by Aubree Lane
Terence couldn’t redo the actions of his past, but he didn’t have to make the same mistake twice, so he grudgingly eased back into his seat.
Larry Wright leaned across his desk and pointed an immaculately manicured finger at him. “You might be the only father Erika has ever known, but you aren’t her biological father, so that systematically leaves you out in the cold. You may receive a little supervised visitation, but you won’t get custody.” He paused, and gave Terence a chance to grab hold of how precarious his situation was. Then he leaned back into his chair and smiled. “Marissa and I have an idea that just might fly. Want to hear it?”
Terence now understood why Larry Wright didn’t have his diplomas on display. He didn’t need them for people to know the level of his influence, and of his power and authority. It would have been overkill to flaunt his accomplishments on the wall.
“I’ll listen,” Terence replied coldly. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll go along with you, or that I won’t find another firm to represent me.”
“Good,” Larry replied. “You would be stupid to take anything I say at face value. You should get a second opinion. I’ll have Marissa gather a list of attorneys she hates going up against. When you’ve had a chance to check out the validity of our claims, you can inform us of your decision. Fair enough?”
Despite the fact he had no intention of hiring anyone Marissa might recommend, Terence had the distinct feeling he was being lured into a trap.
“Here is our plan,” Larry went on. “First, we gather an abundance of information against Hannah. So far that has been pretty easy to do. Second, you and I get to know each other better. If this is going to work, we are going to have to trust each other. I need to be up front about this, I will be asking for sole custody. I know that sounds as if I’m asking for your help then cutting you out, but I assure you, that is not my intent. Legally, it wraps things up in a pretty little package, but my main concern is Erika. If I’m successful and able to gain custody, I want you…” he stopped and fixed his eyes on Terence. “No, I expect you to do everything in your power to help her through the transition. In return, you will receive as much access to her as you like. I will never try to keep you apart.” Larry tossed Terence a folder. “In there you will find an agreement that spells out our entire concept. There is also a picture of a small guesthouse on my property that I intend to deed over to you. The two of you would have unlimited access to each other. I don’t want to upset that little girl any more than necessary, but I will have a relationship with her.
“I would prefer not to have to go to war with you, Terence. If Hannah joins in the battle, it could get extremely messy, and I don’t want Erika bloodied in the process.” Larry got up and walked to the door. “I know this is a lot to take in, I’ll give you some time to yourself.”
When the door closed, Terence blindly flipped through the folder. He was livid. For all of Larry’s talk about how wise it would be for Terence to get a second opinion, Larry thought he’d fall in line like a puppy waiting for some scraps to be tossed his way.
Terence was not ready to give up on gaining custody, but Larry had been convincing, and it had shaken his confidence. What if what he said was true? What if the odds of him getting custody were as slim as Larry made them out to be? If that were the case, Terence owed it to himself and Erika to look at Larry’s offer. Something was better than nothing.
He looked at the folder and tried to focus. He read the specs on the guesthouse, which was far bigger than his home on Oahu, and as his anger began to ebb, it was replaced with a new emotion...fear. A fear so intense that his hands began to shake. In all the years he struggled against Alexander and Hannah, he always knew that eventually a judge would see his side and give him a fair shake. Now all he had going for him was the fact that he and Erika loved each other. If he wasn’t Erika’s father, then all his leverage would evaporate, and he’d wind up being that puppy begging for scraps.
He didn’t want to, but he found himself wondering if he and Larry could make the arrangement work.
Fifteen minutes later, Marissa walked in and placed her hand on his shoulder. “How are you doing?”
Terence did not feel inclined to answer.
She stepped forward and leaned against the edge of her father’s desk. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I didn’t know about any of this when I agreed to represent you.”
Terence put her off. “I’m not ready to talk to you. You seem nice enough, and I’m grateful you want to include me in Erika’s life, but I need some time to think. I’ll call you when I’ve decided what I want to do.” He started to get up, but Marissa reached out and placed her hand more firmly on his shoulder.
“What if I can get Erika and you together by tonight? The arrangement would be temporary, and it would be at daddy’s place, but there is a distinct possibility I can make it happen.”
There it was. The trap had been sprung. They left him alone just long enough for him to work himself into a frenzy. But knowing he was being played and being able to do something about it were two different things. He wondered if he would be strong enough to protect Erika from this powerful family. He had to know what he was up against if he was going to have even the slightest chance, so he crossed his arms over his chest and said, “Go on. I’m listening.”
Marissa smiled. “I’ve managed to arrange an emergency hearing this afternoon at two o’clock. We are going to attempt to get a temporary order placing Erika with her biological father. We need your help to make this happen. Please come with us and show the judge that we are working together. We’ll have a much better chance of winning.”
There was the final blow. They were asking him to give up his own fight, and it had taken them less than an hour to do it. He glared at Marissa. “I didn’t think the paternity tests were back.”
“They aren’t, but we have strong evidence indicating Erika’s true parentage. With your cooperation, the court should go along with the arrangement, even if it’s only to make sure Erika gets to school every day.”
