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By contrast, I’m shaved and spruced and wearing a Brioni suit from my football days in Baltimore, when I had to get dressed up on occasion for awards ceremonies and special events. Liv is in a gray pinstripe suit as well.
Studying the contrast, I wonder if this will work in our favor or hurt us. Jayden doesn’t seem to notice. He still has his eyes on the prize.
“I looked over your contract, and I showed it to my lawyer…” He looks from me to Liv, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from questioning who that might be and where he or she is this morning. “I still say I’m getting a raw deal, and I’m not signing this.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Liv’s tone is patient. “I had hoped we might settle this without having to go before the judge.”
“Judges don’t scare me, lady. He’ll be on my side. I’m the father.”
More like the sperm donor.My hands are clenched beside me in the chair.
“Then it sounds like we’re finished here.” Olivia stands, taking her computer off the table and pulling her bag over her shoulder. “We’ll see what the judge has to say.”
Jay’s eyes widen, and he looks from her to me. “That’s it? You’re really going through with it?”
“Of course.” Olivia smiles sweetly. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?”
Just as fast, his demeanor changes. His eyes narrow, and he stands, stepping a little too close. “I told you what I want.”
“Money is what you want.” The sharp female voice draws our attention to the door. “Is that correct, Mr. Wells?”
“Claws?” I take a step back, surveying the stern woman in the St. John suit and helmet of auburn hair. “I mean,Claudette, what are you doing here?”
Olivia’s brow furrows. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“I’m Claudette Rosario.” She extends a hand to Olivia. “President of the Board of the Matrons for the Safeguard of Birmingham’s Little Lambs.”
“Ah, yes, the Matrons.” Olivia tilts her head in my direction to explain. “It’s an old, well-established children’s charity.”
“The Matrons have protected the most vulnerable members of our great city for more than a century.” Claws’s tone is haughty. “Our endowment is one of the largest in the country. One of our members called me yesterday and said you have a situation needing our attention.”
“Who is this woman?” Jayden hooks a thumb at Claws. “What is she talking about?”
I have a feeling I know what she’s about to do, and rage burns in my chest. I still want to fight this, to beat his ass for the crap he’s pulled on my family and now his own.
As if sensing my rising blood pressure, Olivia touches my arm. “What is your organization proposing, Mrs. Rosario?”
“We’ll be happy to provide whatever funds are needed toensure Edward Wells’s permanent custody is assigned to his sister Rachel. I have a contract drawn up here.”
“Funds?” Jayden looks from Olivia to Claws, and the glee in his eyes makes me sick. “What funds are we talking about?”
“Tell me, Mr. Wells, would you agree to turn over your son for the generous sum of twenty thousand dollars?” Claws unsnaps her Hermes bag and removes a long envelope. “I have the check all made out in your name and ready to go.”
“Why, yes, ma’am, I most certainly would!” He claps his hands together. “Hot damn, where do I sign?”
Olivia doesn’t speak, and her calm makes me wonder if I’m missing something. I’m furious as Claudette lifts her chin, motioning to the papers on the table.
“First sign the contract provided by Ms Bankston. Then you’ll sign our contract agreeing to receive the money on a confidential basis…”
“No problem at all!” He scoops up the pen before she finishes speaking.
Olivia opens to the signature page, and he signs quickly. She bends down and signs as well, passing it to me. I take the pages, but it feels like a pyrrhic victory. I don’t like him getting paid—especially not such a large amount.
He turns to Claws, pen out, mouth watering.
I growl audibly, but Olivia presses her fingers hard against my forearm.
“Don’t be bitter, sonny.” Jayden gives me a sarcastic smile. “It takes a special kind of smarts to do what I do.”
