Page 31 of Moonlight & Matrimony (Oak Ridge #2)

Ivy moans around a bite of her BLT and I have to stifle a groan, my cock instantly hardening behind my jeans. I’ll never make it out of this booth unscathed if she keeps making sounds like that. Miles smirks at me behind his glass. “I’ll have what she’s having,” he says, winking at my wife.

“Watch it, Barlow,” I warn. But Ivy doesn’t need me to defend her as she scratches the bridge of her nose with her middle finger to discreetly flip him off.

“I’m wounded,” he teases, dramatically clutching at his chest.

Stacking our now empty plates, I notice an unmistakable shock of red in my periphery.

Austin’s car is parked on Main Street, but the man himself is nowhere to be seen.

Miles follows my line of sight and freezes.

Our gazes lock, and with a subtle nod, an understanding passes between us.

I lean over to whisper in Ivy’s ear, taking care not to let my concern show on my face.

“Stay with Miles, ok? I need to talk to Rosie for a second.” Her body grows rigid as she turns her head to look me in the eye, worry etched across her features.

“Everything's fine, sweetheart. Just need you to stay put.” She agrees and I slide out of the booth, scanning my surroundings for any sign of the fucker. When I don’t see anything amiss, I stride across the diner with purpose.

I find Rosie at the end of the long counter, talking to her husband Archie with two forks and a slice of pecan pie between them.

“Sorry to interrupt,” I say.

“Nonsense, what can I do for ya, Luca?” Rosie asks.

“Do you happen to have cameras? Specifically ones outside on Main Street.”

She eyes me curiously before responding. “I sure do. Why do you ask? Someone causing trouble?”

“My money’s on that no-good ex husband, am I right?” Archie’s attention snags on something behind me, and I look back to find Austin standing on the sidewalk across the street, tapping away on his cell.

“You’d be correct, sir. Is there any way you can get me the footage for today?”

“My son monitors it on his computer. I can give him a call for ya,” Rosie says.

“I’d really appreciate it, Ro.”

She pats me on the shoulder, giving me a subtle smile. “No problem at all, honey.”

“Heads up,” Archie says, tipping his head in the direction of the door just as the bell chimes, signaling a new arrival. I don’t even have to look to know who just walked in as the hairs at the back of my neck prickle.

At the sound of raised voices, I turn towards our table.

Miles has Ivy tucked safely behind him in the aisle as she holds tightly to Rylin.

My little bug is clinging to her mom like a lifeline, and the fear in her eyes has me seeing red.

Austin’s twisted expression barely registers before I’m crossing the distance to get to them.

His fists are clenched at his side, every muscle in his jaw locked tight as his focus bounces between me and my girls.

Without an ounce of hesitation, I pull them to me, tucking Rylin’s face into the crook of my neck.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper, more for my benefit than theirs.

“Go,” Ivy pleads. “Take Rylin to Rosie please.”

I search her face for any excuse to stay where I am, but her pleading eyes spur me into action.

After a moment's hesitation, I agree. “I’ll be right back,” I say, squeezing her trembling hand in reassurance.

I waste no time depositing Rylin with Rosie and Archie at the counter, asking them to call the police before returning to my wife.

She’s standing tall behind Miles, trying not to show any weakness, though her hands shake slightly as she picks at her thumb — she’s so fucking strong.

My best friend stands protectively between Ivy and her ex husband, arms crossed over his chest. His impassive demeanor is only making Austin more furious.

“Fucking slut,” he sneers around Miles’ intimidating stature. “Married less than a month and you’re already spreading your legs for this guy, too?”

“Watch your fucking mouth,” I seethe, tugging Ivy into my arms.

“Why don’t you make me?”

“Make you?” I scoff. “You sound like a child.” His expression turns wild, and I’m close enough that I can smell the alcohol on his breath. Ivy fists her hand in my shirt, inhaling a ragged breath as her stance wavers slightly.

“Don’t know why you bother with this one,” he sneers.

“She’s all used up now. Had a kid and turned into a fucking mess.

Do you know the nasty things she used to let me do to her before she got knocked up?

” Every cell in my body vibrates with rage as I try to pull out of Ivy’s hold, but she only clings tighter.

“He’s not worth it, baby,” she murmurs. I soften at the endearment, ignoring every instinct compelling me to protect her.

