Drew sorted through his wallet, gave the plastic card to the judge, who in turn passed it to the clerk. “Run a quick background check.”
Raven leaned toward Ava. “What’s that about?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Ava replied without taking her gaze off the two men. “Maybe the judge is weighing another option.”
“He sure does take a long time on one case.”
“He can afford to. We’re the only one on the morning docket today.”
Raven glanced at Pierce, who shrugged, then strolled to the front of the court room and took a seat next to her. He linked his hands with hers.
Ava glanced at the gesture and grinned. “See, persistence did pay off.”
Raven nudged Ava’s side. “Forget you.”
Several minutes later, the judge reappeared with a shell-shocked Drew in tow.
Ava sat up. “Uh-oh. This can’t be good.”
The lanky, red-haired sheriff brought in a document, and the clerk passed it on.
The judge took his seat, rubbing a hand over his bald head, and looked up. “The children have decided that they don’t want to stay with their mother.”
Raven’s heart fluttered in relief.
“And,” the judge’s blue-eyed gaze landed on Raven and Ava, “they don’t wish to stay with their aunt, either.”
Raven turned to Ava, gripped her arm. “What the hell is going on?”
“I am ruling that guardianship be temporarily granted to Andrew Ripley.”
Dina’s jaw fell in an unladylike fashion. Drew sheepishly peered at Janetta, who glowered as though he had stolen the goose that laid the golden egg. Maybe he had—the children came with $10,000 and monthly stipends that were double what he already made.
Raven jumped to her feet. “Your Honor, he doesn’t even take care of his own three children. How can he take care of them?” Although Drew was smart enough to do better, he deliberately took low-paying jobs, or jobs that paid cash so he could stay under the child-support radar—he was that adverse to giving anything to his ex-wives, even though the money was actually for the children.
“Ms. Ripley, please let your attorney do your talking,” the judge admonished Raven, who slumped down in the seat and nudged Ava pleadingly.
Ava stood, looked at the judge, then gestured toward Raven. “She has a valid point, your honor.”
“I’m well aware of Mr. Ripley’s shortcomings, counselor, but the children said they are more comfortable with him than their mother—or an aunt they only know because she’s bought them presents on holidays and birthdays.”
Raven nearly cried out, but held her tongue as the implications washed over her. Had it really seemed that way to them?
“I’ll follow this case closely.” He quickly checked his calendar. “Let’s all meet back here in a few weeks to see how things are going. I want everyone present or I will rule for whoever’s in attendance.”
“Your Honor,” Ava began, “there is the pressing issue of protecting their inheritance.”
“There is that,” he said, rubbing his chin and flipping to the last page in the file. “As I understand it, the money is…already on its way into an account that their mother set up a few days ago.” The judge grimaced as he looked at Janetta. “You went all the way to the suburbs for that one. I’m issuing an order to be faxed to that branch today.” He waggled a finger at her as he continued, “If there’s so much as one dime missing from the amount stated in Ms. Ripley’s petition, you will be held in contempt of court.”
Janetta folded her arms across her chest.
“So if you’ve borrowed anything, it had better be back in that account before I get the bank statement, or I’ll have your butt thrown in jail. Is that understood?”
Janetta could only stare back at him numbly.
“I don’t see how you were able to open it in their names in the first place,” he spat.
Janetta smirked, pulling a piece of paper from her bra and holding it up. “I don’t even have to be here. Judge Calkins already gave custody of my children back to me.”
T. J. nudged her to shut her up.
“Let me see that, Ms. Ripley,” demanded the judge.
Janetta stood frozen.
“Let me see it!”
Janetta held back for a moment, withering under the judge’s hard scowl. She waddled to the clerk and slid the sheet forward. The clerk glanced at it and passed it to the judge.
“When did this happen?”
“Yesterday.”
“After our mother’s funeral!” Raven shrieked. Ava and Pierce both sent her a look, warning her to be cool. She slowly lowered back into the seat.
“Which explains why it wasn’t in the file. So tell me, Ms. Ripley, were you going to ignore my ruling and run through that money?”
That cow would have cleared out the account and no one could have stopped her! Raven could barely contain her anger. Ava gripped her arm to keep her in the seat.
“That’s not it, Your Honor,” Janetta protested, trying to come up with a lie to placate his rising fury.
“Then what were your intentions specifically?”
“I want my kids.”
The judge scanned the paperwork. “You haven’t wanted them all this time. Why now?”
“My mother’s dead.”
“And I’m sorry for your loss,” he replied evenly. “The fact remains that the children wish to live with their uncle.” Then his gaze narrowed at her. “If I put an order in place for the money to remain untouched, and their monthly stipends to go to your brother to buy clothes, school supplies, and other things they might need, how would that sit with you?”
“Well, I…well…well, I…” Janetta sputtered like a broken down Chevy. “I couldn’t take care of them.”
“My point exactly.” He waggled a pudgy finger at her. “I am not going to allow you to live off your children’s money. Besides being greedy, it’s illegal.”
Raven wanted to cheer.
