Taming the Moguls (27 page)

“There’s not a person in the valley who
doesn’t see you in them. I think you’ve branded them right along
with the cows.”

“Lord knows I wanted to, for several
reasons.” Dodge stood. “Love his mom, respect his place in her
life, and give him responsibilities. That’s the best advice I can
offer.”

“It’s good advice, and just what I was hoping
to hear.”

Chapter 51

Gretchen fidgeted and lowered the window
shade, blocking the light. She picked at her nails and flipped the
edges of the magazine she’d bought for the trip.

Tommy stilled her hands. “Relax, okay? Do you
not like to fly?”

“I’m fine with flying. It’s what’s waiting
for us at home that has me scared.” Tommy linked his fingers with
hers. She felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude, but it didn’t
stop her worries. “What if the attorney doesn’t think we have a
case? What if there’s no proof Ryan did anything with a minor?
Wouldn’t we have heard something if he had? I checked everywhere
online and didn’t find a thing. Wouldn’t he have been fired?”

“We’ll find all of that out when we meet with
the attorney this afternoon.”

She squeezed his hand. He seemed so large in
the airplane seat next to her, his knees knocking against the tray
table as he calmly worked on the newspaper’s crossword puzzle. He
was quickly becoming the calm in her storm. She only hoped she
didn’t drag him under. “I like you in glasses.”

He pulled off the black-rimmed reading
glasses and tossed them onto the newspaper. “A necessary evil.”

“They’re sexy. Everything about you is
sexy.”

He leaned over, using his shoulder to block
the aisle. “Do you want me to tell you what I find sexy about you?”
He glanced at his watch before flipping her a sideways smirk. “I
might make it through half my list before the plane lands.”

“I’m not sexy.” She folded her hands in her
lap. “There isn’t a sexy bone in my body.”

“Maybe not your bones, but everything on top
of them is. The way your muscle sculpts over your bones. The golden
skin that’s so warm to touch and sweet to taste. Don’t even get me
started on your dimples.”

She remembered how he’d run his tongue along
the grooves in her cheeks when they’d made love the night before.
She never knew she had such a healthy sexual appetite. She still
didn’t feel comfortable in the missionary position, but he didn’t
seem to mind her being on top. She’d managed to survive sex in a
sitting position and standing in the shower, even with him pressing
her against the wall.

“You tempt me.” She leaned in and ran her
lips along his jaw. “I feel reckless with you. I feel free. I can’t
tell you how amazing that feels. I thought that part of my life was
over.”

“It’s just beginning, honey.”

“I sometimes wonder…”

“What?”

“I wonder what would have happened to us if
it weren’t for Ryan. And then I feel guilty because then there
wouldn’t be Alex. I can’t have it both ways.”

“You couldn’t have it both ways before.
Starting right now, you can.”

She bit her lip.

“Stop worrying. I know you’re tired of
hearing me say, ‘Trust me,’ but very soon, you can hear it from the
attorney. I have a good feeling about this.”

“I’m afraid to be optimistic.”

“Haven’t you ever heard of the power of
positive thinking?”

She shoved his shoulder. “Don’t tell me you
practice that kind of mystical crap.”

“It’s not crap, and I’m giving it a try. Did
you ever think when you got on the plane to come to the valley,
that when you came back, we’d be together and in love?”

“I have to confess, I knew you lived in the
valley.”

He sat up straight, and his smile evened out.
“You did?”

She nodded and watched his reaction
carefully. “I didn’t know you were involved with STS, but I knew
where you lived. I drove by your businesses and your home the first
night I arrived.”

“Were you going to let me know you were in
town?” he asked in a quiet voice.

She shook her head. “No. I was afraid you
were married, and I couldn’t bear to see you with another woman or
with kids. I know how that sounds, considering my situation, but it
would have broken me.”

“I tried to find someone that made me feel
the way I feel with you. I don’t think she exists. We’re destined
to be together.”

She leaned over and kissed his lips. “I also
worried you’d still be mad at me.”

“There’s a fine line between love and hate.
You’ve never inspired anything other than the two opposite ends of
that spectrum in me.”

