Eve couldn’t take anymore. “You deserted me when I was expecting her,” she said through clenched teeth. “You are not on the birth certificate and you have no rights. You try to come near her and I will have you arrested. I’ll be filling out a restraining order in the morning and changing the codes on my doors. Leave… now.”
Mark actually released her and stepped back. His eyes were wide with surprise. Eve had never been so calm and focused as she was right now. She’d never really stood up to anyone, even when she turned men down for dates she always used some excuse. Her brothers had always watched out for her with their brawn and Rachel had protected her with her sharp tongue. She adored her siblings, but it felt good to stand up for herself.
Mark looked her over as if gauging how serious she was.
“Right now,” she said even more firmly, pointing for the staircase.
Mark backed up and said, “This isn’t over, Eve. You hid her from me and I have rights.”
“No, you don’t.” She folded her arms across her chest and stood straighter. She was a fitness pro and a mama bear and he was a slimy wimp. She could take him out any time she wanted. “And unless you’d like to be arrested, or get punched in the face by me, and by my stud of a boyfriend again, dang that was fun to watch, I suggest you go back to Savannah and keep Colorado on your do not travel list.”
Mark visibly swallowed and then turned to scuttle down the stairs. He was obviously afraid of Beck but he also seemed afraid of Eve. She followed him down the stairs, waited for him to exit the front door, and then turned the deadbolt. She wanted to call Beck or one of her siblings but instead, she found her phone, in the living room couch cushions where Paisley must’ve been playing with it, and called a twenty-four-hour locksmith. The codes on the doors were getting changed tonight.
Eve had taken care of herself and Paisley for the past five years, but she didn’t know that she’d ever felt so brave and strong. She smiled as she thought of Beck. He’d given her strength. He loved her. Mark couldn’t hurt her ever again.