Inseparable: A New Adult Erotic Romance (21 page)

"Then I shall love him, Lumière, as you love my son. It is good at last to meet you."

Jack beamed at them both while his mother and Julie spoke quietly together. Owen cleared his throat to get Jack's attention, then nodded toward the elevators. There came Sophie surrounded by three men in suits and a small Hispanic woman holding both Lisa and Jen's hands. When the little girls caught site of Jack and Claire they screamed, "Daddy! Meemee!"

He stepped closer and knelt down with his arms open to hug them, but Sophie stepped between them and held the girls back. "Oh no," Sophie hissed as she stared at Jack. "Consuelo!" The smaller Hispanic woman grabbed them and held them close until they stopped squirming.

"Elle est le Diable," Claire muttered, shaking her head as she stepped towards her granddaughters. "Come to me, mes 'tites filles." The girls tore loose from Consuelo's grip and ran to their grandmother's arms.

"I don't have to put up with you anymore, you old witch," Sophie hissed. "Hug them while you can, because when this is over it'll be a cold day in hell before I drive them out to that swamp you call home."

Claire glared at Sophie over the girls' heads while clenching her jaws. Julie moved next to Jack and took his hand as he faced Sophie and her legal team.

"I'm going to enjoy this almost as much as last time," Sophie purred.

"We'll see about that. Where's Mike?" Jack asked.

"Something came up at work, but he'll be here later."

Jack grinned and said, "Yeah, I know what came up. When you speak to Mike, be sure to mention that
I
closed on Drillworks yesterday. He'll understand what it means."

When Jerry had agreed to switch suppliers, Jack decided to use it to send a message to Mike. Being fired without an employee or severance contract, there was no non-compete clause to worry about, so Jack could steal every customer they had. Mike would realize the implications, even if Sophie didn't.

"Whatever," she huffed and rolled her eyes. "Consuelo, take the girls to that courthouse playroom down there and keep them busy. Mommy has work to do."

Everyone filed into the courtroom and took their places. Julie, Polly, and Claire all sat behind Jack and his attorney who stood waiting for the judge. Sophie and her three attorneys huddled on the other side of the aisle next to their table.

"All Rise," the bailiff announced near the front of the room. "The family court of Harris County, Texas is now in session. The honorable Patricia Hightower is presiding. Please be seated."

The growling pain in Jack's stomach increased when he saw the blond-haired judge sit and shuffle the paperwork before her. After everyone was seated, the judge said, "Good morning. We've got a full docket today, so I don't want to waste time on pointless formalities. As most of you know, I run things pretty informally most of the time, but I won't hesitate to boot you out of here if you lie to me or waste my time. Are both parties ready?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Owen said, standing standing to speak.

At Sophie's table, an older man stood and said, "Yes, Your Honor."

"Well hello, Frank, what's a senior partner doing at a divorce hearing?" Patricia asked Sophie's attorney with apparent familiarity.

He seemed embarrassed when he said, "A friend called in a favor. It's good to see you again. How's Roger?"

The judge laughed and said, "Playing golf today, I imagine. Let's get this show on the road. Since Mrs. Brousard filed, why don't you begin?"

"Thank you, Your Honor. Mrs. Brousard is suing for sole custody as well as child and spousal support. We have evidence that Mr. Brousard broke his marital vows with his wife and abandoned his family. He took a job out of state and is no longer primarily a resident of Texas. He has missed both of his scheduled visits with his girls. Additionally, he has demonstrated his contempt for his wife and family by impregnating and cohabitating with another woman."

As he spoke the two other attorneys assembled the paperwork that provided the evidence of their claims and handed it off to the clerk of the court. The judge wrote during the entire recitation and continued to write for a few moments afterward before looking toward Jack's side for their opening statement.

Owen stood with a satisfied grin and spoke while he carried a stack of papers to the clerk. "Jack Brousard is a faithful family man who is employed locally by Deep Drilling Supplies, Incorporated. He has paid all court mandated support payments on time and still resides alone in the apartment the court has on record for his address. Mr. Brousard has directed me to file a counter claim against Mrs. Brousard for sole custody of the two minor children."