“But he ain’t much better,” Janetta gestured to her brother. “He don’t pay child support for his own kids.”
The judge looked down at a now shame-faced Drew. “That’s a separate case. We’re dealing with the welfare of your children. My initial ruling would have been for Ms. Ripley, but I must take the children’s wishes seriously, given their ages. I think it’s high time both you and Mr. Ripley start acting like the adults you’re supposed to be. A little court-ordered responsibility and parenting classes should do the trick.” He turned to Raven. “Ms. Ripley, it is my hope that you will still share a vested interest in the children.”
Raven stood. “Your Honor, may I speak for myself or does my lawyer have to—”
“Go ahead.”
“All I want is for them to be safe.” Raven looked at Manny and Kayla. “I will help my niece and nephew as much as needed, and will support my brother in his efforts to provide a home for them.”
“I expected that,” he said with a simple nod and pointed look in her direction. “You’ll be more needed than you realize.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Ms. Ripley, I’m striking the other court order, and I’ll make sure that I’ll be the only judge to hear this case from now on.” He peered at a still silent Drew, who had been ignoring Dina’s efforts to speak to him. “The children will reside with Mr. Ripley and his wife. You can work out visitations accordingly.”
“I can visit them?” Janetta asked, flicking a sour look his way. “I live in the house where they grew up. That should count for something.”
“No, Your Honor,” Drew said, rising. “She stole the keys when she stopped by my house the other day.”
“But it’s my mother’s house.”
“You know she wouldn’t want you and T. J. living there.” Drew crossed the distance between them. “Not after everything you did to her. It’s ‘cause of you she’s dead. Stressed out from all your bull—”
“Sounds like a matter for probate court.” The j
udge tapped the end of the papers then passed them to the clerk. “My work here is done.”
Raven walked toward her niece and nephew, hugged each one, and gave them her card.
“I’m sorry, Auntie Rav,” Kayla said as she pulled away. “It’s just that we, you know, we…”
Raven forced a smile. “I know, sweetie. It’s no problem. I’ll talk with you soon.”
Manny came up for a second and third hug. She smiled down at him, saying, “Everything’s going to be fine,” though she wasn’t as sure of that as she pretended. “If either of you need anything—anything at all—please call me.”
Drew was frozen in shock, his face void of any expression. “I don’t know how I’m going to do this. I have to work weekends at the club.”
Raven reached for his hand. “Let’s see what we can work out for me to keep them during the times you have to work.”
“That would be great.” He let out a long slow breath of relief. “Thanks, Raven.”
The judge grinned.
“Little devil,” Raven murmured before she introduced Drew, Dina, Manny, and Kayla to Pierce.
“Ms. Armand?” The judge’s voice carried across the room.
Surprised he had called her by her pen name, Raven turned slowly. “Yes, Your Honor?”
“My wife is a big fan of yours. Thank you for a few sleepless nights,” he said with a wink.
Ava coughed, and Pierce proudly patted her back.
Raven knew her face had turned red, bright red. “I’m pleased you have…ah…enjoyed my work.”
Ava and Pierce barely held in their laughter as Raven elbowed them.
Janetta marched over to Drew. “I need to speak with you, now!” Janetta demanded, ruining the moment. “When am I gonna see ‘em, asshole?”
Raven looked at Drew, who closed his eyes, lips twitching in an effort to hold in his frustration. Her heart went out to him. This wasn’t the first time Drew had felt Janetta’s wrath; it wouldn’t be the last.
She looked back at the judge and mouthed the words, “Thank you,” before turning to Ava and away from the spectacle Janetta was making. “Why do I feel like I’ve just dodged a bullet?”
“Because you have,” Ava confirmed. “Can you imagine having to deal with her on a daily basis, phone calls, visits to your home?”
Raven shuddered. “Oh, Lord. I didn’t think about that.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Time to go, ladies,” Pierce said, looking in Drew’s direction as Janetta peppered her comments to her brother with a few more “assholes,” and “deadbeat” to punctuate her point.
“The judge knew, didn’t he?
“He’s been on the bench for thirty years,” Ava said, falling into step behind the couple as they headed for the elevator. “So he certainly did.”
“Why wouldn’t I be the best candidate? I don’t need their money.”
Pierce answered, “The children know your brother better. And the judge has read your novels. So he knows you better.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He gave temporary custody to Drew, knowing there’s a good possibility that it won’t work because of the responsibility involved. But then like the judge said, Drew may surprise us.”
Ava smiled at Pierce. “Raven, look at it this way: The children get their wish and will have an opportunity to visit with you and get to know you, and the money is protected because they aren’t with Janetta. She has a few weeks to get her act together, to even attempt to get them back, something we all know won’t happen. So you’ll have to let it ride for now.”
Raven’s phone rang. Martina’s soft voice on the other end forced Raven to stop walking. Her jovial mood disappeared. “Raven, it’s time. You need to be here in thirty minutes.”
Since Pierce had returned, Raven had been weighing the pros and cons of going to the Castle now versus spending another two years without her questions answered. And what if things with Pierce didn’t last? Either way had consequences that could deeply affect her relationship with him. “I understand. Thank you.”
