Page 93 of Trial By Fire
I give my best tell-me stare, practicing for the future. "What is going on? Why did you scream?"
"I didn't mean to."
"So why did you? Did something happen with Dexter?" Dani's gaze shifts toward the hallway before darting back. I look over my shoulder, but I don't see anything. Still, I know something's up. "Dani, tell me what happened, or we'll have to find someone else you can stay with tomorrow while I work."
"Nooo, I like coming here with you."
"Then tell me. Why did you scream?" I ask again.
"Because of me," Madi says softly.
I turn to face her, my heart bursting with love. But just like that, every loose thread from the last few weeks knots into something scary and real.
She's here. Safe.
But how do we keep her that way?
Chapter 40
Kace
Madi is with me and Dani. Just found her. She's been hiding at Bronwyn's. Come alone. She doesn't believe Pam agreed to guardianship and is afraid it's a trick. She's terrified her mom will take Dani to punish you for helping her.
The moment Lindsey's text comes in, I want to shout in relief but can't. Because Mads has a point. Until Pam signs those papers, she can change her mind.
I lift my gaze from the phone to where my sister sits at the kitchen table going over the guardianship terms with Adam Shipley. We'd both suggested she get an attorney of her own, but Pam being Pam, she didn't want to spend the money. So long as she's able to visit Madi and call, she says she's okay.
And so am I. Or I will be once this is done. I will enforce guardianship. The moment those papers are signed, I'm taking Mads to get her license so she establishes her home address as mine. Between being enrolled in school and a license, plus her job at the bookstore and doc appointments, I'm hoping it's enough that any judge can see Madi is where she wants to be, should Pam try to protest later.
I don't respond to the text other than to hit thumbs up, acknowledging receipt and that I got the message loud and clear. I do, however, flip over to another text thread, letting the guys know the search is over. I also ask Gabe to contact the police and let them know the paperwork is being signed at this very moment.
I watch as Pam scrawls her name across the bottom and dates it. Adam has his paralegal sign as a witness before sliding it over to Sully to do the same.
I close my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief, feeling as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
Pam's been quiet since our talk, and I think it's finally hit home that it's time to grow up and show up for her child. To be a parent looking out for Madi's best interest for a change.
Adam and his assistant don't linger. They shake hands with Pam and wish her well.
I see the moment Sully reads the text I sent out. His head jerks up from his phone, and he meets my gaze, one eyebrow high in question. I shake my head, and thankfully he stays quiet until the men are out the door.
Madi doesn't need her mom right now. She needs to know she's safe. Loved. Wanted. There's time for Pam to make her excuses later, if she must.
"Madi's safe," I tell her once we're alone. "Sully and I are going to go pick her up and talk."
"What? Where is she? I want to come, too."
"No. Not tonight. This time she is obviously the one who needs some space."
She huffs out a sound. "I knew it. I knew you'd keep her from me the moment you got your way."
"I'm doing nothing of the sort. Pam, you can see her. Just not today. She needs to feel safe. Not be worried you're going to guilt her into changing her mind about staying with me."
Pam paces the kitchen floor several trips before stopping to glare again.
"Did you know where she was this whole time? Did you?"
"Are you kidding me?" Sully says. "He's worried himself to death all night while we were out looking for her. Did you even try to find her after she ran, or did you just come back here to wait it out?"