Terence closed his eyes. The tag team of Wright and Crandall had thrown everything at him at once. They knew he didn’t want Erika living with Hannah. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see a way out, or that he had much of a choice.
“I’ll do it under one condition,” he answered slowly and chose his words carefully. “Erika is not to be told that I am not her father until the paternity tests have proven it. I don’t want her put through that kind of emotional upheaval, and then have to take it back if this turns out to be one gigantic mistake.”
Marissa gave him an understanding smile. “No one wants that. I’m sure that can wait. Besides, we want to give Erika a chance to get to know us before we spring that bombshell on her.” Marissa reached out and caressed his arm. “I need to warn you, daddy does not believe in keeping secrets. We all need to deal with reality, even Erika.”
Terence didn’t give a rat’s ass what daddy believed in! They could damn well do this his way, or he was out of here. He curled his lip and sneered at Marissa. “You’re not the one having your child taken away.”
Marissa smiled sympathetically. “We’re not going to take Erika away from you. I wish there was some way to get through this without anyone getting hurt, but all we can do is try and minimize it as much as possible.” She cupped his face tenderly in her hands. “You will be able to see Erika as much as you like, I promise. Daddy may eventually gain legal custody, but you will always be a huge part of her life. You will see her more with us than you ever have with Hannah. I know it’s hard to see, but joining forces with us is in your best interest, too.”
Terence grabbed her wrists and pushed her away. Marissa lost her balance and began to fall. He quickly reached out to steady her. Then he saw her shoes. He couldn’t comprehend why anyone in their right mind would wear those spike-heeled things when even the slighted bump could send a woman sprawling.
Marissa’s manner turned skittish. She guiltily smoothed her skirt and
tugged on her blouse.
Terence grew suspicious. “Is there something else?” he asked curtly.
She blinked, just once. It was enough. Terence knew something was amiss.
“No,” she stammered. “I’m being totally forthright about Erika.”
He narrowed his eyes and studied her for a moment longer. She blushed under his scrutiny. “Don’t make me guess, Marissa,” he demanded. “I’m not in the mood for games.”
Marissa lowered her head and rubbed her brow. “Sit down, Terence,” she sighed. “There is something else, but it isn’t about the case. It’s personal.”
Those last two words filled him with apprehension. Marissa was suddenly acting like she had on the dive boat. This was about that stupid yearbook. She still wanted to kiss him. Terence wasn’t about to touch that with a ten-foot pole. He had Annie to think about, and he wasn’t about to piss David off either. The two of them had developed an unspoken alliance and Terence knew he might need his help and support before this was over. “Can you assure me this doesn’t concern Erika in any way?”
Marissa nodded.
He turned to leave. “Then I need to go spread the pain.”
“What are you talking about?”
He stopped and turned around. “Have you forgotten about your best friend? I have to tell Annie that I’ll probably have to move out of her apartment later this afternoon, or didn’t you think about how this was going to affect her?” He was disgusted with both Marissa and her father. “I’ll meet you at the courthouse at two, but you better be playing it straight with me.”
He slammed the door as he exited. Trusting Marissa and her father did not sit well. Everything they said seemed logical. Annie certainly loved and trusted them, but he didn’t have to. If he was out of the picture, Larry Wright and Marissa would have Erika all to themselves. If by some miracle his relationship with Annie survived, the Wrights would be stuck with him. Were they intentionally trying to keep them apart? Did they love Annie and want to see her happy? Or was she expendable if the price of loving her proved to be too high?
He took the stairs down to the main level where Annie’s office was located. It gave him a chance to clear his head.
As he descended, he had his first rational thought of the day. In most corporate buildings, the level of your office depicted your level of importance. Larry and Marissa were on the top, while Annie couldn’t have been any further down the food chain.
He stepped into the hallway on the first floor and immediately felt something different. His footsteps echoed as he walked down the quiet corridor. No music. He quickened his pace and hoped nothing else had gone wrong.
• • •
Annie finished the final touches on an entirely new design for the Barrington’s formal living room. The black rose debacle had cost her far too much money. Together, she and Mrs. Barrington decided to use a beautiful painting, which Mrs. Barrington painted once upon a decade or two ago, as their new inspiration. Their new contract was simple. Mrs. Barrington had to be one hundred percent happy with the new designs. If she was displeased in any way, she was mandated to voice it long before the paint went on the walls and before any architectural feature or accessories had been purchased.
Annie propped the drawing up against the wall and stepped back to view it from a different angle.
Phoebe burst through the door and winked. “There’s a hunk out here wanting to see you. Shall I send him in?”
Terence brushed past Phoebe, not waiting for permission. He was followed by Nathan. Annie smiled brightly. She tossed her pencil over her shoulder and rushed to meet him halfway.
After a brief hug, she introduced Terence to her assistants. “Phoebe, Nathan,” she said, walking back to the door they had just passed through. “This is Terence Javier, a very good friend of mine.”
They exchanged greetings, and Annie held the door open, indicating her assistants should leave.
Nathan caught on and grabbed Phoebe’s arm. “Four is a crowd Phoebe. Let’s go.”
