Perfect Partners(39)
Author: Carly Phillips

“Hey, Ryan.” Griff bounded back downstairs and imposed on his long-time friend one more time.

* * *

“So you went home for your son’s favorite stuffed animal.” Chelsie sat with Amanda in one of the few empty rooms of the shelter.

Posters cluttered the beige walls in an attempt to brighten what should have been a morose and depressing atmosphere. Anyone who made this place a pit stop had left severe problems outside these walls, but many brought children along with them. And where there were children, there was hope.

“Stupid, huh? It’s just that he hasn’t slept since we got here over a week ago.”

Chelsie clasped her hands together while attempting to formulate a reasonable response, one that didn’t take emotion into account. “You’re a good mother, Amanda. But some risks are just too great You gambled with this one.”

The other woman bent her head, causing her dark hair to fall forward and obscure her face from view.

“Jeff was home. Did he hurt you?”

“No. Just begged me to come back.”

“And?”

“I said I’d think about it. Just to bide time,” she quickly added. “After we talked, I grabbed the animal and left fast.”

Chelsie wasn’t reassured. “He let you walk out of there?”

Amanda nodded. Chelsie remained silent. From past experience with other clients, and from her married days, Chelsie knew Jeffrey’s lack of pressure meant he had an alternate plan.

“Amanda, if you’re still serious about divorcing him, then we’ve got to get moving. I have statements from your friends and relatives. I’ve got pictures of the bruises the last time he hit you. Now it’s time for legal action. I want a restraining order taken out as soon as possible. And I want you to seriously consider pressing charges. Okay?”

“He’ll be furious.”

“Yes. But he doesn’t know where you are, so you’re safe. Unless…”

“I didn’t say a word. I swear.”

Chelsie breathed a sigh of relief. “All right. I’ll handle things. Just don’t do anything like that again. Don’t go home. Don’t go near his office. Don’t get in touch with him at all.”

“You’re sure about all this?” Amanda lifted her head. Sad, dark eyes looked to Chelsie for reassurance.

“You’re the one who has to be certain.” Chelsie grasped the other woman’s shoulders. “But if you’re asking my opinion, then yes, press charges. Stand up for yourself and your child. I didn’t. As a result, you’re in this position now, and I’ll never have the future I want. I’d hate to see the pattern repeat itself.”

Tears shimmered in the other woman’s eyes, but she nodded her assent.

“Good. I’ll be in touch.”

Chelsie left Amanda behind and instead of going to Griff’s, she headed for home. Shutting the door to her apartment, she turned the lock firmly behind her. She needed a reality check before taking her next step.

Once in the living room, she flicked on the overhead lights. The crystal animals sat in a pile on the floor where Alix had left them. Chelsie knelt down and picked one up, fingering the small bear with a delicate hand. What would it feel like to have a child you loved so much you would risk your life to retrieve a simple toy? Alix immediately came to mind. Faced with such a decision, Chelsie knew she’d do anything to keep that dimpled smile on the little girl’s face. She’d do anything to make the child’s uncle happy, even if it meant sacrificing her own desires.

A tear dripped down her cheek and she caught it with her sleeve. How would she ever let them go? Clutching the bear in her fist, she brought the animal close to her heart.

By becoming a part of Griff and Alix’s life, she had set herself up for the heartache she’d avoided for years by pulling away from her sister, her only real family member who cared. Not for the first time, Chelsie wished she’d had the courage to take this risk sooner, so she and Shannon would have had more time. She didn’t miss the irony. Revealing the truth to her sister would have brought them back together, while telling Griff everything would drive them apart.

Chelsie hadn’t played this smart. She had gotten too close, too involved with a man who wanted more children, and too involved with her niece, the child she loved like the daughter she’d never have.

When she finally faced what she had done, she accepted the fact that she’d acted on instinct. Alone and afraid, she had saved herself without thought to those who would come after her. She couldn’t change her own actions, but she’d attempted to atone ever since. Although she’d volunteered, counseled, and represented women who needed her, the sin of being selfish haunted her even today. Wasn’t Amanda proof?

It was enough. Didn’t she deserve a chance at happiness? Maybe Griff would understand and accept. A big maybe, she knew. If not, at least she’d taken a step towards regaining her life.

She glanced around the apartment and knew she couldn’t remain here any longer. Since Griff and Alix, this sterile environment no longer suited her.

A loud knock startled her out of her reverie. Maybe this was her chance. Griff might not have a car, but he hadn’t let it keep him away. Knowing him, he’d hijacked Ryan and brought Alix along.

She ran to the door, fumbling with the lock and swinging it open as she spoke. “Griff…” Her smile froze and so did her heart.

“Hi, Chelsie. It’s been a long time.”

“Jeff.” Her voice sounded hoarse, strange even to her own ears. Five years dissolved as if they’d never been, but she refused to show a hint of fear. Disregarding the blood that surged to her head and her suddenly damp palms, she glared at her ex-husband.

“You remember.” He pushed her aside, entering her apartment without invitation.

How had he gotten past the doorman? I latched onto a large party, and if I could do that, so could anyone. Her safe haven didn’t feel safe anymore. Griff had warned her. Somehow, she didn’t think he’d take too much pleasure in being right this time.

“You’re looking well.” Jeff’s eyes traveled the length of her body. Though fully clothed, she felt as if he’d stripped her bare with his gaze. A strong wave of nausea washed over her and she clamped down on the nerves and memories that churned her stomach.

Jeff stood half a room away. He hadn’t changed. His slick blond hair had that just-styled appearance. Not a hint of razor stubble marred his chiseled features. He wore his trademark navy blue suit with a maroon tie. He hardly looked the abusive type, but then, there was no such thing. Appearances meant little. In Jeff Sutton’s case, latent violence seethed beneath the conservative facade. How he’d managed to bury that side of his nature for the first year of their marriage still amazed her.