“No judge in their right mind would let that jackass have custody or even visitation rights for Noah.” I ran a hand down the ridges of her spine. “But you need to see a lawyer now, as a preventative measure. And I’ll go talk to Walker, see what we can dig up on Cody.”
“Thank you.” Jensen let her head fall against my chest. “I hate that, yet again, I’m bringing trouble into all of our lives.”
I tipped up her chin so Jensen had to meet my eyes. “This is not your fault.”
She pulled back and began to pace. “I fell for Cody’s bullshit. Believed every lie and pretty story he told me. Same with Bryce. What is wrong with me that I can’t see the truth?”
I caught Jensen’s arm to still her movements. “You were involved with master manipulators. That hasnothingto do with you. None of us saw Bryce for what he was. And you didn’t bring him into our lives. He was already here.” I let my gaze bore into hers. I needed her to hear the truth of my words.
Jensen met my stare. “You never liked Bryce.”
I chuckled. “That had nothing to do with thinking he was a psychopath. I just didn’t like that he always had eyes for you.”
Jensen’s eyes flared. “That’s why?”
I brushed the hair out of her face. “That’s why.” I wasn’t saying any more. This thing was temporary. Just until Jensen realized she could reach for more. A husband, a family. Things I wasn’t equipped to give her. But I would soak up every damn moment I could get in the meantime.
I pressed my lips to one temple, then the other, and lastly her forehead, lingering there. “I’m going to go find Walker. I think he’s still at the station. I want to get some basic information on Cody.”
Jensen swallowed hard. “Okay. Walker’s going to be pissed.”
“He is. But not at you.”
Jensen shrugged. “There are times I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m an idiot.”
“Wilder, your brother has done so much stupid shit in his life, he’d be in no place to judge.” I brushed my lips against hers. “We’re all just doing the best we can with the hand we’ve been dealt. He knows that.”
Jensen let out a sigh. “Okay. I’m going to clean up here and then I have to go meet my mom and Noah.”
I gave a strand of her hair a little tug. “You gonna be okay?”
She nodded. “You think you could come up with a reason to stop by later?”
An invisible fist tightened around my chest, the sensation toeing the line between pleasure and pain. “I think I can do that.”
“Thank you.”
I brushed my lips against hers quickly and then headed for the door. “I’ll call you after I talk with Walker.”
I took off down the street, not stopping to engage in conversation with anyone. I made the five-block trek to the police station in record time. Jogging up the steps, I pushed open the door. A young officer named Greg greeted me.
“Walker in?”
Greg must’ve read the seriousness in my tone because he just pointed to Walker’s office. I strode in that direction, giving Walker’s door two quick raps.
“Come in.”
I pushed open the door to find Walker at his desk, bent over paperwork. “Walk, we’ve got a problem.”
The paperwork was immediately forgotten. “What’s going on?”
I shut the door behind me. “Cody showed up at the Tea Kettle today.”
Walker shot up from his chair. “What? Why didn’t Jensen call me?”
I raised a hand. “Calm down. She didn’t call you because he just showed. I happened to be there, which is why I just dragged my ass over here to tell you in person.”
Walker’s jaw worked. “What did that asshole want?”
