Judge Quigley’s eyebrows hit his hairline. “Goodness. So this establishment isn’t legal.”
Ethan shook with anger. Mutters spread. Cora slid his hand into his.
“And did Detective Inspector Purnell know that?” Judge Quigley asked Finn. “Margaret?” He turned towards his sister.
Finn opened his mouth, but Ethan cut him off. “No. I kept the information secret while my solicitor studied the case to find a solution. Finn had no idea. Even Lady Kingsley didn’t know it.”
Lady Kingsley put a hand on her rising chest. “Barnaby, you know me. I don’t understand property law.”
Judge Quigley was about to say something, but Roxbury scoffed.
“Excellent.” Roxbury clapped his hands. “Now that we’ve established how ridiculous you people all are, we can move on from this drama. Here’s my proposition. I will help you with this little legal problem and let your soldiers stay here if David comes with me. If you refuse…” He sighed. “Then I’ll have your guests kicked out of this building right now. Judge Quigley knows I have every right to do so. Your choice, Stark.”
Unfortunately, Roxbury was right, but he wouldn’t hand him David. “The boy stays here where he belongs with his family.”
“No, the boy will come with me while I file the documents for his custody,” Roxbury said.
“That’s utmost irregular.” Judge Quigley shook a fist. “David stays here.”
Roxbury shrugged. “Have it your way then. The police will take your soldiers.”
“You’ll have to go through me,” Ethan said, closing his fists.
“We’ll leave, Commander,” one of the soldiers said. “You’ve been kind to us, but we can’t allow you to make such a horrible choice.”
“We’re used to being kicked out,” another one said. “This place was too good to be true.”
Cora hugged David. “It’s not fair. How are you going to live out of here?” she asked the soldiers.
“Since you can’t choose between your soldiers and David, I’ll take both.” Roxbury waved towards the officers. “Gentlemen.”
“No, wait.” David shrugged free from Cora’s grip. “Leave them alone. I’ll come with you.”
“David, no,” Cora said at the same time as Ethan said, “Don’t do this.”
“Finally, some sense.” Roxbury turned around. “Come, rat. Say goodbye to your mother, or should I say, farewell?”
Tears welling in his eyes, David hugged Cora. “Mama.”
“No, no.” She squeezed him hard. “You aren’t leaving me.”
“It’s my choice.” He disentangled himself from her grip. “You and Lord Stark have been brave. It’s my turn.”
Cora turned towards Ethan. “I have to go with him.”
No, no, no. What the hell was happening? Ethan needed to think. With a bit of time, he would manage to find a legal solution. But he hated leaving Cora and David with Roxbury for one single second.
Roxbury smirked. “Good. A proper family reunion. Come, Cora. We have to talk about many things.”
David took Ethan’s hand. “Thank you for what you have done for me.” He wrapped his arms around him. “Thank you, Papa,” he whispered. “For me, you’re my only papa.”
That was the moment Ethan’s heart broke. He held David back, feeling the boy’s body quivering. No, Ethan wouldn’t let him go. Never. “You’re my son, David, and I made a promise. I won’t let anything happen to you, and I won’t let Roxbury takeyou. Ever.” He released David and gently pushed him towards Cora. “I have a proposition,” he said.
Roxbury exhaled. “You aren’t in the position?—”
“I challenge you to a fight.” Ethan’s voice boomed in the hall.
Roxbury stomped his walking stick on the floor. “I’m not going to fight with you.”
