The file Atticus had given me, along with the information Logan had, sat atop the booth I currently sat in. The day I’d been waiting for over the last three months was tomorrow, and I had a decision to make. Did I remove Brittni from his life for good? Or did I salvage the relationship because she was his mother?
The Komodo part of me wanted to make her bleed, ruining her life in the process and protect Levi from a potentially toxic relationship. The kid who grew up without parents, and my instinct as a father, wanted to make sure Levi had the choice and didn’t feel like he had to choose between us. It was the overriding fear and need to protect him as a parent that said differently.
I’d gone back and forth so much, I no longer knew what I wanted or thought. Tomorrow was the court date, and I had to choose. So, I decided to reach out and see if he’d meant what he said the other night.
“Hey, Roe.”
Lifting my head at the greeting, I didn’t hide the shock that he’d shown up quickly enough, and Wells met my eyes with understanding, a tinge of hurt as well if I looked closely.
“Hey, Wells. Thanks for meeting with me.”
“I told you I’d be there for you, and I meant it. I know my track record isn’t the best, but I’m working on it. So you need me, I’m here. I even canceled with Kitten.”
Shock filled me again, and I swallowed. Wells had never put me first before. “Wow, thank you. Though, I feel bad for Loren.”
“Don’t. She was cool with it. We even flirted a little.”
Nodding, I took a drink of my water, not sure what to say now. I knew he liked Loren, and he said he wanted us all to be together, but it seemed too good to be true. I didn’t want to be hurt again, so I was trying to be realistic despite my inclination to grab ahold of him and run away into the sunset. Trying being the optimal word.
“That’s good. I’m glad she wasn’t upset.”
He smirked, knowing I wasn’t saying everything I wanted. “So, what did you need help with?”
Blowing out a breath, I tapped the folders. “The information Atticus gave me, along with the things I’d procured from Logan, are inside. I don’t know how far to push things. Do I detonate the atomic bomb, irrefutably ruining any chance Levi has at a relationship with his mother? Or do I do the bare minimum, getting back my son, but letting her stay in his life?”
“Even without looking at the evidence, I’m going to say, detonate. Brittni has been nothing but a bitch from day one. I know you probably want to preserve that relationship, but is it worth it if she screws him up? If she’s doing more damage in his life, isn’t that a reason to monitor it? She needs to be held accountable for her actions, something I don’t think Britt ever has been in her whole life.”
Humming, I digested what he was saying. It had merit and gave me a little peace in my decision. Perhaps there was a way to make her accountable for her actions and held responsible for her future interactions with Levi. I needed to figure out how to be a hero without having to be the villain first.
“That’s actually insightful and helpful. Thank you.”
“I’ll try not to take offense at the actually part,” he smirked, setting my heart racing. Thankfully the waitress came over, saving me from having to respond.
“Hello, fellas. What can I get you started with tonight?” She eyed us both but didn’t overtly flirt, and I liked that about her. We both ordered burgers, and once she left, quietness descended around us. Clearing my throat, I found myself playing with the fork as I attempted to figure out what to say.
“So, you mentioned the other night you were working for Atticus? How is that going?”
When Loren had gone to talk to Immy, and Jude had gone to the library, I’d found Wells. I made awkward small talk with him there, skirting the issues in our relationship.
“He, uh, came to me after the bombing with Loren. Said he’d help me with my debt if I helped him with some information on the Delgados.”
“Wait. He paid off your debt? Wasn’t that like…”
“$250,000? Yeah.”
“Whoa. That was generous of him.”
Wells snorted. “Yeah, well, I was suspicious at first if he’d do what he said. But he has, despite who he is.”
“Who are they?” I whispered, leaning forward.
“I… Don’t ask me that, Roe. Please. I don’t want to lie to you, but I signed an NDA and was forbidden the other night from saying something. I don’t want to be dishonest with you ever again, so please, just don’t ask.”
I sat back, shocked. Narrowing my brow, I took him in. Wells looked serious, his face taut with anxiety as he pleaded with me to let it go. Exhaling, I consented, not wanting to put him at risk. If Loren trusted Atticus, then I would too. Plus, so far, he’d been helpful. Both with her issue and mine. If he’d also helped Wells, then I didn’t want to throw suspicion on him.
“So the job then?”
“I used to fight for them before the night I was beaten. It was the only way I made the monthly demands the Delgados enforced. He’s opening a fighting venue. They already own a few other establishments, such as Climax and Evolve. Atticus brought me on to train some of the others and is giving me the chance to fight. It could be the opportunity I’ve been wanting.”