Page 68 of Cold as (N)ice

“Yes,” he replied and sat down carefully in the chair, realizing this was going to take a few minutes.

“I want to make sure I have everything correct, and that’s why I’m recording so I don’t miss a thing when I file everything. You mentioned harassment – what kind.”

“Texting and calling her – and he’s threatened her if she didn’t come back to Dallas.”

“Was that part of the divorce settlement Irene had?” the woman asked sharply. “Some states require that the separated partner reside in the same county if there is a child.”

“She has custody.”

“In Texas? They usually split parental control fifty-fifty unless there’s a good reason and…”

“Abuse,” he answered swiftly. “He was going to hit her and admitted to it in court. He also didn’t want custody of their child because Stephen is deaf. He didn’t want to learn sign language.”

“Winner,” the attorney muttered under her breath, jotting down notes before looking up at him. “So he wants her back in Texas but mentioned nothing about the boy?”

“No,” Barrett replied quietly as it suddenly dawned on him that she was right, and neither caught it – Eric didn’t want Stephen. It was about getting Irene back under his thumb.

“Got it,” Elizabeth nodded again, writing. “So we’ve got harassment, no basis for the request, and extortion – is that correct? He tried asking you for money, threatening Irene?”

“Yes.”

“Anything else?”

“Just make sure there is no more contact with my wife – she doesn’t deserve to have him harassing her. It could affect the baby and…”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” Barrett replied easily – and then hesitated, looking at the attorney. “In full transparency, the baby is Eric’s.”

“Hmm – sticky,” she frowned, nodding. “Does he know?”

“Yes. He told Irene to get rid of the child.”

“Perfect,” Elizabeth smiled coolly and nodded. “Don’t worry about it, and make sure your name gets on that birth certificate as the father.”

Barrett swallowed and hesitated once more.

“Yes? Is there something else I need to know about this… tangle you’ve got, Mr. Coeur?” Elizabeth practically iced the room with that cool tone to her voice, and Barrett flinched. It wasn’t an ideal situation, and he could only imagine what it looked like to someone who didn’t know Irene or Stephen. It was also very intimidating to meet with this woman who looked like she could verbally skewer anyone within a ten-mile radius for looking at her sideways. “I don’t have all day.”

“I want to adopt Stephen as my own,” Barrett blurted out suddenly and realized it was true. It had dawned on him the other day, and he pushed it down, thinking that maybe there would be some hesitation or cause Eric to become a bigger problem – but now seemed the right moment to ask about it. “If I adopt Stephen, will that cause problems for my wife from her ex-husband?”

“The man has signed away his rights already,” Elizabeth replied, her tone gentling with obvious approval of his request. “I think now would be an excellent time to effectively cut any remaining ties and to show that you’re serious about it. I’ll draw up papers for both.”

“Thank you,” he murmured appreciatively.

“Just make sure your wife and son are on the same page as you, and I’ll reach back out when I have everything ready for signatures.”

“Perfect,” Barrett replied, moving to his feet. “Can I have your business card? How much do I owe you? I didn’t ask what the retaining fee was or anything when I mentioned that I needed an attorney…” and stopped speaking as the woman chuckled, interrupting him.

“You can’t afford me,” she said proudly and extended her hand toward him, waiting to shake his hand. The moment his hand made contact with hers politely, he felt like he was making a deal with the devil as she leaned in, smiling wider, and spoke again – her voice low and telling.

“I’m a private attorney for the Wolverines – and one of the perks of being on this team is that I already work for you…mon Coeur,”Elizabeth taunted as his mouth fell open in shock before she winked and let out what could only be described as an affectionate cackle that gave him goose bumps. “Ihateyour agent, Coeur. He’s a slippery one. Hang onto that man because he thinks too much like I do – and we’ll both take care of you. Now, I’ve got to get back to work, and you are needed on the ice.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’ll be in touch – and don’t answer the phone if Eric calls or texts. Just leave it unread and bring me the telephone.”

“Will do.”

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