The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 54

"Lock up your kids or the police will get them!" Tony declared as they made their way down the hall.

Reaching the stairs Savannah hesitated. Gabriella couldn't handle the stairs on her own not after all the stress she already endured. The medication was definitely helping or else she might have needed to go to the emergency room immediately but she hadn't been taking them long enough for full effect. Without a word Savannah set down hers and Gabriella's bags before hoisting her sister into her arms. Gabriella clung to her still whimpering. Savannah scooted to the edge of the first step and carefully made her way

downward.

"Let me..." the officer reached for the discarded bags.

"We don't need your help!" Carlos sneered as he grabbed Savannah's bag himself.

"Yeah, who needs you?" Tony seconded grabbing Gabriella's bag.

Lugging the bags the boys followed their sisters. The social worker complained about how slow they were but the office admired their tenacity. They were proud and would never ask for help. It was slow progress but they eventually made it to the first floor and Savannah was able to set down Gabriella with a relieved sigh.

Holding tightly to Gabriella's hand Savannah led them outside to the waiting sedan. Carrying all the bags didn't hamper Carlos and Tony in the least when they saw they had an audience again.

They took turns calling out, "Hide your kids or they'll be taken away! Get your phones out! See what happens when they come for you!"

"I said stop that," the social worker hissed but didn't dare raise her hand or voice in front of their audience. Instead she held up a hand to partially block her face making it an awkward procession.

Making it to the car she pulled the door open and waved them inside. Savannah helped Gabriella inside first. The boys pushed in the bags before joining them in the crowded backseat while Gabriella huddled in Savannah's lap. No one wanted to sit up front. Outside the social worker was arguing with the officer. They only caught snippets but it was clear she was unhappy with the officer's lack of aid. As they huddled together the car door suddenly opened and the other officer leaned in. The boys scowled at him. "For your sister," he quietly said handing them the prescriptions and pill keeper.

Carlos and Tony took them giving the officers a distrustful look. Only Savannah gave the officer a grateful smile and mouthed thank you. The officer nodded before withdrawing. Tony buried the pills deep in Gabriella's bag in case it was searched. He finished just in time as the worker returned and slid into the driver's seat muttering to herself about the incompetence of others.

Savannah couldn't tell if the ride to the worker's office was short or long. When they got there she quickly ushered them inside and sat at her desk taking notes until her phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID her mood suddenly brightened and she stepped out of the hallway to answer it.

Hesitating a moment Savannah quietly stood shifting Gabriella to another seat before tip-toeing toward the partially open door. Her brothers watched her curiously but obeyed her sign to stay quiet. Positioning herself near the door she strained to listen. "...Do not worry Miss Quenn it all went as planned...Well no, the mother wasn't there, but their grandmother was...Yes, I have the kids now..."

Savannah stepped back. Miss Quenn? She didn't know who that was but at least it seemed she was correct; Marcus Avery wasn't the one who set this up. Reaching a decision she moved to the desk and picked up the phone. At school they had to dial nine for an outside line so she tried that first and smiled when it began to ring.

Looking up she saw Carlos and Tony still watching and pointed for one of them to watch the door. Without a word Tony stood and settled at the door wondering what his sister was up to.

***

"Children's Hospital," the receptionist answered the phone with a bored voice.

"I would like to speak to Marcus Avery, please," the voice on the other end was polite, soft-spoken and young. If she didn't know any better it sounded like a child. "Mister Avery is very busy," the receptionist warned.

"I know. He'll take my call."

"And who should I say is calling?"

"Savannah."

"Hold please," the receptionist sighed and was tempted to leave the call parked but what if Marcus really was waiting for it? Reluctantly she called up to his office.

Marcus stretched. Long hours in his office chair were beginning to tell. Even so he needed the distraction. Without something to occupy his mind he invariably started thinking about Regina and the kids. Every time he glanced at the clock he couldn't help but think how long it was since he last saw them and how much longer he had to wait to see them again.

His phone beeped. Leaning forward he tapped the intercom button, "Yes?"

"Sir, you have a phone call."

