He’d finally kissed her and told her he’d be stopping in or calling very soon, and he ordered her to come to him if she needed anything. She liked that he was concerned, the allure of it, of unburdening herself to a man like Brody, who would step in and fix it all for her, who was powerful. But at the same time, Ken had managed her for two years before she began to wise up. Even until the moment he died, he tried to control her, and now his damned parents were doing it in his stead. There was simply no way she’d be managed by anyone again.

“Holy cow,” Elise said as she took the glass her father handed her way and collapsed on the couch. “She’s out. Snoring and drooling already. I think today gets two thumbs up from Rennie.”

They just stared at her until she sighed, took a big gulp of wine, and gave them all the details..

Her father shot to his feet and began a five-minute diatribe using all the best swear words in both English and French. Her mother narrowed her eyes at the mention of the Sorensons and their allegations that Elise was unfit. Unfit! The word agitated her, angered and insulted her. She was a good mother.

“Frank will contact me tomorrow and I’ll know more.”

“Is her passport up-to-date?” her father asked casually, but they all knew why he asked.

Elise nodded. She would run as far away as she could if the court awarded her child to those beasts. There’s no way she’d put Rennie at their mercy so they could ice all the beauty, sweetness and spirit from her.

“Right or wrong, yes. It’s up-to-date, as is mine.”

Her mother leaned forward, her weight on her elbows. “The court isn’t going to find for them. You know that. You’re her mother and you’re a damned good one at that. She’s happy, well adjusted, doing well in school and has lots of friends. They’re not going to rip her away from you. The Sorensons don’t even know her. They’ve never tried.”

“I know that in my head, but my heart isn’t convinced. That’s my baby and I can’t let go of the fear in the back of my mind. I feel like throwing up.”

“We’ll make it through. This family will stick together and we’ll overcome this challenge. We’ll hear what Frank has to say and we’ll know more then. Do you want us to stay over?” her mother asked.

“No, I’m good. I did talk to Todd today about getting a better security system here, and he’s going to get me a quote later this week. But I’m afraid I’m not going to want her walking home with Nina until this is all taken care of.”

“Daddy and I can show up on the two days a week she goes to Nina’s and walk with them both.”

“This makes me so mad! Nina lives a block from the school. Two first-graders walking one block with all those other kids out and crossing guards too, and I have to have her escorted.”

“They’ve transferred all their energy to you for killing Ken. When he needed killing. If I could have killed him after you did, I’d have gladly done it.” Her father had his mean face on and Elise felt better.

“Go home. I’m all right, Rennie doesn’t need to know about any of this for the time being.”

“If you’re sure. If you two want to come stay with us for a while, we have the room.”

“I appreciate the offer. Really. But I don’t want them to disrupt her life any more than it has to be disrupted. I want her to have normal. It’s why I came here.”

Brody sighed as he caught sight of Erin standing in the doorway, smiling at him. “Figured you’d come over,” she said. “Looked like Martine and Paul were going to hang on awhile.” She led him inside and he took the beer Ben handed him.

He’d hung out at Elise’s, but Rennie was a mess, tired and in the middle of a meltdown, so he finally gave in and left. He’d never seen her so wound up and grumpy. At first, the silence of his house had been a welcome thing, but after three minutes he missed Elise and Rennie both. Worried for them both. Suddenly, the house he loved and sought refuge in so often became dark and quiet. Too quiet. So he’d headed to Erin’s, knowing everyone would still be up.

“Did she tell you?” he asked Erin, point-blank.

“Just briefly, not even all the details. She was really trying to hold it together this afternoon, Brody. If it makes you feel any better, Todd’s going out there tomorrow to give her a quote on a better security system for the house.”

“No, it doesn’t make me feel better! I don’t know what the f**kin’ threat is! I thought she wasn’t in danger. It was legal papers, I know that much. They had to do with Rennie and custody. What the f**k is going on that she needs better security?”

“That’s really all I know too.” Erin paused, pursing her lips. “Ya know, for a guy who says he’s just hanging out with her as friends with benefits, you sure seem to be really concerned about her.” Erin sipped her orange juice and watched him.

“She’s my friend. Of course I’m concerned. I’d be just as concerned if it was Arvin or you or any of our friends.” He began to pace.

“You’re such a liar.” Adrian shook his head from his place on the couch.

Now they were going to gang up. It’s what they always did, a time-honored ritual. He wasn’t usually the one being teamed up against though. “What?”

“You’re in love with Elise Sorenson. Christ, it’s obvious to anyone with eyes.” Adrian shrugged. “You can bullshit yourself, but you can’t lie to me or to Erin. We know you too well and this woman has your heart.”