Chapter 110

Taren stepped out of her reach and adjusted his tux. "What are you doing here?"
Through the doors to the ballroom, Dylan, Patrick, Erica, and other firefighters watched, ready if he needed them. Although he appreciated their concern, he just wished they would stay out of it.
"You invited me." Scarlett pushed out her lower lip. But he was no longer a child, and her silly games no longer worked on him.
"No, I didn't." Taren shrugged out of her grasp and tried to walk past her, headed toward the ballroom, but she grabbed his arm and swung him around. "Scarlett, just leave. No one wants you here." He turned to walk away.
"I'll go to court for Abby!" she shouted behind him.
Taren stopped and slowly turned around. He walked toward her and stopped just inches from her. "Never threaten me with my daughter again."
Scarlett smirked as she folded her arms across her chest. "Besides, my lawyer says we have a good chance of winning the case."
"Oh yeah, Scarlett? What lawyer?" He waited for a moment. When she said nothing, he continued, "That's what I thought." He let out a deep breath as he looked down to collect his thoughts. Then he looked into her eyes. "If you want to go to court, then tell me when and where and I'll be there. Otherwise, stay out of mine and my daughter's lives!" He turned to walk away, but again, she stopped him.
"Well, she's my daughter, too."
He turned to face her. "Not anymore." He bit his lower lip and released it. "Scarlett, you gave up your rights when she was born." Taren worked hard to control the anger that filled his chest. Now wasn't the time or the place, but he had to get things settled, once and for all. "Scarlett, you said you didn't want to be a mother, that it wasn't in your 'plans', signed the papers giving me full custody, and left! And now you're back, trying to waltz back into our lives as if nothing ever happened." He scoffed. "Sorry, Scarlett, but I don't shift gears that fast." He took a step closer, his eyes boring into hers. "And if you even think of coming near my daughter, I'll see you in court." He took her arm, guiding her along as he nodded to the coat man. The man gave Taren her coat and he shoved it into her arms. "Now, get out! Tomorrow, I'm getting a restraining order against you for me and my daughter, so don't even think about holding my daughter over my head again. If you do, you'll have a fight on your hands, and you will lose." He looked into her eyes. "And you're forgetting something. I have a damn good lawyer, too." He led her toward the door and held it open for her. "Now, get out!"
She scoffed. "You're not even going to walk me to my car?"
Taren smirked as he shook his head without humor. "You know, Scarlett. I have one thing to thank you for and that's my daughter. But please leave. I don't ever want to see you again. I'm through with your head games, so don't come back." Then he closed the door behind him and walked away, not looking back.
When he walked into the ballroom, his buddies approached.
Dylan clutched his arm and looked into his eyes. "You okay, man?"
Taren smiled, nodding his head. "I'm fine. Never better."
"That's what I like to hear! Now, let's get you a drink."
Carrie, Dylan's wife, looked wonderful with her blonde hair done up and off to the side, wearing a vintage pink evening gown, with a fabulous figure, despite the fact that she had given birth to three kids. "Hello, Taren. It's good to see you again."
Taren gave her a one-armed hug. "It's good to see you, too, Carrie." Then he gave Dylan a playful slap on the stomach. "So, have you had a hard time keeping this guy in line?"
Carrie laughed. "It's a hard job, but someone has to do it."
Everyone laughed.
"Now, how about that drink?" Dylan asked and then reached over and kissed his wife on the cheek, careful not to muss her hair. "Be right back, honey."
"I'll be here." She crossed to Erica and they started talking. When Dylan and Taren were out of earshot, they burst out laughing.
Dylan smiled. "I don't even want to know what Erica just told her."
"It's probably a good thing you don't know." Taren laughed as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come on." Taren removed his arm and they approached the bar.
"Chivas and Coke," Taren told the bartender.
"Just beer for me," Dylan replied, "and an Amaretto and pineapple for my wife."
The bartender nodded and walked off.
"Amaretto and pineapple?" Taren asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dylan shrugged. "Hey! Give the woman what she wants."
Taren laughed as he shook his head. "You're unbelievable."
"I try."
"Here you go," the bartender replied as he set their drinks on the counter. When Taren reached for his wallet, one corner of the bartender's lips curled into a smile. "It's an open bar."
"Oh! Thanks, man." Taren held up his drink in solute and took a sip. He'd have to thank Liam later for arranging it.
Dylan stood at the bar and looked into his eyes. "You okay?"
Taren nodded. "Actually, I feel much better now. If she wants a custody battle, then I'll give her one. Otherwise, she needs to stay out of my life and away from Abby."
Dylan clasped his shoulder. "Good for you! I'm glad you're not letting her push you around like that."
A hand clasped Taren's shoulder. "I thought I'd take you up on your offer."
When Taren turned around, his eyes opened wide. "Liam! I'm glad you made it!"
Liam chuckled. "Well, actually, I work here."
Taren ignored the jab. "Hey! Let me introduce you to my friend, Erica."
Dylan raised an eyebrow. "You know she'll have your hide for this."
Taren laughed. "Well, you only live once." Taren clasped Liam's shoulder. "Come on." He started walking Liam toward her as Dylan followed, obviously not wanting to miss this. "Erica is a firefighter I work with-." Taren told him briefly about Erica and then stopped before her. "Erica, I'd like you to meet my friend Liam. Liam, this is Erica."
Her eyes popped open wide as she extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Liam took her hand and raised it to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers. "The pleasure is mine." He raised an eyebrow. "Care to dance?"
"I thought you'd never ask." Erica let him lead her out onto the dancefloor, her eyes never leaving his.
Dylan shrugged as he handed his wife her drink, but spoke to Taren. "I think you got off easy, man. I don't think she's going to kill you for introducing them."
Taren smiled. "I sure hope not."
Just then, a flash of red caught his eye from across the room. When he looked over, Kiki was standing in the doorway, wearing a shimmering red dress, fitted in the bodice and the waist, with a full skirt. She was also wearing the diamond teardrop earrings and diamond necklace that he had bought her, and white satin gloves that reached her elbows. Everyone in the room gasped when they saw her, standing in the doorway. Taren's heart leapt when he took her in; she was truly a vision. He had never been so glad to see someone in his life. And at that moment, all of his cares and worries just seemed to melt away.