"Phone call? From who?"

"Savannah."

"Savann-" Marcus hesitated. Why would she be calling? How did she even know how to get ahold of him? Was something wrong? "What line?" "One."

"Thank you," Marcus took a deep breath. Did something happen to Regina? Picking up the receiver he dialed the line. "Hello? Savannah?" "Mister Avery?"

"Yes, I'm here. How did you even know how to reach me?"

"You were one of the judges at the science far," Savannah said matter-of-factly.

Marcus's lips twitched with a smile. Of course she would remember him. Well, that wasn't a bad thing. It was better this way.

"Are you mad?"

"What? No, of course not. But why are you calling? Did something happen?"

"Did you-did you call CPS on mom?"

"What! What are you talking about?" Marcus was suddenly on edge.

"CPS, they said they got a complaint that mom wasn't taking care of us. They took us away."

"They what!" Marcus suddenly roared. "Why?"

"I don't know."

"Where are you now?"

"In the social worker's office. Our grandma was watching us when she came."

"Where is your mother?"

"She's working with our aunt."

Marcus frowned. That meant Regina was at a catering job. Did she even know what had happened? Running a hand through his hair he said, "All right. I'm going to make some calls and I'll find out what is going on. Don't worry. I'll get you back home to your mom. Take care of your siblings, okay?"

"Okay."

"Good girl. I have to hang up now but I promise I'll find out who did this."

"Okay, but..."

Marcus hung up the phone cutting her off in his eagerness to call his grandfather's lawyer. He only had vague recollections of the tall, lanky man himself but Marcus knew they were close friends. They had been army buddies long ago. Since then he had become one of the top lawyers in the country.

"Tailor Reeve's office," a feminine voice answered.

"This is Marcus Avery. I need to speak to Tailor immediately. It's urgent."

"One moment. He is on another call."

Marcus fidgeted waiting for an answer. He was only there yesterday...what could have happened to Regina? Who would do this to her and the kids?

"... Marcus?" Tailor's voice finally answered. "It's been awhile since I last saw you. Not since you were still a sprout bouncing on your grandfather's knee. I apologize if I kept you waiting. I was talking to Sarah."

"Fine. Fine. This isn't a social call. A-friend-just had her kids taken away by CPS. Can you find out what is going on? I know you've done business with them before.

"And what is your friend's name?"

"Regina Torres."

"...I see. All right. I'll look into it."

"And hurry up."

"Of course," Tailor hung up with an amused grin. This was getting interesting. He picked up the phone and dialed a well-known number. "Hello Abraham, Miles there?" "One moment, Mister Tailor."

"Tailor? To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"Do you know what your grandson has been up to?"

"Aside from staying out of the papers...no."

"He just called me. Seems someone he has been associating with just had her children removed by CPS."

"Someone?"

"Regina."

"What! What do you mean? Why is CPS involved?"

"Calm down. I don't know all the details. Actually Sarah called to talk to me about the same thing. Apparently Regina's mother is her housekeeper. Funny how we are all connected, isn't it?"

"I see nothing funny about this. You're talking about my great-grandchildren."

"Which is why I called you," Tailor said. "Miles, I know you wanted to take this slow but you're not doing Marcus or the kids any favors. If it was known they were your great-grandchildren no one would have the guts to do anything like this. You know that." "...Yes. I do."

"You got your wish. Marcus is a lot more responsible and I don't know how he found Regina and the kids but he seems to be looking out for them. I don't think you can ask for more." "Does he...do you think he knows?"

"That the kids are his? No, I don't think so. He didn't make any claims over the phone at least. You need to talk to him. He deserves to know the truth. All of it." "You're right. I'll talk to Marcus but I want you to do everything you can for Regina and the kids."

"Of course, but that might not be necessary."

"What do you mean?"

"I was actually in court when Sarah first called. Since she couldn't get ahold of me she called Tracy who has already taken up arms it sounds like."

"She any good?"

"Tracy? She's a bulldog. Reminds me of me when I was younger. I almost pity that fool at CPS for stirring up this fight. They have no idea what is coming for them."