“She’s married, in a committed relationship,” the mediator says after looking at his notes.
“With a criminal at a place full of bikers and promiscuous sex,” Cory continues.
“All parties agreed to background checks, and Cory, you’re the only one with a criminal record.”
My eyes snap to the mediator.
“A few minor-in-possession charges,” Henry Clark says. “All teens drink underage.”
“All the same. He’s the only one with anything on his record,” Judge Wellson says. “And the Cerberus MC are in good standing with the community. I’ll remind everyone that only facts are allowed at this mediation. If you don’t have proof of something, then it shouldn’t be spoken.”
Nate grabs my hand, preventing me from twisting my fingers together. It’s calming enough to take the edge off, but my body still holds the tension from the room.
Judge Wellson sighs as if he’s getting agitated with this meeting not going anywhere.
“Cory, what would your life look like if you got custody?”
My ex scrunches his nose as if the thought of being around his child makes him sick to the stomach. He shrugs. “I don’t know. My parents want that baby, not me. I’m going to be at college.”
The Clarks’ attorney looks like he just took a bite of bad seafood.
“Is that right?” Wellson asks as he looks across the table at Henry and Serena.
“Yeah,” Cory snaps with absolutely no respect. “I don’t want a kid. I want to go to college. We’re only here because she wouldn’t have an abortion.”
“Your name is listed as the plaintiff in this case, Cory. Were you aware of that?”
The Clarks’ attorney makes a strangled noise.
“Getting that baby is the only way I’ll get to go to college,” Cory answers. “They said it had to be my name on there, but if that makes me responsible, then I want nothing to do with it. I’m only nineteen.”
Cory glares at Nate like he wants to jump across the table and rip his face off, as if Nate has anything to do with his choices and the way his picture-perfect life is hanging in the balance.
The Clarks’ attorney stands, shakes the mediator’s hand, then Faith’s before walking out.
“What just happened?” I whisper, but Faith gives her head a little shake and a look that says she’ll explain later.
“We’ll just get another attorney,” Henry Clark says, his nose in the air like an arrogant jerk.
“As explained, all things said in today’s hearing are admissible in court. If it even goes to court—which in my professional opinion would be an absolute waste of money—the recommendation would be that Nathaniel and April Fosse maintain full custody and all legal rights and decision making for the child.” The mediator stands and gives each party a quick nod before walking out of the room.
It doesn’t take long for the Clarks to stand. Cory is still glaring at Nate, but when Nate stands from the table, he drops his eyes and walks out without a word. Henry is whisper-yelling at Cory as they leave.
“And that’s why mediation can be a good thing,” Faith says as she walks with us out of the room.
We shake her hand, thanking her for her time.
“I doubt anything more will come from this. Your case will be heard here in New Mexico since this is where you reside, April. New Mexico has very limited grandparent laws, and full custody is seldom given. Cory isn’t interested in being a dad.”
“He could go to court and say something different,” I argue.
“The transcript from today’s meeting will carry a lot of weight. I didn’t make promises before because I don’t like to give false hope, but I can tell you without a doubt after today that you have nothing to worry about. Your baby isn’t going anywhere. The worst that could happen is that Cory is granted visitation, and from the sounds of it, he’s not going to be fighting for that.”
I give her a weak smile as Nate leads me out of the office. Legend is in the SUV, brooding. I’m just glad he hasn’t done anything bad enough that Faith is refusing to work with us.
“See?” Nate whispers in my ear once we’re on the way back to the clubhouse. “The Clarks will never get our baby.”
I lean against his chest, smiling because he just said our baby. This man never fails to amaze me.
“We may have court down the road, but there is no threat to our family, April.”
Chapter 38
Apollo
After the stress of the meeting, April needed to take a nap. I held her until she fell asleep, brushing a kiss on her forehead when she stirred as I climbed out of bed. I didn’t want to leave her, but I’m pumped full of restless energy, trying not to head to the airport with hopes of catching Cory Clark before he leaves town. I could beat him within an inch of his life and smile as I got dragged away in handcuffs.