29. Sedrick #2
“You will be pleased to know that Penelope and Pip do indeed own the land and the home they live on. Penelope’s grandmother, Persimmon, left the land and home to her. They were wise enough to hire a fairy lawyer, and as with all fairy legal documents, this one is binding.”
I snorted something unpleasant. “So far, that argument hasn’t held up well where my brother and sister-in-law are concerned.”
“Indeed, that is very true.” Ray dropped his hands, draping them over the armrests.
For all the world, he looked like a fairy at ease.
I envied his calm. “But one has to wonder just how much Arie Belview is willing to pay for good forgeries. And even if he is willing to shell out that kind of cash, a pattern is emerging that won’t sit favorably for Mr. Belview in a court of law. ”
That ten-second delay dwindled to five, and suddenly last night’s lack of sleep didn’t seem to matter much. “What do you mean?” I leaned heavily on the desk, my muscles tense. “What are you getting at, Ray?”
Ray gave me that hint of a grin I was beginning to interpret as satisfaction.
“What it means, Sedrick, is that this is something we can use in your custody case. While it is true that coincidence can be simply that, the law doesn’t like them.
Fairies don’t like them. A pattern of coincidences plant doubts, and as we’ve already discussed, doubts can be exploited. ”
I heard the words. They even made sense. I still didn’t like them and said just as much. “I still don’t like Arie going after Phil’s family. Right now, he’s going through the law. If that doesn’t work—”
“Then he’ll go outside of it,” Ray finished my thought, his agreement clear.
“Exactly. Arie Belview doesn’t accept failure. If threatening Phil’s parents’ home doesn’t do the trick, what’s his next step? He’s like a toddler who never grew up and learned what the word no meant.”
“Oh, he learned it all right. He just doesn’t like to hear it.
Or believe the word applies to him.” Ray tilted his head slightly.
His long, crimson hair was down today. He likely hadn’t had time to do anything more before coming over.
“I believe we both know, or perhaps fear, what Arie Belview’s following moves will be.
If weakening your claim to Ruthie and Dillon doesn’t work, he’ll continue to go after anything and everyone around you, undermining your competency and making a judge question your fitness regarding custody.
Right now, the quickest route to that goal is Phil. ”
Pain lanced through my chest, and I rubbed the area over my heart. Swiveling in my chair, I stared at a nearby wall. I’d tossed and turned all night, going over my options. The problem was that those options sucked ass. My wolf agreed, and neither of us was happy.
“Sedrick.” Ray’s quiet voice sounded both closer and farther away. “I can go to battle over Arie’s claims regarding Phil’s parents’ home. In fact, it would be my pleasure. But as we both know, that will not be the end of this.”
“No,” I growled, “it won’t.”
Ray silently sat while I stewed. I felt wired, tightly wound, and ready to snap or dissolve into a puddle of nothingness. My body opted for the puddle. Muscles relaxing, I sank deep into my chair and sighed. “You want me to let Phil go.”
“Want isn’t the correct word, Sedrick.”
I snorted. “No. No, it isn’t.” I scratched my beard.
“I don’t want to do that, Ray. I’m not even sure I can do that.
” I lowered my head, staring at my blunt nails.
My wolf was still there, restless below the surface.
But it was sad. The very thought of letting Phil go made me want to howl with rage or grief.
Maybe a little bit of both. “I don’t want to, and honestly, I don’t think my wolf will let me.
Plus, it would break Dillon’s and Ruthie’s hearts. ”
“Keeping him will place Phil’s life at risk, possibly his parents too. Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”
Again, the answer was a decisive “No.”
Ray’s eyebrow formed a perfect arch. “I see no other choice.”
My laugh was anything but humorous. “There’s always another choice, Ray.” I knew what that other option was. It was something I’d been contemplating since Arie Belview had begun his custody fight.
“Sedrick.” Ray was definitely closer. His hushed voice indicated he knew exactly where I was headed.
“That is a very dangerous idea. If you lose, you’re dead.
If you win, you’re the new alpha of the Belview pack.
I hardly believe either scenario is what you desire. A challenge should be a last resort.”
“Challenge?” Phil’s panicked voice filled the office, along with his pixie dust.
My head snapped up, eyes tracking to the door. Phil stood there, basket in hand, feet well off the floor as his wings fluttered at speeds I’d yet to witness. His eyes were blown wide, and Phil’s pale skin looked ghostly.
That knife that had settled into my chest drove just a little bit deeper. Phil was scared, nearly panicking, and it was all my fault.