Say You Love Me Read online

  Kim gave me a glare that could have melted iron. “I didn’t know about her money at the time.”

  He raised a bushy brow at me. “You kept your inheritance secret?”

  “Yes, sir, knowing my sister had a drinking and possible drug problem.” I gave Kim an equally dirty look. “She called me from jail this week, threatening to deny me custody of Jake if I didn’t hire her a new lawyer.”

  The judge’s brows raised, and his jaw practically hit the stand. “Is that true?”

  Kim’s pale face colored. “No, sir.”

  Liar.

  The judge leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “Did you call your sister this week?”

  “Yes, sir.” She shifted from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable by his scrutiny.

  “And what was discussed?” he asked.

  She looked down. “I don’t remember.”

  The judge sat back, laughing. “How convenient. Miss Miller, your sister is the only living relative fit to take care of the child, correct?”

  Kim flashed a defiant grin. “Jake also has a grandfather, my dad.”

  Her dad? Sara told me the guy had left my mom when Kim was a baby. Before Nana had lost her mind, she told me she’d later found Kim’s dad and had asked for help with Kim, but he’d refused.

  “And where is he?” The judge looked around the room, as if Kim’s deadbeat dad was suddenly going to appear out of thin air.

  “I’m here, your honor.”

  I gasped, my knees nearly buckling at the gruff voice behind me. I clutched Cesar’s shoulder as the preacher moved to the front of the courthouse.

  “Who the fuck is that?” Cesar whispered in my ear.

  I gaped up at him. “I-I don’t know.”

  The older man’s cowboy boots clicked across the tile floor as he walked over to Kim’s bench and stood beside her. This was her father? He looked to be around sixty and had long, bony arms, a gaunt face, a thin, scraggly beard, and a receding, peppered hairline. He wore a black clergy shirt with a white collar over black slacks. A huge silver buckle, dissected his narrow frame.

  The judge folded his hands in front of him. “Who are you, sir?”

  The preacher turned up his chin. That’s when I saw the resemblance. Kim had the same narrow chin, mouth, and long nose. “Reverend Jim Miller.”

  Reverend? What kind of man of God abandoned his kid and avoided paying child support?

  “I am here to request custody of my grandson,” the reverend said.

  I swayed against Cesar. “No, no, no!”

  I was hardly aware I’d spoken aloud before the judge turned a watchful eye on me. “What is your objection to this man, Miss Boudreau?”

  No way was Jim Miller genuinely concerned about my nephew. He and my sister had conspired against me in an attempt to extort money. That had to be why he was here today.

  Though tremors wracked me, I raised an accusatory finger, pointing directly at the phony preacher. “Your honor, this man walked out on my mom when Kim was a baby.”

  “I beg your pardon, but I never walked out on my wife.” He pulled back his shoulders, leveling me with a look that was a mixture of guilt, judgment, and apathy. In other words, only a look a holier-than-thou preacher could manage. “She left me for Bud Boudreau, and that man all but ruined my life when I tried to get my wife and daughter back.”

  I wasn’t buying it. I let go of Cesar, doing my best to hold my own despite growing nausea and the trembling in my limbs. “My nana tried to get him to help her after Kim came to live with her, and he refused.”

  The preacher folded his hands in front of him, looking serenely at the judge. “That’s not true.”

  “Yes.” My voice cracked as my internal temperature soared. “She told me.”

  The preacher shot me a smug look. “Before or after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?”

  “Before,” I said through clenched teeth, turning to the judge, “and Jake doesn’t even know him.” I was so angry, I was literally shaking.

  Cesar tried to steady me, but I shook him off. I’d dealt with this man’s type before. A devil dressed in minister’s clothing. There was a reason he was taking a sudden interest in Jake, most likely $500 million reasons.

  “I’ve seen my grandson several times since reconnecting with my daughter last year.”

  I shook my head, instantly regretting the cyclone that twisted in my skull. “Why didn’t I know about this?”

  He arched a bushy brow, looking me over as if I wasn’t fit to dry Jesus’s feet with my tears. Hypocrite. “Because you were never around, Miss Boudreau.”

