by Tia Siren
As if she sensed me watching, she stopped and shot me a last glare before climbing in the back of the car. I smirked. I had been busted, and I wasn’t all that ashamed.
I walked to my own waiting limo and got in, demanding the driver stay right behind the other limo. Tracy was my family. I would be taking my place at the head of the procession. I thought about the baby riding in the car in front of me. The little girl deserved to know all about her mother and her grandparents. I was the only surviving member of her immediate family. I needed to be a part of her life and tell her all the stories I knew about her mommy. I wanted to tell her about her grandma and grandpa. They had been good people, even if I hadn’t realized it until it was too late.
With my mind made up, I felt a little better. There was still a huge hole in my soul, but I knew I could help fill it with Iris in my life. She was my chance to make things right. She would be the one to benefit from my status and wealth. I knew money couldn’t buy love, but in this case, it would certainly help.
By the time my driver pulled to a stop and I got out, Avery was already carrying the baby across the grass toward the waiting chairs positioned under a canopy. I watched as she expertly navigated the soft terrain in her heels while perfectly balancing the baby in her arms.
My eyes drifted ahead to where the burial service would be held. Tracy’s black casket had already been unloaded and was hovering above the ground. I wished I could have seen her one last time, but the funeral director had told me that wasn’t possible due to the severity of her injuries. The thought made me sick to my stomach.
I looked at the chairs reserved for the family and sat down beside Avery, staring at the little girl who had inherited her mother’s blue eyes. Avery glared at me as if I didn’t belong. I sure as hell did belong here, and I wasn’t about to move to make her happy.
“I’m staying,” I hissed.
She released a long sigh. “Fine.”
“I’m Sally Hooper,” said the elderly woman seated on the other side of Avery as she leaned around her. “I spoke with you on the phone. I’m very sorry about your sister.”
I shook her hand. “Good to meet you. Jake Colter, as you already know. Thank you for calling me. I’m sorry to have to meet you like this.”
Avery glared at the woman and then me. Clearly, she didn’t like her friend making nice with the enemy. The preacher strolled up to the casket and stood beside it. He began to talk about life and death, and I tuned out. I thought about the last time I had seen Tracy. I couldn’t even remember when it was. The last time we had Skyped, she had been heavily pregnant. She’d refused to tell me who the father of her child was. I should have been happy for her or offered her help. I hadn’t. I had been a world-class dick.
She had been happy, but all I could see was that she was ruining her life. I had been worried about her. I hadn’t been mature enough to tell her that and instead had gotten angry. I had sent a few emails and tried to call her, but she’d never returned anything. The last time we had talked, it had not ended well.
I looked over at the little girl, who was drooling and chewing on some plastic toy. She had the same blond hair, although very fine, as the rest of the family. She was looking at me. I smiled.
Avery looked at Iris, followed her line of sight, and looked at me. I was still smiling. It wasn’t a charming, lady-killer smile; it was a goofy smile meant to make the baby happy. I quickly dropped the smile and stared back at her.
A round of “amen” echoed around us and I realized the service was over. People began milling about. I was bombarded by people who had known my parents. They all wanted to apologize and ask about how I was doing. I smiled and nodded and shook so many hands, I lost count. It was nothing but a sea of vaguely familiar faces.
I kept an eye on Avery, who was holding Iris tightly against her body. Everyone was touching the baby’s head and offering Avery words of comfort.
“It’s very good of you to take in her baby,” one woman said. “You let us know if there’s anything we can do to help,” I overheard another woman say.
A third woman stepped up and placed her hand on Iris’s back. “Few people would be as selfless as you to take in an orphan at such a young age,” she said. “You’re a good woman.”
I wanted to scream that I was right there. I was willing to take the baby. In fact, I wanted the last piece of my sister. I was going to demand Avery give me custody of the child. I knew it was my legal right. I had called my lawyer before coming down to Phoenix and was told that, by law, I was the next of kin and would be given the child if I could provide a suitable home.
I was a fucking billionaire with every available resource at my disposal. Obviously, I could provide a suitable home. Another person grabbed my hand, pumping it up and down and showering me with condolences. When I looked up, Avery was gone. She had literally taken the baby and run.
“Dammit!” I cursed a little too loudly.
The mourners lingering around the casket area gave me a strange look.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Thank you for coming and thank you for your kind words. I need to go,” I said, and I quickly made my way across the grass and to my waiting car.
The woman wasn’t going to get away from me that easily. I wanted that baby. I didn’t know anything about who Avery was today, but I knew I had more power and more money. That counted for something.
Chapter Five
Avery
I couldn’t fight the dread in the pit of my stomach. This was it. This was the moment I had been worrying about. Social services had left a message on my phone Friday evening. When I saw the number come across the screen, I had muted my phone. I had known it wouldn’t make it go away, but I hadn’t been able deal with it immediately after burying Tracy.
I was essentially ordered to show up at the health and welfare building with Avery. I wasn’t even sure how they knew about the situation. Did someone tattle? I only had to wonder for about a minute before I figured out it had to have been Jake. He was staking his claim. He knew damn well I wouldn’t just hand her over, so he was taking me to court.
