Can't Walk Away

by Sandy James

  Michael’s lawyer stood and leaned closer to him, whispering a few things. After a few tense moments, the two of them finally sat back down.

  “Fine,” Michael said. “Have it your way.”

  Savannah had to bite back a smile.

  Geoffrey calmly took his seat at the head of the table as Brad helped her settle in the chair to her lawyer’s right. Greg sat on Geoffrey’s left, and Brad took the open seat next to Savannah.

  Plucking the file that rested on the table, Geoffrey opened it, cleared his throat, and then began. “This meeting isn’t a formal proceeding, but I would like each and every one of us to speak as though we were under oath.” He effectively arched a gray eyebrow. “Is everyone agreed?”

  There was murmuring of promise among the attendees, although she couldn’t help but notice that Michael remained silent.

  No surprise there. The man didn’t have an honest bone in his body. Had he held his hand on a Bible and sworn to tell the truth, she still wouldn’t believe him.

  “Good. Now…” Geoffrey looked at Michael’s attorney. “Perhaps introductions would be the best way to proceed. I am Geoffrey Jorgenson, attorney for the defendant, Savannah Wolf. To my left is Gregory Jorgenson, Ms. Wolf’s manager.”

  “I’m still her manager,” Michael insisted. “We never terminated our agreement.”

  Before Geoffrey could respond, Michael’s lawyer motioned him closer and a few soft but angry words were exchanged.

  His lawyer leaned back and said, “Apologies for the interruption. Please continue.”

  Although he was frowning, Geoffrey nodded to Brad. “This is Brad Maxwell, an interested party who is here at Ms. Wolf’s invitation.”

  Narrowing his eyes, Michael leaned closer to his attorney again, whispering in his ear. He continued until Geoffrey loudly cleared his throat again. Then Michael’s attorney said, “My client is concerned that we have an uninvolved party in this conference. Frankly, we asked when we called for this meeting for him to stay away, and we would like Mr. Maxwell to leave.”

  Brad leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.

  Savannah shook her head. “He’s here; he’s staying. He goes; I go.”

  Geoffrey waved the notion away. “As I said, he’s a interested party and—”

  “I know all about who he is. He’s her boyfriend,” Michael announced with a sneer.

  Geoffrey folded his hands on top of the file. “Quite frankly, if Ms. Wolf wishes him to be here, his relationship with her is irrelevant and of no concern to you. That being said, my client has made her position clear. Do we proceed with this conference, or do we meet again when depositions are scheduled?”

  Michael’s attorney said something to his client and then cut him off with a clipped, “He stays.”

  “Now, if we may proceed,” Geoffrey said.

  “I’m Tom Cummings,” the lawyer announced. “Y’all know my client, Michael Hart.”

  Geoffrey picked up the top page. “I believe we need to hear from the plaintiff on his rationale for filing this rather…unexpected suit.” He swept his hand across the paper. “I must admit I’m a bit perplexed at why Mr. Hart believes he’s owed anything at all. From my forensic accountant’s examination of Ms. Wolf’s financial documents dating back to the time she was associated with Mr. Hart, my opinion is that Ms. Wolf has good cause to seek her own suit.”

  “We had a contract that never ended,” Michael insisted, brushing aside his attorney’s hasty attempt to hush him. “She’s making a shit-ton of money, and she owes me my thirty percent. I’m her manager.”

  Savannah was poised to launch a verbal attack at him when Greg put his hand over hers and gave her a curt shake of his head.

  “As part of discovery,” Geoffrey said, “I will of course ask to see the executed management contract.”

  A flush spread over Michael’s face. “We had a verbal agreement.”

  An easy smile spread over Geoffrey’s face. “Ah. A verbal agreement. Did that verbal agreement happen to give Mr. Hart the authorization to remove all the funds in the checking and savings accounts he shared with Ms. Wolf?”

