Page 80 of Ellie 1

I nodded when she cleared her throat. I gave Mandy as the example and how I still didn’t have the information I needed.

Understanding filled her eyes. “Yes, I see. Off-the-books background checks into potential high-positioned applicants would be useful when so much is at stake.”

I snorted. “Hell, get me more dirt on the board so we can get them out. I know that’s on Alan’s list and he’ll probably give youthat task too so I’m not involved. He likes to try and keep me out of the dirty parts. He’s a sweet uncle figure like that.”

“I’m fine with that, but I would like that kept off my official job role,” she told me. She sighed when I gave her a look like I needed more than that. “Dr. Carpenter called me at a perfect time, and while I’m overqualified for this position, I need it.”

The desperation in her aura worried me and I moved from behind my desk to sit in the chair next to her. “Tell me what’s going on, Ms. Dillon, and I’ll do my best to help. I protect my people, and if you’re going to be making our lives easier, we need to know how to protect you too.”

She looked overwhelmed, and I got the impression she wasn’t a woman who was overwhelmed often. “This is going to be a bit much for an interview, so I apologize for that.”

“You’ve already got the job if Alan knows you and trusts you this much to put you next to me. So now tell me as your boss who needs to know,” I said gently. The gratitude in her aura was a bit much, so she was definitely struggling.

Poor woman.

“I worked hard in my PI business. Skipping a lot and making sacrifices so I could make it on my own and not have to rely on my outdated family.” The look she gave me spoke volumes.

Yes, we were both vampires and women. I knew exactly what she was talking about. Of all of the supe species, vampires were the most sexist, and too many still had antiquated views of the position of a woman.

“I met my mate and fell in love,” she continued. “They objected and disowned me which was fine by me. There was no love from them, only possession. But as much as I hate him now, he gave me our two wonderful children who I love to bits.” She let out a slow breath. “I was the breadwinner so he could be a stay-at-home father.

“I was jealous of how much time he got with them and bitter that he could do more to help me be home—include me more, but life happens.” She swallowed loudly and stared at her hands. “Until I learned he’d been taking them to day care without my even knowing—without my evenmeetingthe teachers or investigating the place.”

“And why does a stay-at-home father need day care unless dropping them off at the kiddie area at the gym or something?” I hedged, understanding the rage that flashed in her aura now.

“To spend all of his time with his mistress,” she bit out. “For years. Since before I had my first child who is five.” She nodded when I couldn’t hide my disgust. “I’ll save you the disgusting details, but obviously we’re now divorcing. Things got ugly fast since I make the money and he wants it. Wants it all even and is using the kids as leverage.”

Pieces fell into place. “And your job—working so much and the type of work was used against you.”

“Viciously,” she admitted. “And the judge is…” She shook her head. “He’s made it clear that I’m no kind of mother if I could work and not raise my kids—pushing all thebabysittingonto their father like he’s a victim in this.”

I ran my tongue over my teeth. “And your attorney said?”

She let out a shaky breath. “My family got to my attorney and she bailed.” She nodded when my eyes flashed shock. “He’s made a deal with my family that they’ll basically get the kids to raise as they want if he gets the official custody. He’ll get money from me andthemto go be happy with his mistress. Apparently, he hasn’t been raising them at all and they’re behind all of this—involved in their lives and I didn’t know.”

I pulled out my phone and texted Gerald that I needed his help in my office as soon as he could. Not an emergency but issues with a new hire. “That’s a lot. So you wanted a stable jobwhere you would be home to take care of your kids and flexible so you can show the court you can handle their needs.”

She nodded. “I just found out about my attorney bailing and how bad that looks—everything with my family when Dr. Carpenter called. I thought he wanted another job done and I told him that I had to get out of the game. He’d heard I was getting a divorce and thought this would be perfect. He didn’t know all the details, but honestly the timing saved my sanity.”

I could only imagine… And was curious why Alan had needed a PI before.

Probably bullshit with the board or—I could only imagine, but it wasn’t my business.

Gerald showed up a few minutes later and he waspissedwhen he heard Ms. Dillon’s story. “Okay, I’m not a family attorney, but I know who to call. It will be costly, but it’s your best chance and a big gun while I’m looming in the background with the power of ASH as your threat.”

“Tell Beth to put into her contract that we’ll cover the attorney’s fees in advance and Ms. Dillon can pay us back without interest from her pay,” I told him, nodding when they both seemed shocked. “It’s not the first time we’ve helped in this sort of situation. A few needing funds to get away from their abusive mates to start over.”

“Yes, that makes sense when the hospital’s staff is overwhelmingly women,” he accepted.

True, but one was a warlock who had his vampire mate abusing him horribly. Practically draining him anytime she got jealous.

Monsters were in all sexes and species. That was for damn sure.

Gerald promised he would get everything started and get filings going on her behalf that informed the court of her new position starting today… And trying to get a new judge.Apparently, Ms. Dillon had already gotten enough information about the judge being a sexist dickhead to make that happen.

I asked to see that because a judge like that shouldn’t be handling family law filings. I didn’t agree that the mother was always the winner by default and got the best deal. It should always befair, and whoever was best for the children was the one to win.

Was that really too much to ask for and expect?

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