“Coward,” I spit out as I sat at the red light, my body tense with anxiety over what was about to happen.
I was prepared to fight for her. I had to for Tracy. I knew she would never want Iris to end up in foster care. If I couldn’t keep her, I knew it would be better for Jake to take her, but I didn’t have to like it. Tracy hadn’t even told Jake the child’s name or that she had been born at all. That had to count for something in my favor if it came down to him or me getting to raise her. The child’s own mother didn’t want anything to do with the man. Anyone in their right mind would take that as a clue about the man’s character.
“It’s okay,” I murmured softly when Iris made a gurgling sound. “We’re going to be just fine,” I lied.
I parked my little four-door car in the parking lot, wondering what would happen if I left and never looked back. I could back up and hit the highway without looking back. It was a thought that kept running through my mind like a ticker tape.
I couldn’t do it. I knew what would happen. I would be found and arrested and hauled off to prison for kidnapping. Then Iris would definitely go to Jake. Or if he decided a baby cramped his playboy lifestyle, he would give her up. She would be put up for adoption and would never know anything about her mother.
“You can do this. Stay calm,” I told myself, knowing I tended to let my emotions rule my mouth.
I couldn’t let that happen. I would appear irrational and unsuitable. I wasn’t going to give Jake or the social worker any reason to remove Iris from my care. I had to appear mature and together. I had spent hours agonizing over what to wear. I had finally settled on a business casual outfit. It was a black pantsuit with a pretty pink blouse. It was flattering and classy while conveying what I hoped was a perfect mommy image.
I climbed out of the car, disconnected the car seat from the base, and headed inside. I was directed to a row of chairs to s
it and wait my turn. I sat down, doing my best to appear calm and relaxed when all I really wanted to do was pace the hallway. Jake strolled in wearing a pair of slacks and a long-sleeve dress shirt.
How could a man I should hate so much turn me on in an instant? He always appeared so cool and confident. It really pissed me off.
“Hi,” he said, taking the seat next to mine.
I glared at him, pointedly looked at his shirt, and smirked. “Nice.”
“Thank you,” he said with a smile.
“Covering your tattoos?”
He shrugged. “It was what I brought with me.”
That was bullshit and we both knew it. Seven years ago, I had traced the many tattoos he had with my fingers. I had a feeling he had gotten more. He liked to pretend he was the perfect businessman, but I knew he had a wild streak a mile wide.
“Whatever,” I muttered.
“How’s Iris today?” he said in a weird voice.
“She’s fine. She’s a good baby,” I said with a tiny bit of pride even though I had nothing to do with her natural behavior. That was all Tracy. Tracy was very easy-going. Iris seemed to have inherited her mother’s personality.
“Hi, Iris,” he said, peering down into the car seat where the baby was quietly chewing on her favorite toy. “How are you?”
“You know she doesn’t talk, right?” I said dryly.
He shrugged. “I figured that. Doesn’t mean I shouldn’t talk to her. How’s she going to learn if she is only exposed to baby talk and all that goo-goo ga-ga drivel?”
I glared at him. He smiled, and I nearly melted. Damn him. I hated that he was so attractive. There was some kind of invisible thread that pulled me to him. I was fighting the urge to touch him. How could I want a man who had hurt me so badly? Damn hormones or pheromones or whatever the hell the problem was. Sitting so close to him was messing with my head. I couldn’t think straight, and the right way to think was to hate him. He was the one who was going to take away Iris.
“Avery Hampstead, Jake Colter?” A middle-aged woman appeared before us.
“Yes,” we said in unison.
“Let’s go to my office,” she said without bothering to introduce herself or exchange any pleasantries.
I stood and bent down to reach for the car seat handle.
“I’ll carry her,” Jake said, grabbing the handle of the car seat before I had a chance.
I wanted to tell him to let go, but the woman had turned to look at us. I smiled and nodded while wishing he would disappear. I walked behind him and couldn’t help but notice how cute the scene before me was. Well, it would have been sweet and endearing if he wasn’t trying to steal the baby right out from under me.
We sat down, and the woman pulled out a manila folder. She opened it up, scanned it, and then typed something into her computer. She was nodding her head as she read.
“You’re Avery, the deceased’s friend and the person who has had the baby since she died,” she said without looking at me.
“Yes.”
“That makes you the brother,” she said, pulling her eyes away from the screen.
“Yes. I’m Jake Colter, Tracy’s older brother and only remaining family member.”
I shot him a glare. He wore that label like it was a badge of honor.
The woman nodded her head. “I’m Janice Grimes. I’ll be handling the case.”
“Why is there a case?” I blurted out. “I’m perfectly capable of taking custody. It’s what Tracy wanted.”
The woman was brisk and immediately rubbed me the wrong way. I glanced at Jake. He didn’t look all that impressed by Janice either.
“Unfortunately, it isn’t so cut and dry. Your friend didn’t have a will. We can’t go by what she may or may not have told you. She passed away before she could sign any kind of document that would legally give one of you custody. The police said she was barely conscious, and in her condition, the doctor didn’t feel she would have been capable of making such decisions anyway.”
