Chapter Forty-Five
Nixie
This suit is too tight. The material, which seemed comfortable enough two days ago, is driving my skin batty. My breasts fight against the confines of my bra, sensitive and suddenly tighter than I’ve experienced since pregnancy.
Everything about the courtroom is striking against my overstimulated instincts and making me want to curl into a ball under the table until it’s all over. But of course, I can’t give in to my inner omega.
“You okay?” Vonn whispers, his hand on my back as we walk toward the front of the courtroom. For some reason, I expected it to look different in here, but surprisingly, it’s just like you might see in the movies. So much polished wood gleaming, and a huge pulpit for a judge to sit on.
We walk through the empty rows, following our lawyer, and I’m struck by how glad I am that Mr. Finch insisted this be a closed court hearing. With Vonn and Julius’s notoriety, he argued it could be a veritable circus. Not to mention keeping Asher protected as a minor.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pause, quickly slipping it out. The message is just what I’ve been waiting for.
Cassia
Got Ash from school. No problems.
The blood pulsing in my ears calms.He’s safe. Hidden and always mine.The guys don’t know about my contingency plan… but I made Asher a promise, and I won’t ever break it.
Vonn reaches out, gently smoothing my hair, and Julius clasps my hand. His warm palm is comforting, bolstering my courage.
“Backup plan all set?” Julius whispers, bending his head so no one else can hear. My mouth drops open, and I scan his face for irritation, but he shoots me a sly grin and a wink. How could he know?I’ve been so careful, sneaking about, making discreet plans with Cass so they couldn’t get in trouble. According to all my searches, if Evan wins today and I disappear, it would be a criminal offense. It would break my heart if the guys got caught up in something like that.
“What do you mean?” My eyes widen, feigning innocence, but the laughter echoing from Vonn through our bond reveals my epic failure.
“Just know that if we need the contingency plan, we both support you and are fully on board. We’re ready to disappear at a moment’s notice with you and Ash by our side. You can’t get rid of us that easily.” No one is more important than my son, but in a very short time, these two Alphas have become an integral part of my world. They orbit around me like two moons, and I’m drawn to them in a way that is so undeniable that the very idea of us being apart is torture.
“No matter what, we’ll keepourson safe.” Julius’s words carry the weight of determination, and instead of rebuffing them, I embrace his promise. My guys’ nearness, sweet promises, and delectable sense swirl around me like a big warm hug, makingmy sensitive demeanor crack under the weight. Slick drenches my panties, soaking them instantly, and a low cramp builds in my belly. It’s uncomfortable, but I’ve been through childbirth, I can handle a few cramps; though the thick scent-concealing panties Julius bought me are coming in clutch.
We take our seats behind a long table in front of the podium, and I try to focus on all the details of the awful room. But my mind keeps trailing back to my plush nest, all decked out in jewel tones and waiting for me. My instincts want to throw a bitch fit and demand we go there right now, but I push them back to the best of my abilities, digging my fingernails into my palms and hoping that my heat will wait until all of this gets settled. Fortunately, Vonn and Julius bought some expensive scent blockers, so while I’m aware of my near-heat-induced hell as long as I can maintain my composure, no one else should be any the wiser.
“Don’t worry,” Mr. Finch reminds us. “Just do your best to keep a neutral, but polite expression, and don’t react to anything they say. It’s about to begin.” No sooner have the words left his mouth than the bailiff appears.
“Rise for the Honorable Judge Sandra Peters.” My skin prickles with heat, but I push my legs to stand. Thigh muscles quivering, I stand between Vonn and Julius, letting their presence steady me. We do as we’re told, and though I try not to, my eyes wander to the other side of the courtroom. Toward the two people I once considered my parents. My mother and stepfather’s eyes graze my skin, like daggers flaying open my flesh. They sit in the pew behind the prosecutor’s table, glaring at me angrily. Seeing my stepfather shocks me in my mind. George was always big and imposing, but he seems shriveled, a frail beta male who is prematurely balding. His breath saws in and out, his large paunch rising and falling quickly—no longera person to fear; he’s a nobody. With my Alphas beside me, I’m strong and ready to conquer this.
Now I just need to keep my heat at bay.
For his part, Evan doesn’t even glance our way. Instead, he maintains a rigid posture, eyes forward, like we are nothing more than dirt to crush under his shoe. I barely know the man, but I can’t for the life of me understand why he’s here doing this. Or why he wanted to purchase a child in the first place. Julius’s digging showed that he’s a single Alpha who runs a company and travels often for both work and pleasure. Nothing in his lifestyle shows a commitment to being a parent. Sure, he has plenty of money, but that means fuck all.
“Good morning.” Judge Peters fixes her robe before sitting, and the microphone crackles. “I have read the documents in this case, and while I am appalled by much of what I’ve read, it’s time to proceed with opening arguments.”
Nervous energy makes me jumpy, and anxiety churns in my gut.Appalled?I hope that’s directed at Evan’s side and not mine. We provided as much information as possible about George selling my heat, my body, and trying to sell Asher. We didn’t hold back, as Finch advised. I explained every piece of my trauma for the court, knowing it could be shared aloud.Thank goodness Ash is far away from here.
Evan’s lawyer stands first, ready to address the judge. Because this is a civil paternity hearing, there is no jury—just a judge deciding the next steps.
“If it pleases your honor, I would first like to thank you for your time. I will make my motion brief. We are requesting the court to allow a paternity test of the minor child, Asher Alton. The woman sitting across from us, Phoenix Alton, kidnapped his biological son from our client. We would like the court to order that my client receive sole custody if paternity is confirmed.” The judge jots down a few notes, nodding her head, then speaks.
“In summary, you are requesting a paternity test and sole custody of the minor, Asher Alton. As you used the term kidnapping, can you please clarify whether you are seeking a genetic test between Asher and Phoenix Alton as well?” She peers at him from her seat high above us. I hold my breath, waiting while he shifts from foot to foot. Mr. Finch had said this would be important—they need to admit that Ash is, without a doubt, my child.
“No, your honor. The kidnapping occurred while the minor was in utero.” She glares at him for a moment before speaking again.
“So you’re seeking full custody from the child’s biological mother?” Her frown gives me hope, and butterflies swirl in my stomach as she sifts through a large stack of papers, clearly searching for something specific. A fine sheen of sweat forms along arms and torso, and my temperature rises. Low cramps begin in my belly, and I grip my chair, forcing myself to pay attention, although I can feel the truth of what is about to happen.
“Yes, we are seeking full custody on the grounds of Phoenix Alton being an unfit parent.”And there it is.While I knew it was coming, being called an unfit mother is a sucker punch straight in the stomach, and I struggle to breathe. Vonn, sensing my distress through the bond, whips his head toward me and grabs my hand. Love pulses from him, and I use it to anchor myself. It takes a moment, but I get my ‘polite’ face back on, even though I want to scream and rage.
“Objection, your honor.” Mr. Finch stands forcefully, and the judge motions him to sit down with her hand. At this point, I can’t tell whether she’s on my side or not. Julius grips my other hand tightly, saving me from swooning.
“And what evidence do you have of that?” Finding what she needs in the stack, Judge Peters waves a sheet of paper aroundlike a flag before grabbing a pair of glasses off her table and slipping them on.