  When Michael tried to answer, Tom stopped him with a slash of his hand. “We’re not here to discuss any personal matters between the parties, which includes funds that both parties had access to and the ability to remove without the other’s permission. What we want is what’s due my client per their managerial agreement, which is what she’s earned in performances and recordings. The agreement he has with Miss Wolf is that he will receive thirty percent of—”

  Brad let out a jeer. “Thirty percent? What kind of manager gets thirty percent?”

  “This one does,” Michael replied. “The best.”

  “Oh?” Brad shook his head with a rueful snort. “Then you’re the reason why she’s recording for Allied Sound? You’re the reason she’s rising on the charts? Don’t make me laugh.”

  “Damn right I’m the reason,” Michael said. “She got her start in this business because of me.” He jabbed his thumb against his chest. “I deserve a piece of the pie.”

  “Gentlemen, please,” Geoffrey said. “Let’s keep things civil.”

  Greg chimed in for the first time. “Thirty percent would be considered robbery by any reputable manager or agent.”

  “It’s what she agreed to,” Michael retorted with a shrug.

  “Mr. Hart, I would assert that you leaving my client and absconding with all funds available to both parties would bring an abrupt end to whatever verbal agreement existed between you two.” Geoffrey shuffled through the papers in the file and pulled one out. He slid it neatly down the table to have it come to rest in front of Michael. “I also believe we need to discuss another couple of issues.”

  Michael picked up the paper and his eyes widened. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

  With a rather wicked smile, Geoffrey said, “I never kid, Mr. Hart. From my accountant, we’ve determined that you currently owe Ms. Wolf back child support, including interest, in the amount of—”

  “I didn’t want a kid!” Michael shouted. “I’m not paying Savannah a dime for any child support! She was careless enough to get knocked up—”

  His lawyer interrupted him with an angry glare and a “Stop it” that might have been whispered but contained quite a bit of censure. Then he directed his attention to Geoffrey. “The issue of Mr. Hart’s representation and whether he is culpable for child support are unrelated.”

  “I disagree,” Geoffrey retorted. “You’re asking for funds you believe are owed your client; I’m simply returning the favor.”

  * * *

  Brad began to tune out the chess match of negotiations between the two lawyers before his blood pressure skyrocketed. Geoffrey seemed to have things well in hand, and he hadn’t even used his trump card yet—the card Brad’s research had given him. Instead, he focused on sizing up Michael Hart.

  The guy was a prick through and through. What Brad couldn’t understand was why Savannah had fallen for him in the first place. The man was arrogant, pigheaded, and seemed to believe that his opinions were fact. Not once did he admit he was wrong in the way he’d treated Savannah. He spoke about Caroline as if she were some unwanted burden, which made Brad’s blood boil.

  Then he realized what truly bothered him the most. His own personality held far too many similarities. The burst of self-awareness was unwelcome and uncomfortable. Hell, he’d done all the same sorts of things to the poor woman. The career he’d tried to build for her had been his creation, not her own design.

  One huge difference made him find some hope. It was plain that Michael never truly loved Savannah. From what Brad could see, the idiot was a narcissist, caring for no one but himself. Brad loved Savannah. He loved Caroline. He would never hurt them. Every dime Savannah earned was hers to use as she wished, and Greg did exactly what she wanted him to do and charged her a reasonable manager’s fee. Otherwise Brad would never have introduced them.

  I’m not
like Michael Hart. I’m not.

  Having lost himself in thought, Brad was taken by surprise when Michael shoved his chair back and jumped to his feet. His fist slammed down on the table. “I’m sick and tired of this. I want what’s due me.”

  While Tom tugged at Michael’s shirtsleeve, Geoffrey calmly said, “Get a hold of your client or this meeting is over.”

  Michael brushed his attorney’s hand away. He directed a glare at Savannah. “Know this, Savannah. If you don’t give me what I’m due, I’m going to make your life a living hell. Think the press is bad now? I’ve only just gotten them started.”

  “What are you talking about?” she asked, the confusion plain in her voice.