  A deafening whistle rent the air. We all looked at the judge with slackened jaws.

  “What part of waiting until you’re called on don’t you people understand?” The judge nodded to Minnie, who was raising her hand like a brown-nosing schoolgirl. “What is it, Counsel?”

  She adjusted her collar before tossing her blonde ponytail behind her. “Your honor, Jake has been living with his aunt for the past month. She has provided him with a safe, stable home in a good environment.”

  When the preacher raised his hand, the judge slapped his forehead. “Go on.”

  “I may not have $500 million, but I have built a modest home in the back of the church. There’s room for Jake, plus he will be raised with Christian values and attend service every Sunday.”

  I didn’t like the way he emphasized “Christian values,” like I was teaching Jake how to sacrifice goats and pray to the devil.

  “Miss Boudreau.” The judge gazed at me as if I was Nacho, and he’d just caught me drag racing my butt across the carpet. “Do you have an objection to your nephew’s grandfather that isn’t based on hearsay?”

  Hearsay? Grrr. His condescension was beyond annoying. “Jake is happy with me.” My throat tightened at the thought of losing my nephew to this deadbeat. “He loves me and Cesar, and we love him.”

  The judge’s attention moved to Cesar. “And you’re Cesar?”

  Cesar cleared his throat. “Yes, sir.”

  The judge leaned back, steepling his fingers. “Who are you to Miss Boudreau?”

  “I’m her boyfriend.” He looked straight at the judge, his deep voice carrying through the hall.

  “Do you live with her?” he asked in the same condescending tone he’d used on me.

  Cesar didn’t flinch. “Yes, Your Honor.”

  The judge chewed on the bottom of a pen. “And what is your occupation?”

  I could tell by the way he eyed Cesar, he was expecting my boyfriend to say he lived off me. No doubt he was used to that kind of thing here.

  Cesar flashed a smug smile. “I own several automotive repair shops in Houston.”

  When the judge turned his scrutinizing glare back on me, I felt like I was standing beneath a heat lamp. Moisture pooled beneath my bra and down my back.

  “What is your boyfriend’s relationship to the boy?”

  I fought the urge to hold my water bottle against my burning forehead. It was so damn hot in here. “He’s like a father to Jake. He teaches him sports and helps with homework.” My voice cracked, more from emotion than from my cold. I hated Kim for putting me through this, and I was ten degrees of pissed off at my lawyer for sending me a newbie. “Jake is finally happy. Kim does not have Jake’s best interests at heart. When he lived with her, she’d leave him alone at night and go to parties, and he said she used to tell him she hated him.”

  “You’re lying,” my sister screeched like a banshee, her cheeks turning as flame-red as her hair.

  “No, I’m not.” Desperation threatened to close my windpipe as I shook with rage. “That is what Jake told me.”

  Cesar grabbed my trembling hand, infusing me with warmth and strength. “He’s told me the same,” he boomed before glaring at both Kim and her dad.

  Kim crossed her arms, pouting like a toddler. “I don’t want my half-sister and her boyfriend raising my son. He should be with his grandfather.”

&n
bsp; “Miss Miller, he’s your son, but you don’t get to decide.” The judge wagged a disapproving finger. “You lost that privilege the day you were arrested for armed robbery.”

  Damn! It’s about freaking time!

  “Please, Your Honor,” I begged. “I love him as if he was my own son.”

  He waved both hands at me like he was trying to calm a child. “I’ve already spoken with Jake’s social worker, and she’s recommended Jake stay with his aunt. Here’s what I’m going to do. Miss Boudreau, I’m giving you custody of Jake.”

  I was so relieved, my knees nearly buckled. When Cesar steadied me with a hand beneath my elbow, I looked up at him with a watery smile. “Thank you,” I mouthed. My earlier anger with him was forgotten. Cesar had proven himself ten times over today.

  The judge cleared his throat so loudly, I snapped my gaze back to him.

  “Reverend Miller.” The judge nodded at the old preacher. “You may have visitation rights every other weekend.”

