Chapter Twenty-Six #2
"Amateur hour," Adrian scoffed, his multiple monitors lighting up as he accessed different databases. "Let me show you how it’s done.”
Connor looked up from his bee-watching. “What's the legal standing on the custody case?”
“Estelle has full guardianship,” I explained, moving to pace Adrian's dark floors. “Leo's mother named her in the will. Damon was never on the birth certificate, never paid support, never even acknowledged the kid existed until the mother died.”
“So he's got no claim,” Connor summarized.
“Shouldn't have,” I agreed. “But he's pushing for it anyway. Filed emergency petitions, claimed Estelle is an unfit guardian.”
Adrian whistled low as information populated his screens. “Well, well, well. Looks like daddy dearest is connected. Not the top guy, but definitely on the payroll.”
That caught my attention. “How deep?”
“Money-man,” Adrian replied, still typing. “Wouldn't have found it if I wasn't, you know, me.” He grinned, clearly pleased with himself.
Connor finally looked up from his iPad, focusing more on the discussion. “Cartel connections would explain how he's pushing the custody case with no standing. Judges can be bought.”
I nodded, cold fury settling in my gut. "Estelle's been fighting this alone. Teacher's salary against cartel money."
"Not anymore," Adrian corrected, glancing up with rare seriousness. "So what's the play? Financial warfare? I could drain his accounts, set off IRS flags...”
“Eventually,” I admitted. “But not yet. I need to understand what we're dealing with first.”
Adrian rolled his eyes. "You guys are so boring. What about Daddy Easton? One phone call and this whole problem disappears."
It was a good idea.
My father and I got along well, too well, according to Jovie. We were cut from the same cloth, shared the same appetites, the same drive. He'd probably have Damon's entire operation dismantled within forty-eight hours. But that wasn't the point.
“Dad’s entertaining himself in the Caribbean,” I murmured, checking my watch. “But he'd help if I asked.”
"Of course he would," Connor said quietly, his dark eyes understanding. "He always does."
There was weight in those words, history that went back years.
Wade Easton had never been just a father to me—he'd been a savior to all of us in different ways.
Connor, pulled from street fighting, all sharp edges and mistrust until Dad.
Adrian, who was filled with rage and abandonment issues that Dad had patiently worked through.
“Ah, the famous Easton island parties,” Adrian sighed dramatically. “When will I get an invitation?”
“When you stop stealing his artwork,” I shot back.
“That was ONE TIME I borrowed his Picasso.”
"Stole," Connor corrected.
"Borrowed indefinitely."
I smirked despite myself. My father's reputation with women was legendary, especially now in his mid-forties. He wore it well, too, the same golden looks that had blessed our family for generations, just with silver at the temples now.
"Look," I said, running a hand through my hair. "Dad's done enough. He pulled us all out of hell and gave us everything. He's now getting to relax.”
Adrian's expression sobered. "Shit. I didn't think about that."
"He'd burn every bridge he built if I asked him to," I continued. "But I won't unless I have to. They are my family now. My responsibility."
"Our responsibility," Connor corrected firmly.
"Damn right," Adrian added, bouncing in his chair. "We're brothers. That's what we do."
Brothers. Not by blood for two of them, but by choice. By the man who'd seen three broken kids and decided to fix them, no matter the cost.
“Let's keep him as backup," I said finally. "I want to handle this my way first. Dad's given us enough. Time we gave something back."
Connor nodded approvingly. "He'd be proud."
"He'd also probably lecture us about being too stubborn," Adrian added with a grin.
"Wonder where we got that from," I said dryly.
Connor nodded approvingly. “So your security is solid on Estelle's apartment?”
“Best in the business,” I confirmed. “She's safe at the academy now, and I'm picking her and Leo up in…” I checked my watch again, “an hour.”
“Along with your niece,” Connor reminded me.
“Avery, yeah.” The thought of the blonde bundle of energy made me smile. “She's obsessed with Leo. Keeps calling him her best friend.”
Adrian's fingers paused on the keyboard. “Cute. You're turning into a real family man, Easton.”
Connor cut in smoothly. “What do we know about Damon's men? The ones who approached Estelle?”
Adrian turned back to his screens, pulling up DMV records. “Running the plate you gave me from yesterday. Should have names and addresses soon.”
“Good,” I muttered, tension easing from my shoulders. This was what I needed. Information, preparation, control. “I want everything. Where they live, what they drive, their daily routines.”