  He jerked his thumb in Brad’s direction. “Who do you think told them all the dirt on this moron? I still have lots of friends in the press. Friends who can destroy you. After that’s done, then do you know what I’ll do, sweetheart?”

  Geoffrey was on his feet, as were Brad and Greg.

  “Stop your threats right now, Mr. Hart,” Geoffrey said as he pulled his phone from his jacket’s breast pocket, “or I’ll be forced to call the—”

  Michael kept right on as though Geoffrey were nothing more than an annoying insect. “If I don’t get my money, I’ll use all that dirt to take the kid away from you. So find a way to pay me what I deserve, or you’ll be sorry.” Turning on his heel, he strode out of the office, his sputtering attorney following in his wake.

  A moment later, Penelope came dashing into the conference room wide-eyed with phone in hand. “Is everyone okay? I’m going to call security.”

  “No need,” Geoffrey replied as he slid his phone back into his jacket. After taking his seat, he gestured for everyone else to do the same. “I believe Mr. Hart will be well away before security could even get here. But thank you, Penelope.”

  “You’re welcome.” She closed the door behind her as she left the conference room.

  Brad took Savannah’s hand in his, angry that she was trembling. “He’s all talk, Savannah.”

  She didn’t respond, looking to Geoffrey with pleading eyes that made Brad wish he would have grabbed Michael and punched him in the mouth.

  “While I’d like to tell you that he’s all talk,” Geoffrey said, “we need to do our best to be prepared should he follow through with any of his threats.”

  “Could he really take Caroline away?” she asked in a whisper-soft voice.

  “No, I don’t believe so,” Geoffrey replied. “He might try, but I doubt there’s a judge in the entire state who would ever grant that man custody. Visitation, however limited, might be approved.”

  Greg frowned. “I should’ve realized there was someone fanning the fires behind all the bad press.”

  “How could you have known?” Brad asked. “That jackass might have set a few dogs on us, but the reporters were the ones that turned it into a feeding frenzy.”

  “Brad is right,” Geoffrey said. “Mr. Hart is claiming far too much credit.” He put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I do have to ask, Savannah, are you at all amenable to offering some kind of financial settlement simply to make this problem disappear?”

  “You mean buy him off?” Brad asked.

  “Unseemly as it sounds, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Greg said, “Would you even consider that, Savannah?”

  When she took a while to answer, Brad had his say. “Don’t forget what he stole from you—already.” He turned to Geoffrey. “Why would you even suggest something like that?”

  “Because it’s my job to represent my client’s best interests. In a perfect world, justice would be served and Mr. Hart would be forced to repay what he clearly owes Savannah. Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect world. Sometimes throwing some grease at a squeaking wheel is the easiest solution to a problem.”

  “Easiest,” Savannah finally said. “But not necessarily best. The man has one big problem that a financial settlement wouldn’t eliminate.”

  “And that is?” Geoffrey asked.

  “He’s never satisfied. Nothing is ever enough. If I toss some money at him just to make him go away, it would only ensure he’d be back wanting more in the future.”

  Greg nodded. “I have to agree. I might also add that you’re obviously in a much better financial state than you were before we began to work together, but you work hard for what you have. The man doesn’t deserve your hard-earned money.”

  “Again,” Brad added. “He’s already stolen from you once. I wouldn’t let him do it a second time.”

  Her forlorn sigh hit him like a punch in the gut. “I can’t let him threaten my daughter.”

  Brad gave her hand a squeeze. “Geoffrey won’t let him near Caroline.” He shifted his gaze to the lawyer. “Will you?”

  Surprisingly, Geoffrey shook his head. “Where it comes to child custody, I can’t make promises like that. Should he follow through and try to sue for visitation rights or custody, all I can do is attempt to get the court to understand why that man would be a detrimental influence on Caroline’s life.”

  Savannah paled. “You mean he’d have a chance to take her away?”

  “Not a real chance,” Brad replied. “No way.”

  “A slim chance,” Geoffrey clarified. “Very, very slim, but in all honesty, he would have a chance. No one can ever predict what a judge will do when everything is said and done, and the man is, unfortunately, her biological father.”

