“Dada!” Maeve screams, throwing her doll across the floor with her bottom lip quivering.
Jax left a few minutes ago with Nikolai, and Lara is running late. Nikolai’s daughter is upset because she forgot to pack the blanket that was her mom’s, so Lara had to make a U-turn.
Picking up Maeve, I bounce her on my hip and turn on the TV.
“We will be back with daddy in no time, I promise.” I soothe her, kissing the top of her hair.
The doorbell rings. I rush over and open it, expecting Lara.
As I swing it open, I’m met with a puffy-faced Anna, sniffling as one of my guards tightens his grip on her arm.
“She said she knows you. I have orders not to let anyone in. But she is, how do you say it? Insistent,” he says with a thick accent.
Tears cascade down her fearful face.
“Sofia, I really need to speak to you.” There is desperation in her voice. She looks like a damn mess. Since we last spoke, I’ve tried to call her. I need answers for her involvement. She has cut off every call.
I take a step back, my grip tightening on the door as I look at my guard.
“She can come in. Tell Lara I will meet her outside when she gets here.”
He gives me a swift nod and releases Anna.
She brushes past me, looking at the two bags packed on the floor.
“Let’s go in the kitchen,” I tell her, pointing out of the room.
I place Maeve down in her playpen. She claps as she spots the cartoons on the TV.
Crossing my arms across my chest, I watch as she places her bag on the counter with shaky hands.
“Are you going to explain how the hell you knew about Jax?”
She wipes away her tears with the back of her finger.
“I-I fucked up. Brody, he—”
My heart almost stops.
Brody.
“Brody, what?” I raise my voice and step towards her.
“I’ve been sleeping with him, Sof. I’m sorry.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I am so done with her. “Really, Anna? What the hell is wrong with you? You know he’s getting married right?”
“He promised me things.” She shrugs.
I straighten my spine, looking at her new clothes and her designer shoes.
Of course. She’s only ever been interested in one thing; money.
“What does any of that have to do with me? Fuck who you want, Anna.”
Anna’s gaze fixes on Maeve and I can’t shake the feeling something is wrong. I position myself in front of her, obstructing her line of sight to my daughter.
Her lower lip trembles. “He’s scaring me. I need help.”
I sense she’s lying to me.
“What is he doing?”
I jump back as she abruptly gets up, her hands shaking. Instinctively, I stay where I am, stopping her from getting anywhere near Maeve.
“I need a coffee. I’ll make you one.” She pushes past me and starts looking through the canisters on the counter until she finds the pods.
What the hell?
After she puts a cup under the spout, she looks at her handbag and chews on her nails.
What if she’s in deeper than what I thought? Could Brody be behind all of this? To hurt Jax?
How far is he willing to go?
I’m not taking any risks. I know what Jax is out doing right now.
I slide my phone out of my back pocket.
“Ouch,” Anna cries out, doubling over, clutching onto her stomach dramatically.
I look up from my phone.
“What’s happened?” I ask, keeping my voice calm.
“Period pains, shit. Can you get me a tampon?”
“They’re in the cupboard in the bathroom, Anna.”
Does she seriously think I’m that dumb? She straightens herself as I step towards her bag. Her eyes go wide and she starts breathing rapidly.
“You need to tell me the truth or get the fuck out of my house,” I say.
Something is in her purse. The closer I get, the more her hands tremble.
“I-I can’t.”
“Oh whatever, Anna. I’m calling Jax.”
Her face pales. “I can’t let you do that.”
I don’t recognize her voice. As the cell rings, Anna launches herself at me. With a sudden snatch, she takes the phone from my grip and tosses it forcefully, causing it to soar across the room.
With my hands raised, I take a step back and assume a protective stance in front of Maeve, ready to defend her if necessary.
“I have to do this, Sof. I’m sorry. Brody wants her.” Her eyes are wild and her smile twists with malice as she stares past me at Maeve. “Would have been easier if you just took the drink. I wouldn’t have to hurt you.”
Despite the burning tears in my eyes, an overwhelming need to fight consumes me.
She isn’t going to touch my daughter.
I block her path and get in her face.
“Get out!” I shout.
“Not without Maeve. I have to save myself.”
A surge of rage overtakes me when she makes an attempt to push past. Without hesitation, I snatch her by the hair and forcefully jerk her in the opposite direction.
“You aren’t taking my baby anywhere, you bitch.” With a swift motion, I hurl her down, making her face crash onto the floor. With a groan, she sits up and uses the back of her hand to clear away the blood that trickles from her nose.
“You’ll pay for that,” she spits onto the tiles and launches herself up like she’s possessed.
With a burst of energy, I shove her as hard as I can, and time seems to stretch as she stumbles backwards. With a resounding crack, her head strikes the corner of the kitchen island, sending a powerful vibration through the house as she thumps down onto the floor.
Holy shit. What have I just done?
