Wicked & Wildflower (Pacific Shores, #2)

by Sarah A. Bailey

“She researched good gifts for a nine-year-old girl.” He clears his throat. “Maybe if we knew her better, had the opportunity to actually speak with her once in a—”

“I’m going to stop yo...

“You had nine and a half years to get to know her, and you never tried. You wanted nothing to do with her unless you needed to play the role of grandparent to furthe...

Crestwell. You could’ve used any of those times to ask her questions about hersel...

“Dah...

“Do not victimize yourself here. You had no problem passing her off to us when yo...

“Not to mention all the financial support we provided you over the years.”

“Why are you doing this to me?” I ask. “You know why, Dahlia.”

“Despite what you may think of me, the gift for Lucille was genuine. I’ll never not want a relationship with my grandchild.” Liar. “But once we put this blackmail nonsense behind us, if you prefer I cease contact with you and your daughter, I’ll respect that.”

could get Jason off your back too. You know, he’s quite upset with your decision to move his child out of state without informing him.” “So you admit you told him in order to fuck with me?”

“Don’t cuss, Dahlia. It’s u...

“You know who loves my unbecoming mouth, Dad?”

“Everett. You remember him, don’t you? The man who had you pushed up against the wall, his elbow against your throat as you gasped for air?”

“Whatever game you’re playing doesn’t phase me, Dahlia. I’m not interested in your flavor of the week.” “I’ve been enjoying...

“Save yourself the slightest amount of dign...

“I mean, I gave up hope for you some time ago, but you speak of being the village whore like it’s something to be proud of.” He sighs...

“I’m hanging up,” I choke out, shaking with the tears I can no longer keep at bay.

“Don’t act like that, and I won’t have to respond so harshly. Have a civilized conversation for once and see how far we might get.”

“Okay, ...

“What do I have to do to never speak to you again? To get Jason off my back? To ge...

“Give me back the thu...

“Ensure there are no duplicates of the information you obtained and prove that to me. I’ll happily fly back out there to collect it myself.” “Really? That’s it?” “I want a conversation with...

“That’s not up to me. That’s up to her.” He lets out an incredulous laugh. “Is it? Because she seems to make every decision based on your guidance. If you told her to sit down and give me a chance, you know she would.” “You are terrified,

“You’re getting desperate. You know the moment she’s married, you’ll have well and truly lost her. Once her last name is Graham, you’ll lose any chance you think you still have of getting your perfect child back. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it? We both know I’m only really blackmailing you to keep you away from her.”

And from Leo. Because I know you better than you think I do. I know there are no lengths you won’t reach to get that control back. I mean, fuck.”

“You’re using your own grandchild as a weapon. Bringing Jason back into the picture? Threatening my custody? That’s all a ploy, right? Hoping to get her and me back in Kansas with the assumption Darby will follow? You know how awful Jason is, and you’d actually put Lou at risk if it meant the slightest possibility of Darby coming home.”

“All because the only thing you’ve ever really cared about is her.” I swallow, my throat constricting.

“Well, unfortunately for you, all I’ve ever really cared about is Darby too. So, no deal. Leave me alone. Leave my child alone. Leave my sister and my brother-in-law the fuck alone. Or I’ll take your precious little files, with all your fucking fraud, right to the authorities. I hope you’ve cleared those offshore accounts, Daddy.”

“You won’t do that, Dahlia. I know you won’t.” There’s a pause, and I know it’s because he’s readying himself to drop whatever bomb will obliterate me next. “Because you’re still holding out for the one thing you’ve never gotten from me…”

“My approval.”

“All you’ve got to do, Dahlia, darling, is come back home. All three of you.”

Another wail escapes me as I sink to the ground behind my desk.

Suddenly, my door is thrown open, and Everett appears. His eyes work rapidly to take in the scene before stopping at my face.

“What happened, Wildflower?”

“Tell me who did this.”

fall into his lap, my tears soaking his warm skin as I bury my face in his neck.

It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.”

“Is there an official reason you’re picking her up before the school day has concluded?” “Because I’m her mother and I can take her out of class if I’d like to,” I snap back.

“When I sign her out for the day, it asks me to enter a reason for the absence. I was only asking.” “Sorry.” I sigh. “She’s, uh, she’s not feeling well.”

“While I’m here, can I go ahead and add a couple of people to her pick-up list as well? You should have Darby Andrews and Monica Ramos already listed.”

“We do,” Tana responds without looking up from the computer. “Who would you like to add?” “Ev...

“Really?” Tana asks. I turn to face Everett. “If you’d like t...

I trust you is what I really want to say. And again, like the man can read my mind...

“And to think we were all taking bets on how long you...

“Looks like you’re proving us wrong.” “I’...

“You were placing bets on the relationships of parents your childre...

“N–Not just me,” she backtracks quickly. “Just some of the other parents from the soccer team. It was all in good fun. No...

“I’ve added Everett and Leo to the approved pick-up list. Her teacher has been notified that she’s leaving early. She should be up here in a few minutes.”

“Thanks,” I respond, tone clipped. “We’ll wait in the lobby.”

“Oh, and Tana—whoever bet on forever is going to win the pot.” “Nobody bet on fo...