Tonya’s lips pressed together into a tight white line, but she said nothing.
Her mother drew herself upright, but didn’t stand, drawn-on eyebrows crimping together. “Who in the world are you, barging into my house like this?”
Maggie’s grin widened. “Oh, you know exactly who I am. One, because your little bellhop back there told you. And two, you wouldn’t have let him bring us in if at least part of you didn’t want to hear what I have to say. But since your short term memory seems to be rusty,” she said, graciously, “I’ll refresh it. Maggie Teague, and Ava Lécuyer. Aidan’s stepmother and sister. I’m guessing you know who Aidan is. Tonya did tell you his name, didn’t she?”
Tonya made a sound, like a retort was squelched.
“And you are?” Maggie said.
“Eugenia Sinclair,” the woman said in a huff. “And this is outrageous–”
“I agree,” Maggie said. “It’s outrageous that your grown daughter chose to act like an irresponsible child, and rather than talking through the problem with herpartner in crime, she’s trying toburythe problem and pretend it never happened. So outrageous.”
“You’re right,” the woman snapped. “It is a crime what that hoodlum did to my baby.”
Maggie laughed. “Didtoher? Tonya, did he rape you?”
Tonya’s eyes flew wide.
Before she could respond, Maggie said, “Obviously not, because a family as well-connected as yours would have pressed charges, and you didn’t. So, no, he didn’tdoanything to you. The two of you had a good time, and now there’s consequences for it. Time to put your big girl panties on and face them.”
Eugenia shot to her feet, like a buoy surging up through the surface of the water. Two dark spots bled through the makeup on her cheeks, fury spreading beneath her painted skin. “It was your stepson’s failure to take precautions. His mistake.”
Maggie snorted. “What century is this? It’s the man’s job and his job alone to remember the rubber? Nah. Try again.”
Eugenia started to say something else.
And Tonya interrupted. “Mom,” she said with a heavy sigh. “Just stop.” She tucked her hair back and stared at her knees, expression defeated. “It was both our faults. You know it.”
Her mother opened her mouth and then closed it, expression pinched.
Tonya’s gaze flashed up, flickered between the two of them. Hardened. “But this isn’t your business. Neither of you.”
And Ava saw the opening that she couldn’t help but step through. “Itisour business.” Everyone glanced at her like she’d sprouted a second head. “You could have chosen to end things quickly and quietly, and we would have never known. But you’re carrying the baby, and you told Aidan about it. Now either you have a shred of conscience, or secretly, you’re not so okay with the whole adoption thing. Either way, that child’s biological family has claim to him, if you don’t want him.”
Tonya glared at her. “Don’t make suppositions about me.”
“Don’t make suppositions aboutme. I’m nothing like those brittle bitches you grew up with. You can’t get away with treating me like that.”
“Well said, baby,” Maggie said, then turned the full force of her mother-stare on the Sinclair women. “Bottom line: we want the baby. And we have a very good lawyer who’s prepared to take you to court for us should it go that way.”
Eugenia had composed herself, had slipped back inside her debutante shell, and eased back onto the sofa now, reaching for her coffee cup. “The way I understand it, your stepson’s not fit to raise a stray dog.”
“I’ll grant you he has some learning to do,” Maggie said.
“If my brother can’t handle the job, my husband and I are prepared to step in as legal guardians,” Ava said. “We’d raise the baby as our own.”
“Your husband?” Eugenia sent her a mocking smile. “Am I to assume he’s another of these marauding bikers?”
“You are. I’ll be sure to give him your address the next time the boys pull out the longships and go pillaging.”
Maggie chuckled.
The Sinclair women choked on their tea.
“Look, there’s nothing to argue about here, ladies,” Maggie said, tone reasonable. “You don’t want the baby, and we do. And we all know that it’s better for the child to have at least one parent.”
“Even if that parent’s an outlaw?” Tonya asked. She’d grown quiet and serious suddenly, expression intense. Ava saw true doubt in her, worry. “I can’t…I am unable to…but that doesn’t mean…” she said, struggling for the words.
