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“The mother has threatened to take you to court for custody of your daughter.”
“She what?” I whispered.
“She has no case. We’ve pushed back, and she instantly returned with a counteroffer. She’s claiming she just wants to know her stepdaughter is safe, and the method she proposes is by seeing her in person. If she’s satisfied, she won’t push for custody, but she also wants a promise that you’ll attend her sons’ company stakeholder meeting a few days later.”
My mind raced, tripping up over itself. “Why would she threaten a custody case without any chance of winning?”
Scarlet’s tone turned serious. “To present this as a bargain. She won’t get custody, but she knows a challenge in court could be messy and time-consuming to handle.”
“All to get me to come to their meeting? What would that give them?”
“The chance to persuade you to vote on their side. The paperwork they left at your friend’s house outlines a proposalthat ties up Tobi’s inheritance and gives her no control or access for years.”
“Then there is money.” I shrank in on myself.
“Undoubtedly. Mrs Winchester also begged forgiveness for not handing over the will yet. She gave the excuse that her lawyer’s office had suffered a flood and they lost access to all systems. She’s happy to supply a hard copy in the access meeting.”
“Where she wants to see Tobi in the flesh.” My tone came out dull. “When does she want to do that?”
“Monday, in Dundee.”
I shivered, suddenly freezing. “What do you suggest? All I know is I don’t want to go near them.”
“Hard question—are you worried that they’ll try to snatch Tobi?”
I gave it a moment of thought. “No. Honestly, they seemed to like her when we lived with them, but taking her from me would destroy any case they had, wouldn’t it?”
“Entirely. My lawyer suggests you show willingness and go ahead with the initial meeting. They see Tobi, we have it on paper that you attended and that your daughter is fine, then we get that will and have time to read it before the shareholder’s meeting. I’ll go with you, and my lawyers will be there, too. They can do all the talking. Is there someone else you can ask for moral support?”
From the water’s edge, Valentine sighted me. He cocked his head in enquiry, his arm swinging to toss Tobi the ball even as his attention was all mine.
“Yes, I think so,” I replied.
“Good. Should I agree?”
I took a breath. The only danger, when coming face to face with the Winchesters, was to me when seeing Greg, for he’d attend, I was certain. I hadn’t told Valentine the full story,stopping short of my most embarrassing act. Of how Greg had turned on the charm and idiot-me had accepted his flattery and been led in. That humiliation was mine alone. I could bear it for the sake of seeing this through.
I’d run, I’d hidden, and I’d ducked issues. Now I needed to wise up and claim my daughter’s rights.
“Please do.”
Chapter 33
Valentine
Fury had me stabbing buttons on my phone.
My brother answered right away. “Good timing that ye called. I just heard from the Spanish police. They made an arrest. The guy who stabbed ye is a known criminal and he’s facing?—”
“Grand. Hold that thought. I have a favour to ask. It’s urgent.”
“Name it.” He waited on my word.
I never asked anything of him, ever, but I was going in all guns blazing now.
From the moment Mia had taken her phone call on the banks of Loch Morlich, I knew something was wrong, but it was only once Tobi fell asleep this evening that she’d given me the details along with a request for me to be there with her.
Of course I fucking would.
