Impact (Suncoast Society #32)(23)

Tilly looked so beautiful, so at peace, he’d wanted to capture the moment.

He might get few like that again in his life.

Tilly looked a little disoriented when she awoke, but she relinquished the infant to Cris without argument. Landry took her from Cris, resting her against a burp cloth on his shoulder.

“Go get your shower, love,” he told her. “Cris will make our breakfast and awaken Sofia.”

Tilly stared at him for a moment. “Can I get a picture of that?” She pointed at him, a smile on her face.

Cris grinned, held up his phone, and snapped a couple. “No one’s going to believe this.”

Landry feigned shock and dismay. “Why is it everyone assumes just because I’m a vicious sadist that I wouldn’t have a soft spot in my heart for a precious, tiny little bean such as this?”

Cris and Tilly exchanged a look before snorting with laughter. Tilly stood and kissed Landry. “Yeah, exactly. Vicious sadist.” She reached up and stroked the baby’s head. “She’ll probably need another diaper here shortly. And don’t be surprised if she burps again. I got a couple of really good ones out of her before she fell asleep.”

“Yes, love. Go shower.”

The men waited until Tilly closed the bedroom door behind her.

Cris grinned. “I want that one blown up and framed, suitable for hanging.”

Landry lowered himself to the couch, mindful of the infant. “Go fix breakfast and awaken Sofia, boy. I’ve got this under control.”

He smiled as he heard Cris chuckle as he left the room.

Stretching, Landry reached for the remote and changed the channel to a different news program. This was going to be a really long, stressful day.

He reached for his coffee. “Oh, and Cris? I’m ready for a refill.” He held it up.

Sure enough, from behind, Cris walked in and took it. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good boy.” Landry smiled.

Who said he had to give up all his protocols?





Tilly’s mind shifted into work mode as she woke up—again—in the shower. No time for a workout this morning, obviously. She’d have to juggle a ton of stuff around on her calendar for the rest of the week.

It also meant they likely wouldn’t be returning to Florida late Friday, either.

Dammit.

She’d been looking forward to dinner at Sigalo’s and time spent with her friends on Saturday.

This was, admittedly, way more important.

As she stood there, she caught herself wondering if Sofia would end up in jail, her probation violated. Ashamed to admit she almost hoped that would happen, Tilly shoved the thought away.

It was wrong to think that. It wasn’t like the woman had committed murder or something.

Although allowing the abuse to go on even two weeks, in Tilly’s mind, was two weeks too damn long.

Let herself get used as a human punching bag, that was Sofia’s choice.

To stand by while the * stole Katie’s formula?

Unforgivable.

Jail might help her get her head screwed on straight.

Then again, it might be another way for Sofia to escape her responsibilities. That wouldn’t do the mother any good.

I guess I really am a cold-hearted bitch.

Sofia was Cris’ cousin. Tilly knew she should muster a little more charity toward the woman than she was, but that proved damned hard when she thought about the squalid conditions she found them in. Being poor was no excuse for being a slob.

She’s not my baby.

Tilly knew that had to be her mantra for now, but she’d also be the first person to admit it was damned hard to keep it in mind.

When Tilly emerged from the bedroom, fully dressed, she found breakfast ready and Sofia sitting at the table. Landry or Cris had buckled the baby in her carrier and had it sitting on the floor next to the table.

High chair, one of those kinds that will hold a carrier.

Tilly added that to her ever-growing baby shopping list.

“How’d you sleep?” Tilly asked as she sat down at the place setting Cris had laid out for her.

Sofia nodded. She looked like death warmed over, her bruises looking uglier in the morning light than they had appeared yesterday. “I think that was the first decent night of sleep I’ve had in months.” Her voice even sounded weak, broken, as if no ounce of self-preservation remained in her psyche. “I’m glad she’s safe now.”

Tilly fought the urge to blush over her earlier uncharitable thoughts. “Once the hearing’s over, it’ll be official, then you can relax even more. We’ll get you on the right path to building a good life for yourself in Florida.”

“I wish I’d listened to you back then,” Sofia said to Cris. “I wish I’d gone with you. I was so scared of that guy. He threatened to kill Mom and Dad if I ever left him.” She stared at her plate. “He ended up tossing me out anyway. I never should have fallen for his bullshit.”

Cris’ expression darkened. “You can’t change the past,” he finally said. “So stop thinking about it. What matters is now, and that you’re safe, and so is she.”

“He’s right,” Tilly said. “People do really stupid things out of fear, things that make no sense to them later. Beating yourself up after the fact doesn’t change them.” A thought came to mind and it flew from her mouth before she could censor herself. “Is Katie your only child?”