"I see," the judge said with a weary sigh. "And why would I grant that given all the evidence from the interim custody hearing and the additional evidence supplied today?"

"We have some rather damning evidence of Mrs. Brousard lying to the court, Your Honor, if you'll allow it."

"Why wouldn't I?" she asked.

"Mrs. Brousard had two encounters with Mr. Brousard's friend, Julie Polk. On both occasions, Mrs. Polk recorded statements made by Mrs. Brousard that contradict the facts she's provided the court."

Jack had been watching Sophie out of the corner of his eye and saw her grow pale as Owen spoke. Her attorney glanced her way, but schooled his face to avoid showing surprise or concern.

"That
is
a bit unorthodox, but I'd like to hear the recordings before I decide if I'll admit them. Anything else you'd like to bring up at this time?"

"Yes, Your Honor. We have a report from a private investigator that states Mrs. Brousard and the children have not been staying at the address she's provided with the court. We have evidence that Mr. Brousard has been denied contact with his children to coerce him to agree to her terms for divorce and annulment of their marriage. And finally, there was an incident where Mrs. Brousard publicly threatened Mrs. Polk which was recorded, witnessed, and had a police report filed against her."

"I see," the judge said, her forehead wrinkling as she watched the large stack of evidence from both sides grow as the clerks sorted and registered each document. "I'll need some time to review all this. The court will recess for one hour."

The Bailiff stood and said, "All Rise."

By the time the judge shut her office door, Sophie was surrounded by her attorneys and the sound of agitated whispers reached Jack's ears. Julie leaned over the rail to rub his shoulders while Owen got his notes together for the remainder of the proceeding.

"Thanks, Owen," Jack said with a sigh.

"Everything is going to plan so far. I'm more hopeful than when we came in."

"Me, too," Jack said as he got up to stand with Julie and his mother.

Their quiet conversation focused on the judge and predictions based on her reaction to their evidence. Jack tried not to get his hopes up, but that didn't keep him from glancing towards Sophie's table with satisfaction. She was red-faced and gesturing his way while she whispered. He occasionally heard her spit words like
white trash
and
coonass
which added to the grim pleasure he felt at her distress.

As time dragged on, Jack paced behind the table. He wished he could sneak out to see the girls, but waiting for the judge seemed more prudent. At one point the tense whispers at Sophie's table stopped and her lead attorney walked over toward Owen. Jack stepped closer to listen.

"Owen, is it?" the gray haired man said. "I'm Frank Abernathy from Abernathy, Peters, and Quaile." When he extended his hand, Jack noticed Owen swallow hard.

"Owen Zachary," he said with a tense tone. "What's up?"

"Owen, we're about to get into a heated case of he-said, she-said and I'd like to cut to the chase. Our bottom line is Sophie keeping primary custody, but after discussing things we've decided to allow Jack here to have the girls on the weekends and alternate holidays. We will even agree to cut the support payments in half, but only if Jack agrees with the terms of the annulment so Sophie can marry again in the Catholic church."

Jack was shaking his head as the acid boiled in his stomach. Owen's glance at his expression was enough for him to say, "I don't think that's going to happen, Frank. That's almost exactly what Jack agreed to *before* your guys fucked him at the last hearing."

"Look, the past is the past and there's nothing I can do about that now. Once the judge comes back, this offer is gone, so I suggest you discuss it before it's too late." He raised his eyebrows when he threatened, then returned to the table to speak quietly with Sophie.

Before Jack could say a word to Owen, the door at the back of the courtroom flew opened and Mike stomped in with his eyes flashing between Sophie and Jack. Sophie stood up and smiled, but it faltered when she saw his expression. Jack watched as he stormed over to her and hissed out a long rant in her ear.

Julie smiled when he glanced her way and nodded once to indicate she was ready to begin the next phase of their plan. She picked up her phone and tapped on the screen, then seconds later the door opened again and Father Williams and Bonnie Baker walked in sit down with Polly and Claire.

When Jack looked back at Sophie, her eyes were opened wide as she pushed Mike away to speak to her attorneys. Mike stalked over to the table and said, "Jack, can we speak privately?" His Australian drawl irritated Jack like a fly buzzing in his ear.

