Page 6 of Viper

“No,” Judge Brown interrupts swiftly. “On this, I want Mr. MacKenzie’s answer, Counselor.” He looks at me expectantly.

“Your Honor, I’ve been out of the Navy for many years, and have already gone through many hoops for the little access I currently have to my son. When he was younger, I didn’t put up much of a fight to any of it. And despite what Ms. Judson has said, I do not bad-mouth his mother to our son. In fact, I’ve been the one telling Archer he should be with his mother. With regards to my club, we are an MC yes, but we’re a legal and law abiding group made of mostly former service members. We are not an outlaw club, and instead focus on running our businesses and ensuring help to our community. We have strict rules when it comes to children, and Archer has a great time with the other kids at the clubhouse when he’s there.” I take a deep breath before I continue, “Your Honor, all I want is to spend more time with my son, and I’m prepared to do whatever is required to make that happen. He’s a good boy, gets excellent grades in school, and he enjoys being with me. I make good money, and have a flexible schedule as a business owner, and I also have been consistent in paying the required child support. As well as making extra payments to Maggie if she states she needs something for him. I’m trying to set a good example for my son, Your Honor. I feel that he’s old enough now to decide who he wants to spend time with, and he has indicated to me that he wants to see me more.”

“That’s hearsay and you can’t base anything off the words of a minor,” Gail snaps loudly. “Your Honor?—”

“Enough, Counselor,” Judge Brown barks at her. She goes quiet, but her face is stoney. “I asked Mr. MacKenzie his thoughts, and he gave them to me. You will have plenty of time to object later. Now, I think it is time to speak with the youngest Mr. MacKenzie. And I will do that away from both parents. Your respective counsel will join me. However, neither counsel may speak while I do. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” they both say, though I note the unhappy note in Gail’s. Hunter warned me this would happen, so I just relax and wait.

“Good. Now, I will have both bailiff’s in this courtroom while I’m gone, and if anything gets out of hand, I’ll hold you both in contempt. Understood?” the judge says to both of us.

“Yes, Your Honor,” I say calmly. Maggie agrees, but I don’t miss the sly look in her eyes. She’s about to try and start some shit, and I need to keep my cool.

Easier said than done, but when it comes to Archer, I can and will manage anything.

THREE

EDEN

So much for a one night stand that I never see again

I love children. There is something about them at any age that I love to listen to them talk. Maybe it’s because Sadie always tells me how child-like I can be so I must easily relate to them. Either way though, there is something about this kid that has me feeling more at ease than usual. Maybe it’s because he’s eleven and smart as a whip.

When the social worker brought him to my office, there was something about him that seemed familiar but I see so many kids with my job that he’s probably been in here before and I’ve forgotten. He’s tall for his age. Hell, he’s probably going to be my height before he hits his teen years, and I’m not all that short. He looks pretty sad, but most kids aren’t usually all smiles when it comes to court.

That’s where I come in.

The social worker, Annie Nibbits, gives me a tired smile as she goes to sit in the corner, pulling out her phone. We’ve been together in this room countless times, and we’ve become friendly, though I can see the poor woman is exhausted from being overworked. I’d hate to have her job. Seeing kids go through what they do here is hard enough, but seeing it up close and personal every day would get to me.

I set aside the report I was transcribing and give my full attention to the boy in front of me. I may be one of the court’s top court reporters, but I’m also well known for being an excellent guardian. I also have some training that gives someone trying to get to the child an extra moment of hesitation. “Hey, I’m Eden,” I say with a smile, holding out my hand.

He takes it in a firm grasp and says quietly, “I’m Archer. Nice to meet you.”

“Cool name,” I say as I release his hand. I give him a wink and a grin. “So what did they get you for, kid? Giving the girls cooties on the playground? Running up and down the halls too much? Oh, wait, I know, you picked your nose and ate it didn’t you? Gross!” I make a disgusted face and Archer laughs, relaxing. His eyes are dark, but he has a wide, bright smile, though he wasn’t smiling when he first came in here. Good, that means we’re on our way. “Well, if you do that here, I’m going to have to arrest you myself and feed you to the dragon down in the dungeon named Mary. She’s mean as a snake and doesn’t know how to have any fun around here.”

Archer laughs again. “You’re funny,” he remarks, watching me.

“I try,” I say with another wink. “I’m far too young to get wrinkles.”

Archer looks at me quickly. “You can’t be that old. You don’t have any and are far too pretty anyway.”

Oh, this one’s a charmer. The girls in his school must be falling all over themselves. “Well aren’t you sweet?” I preen. “Alright, no need to butter me up. I know what you’re after.” I look around conspiratorially before opening my bottom desk drawer and waving him forward to see my secret stash of candy bars. “You get two for being nice instead of mean like some of those other people around here,” I stage-whisper. I hear Annie snort, but I don’t look over at her. She’s used to this production.

Archer’s eyes widen. “Why do you have so much?” he whispers back.

“I have a sweet tooth.”

Archer hesitates. “I don’t want to take your stuff though.”

He’s a good kid, and my heart melts a little bit. “I keep these for anyone who needs them too,” I assure him. “And for people I like. Just so happens I like you, so you get to treat yourself. So go on, take one for now, and one for later.”

Archer doesn’t move for a moment, assessing me, but then nods and looks through and pulls out two. “I don’t want both, but my dad likes these,” he informs me, showing me the Kit-Kat in his hand.

“Your dad has good taste since those are my favorite too. What’s your dad like?” I ask curiously as I close the drawer and he takes a seat in the chair beside my desk. I casually start gathering papers to organize as I listen. I find working while talking makes most kids more at ease, and Archer doesn’t seem to be any different. He starts to open up to me pretty quickly.

“My dad is the best. He rides a motorcycle, and the guys he rides with are awesome too. The women are kind of crazy though.” His eyes widen as he says, “But not illegal or anything. Well, kinda not. They did spend the night in jail for mooning a cop or something, but I don’t think I’m supposed to know that.” He gives me a slightly worried look. “So don’t tell anyone I said that.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I promise. Though the thought of this guy on a motorcycle makes the hair on my neck stand up, thinking about a certain other leather clad biker, but I quickly push that memory aside. I don’t need to be thinking of him while talking to a kid. “But these ladies sound interesting,” I tell Archer with a grin.

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