She turned to Ava and Pierce, who were watching her intently. “I’m going to need you guys to drop me off somewhere.”
Pierce’s dark brown eyes narrowed to slits. “What’s this about, Raven?”
Raven hesitated, taking in his thunderous expression for several moments before saying, “I have to take this appointment at the Castle.”
“What the hell is the Castle?”
“I have to do this for me, Pierce. Otherwise I can’t totally commit to you.”
Pierce paced a moment before coming to stand back. “And you can’t tell me what’s going on?”
She simply shook her head, avoiding Ava’s hot glare.
“I thought you trusted me,” he said, tension simmering in his voice.
“I do, but—”
“Only to a certain point,” he snarled. “Do what you have to do. You don’t want to tell me what’s really going on, that says a lot about us.”
He stormed away, leaving Ava to glower angrily at Raven. “You want too much, Raven. You already said that he’s the perfect man for you, and you’re about to screw it all up and for what?” She poked a finger in Raven’s chest. “To find out the answers to something you already know.”
Yes, Raven had considered that. But this was something she had to do.
Thirty-Six
Pierce paced the length of the condo, fuming at Raven’s disappearance. He hadn’t heard from her in hours. She’d said she’d be back by midnight, and it was well past that. What the hell was this Castle? And who the hell was the man who had given her such a fond greeting at the door, as if he knew her intimately? Why hadn’t Raven discussed this with him before jumping off into some secret club? Hell, he might have been down with the program if he knew what the hell the program was!
Ava had been tight-lipped on the way back to the condo. They were halfway there before he was able to get out even basic information.
“Ava, what is this Castle deal really?”
She turned the car onto Lake Shore Drive, biting her bottom lip while navigating her sliver Mercedes smoothly into traffic, avoiding his stare the entire time as though she didn’t know whether to say anything at all. “It’s an exclusive club up north. It’s in a castle-styled mansion that sits on several acres of land on one stretch, and a beach and Lake Michigan on the other. Some of the members live there. they call themselves by titles like King, Queen, Lady, Lord, Maid and things like that.”
Okay, that told him a lot. “So it’s sort of like the Playboy Mansion, but with an Old English spin?”
Ava stared at the road straight ahead, hand tightening on the steering wheel.
“And exactly what happens in this place?”
She hesitated again, as Pierce’s rage simmered. “Anything and everything you can imagine. Some you…can’t.”
Pierce gleaned from her disapproving tone that he wouldn’t like to hear more on the subject, and she had reached her limit of shared information, so he didn’t press any further. He’d get his answers straight from the source. Raven said she’d be back in about six hours.
❤ ❤ ❤
Lady Ann extended her hand to Raven. Shaking like a leaf, Raven silently followed the woman who could possibly change her life as she led her down a long corridor within the Castle, past a series of dark rooms, and into an opulent corner suite.
Raven stood at the threshold, fighting the urge to run. Lady Ann gestured inside, which was done in rich shades of purple. “Come in and make yourself comfortable. In here I’m just Ann, and you’re whatever you want to be called.”
“Raven. Just Raven, please.” Her head tilted. “You don’t like to be called Lady, either?”
She closed the door, then leaned against it. “I’m every bit a lady, but in here titles have no place. We’re both on equal ground. Two women, sharing time and space, and possibly…more.”
Raven blinked, absorbing that bit
of information. “Why was my virgin status so important to you, to all those other women?”
Ann took a seat across from Raven. “That first time, especially here, is extremely important.”
“Why?”
“First time with a man brings up memories of pain before pleasure—if it even was pleasurable. First time with a woman is all about seduction, sensuousness, pleasure, and going into it with consent. Also, it takes a special kind of woman to be conditioned for as long as you have. Queen Martina and her husband have brought you to a point that a mere touch can make you reach your peak. And watching a woman have that first all-out orgasm is pure heaven.” Ann removed her blazer, letting it fall onto the chair behind her. “Thankfully, your tests came back negative, but for the life of me I can’t figure out why you would jeopardize your life and a two-year appointment by having unprotected sex with a man.” She reached up, pulled the pins from her hair, letting it fall about her shoulders in a cascade of auburn curls.
Raven pushed away any feelings of guilt where her time with Pierce was concerned, explained Pierce’s…circumstances, and almost laughed at the stricken expression on Ann’s classically pretty face.
“How many inches is he?”
Raven gave her best estimate.
“Damn!’
The woman didn’t know the half of it.
Ann strolled over to the mini-bar, gestured to the top row, which included a bottle of plantation rum. “Would you like a drink?”
“How drunk do I need to be?”
Ann grinned, then shrugged.
“No,” Raven finally answered. “I think I should be stone cold sober.”
“Bailey’s?” Ann offered with a smirk.
“I can do that. It’s not a drink; it’s dessert.”
Ann poured them both a glass of the Irish crème, then unbuttoned her blouse.
“Can I ask you a question?” Raven asked, feeling the butterflies taking off and landing in her stomach.
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