"I don't think so, Mike. Those days are long gone."

"I know, all's fair in love and war, but if you poach anymore of my clients I'm gonna—" Owen began playing with a small digital voice recorder, making Mike's mouth snapped shut. "What do you want?" Mike asked Jack.

"You know what I want." He looked in Mike's eyes, projecting all the hate he felt at his betrayal and what he'd been put through by them both. "And you know what I'll do if I don't get it."

He ground his teeth and squinted his eyes. "I underestimated you, Jack."

"That's because you listened to Sophie. She never looked further than how to manipulate me."

"Yeah," he grunted and nodded his head. "Okay, she's out. I was getting sick of your brats anyway."

Sophie must have been listening because Jack heard her gasp. "Stick around. I think my lawyer may have some questions for you after this recess."

"Don't push your luck," Mike growled.

"Did I mention my appointment with Mud Movement next week? You remember Justin and I played football together in high school, right?"

He glared, but went to sit down in the center of the gallery, away from both sides. Sophie's eyes followed him, heavy with tears, but she pinched her lips together and didn't cry. Her lawyer kept after her about something, but she kept shaking her head no.

"It's time," Jack whispered to Owen. He looked at Jack with a grim smile, then picked up a folder sitting off by itself. When Owen walked over to Sophie's attorney, Jack turned and leaned against the rail to be closer to Julie and his supporters.

"You don't really think she'll take the offer, do you?" Julie asked him quietly.

"I doubt it, but I'll feel better if I try," Jack said. The others gave him questioning looks. "I'm giving Sophie one last chance to end this amicably on my terms."

"Which are?" Polly asked.

"I get the girls, she gets weekends. No child support for her, but I get first dibs on holidays."

Claire frowned and said, "You are too much like Garson."

"You love Papa," Jack teased.

"Yes, but I deserve him. She does
not
deserve your kindness." Claire shook her head, but there was a small smile peeking through her displeasure.

Owen came back shaking his head. "Nope," was all he said as he sat down.

A little later, the judge came out of her office and spent a few moments working with the clerks. The pace of activities increased and the quiet sounds of typing and laser printers were loud in the quiet courtroom. When she mounted the steps to her bench, the bailiff said, "All Rise."

"What a mess," the judge complained with a frown as she sat. "I've got some questions I'd like to ask before I decide if we need formal witnesses. Any objections to me just asking a few questions?

"No, Your Honor," Sophie's lead attorney said.

"No, Your Honor," Owen said as he stood.

She looked around the room and stopped when she saw the old priest. "I don't suppose you're Father Williams?"

He stood where he was sitting in the gallery. "I am, Your Honor."

"A few weeks ago you spoke against Jack having the girls. Now I see you've come to his defense this time around. I'd like to know why."

"It shames me to admit it, but I misjudged Jack based on incomplete evidence," Father Williams said.

She nodded her head and looked back down at the paperwork in front of her. "Is there a Mike Phillips present?"

Mike stood and said, "I'm here, Your Honor."

"Mr. Phillips, have Mrs. Brousard and her girls, Lisa and Jennifer, been living in your home?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said with a scowl. "But that situation will be changing as of today."

She raised her eyebrows. "May I ask why?"

He glared at Jack and said, "It isn't working out for me and Sophie."

When Sophie sobbed quietly, the judge rolled her eyes. "What about Julie Polk?"

Julie stood and said, "I'm here, Your Honor."

"Are you currently living with Mr. Brousard in his apartment?"

"No ma'am, I still live with my mother, but I stay over sometimes."

"Do you intend to move in with Mr. Brousard? I'm not prying, I'm only asking because I need to understand the impact it will have on the girls."

Julie blushed and reached for Jack's hand. "Yes. Jack and I will be having a baby boy in September. For the record, I would
love
for the girls to be a part of our lives together."

Sophie stood and shouted, "Over my dead body, you white trash bitch!"

"I will have order," the judge shouted. "Frank, if you can't keep your client under control, I will!"

Sophie's attorney stood after whispering with Sophie. "I understand, Your Honor. No more outbursts."