Page 53

CHAPTER 21

NOAH

“This is a highly unusual case, but until we get a final ruling, I advise you to avoid any controversies, especially those that will put your capabilities as a father into question,” Harry said.

I tossed my gym bag into the back of my car. My stomach roiled at his warning. “You don’t think they’ll try to take her away for good, do you?”

Harry Ballard was the top family law attorney in London. I’d emailed him yesterday, the morning after the Andersons showed up, and we’d set up a call for today after training. He assured me the situation was weighted in my favor, but his warning set my nerves on edge again.

“I doubt it, given you’re her sole living parent and the Andersons didn’t know she existed until last year. But it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Harry said.

I climbed into the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut. I pinched the bridge of my nose, hoping to head off an impending migraine. “Right. Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

“You’re welcome. Keep me updated on how their meeting goes,” he said. “Document everything. And I don’t want to belabor the point, but I cannot stress how important it is to fly under the radar right now. Like I said, it’s extremely rare for long-lost relatives to sue for sole custody against a living parent and win unless there are extraordinary circumstances. For example, if they can prove abuse or severe neglect.”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming.”

“But…” He hesitated. “I did some preliminary research on the Andersons after you emailed me. They’re formidable opponents, if they choose to go that route.”

I didn’t have to ask what he meant. I’d researched them myself, and the findings had ratcheted up my anxiety another ten degrees. I made a lot of money, but the Andersons were Rich with a capital R. As in, billionaire rich. Oswald founded one of the largest hedge funds in the world, and Elizabeth came from a long line of blue-blooded socialites who could trace their lineage back to the Mayflower. They were the type of people who were used to getting what they wanted, and they had the money and resources to bend entire institutions to their will.

I still couldn’t believe Sarah kept her background a secret the entire time we were dating. I didn’t blame her, necessarily, but I wished she’d given me at least a hint of what I was getting myself into so I was mentally prepared.

“Please forgive me if I’m speaking out of turn, but I’d be careful if I were you,” Harry said. “Do not give them any reason to doubt your fitness as a father. That means no fights, no scandals, and no hookups. Don’t even look at a woman while we’re sorting out this custody situation. Oswald Anderson is a ruthless businessman, and he has a history of destroying his competitors. If they decide to come after you, they can and will use anything they find against you.”

Harry’s words were still ringing in my head when I got home. I wasn’t worried about my behavior, but would the Andersons go so far as to manufacture a scandal? It seemed far-fetched, but there was something about their story that didn’t sit right with me. I just didn’t know what.

In the meantime, I had to let them meet Evie. And before that, I needed to tell her what was going on. I dreaded the conversation, but she was old enough to handle the truth. Hopefully.

After checking a few rooms, I found her in the library with Carina. They were surrounded by a chaotic spread of old magazines, glue sticks, and notebooks. A Riley K. song played in the background, and they were giggling over a cut-out image of the latest teen heartthrob.

Despite my nerves, I couldn’t help but smile at their bond.

Evie noticed me first. “I already finished my homework,” she said immediately upon seeing me.

I laughed. “I figured. You’re not in trouble. Come here.” I opened my arms, and she ran over to hug me.

She was getting taller every day. I remembered when the top of her head barely hit my hip. Now, she was at my chest.

My heart pinched as she clung to me. I didn’t give a fuck what the Andersons had up their sleeves or how much money they threw at me. I’d die before I let them take Evie away.

“What are you two up to?” I asked.

“We’re scrapbooking! Carina says it’s a really nice way to remember important moments in our lives,” Evie informed me.

“Uh-huh. Is that why you’re pasting a picture of Joey what’s-his-name in the scrapbook?”

“His name is Joey Kincaid, and he’s the best actor ever.” She peered up at me through her lashes. “Carina also says scrapbooks make good vision boards.”

Vision boards? What the fuck? What could she be vision-ing?

I cut a glance over at my traitorous nanny. Carina held up her hands, her expression innocent even though her eyes gleamed with suppressed laughter. “This is a preteen rite of passage,” she said. “Roll with it.”

Christ. I wasn’t looking forward to the day I’d have to talk to Evie about boys or, worse, the day she started dating. A shiver rolled down my spine.

Hopefully, that day was years away. Decades would be even better. Until then, we had another tough conversation to hammer out first.

“Carina, would you mind stepping out for a second?” I asked. “I have to talk to Evie about something.”