  The change in her was so subtle that Brad doubted the other men saw it. Her lips pulled into a thin line as she tightened her jaw. He knew that look well—it was determination.

  Good. That meant she was finally realizing that she could fight Michael and win. Once she set her mind to something, she’d always get it done.

  Geoffrey gathered the papers together, placed them in the folder, and closed it. “Might I suggest we meet again on Friday morning and talk about drawing up battle plans for how we can handle whatever Michael Hart throws our way?”

  Greg checked the calendar on his phone. “Ten works for me. Savannah?”

  “Fine.” Her reply was curt. She didn’t even check her calendar.

  “It’ll be fine, love,” Brad said.

  She didn’t even wait for him to pull her chair out for her, jumping to her feet, grabbing her purse, and slinging it over her shoulder. “I need to go.” Without another word, she left even as Brad tried to call her back.

  Sometimes Savannah needed her space, and if he chased after her like a puppy, it might make things worse. He was left staring at the brothers. “Should I go after her?”

  “Let her breathe,” Greg replied. “She probably just needs a moment.” He rolled his eyes. “What a waste of air that man is.”

  “Agreed,” Geoffrey said.

  “Money can bring out the worst in people,” Greg added.

  Brad let out a snort. “Worst is all that guy has to offer.”

  “Well, then…” Geoffrey pushed his chair back and rose. “It will be my job to make sure he stays as far away from Savannah and Caroline as possible.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Brad didn’t officially hit panic mode until sixteen hours had passed.

  He’d left Savannah’s house around nine the night before. Not because he wanted to, but because she told him she was tired and really wanted some time alone to process everything that had happened in Geoffrey’s office. Even though he thought she needed him more than she was willing to say, he’d reluctantly given her what she wanted.

  Now he regretted it.

  At first, he’d just been irritated with her. He’d texted when he got home to tell her he loved her and remind her that he was in her corner. After the confrontation with Michael, she’d been rattled. No wonder. The guy had tossed around threats like cheap confetti. So Brad had made a point of trying to encourage her about the situation, telling her repeatedly that things were going to turn out fine in the end. Something he believed to be true.

  Each time he trie
d to reassure her, Savannah only seemed to grow more distant. And she didn’t return his last text of the night, in which he told her again how much he loved her and how he would be there no matter what happened.

  And then the weapon he’d been searching for had finally arrived. Just as Brad had suspected, Michael’s business dealings with other clients had been every bit as deceitful as his representation of Savannah. His private investigators now had three separate sworn affidavits from performers Michael had defrauded and were wrapping up two more statements. Having those would give Savannah the upper hand.

  But Brad hadn’t even had a chance to tell her the news, because she’d disappeared. He hadn’t been able to get in touch with her by any means. His texts went unanswered, as did his phone calls. When he dialed her number, his call went immediately to voice mail. The first messages he left were pleasant, but with each new message, he could hear his tone growing angrier and then becoming frantic.

  Now, he sat in his office, staring at his cell as he willed Savannah to respond. He called her number one more time.

  “This is Savannah Wolf. I’m not available—”

  “Fuck this.”

  He dialed Joslynn.

  She answered on the fourth ring. “Hi, Brad.”

  “Savannah’s not answering her phone.”

  “Did she let her battery run out again?” She sounded sleepy.

  He’d forgotten she was working night shifts at the hospital. “Sorry to wake you. I’m just really worried about her.”

  “Let me try to call her. Hold on.”

  The seconds ticked by slowly as he waited to see if Savannah was avoiding him and would talk to Joslynn.

  She came back on the line. “Went right to voice mail. Want me to go to her place?”

  “No,” Brad replied. “I’ll check with a couple of other people, then I’ll head over there.”

  “Please text me when you find her. I’ll never get back to sleep now.”

  “I’m sorry I bothered you,” he said. His worries for Savannah were making his stomach churn. “I’ll keep you posted, and please let me know if you hear from her.”