He rubs his chin. “This sounds serious.”
“It’s a serious matter. Everyone knows about my life. If anyone recognizes my child…I have to listen to those recordings again. Do you know what can happen if Paxton’s family gets hold of this information?”
He arches an eyebrow. “Are you having custody problems with them?”
“Mrs. Blackthorne is a strange woman. When Pax was still living, she helped us with our expenses. We could’ve worked, but she wanted to ensure that her son lived how a Blackthorne deserves to. We lived in a mansion that we didn’t need. Once he died, she withdrew her support. She gave me a week to move out of the house.”
“You were grieving.”
I shrug a shoulder. “It was winter. I had lost Pax, and Matilda was only three weeks old. Her behavior became erratic. Some days, she threatens to take Matilda away from me because I’m an unfit mother. Other times, when I offer to visit her because I want my kid to get to know her father’s family, her grandparents send us on our way. They refuse to acknowledge her unless they wake up wanting to fuck with me. It’s sad because they’re missing the best part of Pax.”
My hands drum my thighs. I’m trying not to have a panic attack, but they can use those calls to take away my daughter. They’re insanely wealthy. Any lawyer can convince a judge that I’m a fucking mess and take away my girl.
“Hey, I’m sure they won’t listen to the podcast,” he says reassuringly.
“You did.”
“It’s different.”
“I can’t lose my daughter.” My voice breaks, and I take a deep breath because this isn’t the time to lose my shit. I’m not allowed to lose it until Matilda goes to college, and I know she’s going to be okay.
“This is what we’re going to do,” he says. “We’re going to talk to a lawyer about this problem and see what she thinks. Maybe you’re worrying about nothing, or maybe she’ll get that recording off the air.”
I roll my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. “Because it’s that simple.”
He nods, pulling out his phone. “Hey, beautiful, how are you today?” He pauses, nods, and grins. “Flattery has gotten me far enough. I called to check on you and the kids too. If I wanted to know about Nate, I’d text him.”
He listens to whoever is on the other line, and after nodding and smiling several times, he asks, “Are you in Seattle? Yes? Can I drop by your house? I have a legal question, and you might be able to point us in the right direction.”
He looks at his watch and says, “We’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
He hangs up, puts his phone away, and tilts his head toward a silver Ferrari. “Let’s go. We have an appointment with one of the best lawyers in the country.”
“I don’t think I need a lawyer.”
It feels as if he’s looking for a problem to solve. I recall the time when Dad went to jail. Mom made us go to school. She said we had nothing to fear, but she was wrong. Everyone at school was waiting for Aiden and me, ready to crucify us because our father had stolen money from their parents.
Zach, Burke, Archer, and Seth Bradley controlled the chaos. Those guys always tried to solve everyone’s problems. Zach was their leader. I’m guessing he’s still doing it. I don’t think I have a problem. Even if I did, I don’t need his help.
“We’re not sure if you need a lawyer or not. Why don’t we use this free consultation?”
I like the word free. Who doesn’t like that word? I can use a ride in his fancy car and the presence of another adult who’s not a drunk, a classmate, or my family.
“Okay, I’ll humor you,” I say.
He grins and walks me toward his car, opening the door. I guess I can take this as a break from reality and enjoy the attention of a good-looking man who smells like cedar, fresh soap, and sin.
Chapter Twelve
Autumn
Thirty minutes later, we’re in Hunts Point in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the area. Zach stops by the gate, enters a code, and the doors open. He pulls forward, and the car comes to a roundabout with a fountain at the center. I open my mouth when I look at the Mediterranean-style home with a stucco exterior, covered with a tile rooftop and oriented around a central courtyard.
“If you listened to the podcast, you know I can’t afford this place.”
“We’re just here for a consultation and to find a solution in case there’s a problem.”
I nod. As I said earlier, I’ll humor him.
The door opens, and a toddler comes out running toward him. “Uncle Zach!”
I stare at the little girl with curly brown hair and big brown eyes. She’s beautiful. Though, she doesn’t look like Zach or any of his brothers. I didn’t know one of the St. James siblings was married. I’ll ask Mom. Like Mrs. St. James, she lives in Silver Lake. Though the town is close to Seattle, it operates like every other small town. Everyone knows about everyone.
“How’s my favorite girl?” Zach asks, twirling her around.
She laughs happily, opening her arms pretending that she’s flying.
A boy comes running, and behind him are a dog and a handsome man yelling, “What did we say about opening the door without permission, Nova Gladys Chadwick?”
I frown. Did Teddy get married? This is news. She’s the youngest sister of the brothers. I’m not saying that the siblings should marry in order of birth, but she’s just twenty-six, isn’t she? Who am I to talk? I was planning to get married at twenty-one. Unfortunately, the groom was snatched away from my side before we could say I do and live happily ever after.
“Uh-oh,” Zach says. “Someone is in trouble.”
Nova laughs and covers her eyes.
“Unk Zach!” the boy who finally reaches us says, extending his arms.
Zach crouches, catching him right when he jumps and lifts him too.
“Autumn, meet my niece and nephew. Nova and Nyles. Nate Chadwick is the one with the throbbing vein on his forehead.”
“You’re not funny,” Nate says, shaking his head.
“Where’s Nyx? Did she run away after I called her?”
Instead of asking who Nyx is, I introduce myself properly.
“Hi, I’m Autumn Wickerton.” I wave at the three of them.
Nate gives a curious glance at Zach before saying, “It’s nice to meet you. We should go inside. Nyx is finishing a call.”
I follow. Zach sets the kids down on the ground. They both run to the kitchen, and their father and the dog are right behind them.
“They seem energetic.”
Zach nods. “They have two speeds: running and sleeping.”
“How are you related to them?”
“Zach’s my late sister’s husband.” A woman who looks a lot like the little girl appears. I stare at her and then at him. Late sister? He was married? What happened to his wife? I have so many questions. Before I can ask anything, I take a closer look at Nyx, who extends her hand. “Hi, I’m Nyx Brassard-Chadwick.”
“Nyx Brassard. I knew you looked familiar. You’re Persy’s sister.”