Her head was spinning as Dom broke everything down to her. It all made perfect sense now. The Johnstons weren’t interested in building or nurturing a relationship with Ashley and Kyle. Their interest was in the almighty dollar.
“Exactly how much is this trust fund worth?”
“A little over eight hundred thousand.”
Karen shot up off the sofa. Balling her hands into fist at her sides, she just wanted to hit somebody. “Those greedy bastards! My babies are nothing more to them than a couple of cash cows!”
The corner of Dom’s lips twitched, the beginnings of a smirk taking form. The sad, defeated look in Karen’s eyes was replaced by shooting white thunderbolts. Marching across the room into the connecting dining room, Karen snatched her purse off the table. Dom couldn’t make out what she was mumbling as she rummaged through the purse. A thick brow arched as he studied her snatching out the letter she’d been served. Next she yanked out her cell phone and start dialing.
“Baby, what are you doing?”
“I’m calling that damn lawyer,” she hissed as she continued to stab the touch screen on her phone.
Dom cocked his head to the side. He couldn’t help the grin that was slowly inching its way into becoming an outright hundred watt smile. She was so darn sexy when she was angry. “For what?” he asked, hoping the amusement in his voice didn’t show.
Karen stopped dialing and looked at Dom as if he’d sprouted another head. “I’m going to tell that rat bastard lawyer that he and his clients can kiss my natural, black—”
Before she could finish, Dom threw his head back and roared with laughter. He knew his woman could be feisty, but to call up a lawyer and cuss him out was just downright hilarious. He continued to laugh as he walked the short distance to stand in front of Karen. Taking the phone from her hand, he hit the red button to end the call and put the phone in the back pocket of his jeans.
“You’re quite the little momma lioness,” he teased as he wrapped his arms around her. “Girl, you can’t go around telling people to kiss your ba-dunka-dunk.”
“Get off me, Dom. This isn’t funny.” she fussed, trying not to laugh. Had she been ready to tell some man she didn’t know to kiss her butt? Well butt wasn’t the word she was going to use. All this drama on top of trying to plan a wedding in a few short weeks was driving her nuts. It was making her act out of character, but then again when someone messed with her babies that did make her act out of character.
Tightening his hold on her, he kissed her forehead. “Baby, it actually was funny.”
Feeling the warmth of his love, she wrapped her arms around his waist. She knew she could always count on Dom. “No it wasn’t,” she pouted.
Dom leaned back so he could look into her face. “Baby you called the kids cash cows. If anything they’re cash calves.”
“Don’t give up your day job. A comedian you are not,” she sarcastically sneered while rolling her eyes. “Cash cows, cash calves,” Karen waved her hand in the air, “whatever. Those idiots are not getting their filthy hands on Ashley and Kyle.”
Dom playfully tapped her on the chin with his fist. Chuckling, he said, “That’s the spirit, sport.”
Karen nodded her head, folding her arms across her chest in a defiant pose. “You damn straight.”
This time they both laughed and hugged each other. Right then and there Karen let go of all of her fears and trusted her heart. Her heart told her Dom would do what he promised. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her or the children.
Chapter 29
The following day detective Bass contacted Karen and Dom. He had further information which he thought was pertinent to their case. Dom held the door, his hand at the small of her back as he guided her through the door of the Irish Pub on Walnut Street. Crossing the threshold, he took her hand and led her to the back of the restaurant. As they approached a table in the corner, a very cute man with a medium build, just clearing six feet, stood.
He waited for Karen to remove her leather gloves before he stretched out his hand. “Hi Karen, I’m Detective Bass.”
Smiling, Karen accepted the proffered hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Detective Bass. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“All good I hope,” he chuckled as he released her hand to shake Dom’s as the men introduced themselves.
Karen removed her coat and slid into the hard, wooden chair. “Of course. Nick says you’re the best.”
“I do my best,” he said as he and Dom took a seat. Getting straight to the point, he pulled out a legal size envelope from the briefcase on the chair beside him.