Justice For Juniper (Tatienne Richard) novel Chapter 133

Orders – Part I

Juniper looked at Fermín with surprise at the way he spoke with her mother, and she waited for her mother to bluster and tell him to pound sand.

Her mother’s words made her cock her head to one side and blink in confusion at the tone she took. It was pouting and whining.

“Fermín, I’ve never flown. I don’t think I can do it alone.”

“Maeve, you won’t be alone. I’ll have a team with you in minutes and then you will never be alone again. The minute my team gets you in the car, they’ll accompany you into the aircraft. They will make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed. Our daughter is going to need you here to help navigate all she is going through.”

Juniper’s mouth fell open as she saw a smirk on Fermín’s face while the man played her mother like a fiddle.

“Surely you can get over your own fears of travel to be here for her. She did say earlier that she knew your love was her was so deep if she called you and told you she needed you, you’d be on the first flight. Maybe she misjudged your affection.”

“Ooh,” Adil gave a low moan as he shook his head with approval at the way Fermín was easily manipulating Maeve. “Thirty years apart after only one night and he still knows how to get her to do what he wants.”

Abuela gave Adil a smack, but her grin was as wide as his.

Juniper watched with bated breath to hear her mother’s response. She wasn’t disappointed when her mother held her own. Mama Maeve wasn’t a doormat despite how snarly the man’s voice could get.

“I would drop everything to come for my daughter because I love her to pieces, but I also know she’s strong and independent and she’s not asking me to come to her. You are ordering it. If I thought she needed me, really needed me, I would be there, but she has her partners with her. She’s fine.”

“Maeve.”

The way he growled her mother’s name made Juniper look at Phineas with a wide–eyed expression. She knew that tone all too well. Phineas‘ smirk made her shiver.

“I’m only saying my daughter is capable and doesn’t need me.”

“My mother hasn’t met her yet and she’s a beast of a woman. She’s probably going to make Juniper jump through hoops. My father already is making faces at the three men at the table.”

Juniper’s face was one of incredulity as Fermín boldly lied to her mother. She was going to say something but then Phineas yanked her onto his lap and covered her mouth with his hand. He pointed the index finger of his other hand at her in a warning to be quiet.

“They’re being mean to her? Juniper, are you okay, honey?”

“She figured out who I was before I even sat down. It’s why she sent you the photo. Terrified really of meeting her family. She’s going to lie and make you feel there is nothing wrong.”

“You’re lying!”

“Am I? I guess you’ll need to get on the plane to come see for yourself.”

“I’m scared of flying!” Maeve screeched.

“Bullshit. You’re scared you’re going to get here and do what you did thirty years ago and fall into bed with me and tell me you love me after I give you multiples.”

“Fine. If Juniper cries because my mother is tough on her,” he let his words hang.

“Asshole!” Maeve screamed. “You should be protecting her!”

“So should you. Get on the plane.”

“Fine!”

“Fine.” He ended the call and ruffled his hair. He looked over his shoulder at the table of people and shook his head, “she’s a hot head.”

Juniper considered it took one to know one. She defended her mother. “She’s truly afraid of flying. She booked a flight once to try it and didn’t get on the plane.”

He looked at Juniper, “what is your mother’s address? Make it easier for me please?”

She recited it to him and then he passed her back her phone and Juniper noted the notification of an incoming text message and realized her mother must have thought Fermín still held the phone. He was typing frantically on his own phone and then gave a satisfied smirk.

“You asshole. You better make sure my daughter is not made to feel anything other than the spectacular woman she is, or I’ll put your cock on a platter and eat it with a dull knife while you watch.”

Phineas reading over her shoulder shifted uncomfortably. “Mama Maeve is not one to trifle with.”