  “Your Honor,” I cried, “I have no idea what this man is like.”

  He frowned. “Neither do I, but he is the child’s grandfather. I expect the two of you to reach an agreeable visitation arrangement for the boy’s sake.”

  “Your Honor,” Kim squealed, stomping her foot like a child.

  The judge pounded his desk. “I’m done hearing from you, and I’d better not hear of anymore extortion attempts, Miss Miller, or you will be facing more than armed robbery charges. Do I make myself clear?”

  Her face paled, then reddened. “Yes, sir.” She hung her head in mock contrition.

  I wasn’t fooled.

  My lawyer should’ve hammered her extortion attempt today, but she seemed as lost as I felt. Oh, her boss was so getting an earful.

  “We will revisit this in three months.” The judge issued both the preacher and me challenging glares. “Jake’s social worker will be keeping tabs, and I will determine if the arrangement needs to be changed.”

  After he dismissed us, I ushered my useless lawyer out of the way, summoning the strength to confront my sister. Though fever and fatigue had nearly consumed the last of my energy, I held my head high as I approached Kim and her dad. They were whispering to each other, heads bowed. No doubt conspiring how to get to my money.

  I didn’t care if the judge saw me. I was pissed, and Kim was about to feel my ire. “You’re not getting a dime. Not a single damn dime.” I took a sip of water to relieve my burning throat.

  The preacher actually had enough common sense to notice Cesar, hovering behind me, and then look away, but Kim had the nerve to flash a smile that looked part innocent angel, part Bride of Chucky.

  “We’ll see about that,” she hissed, the gleam in her eyes promising retribution.

  Before I could think of a retort, Cesar let out a low rumble. “Fucking bitch.”

  Kim’s face fell, and she gaped at him before clamping her mouth shut.

  I couldn’t help but laugh as we followed the mousy lawyer out of the courtroom. No sooner had we reached the courthouse steps than stress hit me like a barrel of bricks. I held tight to Cesar’s arm as my legs gave way. He caught me before I hit the ground, swooping me into his arms like I weighed no more than a feather. I blacked out and woke up in the back of the lawyer’s limo, Cesar holding me tightly against him.

  “What happened?” I asked Cesar.

  “Shh.” He rocked me in his arms. “We’re taking you to the hospital.”

  Hospital? No, I thought, but I didn’t have the strength to say it out loud. Jake needed me.

  Chapter Twelve

  My lawyer, Mr. Dale Denton, showed up at the hospital, apologizing profusely for sending one of his junior lawyers to the hearing, saying something about a family issue he had to deal with. I wasn’t buying it, especially since he reeked of perfume and had lipstick on his collar. The guy was tall and reedy, with a nose like a beak and eyes that watched everyone like a hawk following its prey, one reason why I liked him—he intimidated the shit out of people. I tried not to envision Mr. Denton having sex, though.

  He did manage to pull some strings and get me into a private room, with the senior doctor on staff. As it turned out, I was dehydrated, but the doctor suggested my nerves had caused my collapse. She ordered bed rest for the next forty-eight hours.

  Forty-eight hours! That meant I’d be dependent on Irma for the next two days, and I wouldn’t get to spend time with Jake. After they filled me full of IV fluids, I climbed into the limo with Cesar. The lawyers had taken another car, leaving Cesar and me alone.

  I slumped against the padded leather seat and heaved a groan. What a day. When Cesar laced his fingers through mine, I leaned into him, kissing his cheek, which was slightly rough with a shadow of stubble. “Thanks.”

  “For what?” He kissed my forehead, his lips lingering for several heartbeats. I loved those kisses. They made me feel loved.

  I sighed when he pulled away, then snuggled against his shoulder. “For being there.”

  “It’s what you do when you love someone.”

  He brought my hand to his lips, brushing my knuckles with a kiss. “I was worried about you today.”

  His eyes were framed by dark circles. I hadn’t noticed before, but Cesar didn’t look well. Had worrying done this, or was he getting sick, too?

  I forced a smile. “You don’t need to worry about me.” But it was nice, very nice, to know he cared.

