Page 8 of Lily's Shadow

She’s come into Hays Den every day this week causing a scene. Today, I finally agreed to meet with her for lunch just to get her to leave.

Before heading over there, I sent a quick message to Taylor letting him know about the impromptu meeting with her. He advised that I get a few people that Lily and I know to take up space in the surrounding tables so that they can be witnesses to anything that might be said.

Lily is unable to be there with me because she had a client already on her schedule for the day. She did, however; put in a call to the MC club president who said he’d make sure there were witnesses there.

I walk into Bella’s Brew and see Erica sitting at a table in the back. As I head that way, I look around noticing several of the guys from the MC sitting at the surrounding tables with their women. None of which seem to be bringing attention to themselves. They are talking and laughing as if it were a planned outing. I can’t help the small smile that escapes. Thank God for friends.

“You got me here, so what is it?” I demand as I take the seat across from her.

“I just thought we could talk about our daughter. She needs things. Things that take money and well, you are her dad.” She bats her lashes at me trying to act innocent. But I know it's an act.

“We don’t know yet if she’s mine.” I say through clenched teeth.

“Yes, I know. I’ve already heard from your lawyer. He’s demanding I take Cordelia to some clinic here in town tomorrow for the DNA test. I talked to the doctor at the clinic. Dr. Ortez. He said the results should be back in three weeks.” Erica acts as if it is too much to ask of her, but she only has herself to blame.

“So what’s the problem?” I growl.

“I could be persuaded to give her to you without any type of custody battle.” She calmly states.

“What is it that you want Erica? Stop talking in riddles. We both know you want something, so just spit it out. And don’t you dare say money because we both know you already took it all in our divorce.” I sigh heavily, truly tired of trying to follow this woman's games.

It’s always been a game to her and it pisses me off at the thought of a child being tangled in her web. It really doesn’t matter if Cordelia is mine or not. This woman certainly doesn’t deserve her.

“I want five hundred thousand and I will sign her over to you.” She says it so calmly that I can’t help but wonder if I heard her correctly.

“What the fuck? I don’t have that kind of money.” I try to not scream in the cafe. My eyes look around and I can tell that the MC brothers definitely heard what she said as well. A few look ready to explode.

“Don’t lie to me Austin. I know you had to have hidden some of that money you made from fighting, so that I couldn’t get to it.” Her lip curls up at me in disgust.

“Actually, that is all that was left after your ass blew it all on fancy shit you didn’t need. I’m currently working for slightly more than minimum wage for my best friend and living with my mom!” I growl, mirroring her own look of disgust.

“If that is true, Austin, then I would suggest you figure out a way to get it. Otherwise you will never see Cordelia no matter what the DNA test shows.” She throws her napkin on the table, stands up and leaves the store.

I don’t move from where I am sitting. I can’t. Although I had been under the impression Cordelia was not mine for so long, I’m now a little bit excited at the thought that she could be mine. It’s also a scary feeling.

“Man, I’m glad I got here earlier than she did and installed the recorder under the table. The shit she said is fucked up.” Snake, one of the MC brothers, states as he reaches under the table, pulling out a small device.

“Austin, man don’t even think about giving her a damn thing. She can’t keep you from your kid.” Blood says from beside me.

“I don’t know. There’s a fear that she will get whatever she wants. Hell, she took everything I had even though she was the one not faithful in our marriage.” I sigh, running my hand through my hair.

“Nah, man, we have her on tape basically trying to sell her own daughter. She won’t be taking anything else from you. I’ll get this loaded to a CD for your lawyer and drop it off later.” Snake says.

“Thank you guys for being here.” I stand up, shaking Blood’s hand.

“No problem man. We’ll see you later.” We say goodbye and I head back to Hays Den.

“Hey, how’d it go?” Hayden asks as I walk in.

“She wants me to give her money to get her to sign over custody of Cordelia. What kind of woman does that shit?” I shake my head at the memory again.

“One that only cares about herself. She’s a bitch, always has been. I tried to tell you back before you married her but you wouldn’t listen.” Hayden says.

“Yeah, I wish you’d have beat me over the head to get me to listen.” I sigh.

“You still wouldn’t have listened. You weren’t thinking with your big head.” She smiles.

“You are so wrong, even though you are mostly right.” I laugh.

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