Page 111 of Desperate Games

When it’s our turn, our lawyer rises.

“Your Honor, Remy Falco has been the only father Callie has ever known. He’s raised her, provided for her, protected her. Blood may bind Mr. Castillo, but blood, love, loyalty, and care bind Mr. Falco.”

I clutch Remy’s hand under the table, my nails digging into his palm.

My heart is pounding so loud I almost don’t hear it when the judge turns to me.

“Mr. Falco, I understand you would like to make a statement?”

My throat closes. I didn’t know Remy planned to speak.

I tremble as the words tear themselves out of him, and I think my heart might break for real as I listen to his statement.

“Yes, Your Honor. I may not be Callie’s biological father, but she calls me Dad. Calls my wife Mommy Andy. I have been there since day one, and I love her like she’s mine. We’ve made a family together, Your Honor. A real one. She holds our hands when she’s scared. She trusts us to be there, to tuck her in at night, to read her stories and care for her needs. When she was born, Julio Castillo was nowhere to be found. He abandoned my sister, abandoned Callie. He didn’t want her then. And I don’t think he wants her now. But I’ll tell you this—no matter what happens here, I will never let that child believe she was ever unwanted. Because she is wanted. She is loved. She is our daughter, and she belongs with us.”

The courtroom is silent when he finishes, and I squeeze his hand tight.

Remy squeezes me back so hard it’s almost painful, but I need that anchor.

Across the aisle, Julio smirks again, like he knows something we don’t.

And my stomach twists, because I know this fight?

It’s only just beginning.

Chapter Thirty-Eight-Remy

The second Andrea sits back down, I want to stand and rip Julio fucking Castillo apart with my bare hands.

The smug prick leans over to whisper to his lawyer, his lips curling into a smile that makes my blood pressure spike.

Like this is a game to him.

Like Callie is a toy he left on the curb and suddenly remembered he wants back.

I force myself to sit still, to breathe through the rage, because if I move now, I’ll kill him before the gavel falls.

His lawyer rises, a slick-haired parasite in a too-expensive suit.

“Your Honor, my client acknowledges his troubled past but submits to this court that he has completed rehabilitation. He is employed, sober, and ready to build a life for his daughter. He believes she deserves the chance to know her biological father.”

Julio sits there, nodding like he’s some saint.

The same man who left Callie without so much as diapers or food.

The same man who put a needle in his arm instead of showing up for her first birthday.

“Mr. Castillo has already begun attending parenting classes and has been volunteering at a local community center,” the lawyer continues, voice oozing like oil. “He’s ready, Your Honor. He just needs a chance.”

Andrea’s nails bite into my hand under the table.

Her fear bleeds into me, and I want to fucking destroy it.

The judge raises a brow.

“Well, Mr. Castillo, the law recognizes biological ties. However, the court also values stability and best interests of the child. We will set a preliminary hearing in sixty days to review both parties’ claims. Until then, visitation rights may be considered.”

Andrea’s sharp inhale is a knife in my gut.