Absinthe Minded: A Mafia Romantic Comedy (Bourbon Street Bad Boys' Club Book 1) by Kathryn M. Hearst

Author:Kathryn M. Hearst [Hearst, Kathryn M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wyndham House
Published: 2020-02-13T18:30:00+00:00

23

Gabe

Courtrooms and churches had the same smell—wood soap, old papers, and desperation. I placed my hand on Maggie’s knee to stop it from shaking the table. “We’ve got this.”

We didn’t have this. Not with her representing herself. Not if my father had bought the judge. But I had to believe it would work out in the end.

She nodded, but her gaze slid past me to my parents and their attorney.

I put my face in her sight line. “Don’t look at them. Focus on me.”

Her eyes danced back and forth like her knee had moments before.

Even in her current state, her beauty quickened my pulse, but her inner strength humbled me. There were plenty of pretty faces in the world, but precious few could match my girl when it came to courage. She was the total package, the real deal, the whole enchilada.

“Maggie,” Zach whisper-shouted from the first row of the gallery.

She turned toward the kids.

He gave her a thumbs up. “Don’t worry. You’ve got this. We love you.”

I may not have had a part in making him, but I’d never been prouder of the kid. He sat tall between his sister and baby brother and held each of their hands.

“You got this!” Ryan pumped his fist.

Nadine shushed the kids and moved to Maggie’s side. “Mary Margret. You must sit up. No judge will give custody to someone who slouches.”

I’d never wanted to smack a woman more in my life, but this wasn’t the time, and it certainly wasn’t the place. “Thank you, Nadine. Maybe you could keep your comments to yourself until after this is over?”

Maggie gasped, but her mother took the freaking hint and sat her ass down.

Thankfully, the judge came into the courtroom before Maggie had a chance to chastise me for calling Nadine out.

I risked a glance toward my parents. Evelyn stared straight ahead, but my father met my gaze. His blazer hung loose on his shoulders and dark circles shadowed his eyes. He needed to be home with his feet up, not in a courtroom listening to family drama.

“This is LA-07-337, in the matter of Evelyn Marchionni and Mary Margaret Guthrie. I understand the petitioner filed a motion for the children to be interviewed during the formal proceedings. Motion denied.”

Maggie exhaled a breath.

Santiago whispered something to my mother, who nodded. Neither appeared happy by the judge’s decision. But what did they expect? Putting the kids on the stand and making them choose between their grandparents and Maggie would have been traumatic for everyone.

The judge flipped through several pages before glancing up. “I will send the children out of the courtroom during the formal proceedings.”

Santiago shot to his feet. The judge’s order seemed to have surprised him. “Will you interview the children after the hearing or simply review their affidavits?”

“Affidavits?” The color drained from Maggie’s cheeks. She leaned close and whispered. “When did Evelyn get affidavits?”

“No clue.” I turned and glared at my mother.

“Yes. Section 770.04 states the court, in its discretion, may consider the wishes of a child to his guardian.

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