her and taken it at some point in the last few hours.

“Pay up. Pay me,” she screamed, “and I’ll be out of your hair.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. “Police. Open up.”

Sawyer said a prayer they didn’t wake Callum up or have Gavin coming out to see what all the noise was. He, out of all of them, didn’t need to see or hear this.

Sawyer shot a look at Ford, and he held up the phone and shrugged. He didn’t think Ford had made the call that quickly, but he was glad he did. Ford rushed to the door and unlocked the deadbolt, and an officer entered the house, followed by another man in plain clothes.

Savanna had remained standing by the staircase, her face blank of emotion as she watched. Sawyer didn’t think it was wise to let go of Cynthia, so he turned them both to face the men who had now entered their home.

“Thanks for coming, Dean.” Ford shook the man in plain clothes’ hand, then turned to the officer whose nameplate said Palmer. ”You, too, Rick.”

“Of course.” The plain clothes man smiled briefly, then glanced first at Cynthia and then over to Sawyer.

“Officer, this is Cynthia Mayhew.” Sawyer started. “She’s the mother of Savanna, Gavin, and Callum. There’s a New York court order that she is not allowed near the children until she completes her rehab, and if she doesn’t complete her time there, she’s required to serve out her term in prison.”

“What?” Cynthia’s eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. If looks could kill, then both Sawyer and Ford would already be on the ground. “Don’t you dare do this.” She turned to Savanna and schooled her face trying to look the victim in all that was happening. “Baby girl… tell them he’s wrong. Tell them he’s been threatening me since I arrived.”

Tears rolled down Savanna’s cheeks, but she didn’t speak. Instead, she rushed into the living room. Sawyer thought she would disappear in there, but she blocked the doorway and stood silently watching her mother.

Sawyer felt like someone had used his heart for target practice at the silent tears being shed by his sister. He glanced at Ford, who headed over to Savie and wrapped his arm around the teenager, which she let him do, leaning her head into his arms.

“I’ll get the paperwork.” Sawyer hurried back to the office, and opened the top drawer of his desk, picking up the file that had been sitting there since two days after he’d heard about Cynthia leaving rehab.

Sawyer prayed at the time that it wouldn’t be necessary. Still, he strictly believed in hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

He grabbed the guardianship papers, a copy of Cynthia’s judgment, and also the court order giving their father—his father—full custody of the children, then went back to the officer and handed them to him. The officer read over them and nodded, then returned them to Sawyer.

“We’re taking you into custody, ma’am,” Dean said. “I will be contacting the NYPD and informing them of your whereabouts.”

He grabbed her arm and started to pull her towards the door, but she dug her heels into the carpet.

“Mommy? Where are you going?” Gavin rubbed his eyes.

Sawyer’s eyes rounded, and he turned to where Gavin’s voice came from. Damn, when did Ford and Savanna leave?

“Your mom just needs to go and get some help. Everything will be fine.” Sawyer walked towards Gavin.

“No.” Gavin’s voice got louder, and he lunged himself toward Cynthia, who was being led out.

Sawyer rushed over and lifted Gavin into his arms, but the kid reached for his mother.

Ford and Savie ran from the direction of the kitchen and stopped when they saw Gavin flailing in Sawyer’s arms. Even though he wanted to hold onto Gav and tell him everything would be okay, he handed his brother over to Ford, and when Gav moved to walk back over to Cynthia, Savie reached forward, placing her hand on his shoulder to help Ford keep him back.

Sawyer watched the officer leave with Cynthia, but Dean stayed.

“I know it’s really early, but we’ll need you to come down to the station later this morning so we can get a written statement,” Dean said.

“We’ll be there, thank you.” Sawyer shook the man’s hand, and he nodded before leaving.

He walked over to the door and watched as both the patrol and unmarked cars pulled away, the covered his face with his hand. Crap, what was he supposed to do now?

And now he had a damn rental car to return.

He closed the door and braced himself. He was prepared for the fallout of everything because there sure as fuck would be some. Sawyer turned and saw Ford and Savanna were still holding Gavin.

“I hate you!” Tears spilled from Gavin’s eyes. Sawyer took a step forward, but Gavin ran away, and they heard his footsteps stomping up the stairs. A minute later, Gavin’s bedroom door was slammed.

Sawyer heaved a sigh and then turned to Ford, who was standing beside Savanna. His sister was leaning against Ford’s shoulder. Sawyer shook his head. He had no words. He left the foyer and went into the living room where Callum was still fast asleep. Thankfully, at least one person had slept through it.

It was going to be a long morning… day. He had a feeling none of them were going to get any rest. Even if he managed to go back to sleep, Sawyer knew Gavin’s face would haunt his dreams.

It was barely daybreak when Callum woke up fussy and inconsolable. Hours later he was still up, fighting his sleep and wailing like a siren. Sawyer rocked him, hoping the two-year-old would go back to sleep, but the kid looked determined to stay wide awake.

But every time Sawyer tried to leave him in the baby playpen, he stood along the padded rail sniffling.

Callum sucked on his pacifier, but he remained restless. They had begun to try and wean him

Вы читаете Forever With His Boss
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