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“I’m so sorry, Hattie,” she said. “Emma has been fussy all night. And I think Wylie is coming down with an ear infection. I fully intended to be there for you at the trial for emotional support, but…”

She trailed off, shaking her head.

“Oh, Connie, don’t worry about that.” I coaxed her to take a seat at the kitchen table. “Officer Shepard is coming to pick me up and take me to the courthouse. I won’t be alone. I’ll have police protection the whole time.”

I worked her ponytail band free, finger-combing the tangles out of her hair. Connie closed her eyes, leaning back into my touch.

“Are you sure? I feel so bad.”

“That’s because you’re tired and you need sleep." I twisted her hair up into a messy bun. “Where’s Nathan?”

Connie stifled a yawn.

“He left for work an hour ago, but he’s been texting me, asking about the kids non-stop already. He’s talking about taking the day off and coming back home to help me.”

“Good,” I replied, kissing the top of her head. “Then you can get some rest.”

“What about Neil?” Connie prompted.

I hesitated, grateful to be standing behind her so she couldn’t see my face. I patted her shoulder and turned away, fiddling with the coffee maker. Neil wanted to be there, but I warned him to stay away. Now, I was beginning to regret that decision.

“With his criminal record, he probably shouldn’t risk being anywhere near a courthouse.”

“I guess that’s true,” Connie mused.

A firm knock echoed at the front door. Probably Officer Shepard.

“I’ll get it,” I said, gesturing at my sister to stay seated.

Moving to the front door, I peered through the peephole first, to be on the safe side. Standing on the porch was Vlad’s hulking figure.

“Shit,” I hissed, yanking the door open. “What the hell are you doing here in broad daylight? There are cops watching the house.”

Vlad gestured to himself.

“I am the babysitter.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“Beg your pardon?”

“Your husband said the little ones should have extra protection today while you are at the trial,” Vlad replied.

Before I could say,he’s not my husband,Connie spoke.

“Hattie, who are you talking to—oh.”

She appeared in the entryway and froze, staring at Vlad’s massive silhouette on her threshold, blocking out the morning sunlight. He was so big that he had to duck his head to get through the doorway.

“Oh my God,” she whispered.

Damn it, this wasn’t supposed to happen. Connie didn’t need a biker invading her private home while she had a sick kid and a fussy baby to take care of. It was bad enough that she had to live with an unmarked cop car parked on the road around the clock now.

“Vlad, I thought—”

I broke off, staring up at him.

I thought you were supposed to stay out of sight.