Page 4 of Steele

“This is the last time you try to cut me out. You don’t want to push me.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Don’t threaten me.”

“These aren’t threats. I’m done, Natalie. I want fifty-fifty custody. Equal time. Sign the papers so we can be done with this shit.” Because I couldn’t get my own place as long as I was covering the mortgage on the house and my room at the MC. Once the divorce was final, the house would be Natalie's.

“I’ll sign the papers when you agree to standard visitation and child support.”

“I am supporting her. This isn’t about money,” I spat. “I’m paying the mortgage. I bought the damn car in the driveway.”

She raised her voice. “I’m sure the courts would love to know how you earn your income.”

“Sweat and blood. Working construction for your brother.”

“Only because Cory is willing to overlook your past—at least the things he knows about. Because you work together doesn’t mean his loyalties are divided. Maybe you should stop using my family to solve your problems. I’d hate for him to find out about your work with the Crawlers.”

There was a time her threats would’ve effectively had me backing off, but I had a documented work history, one she couldn’t contest in court. And she couldn’t implicate me in my past without jeopardizing herself. “We both reaped the benefits, babe.”

“I’m not your babe.”

“No shit.” The term hadn’t come off as an endearment but dripped with irritation.

Our raised voices called Henri like a guard dog if the dog was a French poodle. He stormed down the stairs, nostrils flared and angry, with a pinched face. For the most part, Henri was a good guy. He’d always been a bit hesitant to approach me. I stood six inches taller and outweighed him by fifty pounds. I didn’t know much about him except that his mother was from France and his dad was Air Force.

And that he was fucking my future ex-wife and trying to play house with my kid.

I’m sure Natalie had given him my laundry list of faults, embellishing the shit I’d done in my past.

“Lower your voices,” Henri said. “Lili was listening.”

“Fucking hell,” I said.

“Steele.” He positioned himself between me and Natalie. “What is this about?”

“He’s upset because Lili is going to Donuts with Dad with you.”

“Nah, he’s not taking her.”

She ignored me and kept on talking. “And he’s pissed about parent/teacher conferences at the school. And he’s pissed about the divorce. Basically, he’s an asshole when he doesn’t get his way.”

I cocked my head, rolled my shoulders to calm the flare of rage ripping through me, and lowered my voice. “I’m not pissed about the divorce. But I’m not negotiating on Lili. When it comes to her school, her teachers, her dance classes, and even her soccer games and practices, I need to know what’s going on with her. And I want her with me fifty percent of the time.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Henri said.

“I need you to stay out of this,” I said to him. “You’re part of the fucking problem. Want a kid? Make one. You can’t have mine.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I think it’s time for you to go home.”

“This is my house, asshole.”

“No,” Natalie snapped. “This is my house, and you need to leave.”

I glared at Natalie. “This isn’t done. Stop using Lili to get back at me. All I want is my kid.” I pointed at Henri. “Don’t show up to Donuts with Dad. Don’t interfere, or we’re going to have a problem.” I turned and headed for the stairs to the upper bedrooms.

Natalie followed. “What do you think you can do?”

I took the steps two at a time. “Fuck around and find out.”

Lili’s bedroom door was open. She burrowed under her ladybug comforter. I sat on the edge of her bed. “Hey, Lilibug. I’m heading out.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek.