Impact (Suncoast Society #32)(65)

Cris exited and scanned the hall for Tilly, finally spotting her heading toward the elevator bank. He ran after her, catching up with her and pulling her into his arms, holding her past the expected second or two of resistance before she folded against him.

“Why?” she keened. “Why they gotta be *s? I know what you said about them, but I hoped, I really hoped maybe time made them better people. That maybe they’d be fit to be family again. That maybe we could let her at least get to know them so she’d know about her mom. That maybe we could have contact with them.”

He pulled her out of the way, off to the side and out of foot traffic, turning them to face the wall as she softly cried against his chest.

Her scars ran deeper than anyone else except Landry knew. Not even Loren knew her the way they did.

The fragile little girl who put on the fierce woman’s suit every day and tried to pretend she didn’t constantly ache inside over her losses.

“I’m so sorry, Redbird. I could have told you they were still as toxic as they were then. You’re my family. You and Lan. And Loren and Ross, Leigh and Lucas and Nick, everyone. All our friends. They’re our real family. Every last damn one of them.”

Landry and Dale caught up with them. “Is she all right?” Landry asked.

Cris shook his head, Landry’s grim look only reinforcing Cris’ love for the man. Dale herded them all into an elevator and got them moving downstairs before any of Cris’ family emerged.

“Okay, that wasn’t so bad,” Dale said. “Nothing was said in the waiting room that we can’t back up in court.”

“So much for the slam-dunk,” Landry drawled.

“I thought the judge was going to pound the guy,” Dale said. “If your cousin hadn’t made that statement, he might have ruled in our favor right them. But this way, it makes the judge look like he’s at least being fair. He wouldn’t have told me to have the adoption papers ready for the next hearing if he wasn’t planning on ruling in our favor. Their attorney pulled me aside in the waiting room and said that he’ll try to talk them into dropping it. They don’t have the money to take this to an appeal. I know that guy, I’ve had to sit across a table from him before. He’s a decent attorney, but he’s out of his league and he knows it. He’s a Groupon discount, while I’m an A-lister. He maybe bills in a week what I charge by the hour.”

The elevator doors opened. Dale led them outside and away from the front entrance. “Spend the next two weeks not worrying, all right? I’ll prep the adoption papers and ask Louisa Gonzalez to schedule a second, thorough home visit with you.”

“We’re moving to a new place,” Landry said. “In about two weeks.”

“Can you move sooner?”

“Perhaps not, but we can meet her there and let her see it for herself.”

“I’ll ask her. Anyway, I’ve gotta run, I’ve got a deposition I need to be at.” He shook the men’s hands and hugged Tilly, looking down at her. “Seriously, do not worry.”

“You said this was a slam-dunk.”

“I know, but sometimes even I blow a guess. Hey, he didn’t do something totally goofy like order visitation.”

Tilly held up a finger and circled it in the air.

“Well, at least you’re not flipping me off. I’ll let you know when I have the scheduled time for the next hearing.”

Once they were in the car, Landry turned where he sat behind the wheel and looked at Tilly. “Are you all right, love?”

“Peachy.”

Cris exchanged a knowing glance with Landry and they rode back to the condo in silence. He didn’t have the heart to call Loren, because he knew that would lead to Tilly just getting upset again.

When they returned, Loren was on the sofa, feeding Katie a bottle. “Well? Why don’t I see happy faces.”

Tilly didn’t stop and headed straight for the bedroom.

Landry looked at him.

“I think she needs you right now, Lan,” he said to him.

He nodded and followed her.

Loren’s gaze narrowed. “Don’t f*cking tell me the judge gave the baby to them?”

“No, he didn’t.” He explained it—and retold some of the waiting room showdown.

Loren sadly shook her head. “Sorry, Cris. I know I gave you a ration of shit when you came back, but I’m sorry. For all of that, and for this. They sound like real jerks. Is Tilly okay?”

“She’s scared. Logically, yes, it looks like the judge is going to rule for us. But we all thought he was going to end this nonsense today. We never expected a continuance.”

“But recommending bringing an adoption order is good, right?”

“Absolutely. I don’t need to be an attorney to tell you that judge was pissed right the hell off when Santino opened his big, bigoted mouth.”

“Well, at least you have me here to help you,” she said. “Once Tilly gets her game face back on, she’ll be okay. You just wait.”

He reached out and stroked Katie’s hand. She grabbed his finger, tightly holding on.

“Thank you, Lor,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever properly said it to you and Ross, but thank you for saving her. Thank you for keeping her alive. I knew if anyone could, it was you.”