Phoebe tried to protest, but the moment Nathan had her past the entryway, Annie slammed the door and cut off all of her objections.
Terence laughed when Annie ran back and jumped into his arms. “Is everything all right?” he asked, holding her tight against him. “Where’s the music?”
“How do you know about my tunes?”
“I made it a point of finding out everything I could about you,” he said, kissing her lips lightly. “Besides, I could hear it every time I walked into the building.”
“Not true,” Annie laughed. “You have to come at least three-quarters of the way down the corridor before you can hear it.”
“More like halfway.” He kissed the smug look off her face and confessed. “I may have made a wrong turn once or twice on my way to Marissa’s office.” Terence glanced around for any obvious sign of trouble. “How come it’s quiet in here today?”
“Once in a while we have to appear professional. Mrs. Barrington will be here soon, so no music.” She waved her hand in a rolling motion to get him back on topic. “I’m dying to hear what happened upstairs, so talk fast.”
He released her and frowned.
“That bad?”
“Mr. Wright is going to court this afternoon to ask for temporary custody. He and Marissa want me to be there to show my support. They also want me to stay in Mr. Wright’s guesthouse until Erika is comfortable with the new living arrangement.”
• • •
All she heard was that he was leaving her again. Somewhere in there she knew that something good was about to happen for Erika. Annie tried to nod and smile brightly. Failing miserably, she turned away so he couldn’t see how upset she actually was.
“Wait a minute.” Terence wrapped her back in his arms. “I feel just as badly as you, but I have to do this.”
The door burst opened and Mrs. Barrington barged in. Annie blinked away the tears that had begun to well in her eyes.
“Annie dear, I hope you’re ready to help me spend some money. Let’s get this project done.” She stopped and cocked her head provocatively when she saw Terence. “Mr. Javier, how lovely to see you again.”
Terence left Annie’s side and went to greet his new best friend. “Mrs. Barrington! Thank you so much for yesterday. I can’t tell you how much it meant to both me and Annie.”
They embraced warmly, and Annie’s eyes grew wide in amazement.
“It was my pleasure,” Mrs. Barrington patted Terence’s back in a relaxed and friendly fashion. Then she gave him a wink, which she held far too long for anyone to think she was being subtle. “Actually, I think Phoebe and I should go shopping today. You two just carry on with whatever it was you were doing.” She turned and waved her hand gracefully as she glided out of Annie’s office. “I’ll be in touch.”
It was Terence’s turn to be smug. He gave his hands a quick brushing off, plopped down in the chair behind Annie’s desk, and banged his feet up on top of it.
“How did you do that?” Annie demanded. “That woman is impossible and you have her eating out of your hand!”
“I have a way with people.”
“She’s not a person, she’s a piranha.” She shook her finger at him. “What happened right now, and how did you get her off my back yesterday?”
“Don’t you wag your finger at me, missy.”
“Excuse me,” Annie grinned, waving her finger directly under his nose. “Did you just call me missy?”
He grabbed her hand, pulled her into his lap, and kissed her full on the mouth.
“Now,” he said when they came up for air. “Do you want to spend the next few hours discussing Mrs. Barrington or would you prefer to do something a little more constructive with our time?”
Annie felt the tears well back up in her eyes. She tried to blink them back, but they had a life of their own. “Like going back to my place to pack?”
Terence sighed and gently stroked her face. “Go ahead, let it out.”
; She tried not to, but couldn’t stop it. She buried her face in his neck and let the tears roll down her face.
She cried for all the anger and frustration she felt being so far away from him these last few months. Annie cried for what Terence was facing. She cried for Erika, Larry, Marissa, David and their children. Somewhere in there, she even cried for Hannah. Mostly, she cried for herself. Terence was leaving her again.
Crying was not something Annie did on a regular basis. She hadn’t allowed anyone close enough to summon that kind of response since her mother married her stepfather and Annie ceased to exist. Overnight, their home turned into a battlefield with Annie pitted as the enemy.
When her mother and stepfather produced an offspring of their own, her little sister became the chosen one, the golden child, the one who could do no wrong, but in a way, her arrival made Annie’s life easier. The fighting ceased, along with any lingering pretense of caring or affection. Annie had become an unsubstantial life form unworthy of their attention, and that freed Annie to find her own way.
Long after her tears were gone, she and Terence clung to each other in silence. Annie was certain his legs had fallen asleep under her weight, but he didn’t complain, so she stayed where she was until he gently patted her leg.
She stood up and pulled him to his feet, determined not to make another scene. “Let’s go. We might as well get this over with.”
Terence offered a different solution. “Larry might not get custody. Let’s not pack until it’s a done deal.”
Once again, Annie set him straight. “Marissa doesn’t lose. That’s why I recommended her to you.”
Chapter 11
Judge Theresa Sanchez glared down at Marissa from her position of power. Anger blazed from her golden brown eyes. She banged her gavel and barked, “I want all parties related to this case in my chambers, NOW!” Judge Sanchez stormed down from her bench and opened a door for the stunned lawyers and their clients to walk through. She made sure that each one of them felt the heat of her displeasure as they passed by.
