Page 98 of Within Striking Distance
“Drop your plans for custody,” Everett says coldly. “We all know you don’t really want to raise Tinsley. It’s just your sick way of controlling Juliet.”
I place a hand on my housemate’s shoulder in warning. We don’t want to piss him off.
“You back off and leave them alone,” I say, keeping my tone measured. “If you want to keep your visits with your daughter, fine, but no games and no threats.”
Edward sneers at me. “Where do you come into this? Playing happy families with that bitch and my kid?”
My jaw tightens, but I keep my cool. “I’ll continue seeing Juliet as long as she wants me around, and you’ll do nothing about it.”
His eyes flick between us, calculating.
“Why should I believe you’ll tell the courts? The only person who’ll suffer is you.”
I cross my arms and arch a brow. “You sure about that? Like I said, I don’t care about what happens to me, but I’m not sure your investors would be happy if they find out who they’re investing in. What do you think, Everett?”
He smirks, mirroring my pose. “They wouldn’t be happy at all.”
Edward stares at us, the wheels visibly turning as he searches for a loophole, but we’ve got him securely backed into a corner.
“One last thing,” I say, a thought popping into my mind. “If Juliet ever asks you for anything that benefits Tinsley, you do it. No arguments, no delays.”
His eyes narrow. “Such as?”
“A passport,” I say evenly. “If she wants to take Tinsley to France to meet her family, you sign the papers. You’ve got no leverage over her anymore.”
Silence stretches between us.
“It’s a good deal, Dad. Take it.”
My chest tightens. For a moment, I worry we’ve pushed him too far and it’s going to turn ugly.
Instead, he exhales through his nose.
“You’re both very confident,” he says.
“We’re done playing your games,” Everett replies, not backing down.
Another long silence stretches as father and son stare at each other. Then Edward gives a small, dismissive shrug.
“I won’t go through with the application,” he says flatly. “If Juliet wants the passport papers signed, have her send them through to my lawyer.”
It’s all business for him.
Everett goes still beside me. “No conditions?”
Edward’s eyes harden. “Don’t test me.”
It’s not an answer, but it’s as close to a concession as a man like him gives.
I nod once. “That’s all we wanted.”
Without another word, we turn and walk away.
Chapter 28
Juliet
I’ve just put Tinsley to bed when a knock sounds at the front door.
