Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“Is there a course?” I asked, grateful when Cherry intertwined our fingers.
“There is.” He paused and drained his coffee. “I’m a blunt man, Dom. I speak my mind, and I don’t say things I don’t mean. You okay with that?”
“Absolutely. I prefer blunt.”
“Good.” He indicated the box with a tilt of his head. “You were fucked over. Your lawyer had no clue what he was doing. And I’m not surprised you lost so often.”
I drew in a painful breath. “He was recommended to me. I thought he tried hard.”
“Oh, he did. But he was up against one of the worst lawyers around. Your ex-wife’s lawyer is a slimy lowlife and barely operates within the boundaries of the law. He fights dirty and encourages his clients to do so as well. They tag-teamed really well. Your guy was no match for their manipulation.”
I sat back, shocked. “So, I’m fucked.”
Halton shook his head. “You were fucked,” he said slowly. “But you have me now.” He rapped on the table. “I’m going to help you get your son back in your life.”
For a moment, I was sure I had heard him wrong. I stared at him, then looked at Cherry. She squeezed my hand.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Halton smiled in understanding. “I went through your files, Dom. Got Fee to start digging. Rene, too. You were screwed over. You’re still being screwed over. I’m going to put a stop to it. I’m going to find a way to let you see your son.”
“I don’t even know where he is,” I said, disbelieving.
“He’s in Kingston.”
I blinked. “Kingston? As in, an hour away from me?”
“Yes.”
“How did you find him?”
“Your ex is lazy, and so is her lawyer. The payments you send are deposited into her bank account. It wasn’t hard to use my, ah, resources to find where they were deposited and the information linked to the account.” He shook his head. “Her lawyer should have deposited the funds on her behalf and transferred the payments. But as I said, lazy.”
I couldn’t believe Josh was so close. I could have passed him on the street and not known it.
“You did nothing wrong. You put your son and his needs above everything. Your ex is carrying out a personal vendetta that has hurt both you and Josh,” Halton said, his voice kind. “I would like to put a stop to that.”
I leaned forward, feeling desperate. “Please take my case. I was saving for a house, but I’ll use that for your retainer. I just want to see my son,” I begged. “Talk to him. Hug him. Take him out for pizza. I’m not trying to steal him from his mother. I want to be a part of his life. I’ll do anything, Halton. I’ll figure out a way to pay your fees. I’ll—”
He held up his hand, silencing me and shaking his head. “Everyone needs a home, Dom. A place to belong.” He looked between Cherry and me. “Someone to share it with and make life wonderful. Don’t use your savings to pay me.” He shared a glance with Fiona, and another tender smile passed between them. He sat back, threading his fingers together and placing his hands across his chest as he regarded me.
Before I could say anything else, he spoke again.
“The laws and the courts still favor the mother, although things have come a long way. In many cases, that is what is best for the child. In some, it isn’t. There are fathers desperate to be part of their kids’ lives. Willing to do almost anything to be with them. Usually, it’s an issue between the parents, as in your case. A personal grudge.” He paused and rubbed his chin. “Often spouses punish each other, but it’s the kids who suffer. On Saturdays, I work with a group of dads like yourself. Wanting to be with their kids, struggling to find a way to do so. You should come with me. Sit and talk to these men who understand your pain and frustration. I offer guidance, help them navigate the system. On occasion, I represent one. And a few times a year, when a case touches me, I take it on fully—pro bono.” He met my gaze, his determined and serious. “Yours slammed into my heart, Dom. I want to help you reconnect with your son. If you trust me enough to allow me to take it on, I will do everything in my power to make that happen. I can’t guarantee you results, but I will bloody well try.”
“You’ll take it on,” I repeated slowly, unsure I had heard him correctly.
“I’m taking your case on pro bono. I’ll work with you. You’ll have the power of my office behind you, and we will do everything we can to get you back to Josh.”