Page 90 of Playing With Fire
“Last weekend we had one of Greg’s partners and his wife over for drinks. The Ellington case came up. Greg made some comment like,it’s important for all of us that he walks.He was talking to his partner…what if they’re all clients of Mr. Ellington?”
“Jesus,” Phoenix says, scrubbing a hand down his face.
“I can certainly check. As CEO of Ellington Wealth Management, I can access all of it. I just can’t hand the records over without being in violation of the law,” Jake says, making me huff a laugh of disbelief.
“I couldn’t believe you accepted the position after your dad was arrested, but damn am I glad you held on to the company.”
“Yeah, well, if my dad’s crooked connections run this deeply, I might have to close the doors anyway once it gets out that he’s padding his attorney’s pockets in order to avoid jail time.” Jake sighs.
“Guys, hang on a second,” Monica says, getting up from the table. She grabs her keys and heads outside, coming back in a moment later with her work bag. Shannon has gotten Serafina out of the Pack ‘n Play and is holding her in her lap as Monica opens a file. “These are the filed documents for the Ellington case,” she says, licking her finger so she can flip through them faster.
The whole table wants to know what she’s looking for, but we stay silent.
We’re all confused as hell when she slams the folder closed—without finding whatever it was she was looking for. With a huge smile she says, “We’ve got a starting point. Gregor never submitted a conflict of interest form. The court is completely unaware of his relationship with your father,” Monica says, turning her attention to Jake.
“What does that mean?” I ask, my skin tingling from nerves, excitement, and stress.
“Well for starters, it means Steve Ellington can counter sue for legal malpractice, it also ensures Gregor is going to be kicked off this case—” Before she can keep listing the repercussions, Shannon speaks up again.
“That means his law firm will fire him just like they did Driscoll. They’re all shady as hell, but their inner circle is tightand they do not like being put under a spotlight or a microscope.”
Unable to help myself, I reach over and plant a kiss on Shannon’s mouth. Overcome with hope and currently surrounded by everyone I love, I lean forward and kiss Serafina’s head too. She claps her little hands and waves her chubby arms, making everyone at the table laugh.
“I can’t believe one piece of paper could solve all our problems,” I muse out loud.
“Not all of them,” my sister says, popping my bubble and sending me plummeting back to earth.
“He can still have you fired and bring a pretty hefty alienation of affection suit against you. If he wins, you could potentially be financially supporting him for the rest of his life.” Her eyes swing to Shannon. “Especially since you’re employed and will most likely be in one of the highest tax brackets.”
“Fu—” I cut myself off mid-word, forgetting that my niece and nephew are playing behind us in the living room, "—irecracker.”
Phoenix and Jake both chuckle.
“We need something to ensure he doesn’t come after you and Hudson,” Monica continues, her eyes softening as they move to Shannon. “I know this is a lot to throw at you, and you don’t have much time to think about it, but what about Serafina? If I can find a way to get him to sign over his parental rights, would you want that?”
I hold my breath as I wait for Shannon’s answer.
This is moving fast, alright.
Chapter 37
Shannon
Life is funny. The ups and downs, twists and turns you never see coming. I’m essentially in a room full of strangers holding a daughter I never wanted only to realize my daughter is the best thing that ever happened to me and these strangers have become family in the span of an hour.
They know one of my darkest secrets, not to mention, my shame over being hoodwinked by Gregor makes me want to hide my face. And yet, here they are. Rallying around me and my daughter.
I know it’s for Hudson’s sake, but the way they’ve embraced this. Embraced me. Embraced us, makes me want this life—and only this life—for Serafina. I’m about to make another choice that I’ll be judged for, but her father only has heartbreak, guilt, and manipulation to offer her. As soon as he’s able to, he’d use her as a weapon against me. He’d poison her just to be the favorite parent. And I can’t let that happen.
“I don’t want to have to worry about her father manipulating her when I’m not around, the same way he did to me. I want Serafina to have security and stability. To know love fromtwo people who raise her together.” Flashing a look at Hudson, I finish my thought, “I know who I want that person to be, and it isn’t Greg. If an opportunity presents itself, take him down,” I confirm.
Monica doesn’t get emotional. She simply nods and slides the folder back into the bag on the floor. “I’m not going to push the conflict-of-interest form until after the trial starts. I need his intention to hide that relationship to be crystal clear. This means he’ll have time to stir the pot, but hopefully not too much since he has to be in court early Monday. Hud, he’s probably already emailed your boss though, so just be ready.”
Hudson nods. “Oh, I am.”
Ready for this to be over,I think to myself.
We spend the rest of the evening hanging out and playing with the kids. I help Ally feed Serafina, and Hudson and the guys build some kind of racecar track with Cam. As much fun as it is getting to know everyone, when Phoenix, the last to leave, heads down the driveway, I’m exhausted and glad to be alone with Hudson and my daughter.
