Rushing the Goal (Assassins #8)(130)

He shrugged. “When they have the name of the dude who’s trying to play daddy to my daughter, yeah, I do.”

“Well, that’s fine. But one thing is for sure, Benji is not you, Rick,” her mother spat, but she pressed her lips together when River squeezed her hand.

“Aw, I don’t miss you, Autumn. Why are you here?” he sneered at her and then he rolled his eyes. “Angie, let’s go.”

“No. I don’t want to go.”

“Get in the car, Angela,” he said more sternly, his eyes boring into Lucy’s.

“No, Dad. I don’t want to go. I want to stay with my mom,” she said louder. “Go home, go to Disney World with Heidi and Nina.”

Lucy looked up. “What? That’s where you’re going for Christmas?”

“Yeah. So?”

While she didn’t want Rick to take Angie anyway, he couldn’t even want to take her? “You didn’t tell me this.”

“Why would I?”

“Um, I’d assume you’d take Angie.”

“No, I can’t afford it.”

“Wow, Rick, that’s low. Even for you.”

He scoffed. “What?”

“You don’t think she’d want to go? You can’t make that work?”

“I can’t make money appear,” he said simply and Lucy shook her head.

“But you have all kinds of money for all these lawyers?”

He rolled his eyes, taking a step forward. “Angela, let’s go now.”

“No!” she yelled and his face started to turn red.

“I won’t tell you again, Angela Lynn. Now.”

“I said no,” she said, wrapping her arms around Lucy’s waist.

Meeting Lucy’s gaze, he pointed to Angie. “Let her go and make her get in the car.”

Lucy only shook her head no, her tears spilling over her cheeks. “No. According to my lawyer and our parenting plan, I don’t have to force her to go with you.”

“You stupid bitch,” he muttered, pulling his phone out.

“Watch your mouth, Hart,” River warned and Rick laughed.

“Shut it, old man. You don’t even belong here,” he spat back, and Lucy looked back at River, shaking her head.

River sucked in a deep breath as Rick yelled into the phone. “She won’t f*cking come. What? No, this is my time. No, I’m sure her mom talked her into this. Whatever. Okay.”

He hung up and then looked over at Lucy and Angie, his eyes full of anger. “Get in the car, Angela, or I’ll make you.”

Angie’s eyes widened as Lucy’s heart broke into a million pieces. This was really about to happen. Holding her breath, Lucy looked down at her daughter as Angie said, “I don’t want to.”

“I don’t care what you want. Get in the car.” Rick practically stomped his foot.

“No!”

“Lucy, make her get in the car!” he yelled, his fists clenching at his sides, his voice rattling her soul.

Lucy’s lips trembled as she said, “No.”

“Lucy, be a f*cking adult here and give me my kid.”

“I don’t have to,” she said simply, trying to keep her cool, when she really wanted to rip his head off.

“Mommy, don’t cry,” Angie said then, her arms tightening around Lucy. “It’s okay. I’m not going.”

“Yes, you f*cking are,” Rick said, grabbing Angie’s arm and yanking her to him. Lucy cried out, wanting to hold on to her, but she couldn’t.

She f*cking couldn’t.

Pulling away as hard as she could, Angie dug her fingers into Lucy as she screamed, “Mommy, make him stop!”

“I can’t, Angie. I’m so sorry,” Lucy sobbed as River came to her side, hugging her shoulders and kissing her cheek.

“It’s okay, honey, breathe,” he soothed. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t do this.

“Leave her alone!” Lucy yelled and Rick yanked once more, but Angie wasn’t letting her go.

“Mommy! No!”

But then Autumn bent down, her hand on Angie’s back as Rick screamed at her. “Let go!” he yelled but Angie wouldn’t let go.

“Two days, my love. Just two. Just go,” Lucy heard her mom say. “Just two.”

“Grandma, I don’t want to!”

“I know, my love, but you have to,” she said softly.

Rick was breathing hard, glaring at Lucy. “This is all your f*cking fault,” he seethed, but she shook her head.

“No, it’s yours. You’ve made it to where she doesn’t want you,” she spat back, her heart breaking.

“Mommy, I don’t want to go,” Angie cried, her fingers still biting into Lucy’s waist.

Lucy looked down at her sweet baby and slowly nodded as she cupped her face. “I know, baby. I’m so sorry.” Angie’s little lip quivered as her tears rushed down her cheeks. With all the strength she had, Lucy whispered, “Only two days.”

“And then Benji will be home?”

“Who the f*ck cares? Get in the car!” Rick yelled, but Lucy nodded.

“He will be and he’ll be so proud that you were strong and went. We both will.”