Page 39 of Daisy Chain
He tilts his chin up with false bravado. “I’m not leaving without the little bitch.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know who you’re referring to,” I don’t hide the harshness in my tone.
He swallows hard. “I wantNatashato come home. Now.”
Lincoln folds his arms over his chest. “That’s not going to happen.”
“She’s my daughter. She belongs with me.”
Natasha yells, “You are not my father, you piece of shit.”
Daisy puts a hand on her back to try and calm her down.
“You heard her.” Asher presses a little harder on Bruce’s chest with his forearm. “You’re not her father. Now get the fuck out of here.”
“The paperwork says differently. I’m her legal guardian, whether she likes it or not. If she’s not home soon, the social worker is gonna start asking questions.”
And taken out of his home. That would mean no money for drugs and alcohol, instead of food and care for Natasha.
I step forward. “Time’s up. You need to leave.”
Asher hooks his arm around Bruce’s right arm, and Lincoln does the same to his left, and they drag him toward the door. Bruce resists and drags his feet, but he’s no match for the boys.
Over his shoulder, he sneers at Natasha, “You just wait. I’ll have social services here. They’ll take one look at how you’ve been whoring your body out to these fuckers, and they’ll have you placed with me again and them in jail.” He snickers like he’s told a funny joke.
I hold my hand up to stop Lincoln and Asher from throwing him out. “Why wait?” I pull my phone from my back pocket and hold it out to him. “Call the cops now. I’d love for them to show up. We have a bunch of witnesses to tell them how you threatened her and destroyed her property.” I wave my other hand toward the mess on the floor. “Since you’re a little detained, would you like me to make the call for you?”
Bruce’s face hardens. “No.” He knows his threat holds no value, and it won’t end well for him.
“Then I suggest you get the fuck out of here.”
He shrugs himself free, but only because Lincoln and Asher let him go. “Alright, I’m going.” He narrows his eyes at Natasha. “You were always a spoilt brat wanting more than you’re worth.” His gaze travels around the room. “Looks like you got what you want. Enjoy it while it lasts. They’ll soon see that you’re not worth their time and money.”
Lincoln shoves Bruce in the back and growls, “Let’s go.”
Bruce stumbles out of the room. I watch with rage burning as Lincoln and Asher follow him out. I know they’ll make sure he gets the fuck away from the building. If he ever shows his face here again, he won’t be so lucky to leave with it intact.
Natasha slumps into the rocking chair, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her shoulders roll forward protectively over Remi as she nuzzles her nose into her neck. Daisy kneels beside her, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
“Are you okay?” I ask Natasha. “He didn’t touch you or the baby, did he?” If he did, I’ll find him and make sure his hands can never touch anyone again.
Natasha sniffs and wipes her nose with the back of her hand. “No. Ash and Linc got here before he could. He did make a mess of Remi’s things though.” A sob escapes her lips as she takes in the mess on the floor. “He poured beer and put his cigarette out on her clothes. He’s such an asshole.”
“I can wash everything. They’ll be as good as new,” Daisy offers.
“No. I don’t want Remi wearing anything that fucker touched, even if it is washed. We’ll buy her new things,” I say.
“I can’t afford to replace everything.”
“How many times have I told you that you don’t need to worry about money?”
“And how many times have I told you that I’m not a charity case?” Her tone sharpens, and there’s fire back in her eyes.
I like the attitude coming from her rather than the scared, crying girl.
“You’ll work it off.” I don’t give a shit about the money, but if it makes her feel better to work for her room and expenses, so be it.
“The way I’m going, I’ll owe you money until the day I die.”