“She told the paramedics to call me,” I interjected. “She knew she was hurt and wanted me to take care of her daughter.”
Janice nodded. “She did. That doesn’t give you custody in a case like this.”
I did my best to school my features. I knew I had a killer resting bitch face. I didn’t want to put the woman anymore on edge. As it was, it looked as if she had been sucking on lemons. I felt as if she were jaded and already biased against me. If I didn’t watch my step, I was going to lose before I even had a chance to fight.
“I understand that,” I started in a calm voice. “However, I’ve been with Iris since she was born. I was actually there when she was born. I’m her godmother. I am the best person to take care of her. She knows me,” I stressed.
“I’m her family,” Jake interrupted. “She is young. I can be her caregiver, her uncle, parent, or whatever my title would be. I have the means to care for a child. She’s my blood.”
I glared at him, wanting to kick him in the shin again.
Janice was nodding her head. “I understand you both want the child. However, some legalities have to be addressed. In the meantime, the child can stay with Miss Hampstead. You will be given temporary custody while we navigate the difficult waters of permanent custody. These situations are never easy. If we feel the child will be better off in the care of a foster family—"
I gasped. “A foster home! You can’t do that. She would be terrified. She knows me!”
Janice looked at me, nonplussed by my outburst. “Our foster parents are used to taking in scared children. They have the training needed to help soothe a child. She would be just fine.”
“But why do that when you have a perfectly good option right here? Why put the child in a foster home when it isn’t necessary? I thought foster homes were for children who had nowhere to go or were in unsafe living conditions,” I said, trying my hardest not to completely freak out over the absurdity of it all.
Jake cleared his throat. “Is that standard procedure? You pull a child away from the temporary guardians?”
Janice shrugged. “We only do that if we feel the child’s interests are not being looked after. Our job is to keep the child safe and provide the child with the best environment possible. I’m sorry, but your feelings or your feelings”—she looked at me—“are not my priority. My only concern is for the child.”
“The child is fine,” I seethed. “She is fed, bathed, and loved. I would never do anything that put her in danger. She is my priority as well.”
Janice nodded her head. “And that’s fine, which is why you are being given temporary custody. However, that could change. I hope to get a full order of permanent guardianship drawn up very soon. This is the government, and these things do take time. I will do what I can to see this matter is solved in a timely manner.”
“What do I need to do to prove I’m the right guardian? I will do whatever it takes,” I said, choking back the tears that threatened to fall. I didn’t want to appear weak.
She shrugged. “Being financially capable is one of the biggest concerns. Children are expensive, especially babies. They need diapers, formula, medical care, daycare, and so on. Not everyone is prepared to take on the expense of a raising a child that isn’t their own. We need to look at every aspect and do our due diligence.”
I nodded. “Okay. That’s it? I need a job and I can keep her?”
She grimaced. “It’s not that easy. Wait—you don’t work now?” she asked, looking at the papers in front of her. “I thought you had a job. That may change things.”
I waved a hand. “I do.” I didn’t specify it was part time and paid next to nothing. “I have a job. I just meant a different job. I live with a woman who helps take care of her. Plus, she is still in the daycare Tracy had her in.”
She eyed me a little closer. “A good home situation is also required. Iris will need her own room and the house must be suitable for a child.”
I scoffed. “It’s suitable.”
Janice didn’t seem to care what I had to say. “You will need to prove you can properly care for Iris until she is eighteen. The agency likes to see guardians in established homes and jobs. It is important a child has stability. We don’t want to have to come in a couple years down the road and place her in foster care.”
I bit back my retort. I could already feel the tides shifting in Jake’s favor. I knew he was wealthy, so of course he could provide a stable home, but he couldn’t love her like I could. He would probably hire a team of nannies. She would never even see him. I knew in my heart I was the best person to raise Iris.
Chapter Six
Jake
I had initially thought I didn’t like the Janice woman staring down her nose at me from across the desk, but I could have misjudged the situation. Janice could be the one who got me what I wanted. I had a home, plenty of money, and, most importantly, power. Avery couldn’t compare. She lived in a house with an old lady. That wasn’t exactly the best environment for a baby. I wasn’t all that familiar with babies, but living in an old woman’s house didn’t sound all that fun.
I felt a twinge of guilt when I looked at Avery’s shocked expression. I knew she loved Iris. Love wasn’t always enough, though. I could give my niece everything. There was nothing money couldn’t buy. She would have the best nannies, go to the best schools, and have doors opened for her simply because of who she was. That had to count for something.
“He doesn’t even know how to take care of a baby,” Avery whined.
I looked at her and smirked. “I can learn. Don’t all new parents have to learn? It isn’t like you have any more experience than I do. I can hire people to help me—people who do know and who have experience caring for infants.”
She was shaking her head with obvious frustration. An idea popped into my head. I could hire her to act as a nanny of sorts. It was a win-win situation. She would get to see Iris and so would I. Iris would get the benefit of having two parental figures. The idea began to take shape in my mind. It seemed so logical.