“Not true.” He’d turned so serious, she was
desperate to lighten the mood. “You ignored me for two solid years
in high school.”

She felt an acute sense of relief when the
corners of his mouth tilted upward. “I was mad to have a
stepsister, and then I was mad because I couldn’t touch my
stepsister.”

“I’ve spent most of my life loving you.
Sitting here with you, in love and talking about the future, feels
surreal. I’m not sure how to explain you to Alex.”

“I find the truth works best in most
situations.”

She glanced around at the other passengers.
They were blissfully asleep, engrossed in their electronics, or
watching the inflight movie. She lowered her voice. “I can’t tell
him his father raped me.”

“A softer version of the truth. We were in
love, we broke up and lost contact, and now we’re back together.
He’s ten. He won’t know to question it.”

“You’re right. I need to keep it simple and
as honest as possible.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll take this one step at a
time. We go to the attorney first. Then we’ll get the marriage
license, and then you’ll get him from school. I’ll pay dear old mom
and dad a visit tonight while you talk to Alex.”

“I’m nervous, for both of us.”

“Optimism, Gretchen. We’ve come this far. We
can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s bright and calling
our names. If you get scared or confused or worried it won’t work
out, just look at the light. I’ll be right there waiting for
you.”

***

If Peter Barnes’s office was any indication
of their hourly fee, Tommy figured he’d have to sign over one of
his businesses to Jack Forrester when he received his legal bill.
They entered the twenty-seven-floor building with a twelve-story
atrium, and his boots clicked on the floor almost as loudly as
Gretchen’s heels. He held her hand as they rode the elevator up to
the plush offices with an art deco theme. He didn’t care about the
money. He couldn’t put a price on Gretchen, and he’d happily start
over as a pauper with her by his side and Ryan forever out of their
lives.

Barnes was much different than he sounded on
the phone. His deep voice had Tommy picturing a tall, wide
linebacker, not the short, slender, balding man who thankfully
greeted them with a firm handshake.

“I have to ask,” Peter began, “if you would
like our conversation to be private, Ms. Lowry.”

Gretchen glanced at Tommy and he squeezed her
hand.

“You’re my client. I’ve talked to Mr. Golden
on the phone, but it’s your ultimate decision who is privy to our
meeting.”

“I want Tommy here. He’s privy to
everything.”

“Come on in, then, and have a seat,” Peter
instructed before closing the door and moving behind his paneled
mahogany desk. His office resembled a country club men’s lounge
with its dark green and burgundy fabrics. It was a welcome change
from the rest of the modern office. The wall of legal books and
scattering of family pictures helped put Tommy at ease. Peter was
married, he had kids, and he adored his wife. That much was clear.
“I’ve had a productive couple of hours. Seems your ex-husband has
quite a checkered past he’s worked hard to conceal. I have to
admit, Ms. Lowry—”

“Gretchen, please.”

Peter acknowledged her with a nod. “I wasn’t
too keen on digging up dirt on one of Chicago’s most legendary
heroes. Turns out, he’s human like the rest of us.”

“Less than human,” Tommy interjected.

“I’d have to agree,” Peter nodded. “I’ve
looked over your custody agreement. If what Tommy told me is
correct, that he hasn’t seen the boy in nine years, you’ve got a
case considering the current charges and the ones he’s avoided in
the past.”

“There were others?” Gretchen asked.

“Two others, neither with minors. He settled
both quietly out of court. Disgusting, really, how much he’s dodged
simply because of his status. We could blow this up into a media
frenzy that will ensure he’s out of a job and unemployable, but
that would hamper his ability to pay child support. He’s paying a
pittance, really, when you consider his salary at this stage of his
career.”

“I don’t care about his money. I never wanted
more. I took what he gave at first because I had nothing. I support
us now. I’ve been putting his money into a savings fund for
Alex.”

“You said we could blow this up,” Tommy
pointed out, “as if we had other options?”

“The guy’s dirty. Just the threat of this
getting out would probably be enough for him to relinquish
custody.”

“Probably?” Gretchen asked. “I can’t proceed
with probably.”

