he’d never know she was gone.
“I will be on the first flight up there in the morning and then we’re going to discuss Casey’s living arrangements. It’s quite obvious to me you’re not capable of taking care of my daughter any longer. You’re too busy with your boyfriend, never mind the law firm, to give her the attention she needs.”
That did it. Blinding, red-hot rage spiked in her belly and radiated out through her limbs. Sonja gripped the phone so hard she swore she heard the plastic case creak. She hadn’t realized he was aware of James. Casey must’ve told him. Apparently his jealous bone had been triggered and now he’d use it as another excuse to threaten custody of their daughter.
“Thomas—”
“I’m not done.”
“Thomas—” He continued his tirade, right over the top of her. She was so sick of this man trying to rule her life from the ex-husband position. Regardless of what delusions he operated under, Thomas had no power over her any longer. “Thomas!” He went silent on the other end of the line. Probably shocked she’d screamed in his ear. Didn’t matter, she’d use it to her advantage. “First of all, you want to take me back to court, you go right ahead. You’ll lose. Second, whom I choose to spend my time with is none of your business. Third, fuck you.” She should’ve hung up, but instead she waited for his response.
He was silent for what felt like forever before he finally spoke again. “Sonja, I’ll see you in the morning.”
The line went dead and she pulled the phone from her ear and stared at the screen. Wonderful. Fabulous. Spectacular! In no way was she looking forward to the discussion she now needed to have with James. He’d have to go back to his place tonight because when Thomas showed up in the morning, she’d have to deal with him. The last thing she needed was to wade through a bunch of male testosterone clouding the air. James would simply have to understand.
Once she got rid of Thomas, things could go back to normal.
Preparing for the dreaded conversation, she grabbed a water from the vending machine and made her way back to Casey’s treatment room. As she walked at a snail’s pace, Sonja played the words through her mind, trying to find the right combination. When she rounded the corner and stepped into the room, James was sitting in the plastic chair, legs stretched out in front of him, his attention on his phone. Casey was gone, and she figured they’d likely taken her to get her boot. Sonja watched him for a moment before clearing her throat, gaining his attention.
“Hey there.” He scrambled to his feet and came toward her. “You okay?”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Not really, no.”
“Come on, sit down.” He led her over to the chair. “You talked to Thomas, I take it?”
She took a seat and looked up at him. “Not exactly. He did all the talking. Wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise.”
“You know, you haven’t told me a lot about him, but he kinda sounds like a dick.”
“Well…” Sonja took a moment to reflect. She guessed James’s assessment was pretty damn accurate. Thomas was, quite simply, a dick. “I think you hit the nail on the head.”
James chuckled and squatted in front of her. “Is he still coming?”
She smoothed her hand up the back of her hair. “Oh, yes. He’ll be here in the morning.”
“All right. We’ll deal with it.”
“About that…” Sonja glanced away from him, still unsure of how to get this out.
He rubbed her thighs. “Yeah?”
“Look, I don’t want you to take this wrong.” Straightening in her seat, she gazed at him and placed her hands atop his. “But it’s probably best if I deal with him alone.”
James tilted his head to the side, pressed his lips together and sighed through his nose. Shoot. She wasn’t sure if
he was pissed, or upset, or annoyed…or all of the above.
How in the hell was she going to get him to understand why it was better this way? He was going to think it was just her trying to shut him out again, but it had nothing to do with that. When it came to Thomas, it was better to just let him come, and then let him go, without making much fuss. Exhaustion weighed on her, and she felt like she’d just run a 10K marathon. With all the stress, Sonja just didn’t need the added drama. She couldn’t handle one more thing.
This was just easier.
“Why?”
“Because.” Sonja tried to lace her fingers with his, but he pulled them away. “James, please don’t.”
He stood. “Don’t what? Yeah, I fucked up when I walked out that first morning, but I’ve been by your side through all of this since. And you think I’m going to disappear because your ex-husband, who’s clearly a dick, is coming into town? Give me one reason why I can’t be by your side through this too.”
“It’s not that I don’t want you by my side. James, really, you think I want to deal with him on top of everything else that’s gone on in the last forty-eight hours?”
“Then don’t.”
“What do you mean don’t? It’s not like I have a choice in the matter. I have to deal with him, he’s Casey’s father.”
“I know he’s Casey’s father. But you don’t have to deal with him—at least not alone. In fact, you don’t ever have to deal with him alone again. But you won’t choose that, will you?”
“It’s not that. You’ll want to protect me; he’ll want to assert his role as Casey’s father. I’m in no shape to deal with the drama of a pissing contest or testosterone war.”
He propped his hands on his hips. “I’m not stupid. I know he’s Casey’s father. But yeah, if he’s being an asshole of course I’m going to protect you. How could I not?”
“Please. It’s just easier. Can’t you understand that? Why does everything have to be an argument with you?” Sonja stood and started pacing. “Why do you always have to make everything so goddamn difficult?”
Defensive Heart: The Donnolleys, Book 2 Page 27
