Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sawyer
I can’t believe what I just heard. I have to be hallucinating.
There’s no way he’s here and acting like he has a claim on my son.
How did this happen? I was assured that he would never know who I was.
They wouldn’t give me any information about him.
At the same time, I didn’t want to know anymore about him. I knew everything I needed to know.
I can feel the tension rolling off Emerson as we sit there.
In fact, every person on our side is rigid and it feels like they’re all ready to pounce.
Especially the shifters, it’s a weird energy that they’re giving off.
And I can see a little bit of fear in the faces that are sitting across us.
I won’t lie, if I was on the other side? I would be worried too.
“You’ll never touch my son,” Emerson says to Palmer.
“He’s not your son. He’s mine, and I’ll take the DNA test to prove it.”
“Take all the DNA tests you want. That will never make you his father. That’s my title.”
I let Emerson take over because I’m too angry to get any words out. I can’t believe this is happening. And why is my family here with him?
“Then we’ll go to court and I guarantee I’ll get custody of River.” Palmer stares at Emerson.
“Go ahead and file. We look forward to seeing you in court. I think this meeting is over,” Lorenzo Mancini says to him.
“Who are you to say that this meeting is over?” Palmer frowns at him.
“I’m Sawyer’s attorney,” he says as he gestures for us to stand up. “Go into the kitchen. I’ll handle this.”
Emerson
I nod to Georgíos to take Sawyer into the kitchen.
I stand beside Lorenzo and the others, I want to make sure they all leave.
I can’t believe this asshole actually thinks that he has a claim on River.
Some of our guys escort them to their cars.
I know this is just the beginning, but I know that my family will come through for us.
“How the fuck did he find out about Sawyer? I thought records like that are sealed?” I ask Lorenzo.
“They are. Well let me rephrase that, they should be. But I need to look into the clinic Sawyer used. And I need to find out about this Palmer guy.”
“We’re on that part,” Francesco says as we’re all watching them drive off.
“Does he really have a claim on River?”
“Only if he’s been in his life.”
“He’s never even met him. I’ve never met Palmer until today. Hell, I didn’t even know his name until today. I only knew what he looked like,” Sawyer says as she rejoins us.
“Then he has no claim. He’d have to prove that he’s been around and helping to take care of River.”
“I don’t want to be the downer here, but we’ve seen people falsify things. I’m going to get on finding out who this Palmer person is. And why he’s here doing this. We also need to see why your family—”
“Ex-family,” Sawyer corrects Sebastiano.
He chuckles. “Ex-family, is involved in this.”
“I want to head back to the property and start on this. I’m annoyed by all of it.” Francesco frowns.
The way Sawyer’s parents talked to her was bullshit. And her sisters just glared at her. I wanted to punch every one of them. We all say goodbye and head back to the property. I trust my cuginos to handle what’s coming. I just wish there was more I could do.
When we get back, Lorenzo asks if we can talk for a minute.
“So I have an idea, but I wanted to bring it up to you before pitching it to Sawyer.”
“I’m listening.”
“How do you feel about adopting River?”
“I’ve already suggested it to Sawyer. But I’d be willing to do anything that will help. And being River’s da? That’s the dream.”
“Then let’s talk to Sawyer. I think with this in place, it also shows that Sawyer has the support she needs. I don’t think Palmer has any chance. But we don’t know him or who he is. So I rather not leave anything to chance.”
We walk over to Sawyer, she’s hugging River and he’s giggling. In the short time we’ve been together, they’ve become my world. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let anyone hurt them. River runs over to the other kids to play.
“So Enzo has an idea, but before he tells you, I want you to know that I want to do this.”
“Okay.” She nods.
“I suggested that Emerson adopt River. It shows that you’re a family. It doesn’t take away from what you’ve done for River, it adds to your family.”
“Is it because you think Palmer has rights to him?”
“No. But we’ve dealt with people who lie and cheat their way through life. And the feeling I get from him makes me feel like he’s that type of person. The way he came in acting like he had any right to demand things really bothered me.”
“Can I have a few minutes to talk to Emerson?”
“Of course. I’ll go and see if Bastian and Franco have found anything.”
Sawyer turns to me, she looks a little sad.
“What if you change your mind about us? I know you’ve said you love me and River, but people can change.”
“Sawyer. There’s one thing I can promise you.
I’ll never change my mind about you. Ever.
But if you’re still worried about it, how about this?
I would never leave River. He’s mine and that’s not something I say lightly.
I had the best example of what a da is with mine.
He’s never made me feel different from my siblings.
He could’ve. But he didn’t, not once. Not even when I was being a shithead when I would lose races.
And that’s what I feel for River. He’s my son in every way. ”
“I’m just scared. My own family couldn’t or wouldn’t love me. I grew up thinking I was unlovable. And then I had River and I finally had someone I loved. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to do this for us. I trust that Lorenzo will keep Palmer from coming near River—”
“I’m not saying I want to adopt him only because of what Palmer is doing. I told you before that if you let me, I wanted to adopt him no matter what. In fact, I want to marry you. Fast? Sure. But I know what I want and I also know that no one’s ever made me feel the way you do.”
I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. It makes me so angry that because of those assholes, she’s questioning that I could love her so much. One day she won’t wonder or worry. She’ll finally know unconditional love.
“I’m still worried, what if Palmer has a wife and kids and money? Won’t that make it look like he has a more stable life? And why does he want River? And how did he find out?”
“Breathe, mo chuisle. It’s going to be okay.”
“How’s it going to be okay? I don’t even understand what’s going on.”
“So I found something,” Francesco says as he comes over to us.
“The look on your face isn’t very encouraging.” Sawyer sniffles.
“Well, it looks like Palmer is the only son of Palmer Beaumont the third, he owns the biggest cattle ranch in Illinois and he died six months ago.”
“So why would he be coming after River?” I frown.
“I don’t know yet. But I will find out.”
“We have to head back for our first race in three weeks, should we be worried?” I ask.
“Honestly? It’ll depend on what we find out. I don’t understand why he’s coming after Sawyer and River. It’s not money he needs.”
“And besides that, I don’t have any money and neither does my ex-family. So we can’t offer anything.”
“I wish I had the answers for you right now, but I promise I will have them soon. For now, have fun and enjoy your vacation. I know that’s easier said than done.”
“I appreciate everything all of you are doing.”
“We’re family, and if there’s one thing you’ll learn about Lake Renegade, we take care of each other. No matter what. I’m going to get back to this. Sebastiano’s working on finding out how he got your name and info. I’m going to find out why Palmer is here.”
Francesco hugs us both and heads back into the MC clubhouse. I have no doubt that they’ll find out what’s going on. The real question is, how long will it take?