  He stroked my cracked lips with his thumb. “Bella, you fainted. You were unresponsive for several minutes.”

  I didn’t remember. One minute I was grabbing Cesar for support, and the next I was waking up in the back of the limo. Weird. But I did have a nasty cold, and I was stressed beyond belief. Looking back on the hearing, I realized how close I’d come to losing Jake. It was bad enough the judge was letting that phony preacher take Jake every other weekend. I didn’t know how I’d manage if the judge had given that man full custody. I’d worry myself sick and be back in the hospital.

  Cesar’s eyes searched mine with such sorrow and intensity, I feared I’d pulled him under my tide of depression. “If I could take it all away, I would.”

  I was sure there was a way out of it: pay Kim gobs of money. Her father was probably in on it, which meant I’d be giving support to a dead-beat dad and helping fund Kim’s drug addiction.

  As much as I loved Jake, I couldn’t do it. Besides, if I helped Kim get out early, she could take Jake from me. I couldn’t risk that.

  I chewed my nail, worrying what the preacher’s next move would be. “I don’t trust Miller.”

  Cesar’s features turned to granite. “Me neither.”

  “What if he’s mean to Jake?” I cried, worry tightening my chest. “What if he acts like Kim?”

  “Then we tell the social worker.”

  I wasn’t fooled by Cesar’s soothing tone. I saw the fear in his eyes.

  Emotion tightened my already raw throat. “He’s only seven, and he’s already been hurt so much.”

  “I know.” Cesar smoothed a hand up my arm, massaging the sore muscles in my neck.

  “I-I let him down.” I buried my face in my hands as tears spilled. How was I supposed to hand Jake over to this stranger?

  “No, you didn’t.” Cesar rubbed my back. “You’re a wonderful auntie.”

  “How am I going to tell Jake?” Despair clung to me like a second skin. Cesar was supposed to take us to the lake this weekend. What if Jake’s grandfather came for him?

  Cesar flashed a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll help you.”

  I should’ve been relieved, knowing Cesar would be there, but for some reason, I only cried harder. He let me soak his shirt the rest of the way home. By the time we pulled into my gated community, I’d cried my last tear and was feeling lightheaded again.

  Cesar carried me upstairs and put me in bed. My heart stuck in my throat when Jake banged on the door, asking for me. I was such a mess, I didn’t want Jake seeing me. I had to b
ite down on my fist to keep from crying out when Cesar sent him away. I was becoming too dependent on this man, and that scared the crap out of me.

  * * *

  Cesar

  Jake and I played fetch with the dogs, and then I put on his favorite animated movie while Savannah slept. I could tell by Irma’s expression, she wasn’t too happy I’d come back. Too damn bad. I hadn’t been so worried about Savannah since the night she was robbed. There were no words for the relief I’d felt when the doctor told me her collapse was due to dehydration. Most of the color had returned to her face by the time we’d left the hospital; otherwise, I would’ve insisted she be admitted.

  I’d failed her today. I should’ve spoken out against the judge’s decision. I suspected that phony preacher would insert himself into Jake’s life in an attempt to get to Savannah’s money. But the old man hadn’t factored me into his scheme. I set my beer down and propped my feet on the coffee table, letting out a string of curses. I’d dealt with his kind before, and no fucking way was I letting him take advantage of her.

  Irma came by, grumbling as she knocked my feet off the table and put a coaster under my beer.

  What the fuck?

  I’d bought Savannah this coffee table. I could put my feet on it if I damn well pleased. I waited until Irma left the room before putting my feet back on the table. I didn’t need to get into it with her tonight. After we resolved this issue with the preacher, I’d work on Irma next. I appreciated the way she took care of Savannah, but I couldn’t handle living with her for much longer. That two-week deadline felt like a life sentence.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I gave Jake a hug before Cesar took him to school, then I slept most of the day. Cesar wanted to take the day off, but I made him go to work. I felt bad enough making him leave early to pick up Jake.

  Irma checked on me throughout the morning, bringing me soup and tea. I was surprised at her almost pleasant expression while changing my sheets and fluffing my pillow. We were making progress.