Mason tugged me towards a bench behind the table Keisha would sit at. He tried to distract me with conversation about what movie I wanted to watch with Justin and Lyla later, and if I would finally try pineapple on pizza. But none of it worked. My gaze didn’t stray from where the judge would appear.
A bailiff walked out. “All rise.”
We did. I tried to read the judge’s face as he entered, but like before, I couldn’t catch a glimmer of anything. He sat, and we did, as well. He began speaking, some formal phrases, and I gripped Mason’s hand tighter.
“In terms of the custody for the two minor children, Justin Foley and Lyla Foley, I order that physical and legal custody remain with their aunt, Anna Foley, and her husband, Mason Decker.”
Blood roared in my ears. I could barely make out the judge’s words as he said my parents would have zero visitation unless Justin and Lyla requested it. I was trembling. Shaking so hard that I took Mason with me.
He released his hold on my hand and wrapped an arm around me, pressing a kiss to my hair. “You did it. They’re safe.”
I burst into tears, big, heaving sobs that I couldn’t hold in. I didn’t hear the rest of the judge’s words as I buried my face in Mason’s chest. Soon, he lifted me, and the judge left the courtroom. Mason turned me towards him, kissing me. “They’re safe.”
“Thank you,” I whispered against his lips.
“I’d do anything for you.”
I sniffed. “I’m starting to see that.”
“I wouldn’t celebrate quite yet,” my father barked from across the aisle. “We’ll be appealing.”
I stiffened as I turned to face him. Of course, he would appeal. My dad never took defeat lying down. My mother looked pale and shaken behind him. She likely knew he’d take his anger out on her later. Yet she stood by his side nonetheless.
Keisha stepped forward. “You’re welcome to explore all of your legal options, Mr. Foley. But I think you’ll find there aren’t many left to you.”
He glared at her and then turned his hateful gaze on me. “They should’ve left you to rot in that prison cell. Maybe then you would’ve learned your lesson or at least done us all a favor and died.”
Mason lunged, but I grabbed hold of him and pushed him back. “Mase, no. That’s what he wants,” I cried.
Keisha helped me push him back farther. “She’s right. This won’t help. It’ll only give him ammunition.”
Mason blinked a few times before coming back to himself and no longer straining against us. “I want to kill him,” he growled.
“I know.” I patted his chest. “But, trust me, he’s not worth the jail time.” My father was a sad and pathetic man. He would die bitter and with only my mother under his thumb.
Mason’s gaze flicked down to me. “You called me Mase.”
My cheeks heated. “I think I kind of like it.”
He pulled me into his arms, pressing his mouth to mine. “It sounds good on your lips.”
38
Anna
“Areyou sure you don’t still feel sick?” I felt Justin’s forehead.
“I’m fiiiiiine. Swear,” he said, ducking out of my touch.
Mason chuckled. “He just ate one too many scoops of ice cream.”
Justin dragged a duffle bag towards the front door. “It was a celebration.”
My lips twitched. It had been the most epic of celebrations. Pizza, ice cream sundaes, two movies, and a fort that was still hung haphazardly in the living room. “I don’t think you’ll exactly be eating healthy on a camping trip. Maybe you should wait and go on the next one.”
“No!” Lyla called, jumping down the final two stairs to the entryway, a backpack on. “Jensen said we might see the wild horses where we’re going.Please? I really wanna go.”
Mason held up both hands. “Don’t look at me. This is all your aunt’s decision.”
