Page 46 of Fool Me Twice

Chapter twenty-five

“I want unlimited access to my child, Leland. I don’t care what she wants in return, just get her to sign the papers.” Peter rubbed his chin as he paced Leland’s office.

“Don’t you think I’ve tried? I’ve offered her the beach house.” He tossed some papers onto his large desk. “I increased the settlement.” He tossed another sheet of paper across the desk. “I’ve even thought about offering her your share of Crimzon Steel’s back catalogue.”

Peter stopped pacing and stared at him.

“I was kidding.”

“I’m not,” Peter replied, his tone deadly serious. “Do you think that’s what she’s after?”

“I’m not sure,” Leland said. “It’s worth a lot of money, but you’re not seriously suggesting I call her lawyer and make the offer, are you?”

“Maybe I should talk to her.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

Peter snorted. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

“I seem to recall you saying that when I begged you to get a prenup,” Leland muttered, shaking his head.

Peter held up his palms. “Okay, okay, I should have listened to you.” He resumed his pacing. “All I care about is being able to see my child. I missed out on so much with Jaxon. I won’t let it happen again.”

“I hear you, but as both your lawyer and your friend, I strongly advise you to think very carefully about giving her your back catalogue, Peter. It’s your biggest asset.”

“We’ve offered her everything else, and I know Shari. She’s holding out for something, so it has to be that catalogue.”

“But, I urge you—“

“For God’s sake, Leland.” Peter threw his arms in the air. “I don’t care about the rights to a bunch of songs. This is my child we’re talking about.”

“Leave it with me,” Leland said grimly. “I’ll get a revised draft sent over to her lawyer within a couple of days.”

“Hey, Uncle Peter,” Regan greeted her godfather when he stopped by her desk on the way out. “Aunt Shari still giving you a hard time?”

Peter smiled weakly. “Something like that.”

“I’m sure you’ll be relieved when all this is over.” She inclined her head to one side and drew her plump lips into a straight line. “I know I will.”

“Me too, sweetie,” he said, touched by her concern.

“I can’t believe she turned down the beach house. I mean, that place is freaking awesome.” She stopped when she realised what she’d said. “I only read a tiny bit.” She held up her thumb and first finger, leaving the tiniest gap between them, trying to justify her actions. “And come on, it’s so boring around here, you have no idea... please don’t tell my dad.”

“Okay, I won’t tell him this time.” Peter tried his best to look stern. “But your dad deals with some pretty serious stuff, you know, and he’d get into a lot of trouble if his clients thought their personal information was being leaked.”

“It’s okay.” Her face brightened. “I only read the juicy ones.” She tapped her finger to her lips and frowned. “Or about the clients who are, like, really famous. Okay,” she promised when she saw his face. “I won’t do it again.”

“Good girl. You don’t want your dad to get disbarred, do you? Or worse, become poor?”

He chuckled to himself as he left the building, the horror on Regan’s face assuring him she’d taken his words to heart.

“Voicemail, again,” he said into his phone, as soon as he’d left Leland’s offices. “I’m not sure if you’re not answering my calls because you’re still mad at me, or maybe... maybe, you’ve just decided you’re done with me this time. I hope not.” His voice cracked. “Because I love you. I think I always have. And I know this situation with the baby and Shari isn’t ideal, but I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make this work for us, because I can’t lose you again, Evie. I just can’t. So please, please, call me.”

As soon as he ended the call, he hit Shari’s name on speed dial. “We need to talk,” he said, knowing full well Leland wouldn’t be happy.

“I thought you were done talking.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

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