Chapter 96

Chapter 96
Hours later, after they had made love and worked through all the tension that had been brewing between them for days, exhaustion dragged them into a peaceful sleep.

Neema’s still-healing ankle was gently propped on a pillow, and Quinton lay beside her, his arm draped across her waist as though he needed to make sure she didn’t leave his bed in the middle of the night.

Suddenly, there was a crash. The sound was so loud in the quiet night that it jolted Neema upright, her heart in her throat. The house alarm blared a half-second later, making Neema slap her palms over her ears instinctively.

Through the disorienting noise, Neema realized that Quinton was already off the bed and grabbing a shirt, pulling it on with military efficiency.

“Stay here,” he told her automatically before moving toward the bedroom door.

Neema knew that was the right thing to do. With the unknown threat circling her, staying hidden behind a locked door was wise. Yet, that wasn’t what she did. Bristling at the order, Neema threw the blanket off her naked body. “Like hell I will!”

But before she could attempt standing on her bad ankle, he placed a firm palm on her shoulder. “Neema. Please.”

Heavy boots pounded down the hallway. Security voices carried through the house: “Intruder! North side of the property! Apprehended. Don’t move!”

Jaw tight, Quinton stepped away from Neema and opened the bedroom door right as one of the guards shouted, “Sir! We have her!”

Her? Neema’s stomach dropped. No way. There was only one ‘her’ possibility in her head, and Neema wondered if the woman was that insane.

Obviously, as curious as she was, Quinton strode out. Neema limped after him, using the wall for extra balance. Her ankle had been doing better, but after a day on her feet and the vigorous sex they’d had, it throbbed with a vengeance. Still, Neema wasn’t about to let that hold her back from finding out who the intruder was. 

Downstairs, in the foyer, the answer to the question waited. Two guards held Jacqueline by the arms. Neema stopped and blinked, taking in the woman’s shocking appearance. Her hair was a tangled mess, makeup smeared as if she’d been crying, and then wiped it with the back of her hand. She reeked of alcohol, her clothes disheveled.

In short, Jacqueline looked a mess and furious.

“Quinton!” she screeched, lunging forward even as the guards restrained her. “You have to fix this! You have to fix what you did! They took her! You have to fix it!”

Neema’s heart clenched when she realized what Jacqueline meant. Child welfare. Nevaeh.

Quinton’s jaw locked so tight his teeth might’ve cracked. “I’m not going to fix anything, Jacqueline. You were reported for leaving a six-year-old home alone. You did that. I didn’t.”

Jacqueline yanked against the guards, spitting mad. “I was gone for two hours! Two! That doesn’t make me a bad mother!”

“Stop lying! It was more than two hours. But that’s besides the point. Even five minutes was too long to leave a minor without supervision and food in a house. You are a negligent mother, Jacqueline,” Quinton snapped back. “And I’m not cleaning it up for you.”

Jacqueline twisted her lips into a snarl.“Is this your plan to take my daughter away from me?! You always wanted her to be yours, and you just couldn’t stand that she wasn’t, and I wouldn’t allow you to have her. So now you want to steal her away from me.” Jacqueline slurred. Her eyes landed on Neema, and the hatred there was venomous. “This is because of her! Ever since she slithered into your life…”

Neema lifted her chin. “Don’t blame me for your mistakes.”

Jacqueline barked a humorless laugh. “Oh, please. Miss Perfect Pastry? You think you’re some kind of special woman? You think Quinton actually cares about you? You’re just the new toy. He will toss you as soon as he is done with you, the same way he threw me away.”

Neema stayed still. Calm. “Jacqueline, you’re drunk. You should leave before you say or do something you would regret.”

Jacqueline looked like she wanted to claw Neema’s eyes out, but the guards tightened their hold.

Outside, the sound of police sirens approaching drifted through the air, and Neema recalled the crash and house alarm. Of course, the police would be called to check that everything was okay.

Apparently, Jacqueline heard the sirens too, and suddenly panic rose in her eyes. “Quinton, please! Please! Don’t let them take me! Don’t let them take her away from me!”

Quinton’s face softened only slightly, but not enough to save her. “I warned you this would happen if you didn’t change.”

A minute later, the front door opened, and two police officers stepped in, expressionless as they took in the scene. Questions were asked, and answers were given. Then the guards handed Jacqueline over, despite her wailing and flailing.

When the door finally shut behind her, silence filled the house like a thick fog. After a beat, Neema heard Quinton let out a trembling breath as he pressed a hand against his forehead.

Neema stepped closer. “Quinton?”

He didn’t look at her. Not right away. When he did, she saw it, the fear he hadn’t let himself show, the worry buried under anger. “I’m wondering if I should help after all,” he whispered.  She’s all Nevaeh has ever known. And she still wasn’t enough.”

Neema reached for his hand, threading their fingers. “She still has you.” He didn’t respond, but his fingers squeezed back. After a moment, she spoke softly, “You should file for custody.”

Quinton inhaled sharply.

Neema continued. “Not to punish Jacqueline. Not even to win. But because Nevaeh deserves a safe home. And you’ve been that for her for years, whether the world knew it or not.”

For a second, hope flared in Quinton’s eyes before he shook his head and dispelled it. “I’m not even her biological father. The court would never grant me custody.” He sounded defeated already.

Neema’s chest squeezed. She wasn’t ready to give up, though. She knew how important this was to Quinton, and she wanted it for him. “Don’t accept defeat before you even try. At least, try.”

Quinton gave her a look. For a long minute, he didn’t say anything. And then his lips twitched into a half smile. “You are really perfect for me. Don’t worry, Neema, I will wait until you are ready to marry me.”