“You’ll have his head in a noose,” Peter
said. “He’d be a fool to fight you.”

“He is a fool,” Tommy said. “He’s got a big
enough ego to think she’ll cave, especially considering he’s gotten
out of two other charges.”

“That’s why you let us handle it, nice and
official. If he tries to contact you, don’t answer. If he gets you
on the line or tries to talk to you in person, refer him to us and
don’t say a word. If he threatens violence, call the police. If he
doesn’t meet our demands, we’ll go straight to his employer and the
media. I’ll make that clear in our communications.”

Tommy looked at Gretchen. Her warm skin had
gone pale, and her arms wrapped tightly around her stomach. He
reached over and linked their fingers. “You okay?”

She nodded. “How do we proceed? Can we get
this done before he takes Alex in two weeks?”

“I’ve drafted a letter.” He handed one copy
to Tommy and one to Gretchen. “Read it carefully and let me know if
you want any changes made. If not, I’ll have it couriered to him
today.”

Tommy skimmed the letter’s legal jargon and
zeroed in on the nitty gritty. “So we’re asking for immediate
termination of parental rights based on his neglectful interest in
his child’s welfare and in light of his criminal background.”

Gretchen continued where Tommy left off.
“Which shall be made public in a hearing if termination of rights
are not filed with a judge within forty-eight hours. Oh, God.” She
looked at Tommy and then at Peter. “This could all be over in two
days.”

“I imagine we’ll hear from him by the end of
today. He’d jeopardize everything he holds dear if he fights you.
Considering his lack of interest in your son over the last nine
years, I can’t believe he’d risk his career and reputation for a
child he doesn’t care about.”

“What if he decides to fight for him?” Tommy
looked at Gretchen. “I’m not saying he will, but we need to know
what to expect.”

“If he decides to fight you, we’ll need you
to file termination papers alongside the adoption papers. Have you
squeezed in a wedding yet?”

“Not yet. We’re going by the courthouse next
to get the license,” Tommy said.

“You might not need it if he does the smart
thing. He’ll be ruined if he fights you, Gretchen. He’ll lose your
son in the end, anyway.” Peter rocked in his seat with his hands
folded over his stomach. “I’ve got kids, one of them a daughter.
Men like Ryan prey on innocent girls and get away with it because
they have money, celebrity, and connections. They’re scum. I’ll
enjoy taking him down.”

“Let’s hope we don’t have to go that route,
even though he deserves it,” Gretchen said.

“The other cases’ charges were dropped when
the witnesses refused to testify. I’m sure he paid them to
influence their decision. This one is a minor, and her stepdad
seems willing to press charges, so it’s not going away.”

Gretchen set the letter on Peter’s desk.
“Send it. I want this over as quickly as possible. I can’t let him
take Alex.”

Peter stood and tapped his fist on the desk.
“I’ll be in touch.”

Chapter 52

Gretchen pulled the tie on her coat tight
against the wind. “Well, that took forever.” She and Tommy rushed
to the parking garage where they’d left her car. “I’m going to be
cutting it close. Good thing I called Elise and asked her to get
Alex off the bus.”

“The government doesn’t care about anyone’s
schedule,” Tommy said. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed
it. “But at least we’re a step closer to getting hitched.”

“Do you think he’s gotten the letter
yet?”

“Peter said he’d call us when he heard
something. You saw him. He’s a father. He’s determined to stop Ryan
from getting his hands on Alex. We need to let him do his job.”

“I know, I’m just anxious. I feel like
there’s a giant clock ticking in my head.” She stopped walking and
pulled him back. “I think we should slow down.”

“I thought you wanted to be there when Alex
got off the bus?”

“That’s not what I mean. You heard Peter. You
don’t have to go through with the wedding if Ryan terminates his
rights.”

Tommy’s brow furrowed, and he pinched his
lips together. “Are you saying that because you don’t want to tell
Alex or because you don’t want to get married?”

She flung her hands up. “I don’t want to
force you into marriage when it might not be necessary! You’re
giving up everything for me, and I want you to be sure.”

“I am sure. I’ve never been more sure of
anything in my life.”