Justice For Juniper (Tatienne Richard) novel Chapter 103

Justice For Juniper

Like Father Like Son – Part I

Juniper was nervous as all get out when they reached the police station. Her jitters amplified a thousand–fold when she noted the four very attractive older men standing on the stairs outside the main doors.

“Holy shit.” She muttered under her breath.

“What?”

“Were the three of you crafted in petri dishes?”

“What are you talking about?” Phineas asked with a laugh.

“It’s like getting a glimpse into the future of what the three of you are going to look like in thirty years.” She gave a cheeky grin, “I’m going to be a lucky girl.”

Phineas slapped her backside as they got out of the car. “Are you ogling my father, Juniper?”

“No. I’m contemplating my future. Though,” she made a face, “if you all look like clones, there will never be a doubt whose kid is whose when I start popping them out.”

Phineas laughed loudly and he called over his shoulder at the two men who were getting out on the other side of the car, “did you hear this? Juniper is already contemplating how much our boys are going to look like us based on our fathers.”

Beni laughed, “if it makes you feel better, Sunshine, my sister looks identical to my mother. I look like Dad. She looks like Mom.”

“Really? I definitely feel better now.”

“Me too.” Phineas said. “I can’t wait for a little girl who looks like you for us to spoil.”

She blushed as his words carried towards the men who were waiting for them. It was clear which of them was Phin and he grinned broadly at Phineas‘ comment. She was a bit worried about this first impression but there was something wise in this man’s eyes. He reminded her of a person who knew what it was like to lose it all and was now appreciating every gift of life.

“Phineas, let the ink dry on the poor girl’s divorce papers before you trap her to for all of eternity.” He took the steps two at a time to approach her and grabbed her hands to tug her away from his son, “if you’re being held against your will by these fools, blink twice and I’ll get you back to your Mama right away.”

She giggled in spite of all the reservations she’d had about meeting this person. “I’m where I want to be, or rather,” she waved at the building, “I’m with who I want to be but perhaps this isn’t the best place to be.”

“I don’t know. I’ve been stuck with them in a cabin for days on end and I can tell you, they aren’t the best trio to be stuck with,” Beni’s father gave Phin a hip–check and pushed him out of the way, “let me see my new daughter–in–law. I’ve been waiting 2/5 weeks since these boys are hogging her.”

“Papa, she was going through a personal hell.” Beni grunted with displeasure. “We weren’t punishing you.”

“Sorry, that was impossibly crude in front of a lady. I apologize.”

“It’s okay. You seem frustrated.”

“There’s the understatement of the year. My father instilled damn good work ethics in his children. I have a younger brother who works in the oil fields in Alberta, twelve–hour days, six days a week and he has two sons who followed suit. I became an electrician at my father’s encouragement and between us we created a hell of a company which makes a shit ton of money, and we have good friends,” he waved at Frasier, “who helped me invest our money and make my shit ton of money turn into boatloads of it but I still put in twelve–hour days, seven days a week because it’s what we do. I admit, I worked a lot and missed the warning signs. My wife would complain about Denise’s shitty grades and her lack of engagement in school, but I thought maybe she was just trying to find her place in the world. We spoiled her,” he waved around the men, “but we also spoil Mireia and she’s not an asshole.” He looked at his friends, “why is my kid an asshole?”

“A psychotic one,” Phineas grunted as he slapped Scotty’s back. 

“She drove her car full tilt into mine today, Scotty. She hurt my driver. I got a text in the car he needs surgery to repair his wrist, and he has a concussion and a broken nose from the airbag.”

“Fuck,” Scotty rubbed his face.

“She could do time.”

“Let it happen.” Scotty said bluntly. “Haven is in there telling her how we’re not funding her lawyer. Phineas, I’m sorry. I should never have allowed my father to pressure you into marrying her.”

“He wanted her taken care of, and I loved him enough to honor his request.” He looked at the police station, “this might make him haunt me though, but I can’t take care of her in his honor anymore. She’s insane.”