Shepherd shrugged. “He’s also got a young, demanding girlfriend with expensive tastes, who we all know doesn’t actually earn anything as an ‘Instagram Influencer’”. He copied Asher’s air quotes. “He’s got a fancy apartment, which he allowed Brandi to furnish from scratch. He spent his savings on a sports car that costs too much to run. He defaulted on the bank loan he took out to pay for that trip to the Bahamas, and he’s not earning enough to finance his lifestyle.”
He read another message. “I also have it on good authority he’s in danger of losing his job.”
Shepherd raised his head in the silence that followed his announcement.
“How the hell did you find all that out?” Asher asked, seeing his friend in a completely new light.
“And so fast?” Gabe added.
Shepherd looked between them. “I know people,” he replied vaguely.
Asher raised his eyebrows, not completely comfortable with the caliber of these mysterious ‘people’, and Shepherd frowned.
“What? Lots of people drink coffee… they find an establishment they like, they return… and they chat. I figured I could find out enough dirt to use against Adrian if it came to that.”
Asher shook his head and laughed. “Well, fortunately, I have a plan that’s probably a lot more legal… we just have to get Evie on board.”
Chapter
Thirty-Two
EVIE
“You want me to what?” Evie knew her voice was shrill and screechy, but Asher couldnotbe serious. What in the name of Christmas cookies was he thinking?
“I want you to agree to giving Adrian custody of Ollie.”
Anger and betrayal swirled in her gut, burning away every bit of the lethargic fog she’d been feeling until now.
“Go fudge yourself, Asher!” she spat. “How dare you suggest I give up my son?”
“Evie, calm down. It’s a bluff, nothing more.” Gabe, always the steady presence, attempted to calm the situation.
“None of us really wants you to allow Adrian full custody,” Shepherd added.
Evie’s head was spinning. She’d spent the previous day in some kind of fugue state, the shock of Adrian’s actions shutting down her mental capacity. She’d collapsed inside herself like it might protect her from harsh reality, but now it was time to face the truth.
She wanted to scream. She wanted to throw something. She wanted these men, these wonderful, infuriating men whothought they could fix everything, to understand this wasn't some business problem to solve with clever strategies and loopholes.
This was Ollie. Her baby. The one good thing that had come from her disastrous marriage to Adrian.
"You don't understand," she said, and her voice cracked on the words. "You can't possibly understand what you're asking me to do."
“I understand,” Shepherd said quietly.
Evie looked at the pain in his eyes. He’d had the child he thought was his ripped away, his fatherhood stolen and reduced to nothing, so yes, he did understand, and that meant… “So you know why I can’t possibly agree to this,” she challenged.
Shepherd flinched but remained stoic. “You need to hear Asher out. But make no mistake, we’ll stand by your decision…”
She felt a moment of victory before he murmured, “Even if it kills us to do it.”
He looked so freaking sad. Like his life had been ripped away from him all over again.Fudge brownies!
"Evie, I know it goes against everything you believe, but I need you to trust me on this. If you agree to his terms, he'll show his hand. Adrian doesn’t want Ollie; he’s just using him to manipulate you.”
“And once you pay him off the first time, I can guarantee he’ll hold that fear over you for Ollie’s entire childhood and bleed you dry,” Gabe added. “It’s what people like him do.”
“And what if you’re wrong?” she demanded, her voice rising in pitch. “What if I end up losing my son?”
