Against the Odds (Fighting to Survive #2)(26)

“Problem? No, I wouldn’t call it a problem. But we do need to talk.”

“Please, sit down.” I point to the chair on the other side of my mahogany desk. As I walk to take my seat I ask, “What’s going on?” I already know this has to do with Madison. I have a legal team that works for me for my business, but Ryland Reed is my one and only attorney to handle anything and everything that has to do with Madison. Actually, Reed was my second choice; Bruce Myles was my first pick. I was mad as hell when I learned that the Grethers had already hired him as counsel.

“I received this in the mail today and thought you would want to see it.” He hands me two manila envelopes. He instructs, “Open the one on top first.”

He waits patiently as I read the short and to the point legal document. “I guess we’ll have to cancel our cruise next month,” I joke. I know they did this because they think we’ll run with Madison. If I thought for a split second that I would lose her, I would have.


“I’m glad you’re not planning on moving to Europe with her. Now read the other one,” he nods to the second manila envelope.

I open it up and lean back in my black leather desk chair to read it. I feel my blood pressure rise and a tic in my jaw. I rock back and forth as I continue to read the letter from the Family Court. My brows furrow together and my head becomes hot. I am pissed! “The Grethers are seeking full custody of my Madison.”

“It’s just a ploy.”

“How can you be sure?”

“It’s a result of the lack of communication between us and them. I have done as you asked, against my better judgment, and this is their retaliation.”

“And you think you should have been compliant with their demands every time they called?” I ask in a calmer tone than I would usually use.

“Civil, yes. I explained to you that we need to keep the upper hand when it comes to Madison. You have her; now we need to keep her.”

“Set up an appointment with them and let’s see what they want.”

“Okay, and Drake, if you don’t let me do my job, you’ll lose her, forever.”

I nob and that is my dismissal to him. I watch as he stands to leave and I say just before he opens the door, “Ryland?” He turns to look at me and I say slow, steady, and in a firm voice, “You do what you have to. You dig deep and find any dirt you can on Leah and on her husband, Bobby. I WILL NOT lose Madison.”

He nods and walks out the door.

Robert

Leah and I have been alternating rooms for her to lie in. She goes from the bedroom, family room, and the patio. I watch as she looks in the nursery every time we walk by. Strict doctor instructions prohibit Leah from standing or sitting for any length of time.

As soon as we are in bed, I open up the laptop and Google chaise lounge. Soon the screen is covered with images of fainting couch, recliners, and lounge chairs. “What are you looking for?” Leah asks.

“I thought we could get you a chaise for the baby’s room. Maybe you can start to spend some time in there. Let our daughter get used to her room.”

“We would love that,” Leah admits. “Can you go to Coconis Furniture so we can see what they have?”

“Never heard of it, but whatever you want.”

“Thank you. Sara and Brea were talking about it awhile back. It’s a non-franchise, family-owned and operated furniture store in their hometown. From what they were saying, their furniture is better quality than any place around here.” We shop and Leah decides on a sage green color chaise.

Leah and I talk some about Madison and I don’t tell her that I had Bruce file for full custody of her. She gets upset every time Madison or the Sinclairs are mentioned. I’ll need to tell her sometime, but not now. She’ll either be upset or…she’ll be upset. Leah and her pregnancy hormones, I’m sure Leah won’t be happy. It’s best I wait to tell her.

I watch Leah sleep and I find comfort in knowing she and the baby are safe. I thank God and talk to Jamie and tell her that Leah and the baby have made it through another day of pregnancy. One day at a time, I keep reminding myself.

The next morning Mom comes over and stays with Leah while I go to Upper Cut for my workout. I run to the cemetery first before I run across town to the gym. “The Eye of the Tiger” blasts through my ear drums and the adrenaline rushes through my veins. It is an incredible feeling.

As I run I see someone standing at the entrance of a vacant parking lot. I slow down as I get closer to him and I stop when I realize it’s Drake Sinclair. I remove the earbuds from my ears and walk the short distance to where he stands. He is wearing a midnight black suit, crisp white shirt and a black tie. His Rolex watch sparkles in the sunlight with every twist of his wrist. He looks like a powerful man. If I weren’t Robert Grether, I might be intimidated by him, but I’m not.

“Bobby,” Drake says curtly.

“Drake.”

“Do you have a minute?” he asks.

I look around and the only car I see in the vacant parking lot is a black Mercedes. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

He starts walking away from the street and in the direction of his car. He begins by saying, “I received some paperwork the other day from the Clerk of Courts.”

“I see my attorney is doing what I’m paying him to do.”