The lines are so blurred, I can’t tell if she used the nickname for my benefit, or to take a jab at Austin.

But it doesn’t matter; it hits its mark whether she intended it or not.

Austin’s eyes narrow on us, his expression going from agitation to white hot rage.

Before he can lunge at us, our attention is drawn back to the counter, where Rylin is giggling with Archie, who appears to be playing the ‘got your nose’ game.

The faint sound of her laughter eases something inside of me.

“The police have been called,” Rosie says from the nearby register. “I suggest you boys let sleeping dogs lie.”

“Shut it, you old bat,” Austin sneers.

Miles loses his composure, his passive exterior cracking for the first time since Austin showed up. “Get the fuck out of here, man.” Miles uncrosses his arms, taking a step towards Austin. I hold my breath, anticipating utter chaos until a police cruiser pulls up to the curb. Thank fuck.

Immediately recognizing the same officer who took the report at Lori’s house, a prickling sense of unease threatens to overwhelm me.

I’m not sure if I should feel concerned or relieved.

Only time will tell, I guess. In an attempt to calm both her nerves and mine, I smooth a hand down Ivy’s back, cradling her head in the other before placing a soft kiss on her hair. “It’s going to be okay.”

The officer interviews everyone involved, and Ivy grows increasingly agitated as he bombards us with question after question. Despite our detailed explanation of Austin’s continued harassment, and the many witnesses corroborating our story, the officer, once again, dismisses our claims.

Without proof, Austin is let off with a warning. The officer repeats the same speech he gave us the last time we spoke, advising us to consult with our lawyers. Tension radiates from Ivy; I can see the frustration on her face, and I know my own echoes the same sentiment.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wish we could do more.”

“I’m never going to be free of him.” Her tone is dejected, and it cracks something inside of me wide open. There's nothing I want more than to ease her worries, but I’m just not sure what more I can do.

“We’ll figure it out.”

Miles’ jaw is clenched as he watches the retreating forms of the officer escorting Austin out of the building. Rosie banned him from the diner, though I’m not sure how much good that’ll do. I’m certain he’ll just find another way to harass Ivy.

“Is it cool if we go over the blueprints another time?” I ask, tugging her a little closer still.

Miles gives me a sympathetic look. “Yeah, no problem, man. Get your girls home and text me later.”

“Thanks. I owe you one.”

Ivy

With the help of the Sullivans and their tech savvy son, we’re able to pull the video surveillance from the incident at the diner.

Looking through older files, Rosie’s son also finds video of him outside on the day of our wedding reception, and Luca is able to pull some shocking footage of his car lurking outside our house in the middle of the night.

I can’t only hope it’ll have an impact on the case, but I have my doubts.

“Breathe,” Luca says, his hand resting on my thigh as he navigates the familiar streets of downtown Oak Ridge.

We dropped Rylin off at the cabin for some quality time with Cade and Paige before we left for the courthouse.

Nana flew back to Canada last week, so Cade has been taking some time off to be with his girls, and they offered to watch Rylin while Luca and I attend the hearing.

I rub my clammy palms against my jeans, glancing at Luca’s steady profile. “What if it’s not enough? What if he tries to take her from me, just like he promised?” My voice trembles, the heavy weight of my admission suffocating me.

“No judge in their right mind is going to remove a child from a loving household on the word of an apparent abuser. At the very least, the videos show malicious intent.”

“But —”

“No buts, Ivy. We’re going to walk in there with our heads held high.”

“Your confidence is inspiring, but you underestimate his family’s reach in this town.”

He pulls to a stop in the parking lot across from the expansive courthouse. The building is intimidating, and it does nothing to ease my frayed nerves.

“Whatever happens, we’ll handle it together,” he says, threading his fingers through mine.

Clinging to Luca like a lifeline, we ascend the steps to the massive white stone building. I immediately recognize Austin’s sister standing with an older man near one of the pillars. Judging by the pristine suit and the general air of cockiness, this must be Austin’s new lawyer.

“Just squeeze my hand if you start to feel nervous,” Luca says.

“Thank you.” I don’t know if I’m thanking him for being here, or for everything he’s done up until this point, but it doesn’t really matter. This man has become my peace, and I’m grateful for all of it.