The Raven and her Wolf {GirlxGirl}

Chapter 16

When Raven set out to visit her dad on the Friday before Christmas, it was with the news that she had found him a lawyer. Malcom Lyall had set up a meeting with Raven's father that would take place a week before his trial, meanwhile Raven was forced to accept the fact that she'd be spending Christmas without him.

Spencer waited in the car as Raven and her cousin traipsed past security and into the visiting room. When the gated door swung open and handcuffed men wearing matching grey tracksuits filed in, the small Latina's heart leapt. Her eyes scanned their faces furtively until, finally, she saw one she recognised.

"Papa..."

His gaze lifted from the floor at the sound of his daughter's voice. He looked so drawn and weary as he walked towards them, but there was a certain light in his hazel eyes as they took in Raven's tear stricken face. He was happy to see her.

A guard removed his handcuffs, giving him the same spiel the cousins had received about not touching the inmates. Rules be damned though, because as soon as he was close enough Raven pulled her dad into a hug, a hug he reciprocated despite the shrill sound of a whistle.

The sound of heavy footsteps had Raven pulling back before the guard could reach them. He gave them a warning and they sat, Corvin shaking his uncle's hand quickly, eyes downcast so the tears in them went unnoticed.

But Raven did notice and laid her head on his shoulder in silent support as she spoke to her dad.

"I was not doing anything differently, but I was stopped by an officer when I was making a delivery," he said of the night he'd been arrested. "The police knew exactly where I would be and when I would be there. Lots of guys operate in the city, so the tip off could have come from anywhere."

Raven furrowed her eyebrows. "So how did you only get charged with possession?"

"They have no proof I intended to sell."

Raven frowned, which did not escape her father's notice.

"I am truly sorry that Tito and I kept this from you both, but we were desperate. You know that."

"Yeah, I know. It's okay dad," she cleared her throat. "Anyway...I got you a lawyer," Raven said, unsure how her dad would respond. He'd always hated being the subject of charity.

Hence the lengths he had gone to just to keep food on the table.

"I know, I met with the state attorney yesterday."

"No dad, I mean a private lawyer, from a law firm," her voice was as hesitant as his face was confused.

"But mi cariña, we cannot afford a-"

"I know dad, but this lawyer...he's my girlfriend's dad-"

"Girlfriend?"

Girlfriend! Raven's brain echoed, the thought still giving her butterflies.

"Girlfriend." Corvin affirmed in his cousin's absence. Her dad raised his eyebrows with a smirk and Raven couldn't help but blush.

"So, this girlfriend of yours, her dad is a lawyer?" Raven nodded, watching her fathers sly smile turn skeptical, "and he's willing to be my lawyer? For free?"

"Look dad, pride aside, you need this. I don't want you locked up for the next five years!"

His eyes were suddenly glossy. "¿Qué dice Tito?"

"Nada," Raven replied, shaking her head. "He just drinks, sleeps and then drinks some more."

"He blames himself," Corvin said, surprising his cousin. "He blames himself because you got caught and he didn't."