“Planning something fun?” Adrian asked, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
I shrugged, noncommittal. “Just keeping options open.”
Connor and Adrian exchanged a look. We knew each other too well.
“When's the fight?” Connor asked, changing the subject.
“This Saturday.” I rolled my shoulder absently. “Title defense.”
“You ready?” Adrian asked. “You seemed distracted at the gym. ”
I nodded, though the truth was more complicated. I was distracted—thoughts of Estelle, of building something I'd never expected to want. "I'm ready. The opponent's good, but predictable."
“And the custody hearing?”
“A week.” The timeline was tight in my mind. “Two days after the fight.”
Connor frowned. “That's not much time.”
“It's enough,” I replied, though I felt the same. “Between the legal strategy and... alternative methods, we'll make sure Leo stays with Estelle.”
Adrian clapped his hands together, bouncing to his feet. “This is going to be fun. It's been too long since we had a project.”
“This isn't like Jerry or Mason,” I warned. “We need to be careful. The cartel has reach.”
“So do you,” Connor pointed out. “You're a fucking Easton. Use it.”
He was right. My name, money, and connections were all tools, weapons I could wield to protect what was mine. And Estelle and Leo were mine now.
I glanced at my phone screen, where Estelle was lining up the kids to leave the room, Leo standing near the back. They were my family. My responsibility. My everything.
"Whipped," Adrian sang, but he was grinning. "Completely and utterly whipped."
My fingers drummed against the steering wheel, mind still buzzing from the morning's revelations about Damon's connections. The leather seats held the faint scent of Estelle's citrus perfume from this morning, and I inhaled deeper, addicted to having her presence in my space.
A red light caught me, and I pulled out my phone to check the messages that had been buzzing incessantly.
Adrian
Connor's still watching bee on the cams. Don’t become this bad.
Please tell me you're planning something violent soon.
I’m getting withdrawals.
Jax
Maybe. He deserves pain.
Adrian
JOIN THE IPAD STALKER CLUB JAX
GET AN IPAD ASAP
Connor
You still bringing them over tonight?
I smirked, replying quickly before the light changed.
Jax
Yeah. Estelle and Leo are meeting their new family.
Adrian
CALL DADDY EASTON! Check in with the nuclear option!
Unless you want me to handle Damon personally…
Connor
Adrian, no.
Adrian
Adrian, YES
The light turned green, and I dropped the phone on the console, Adrian's suggestion echoing in my head. Call Dad. The idea had merit, even if my pride bristled at needing help.
I hit the Bluetooth button on my steering wheel and dialed. I would just feel him out, not make him worry right now .
The call connected after two rings.
"Jax." Wade Easton’s voice filled the car, smooth as aged wine and twice as dangerous. I could hear the distant sound of waves, feminine laughter, and the clinking of crystal glasses.
"To what do I owe the pleasure? Don't tell me you're finally joining me in paradise."
"Not yet," I answered, unable to suppress a grin. Even thousands of miles away, the man commanded attention. "I need a lawyer for a custody case. It's messy.”
"Yours?" Dad’s voice sharpened disbelief, the charm instantly replaced by something harder, more curious.
"Not technically," I admitted, thinking of Leo's bright smile this morning. "But he almost is. His biological father is cartel-connected, trying to groom him into a criminal.”
There was a pause, and I could practically hear him trying to make sense of this. When he spoke again, his voice carried the weight of absolute authority.
"Miriam Voss. She's the best on the East Coast, maybe the country. Knows how to get her hands dirty when the situation calls for it." Ice clinked against glass in the background. “She helped with Adrian’s case. I’ll schedule the introduction i f needed .”
We both knew what that meant. We preferred to eliminate rather than go through the legal process of things.
"Thanks," I said, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. "I'll owe you."
He laughed, low and knowing, the sound carrying hints of secrets and sins. "Son, you already do. But who's counting?"
Another pause, then his voice softened with genuine curiosity. "Send me a photo of this girl, will you? If she's got you calling me for favors, she must be something special."
"She is," I replied, thinking of Estelle's stubborn chin, the half-asleep, beautiful girl I saw this morning. "I'll see you soon, Dad."
"Looking forward to it. And Jax?" His voice carried that familiar edge of steel wrapped in silk. "Knock him out next week. Show them what an Easton looks like when he's hunting."
The call ended, leaving me with the phantom scent of expensive cologne and the memory of a man who'd taught me that power wasn't just about money—it was also about violence.
I pulled into the academy's circular drive, scanning the crowd of children and parents for my family.