Page 20 of No More Lies

“You are taking your daughter away from her mother.”

“Natasha is welcome to come. She is choosing not to. So, in a sense she is taking my daughter away from me.”

“The judge may decide an amendment to the joint custody agreement is all that is required. A child needs both parents.”

Volkov stood abruptly. He’d heard enough.

“Mrs. Williams, when I return to Russia, I will take my daughter with me permanently. Do you understand?”

To his delight, her eyes widened, but her voice was even when she answered him. “Yes.”

“All I need you to do is present the evidence you have. The witnesses will testify, and I will tell the judge exactly what I just told you. I was trapped.”

“And if it’s not enough?”

When he slammed his fist on the nearby table, her jump gave him satisfaction.

“Just do your job as a lawyer. That is what I am paying you to do. I suggest you get back to work. Be ready to present the case. I will take care of the rest.”

“I... don’t understand. What do you mean?”

“It’s time for you to leave, Mrs. Williams.”

Uncertainty flashed across her features, but she recovered quickly.

“Of course.”

Dismissing her with a nod, he turned his attention to the picture of Anya on his phone.

If Natasha had agreed to come to Russia, this would have been so much easier. When he told her his plans she had screamed at him. Cursing and clawing at him like a madwoman, telling him he would never take Anya from her. Things had got heated and he had been exceptionally rough with her. Making her see what might happen if she crossed him. He’d regretted being so aggressive and had even apologized. The next day, though, she had a lawyer serve him papers for full custody and a temporary order that he could not take Anya out of the country. The nightclub waitress was clearly smarter than he had given her credit. At arbitration, she’d even managed to be granted a restraining order. He could not set foot inside the house he paid for. Ludicrous!

He had considered getting rid of her. It wouldn't be the first time he had eliminated someone who was a threat, whether to his business or to win a contract. He could arrange an accident. But she had hired a lawyer. If she disappeared now, even in an accident, all sorts of questions would be raised, especially since she was accusing him of assault. He was so close to returning to Russia; he did not want anything disrupting that. People talked at the Havana Club. They knew who she was. She had accompanied him to one or two events. He didn’t need anyone poking around in his business, his family, or the additional side hustle he had started just a few months ago. No. He could not risk any of it by killing Natasha.

Instead, he had chosen a legal route, although knowing he could guarantee the result. He agreed Natasha could have temporary custody. Didn’t challenge it. He had accepted the limited visits with Anya because in the end, he would have his daughter all to himself. His money and power always got him what he wanted. Even a judge.

All he needed was a lawyer from a reputable firm to present a case in court that raised enough doubt about Natasha. Judge Dolan would ensure the right outcome. He’d made sure of that. Arnold Janssen had failed him at arbitration. Volkov would not be failed again. Mrs. Williams just needed to keep her nose out of what didn’t concern her and stop asking questions.

If she didn’t? That was another reason he had chosen the lovely Mrs. Williams as his new lawyer. A woman with a family was vulnerable. If she poked her nose too far into his business, she could be handled. Because everybody has a price.

Maybe it was time to remind her of that.

***

DIANE RAN THE LAST few steps to her car, scrambling inside and closing the door before collapsing against the steering wheel, her body shaking. The text in the diner. Knowing she was there with Steve and Megan having breakfast? Was it really a coincidence one of his men was there? Damn the text, and now the meeting... She was shaken to her core. He was being the bully she had already guessed he could be. He was trying to scare her.

He was beginning to succeed.

Taking deep breaths, she tried to calm down. Her hands trembled so much she couldn’t turn the key to start the engine. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes, forcing herself to find some control. She was in her car; she was safe. He was just playing mind games. Right? When her phone pinged, she jumped. She pulled the phone from her purse to see a message from Steve.

Hi Angel. I just wanted to see how your day is going. This morning was so good. Text me when you get a chance, let me know what time you’ll be home and I’ll cook, well, throw some steaks on the barbecue at least. I love you. Xx.

Diane closed her eyes, pinching her nose to stop the tears that threatened. Oh God, she should be home with her family. She wanted nothing more than a Saturday afternoon playing with Megan. Steve grilling steaks, while she made a salad no one except her would eat. They would go to softball or watch movies, talk and laugh. Then when Megan went to bed, she and Steve would make out on the sofa, and when it got too heated, they’d move into the bedroom, so they didn’t wake their daughter. That was how their Saturdays used to be. When she was happy.

Steve. Her one and only love. Never had she wondered what it would be like to date someone else. Steve was it for her. Some days, she still pinched herself that he wanted her. An inexperienced shy girl and a Navy man. Yeah, she knew he could have had any choice of girls. Navy groupies. Diane wasn't anything like those girls who hung out at the bars. She was always more likely at the library with her head stuck in a book. Yet after being behind her in line at a coffee shop one day, he had pursued her. Not in an arrogant cocky way, but slowly, romantically. A perfect, gentle, young man.

Steve being enlisted had never bothered her. San Diego was full of military men and women. It was who he was, and he loved what he did. He had always encouraged her to follow her dreams, to have the career she wanted. When he was deployed, it was scary at first, but she got used to it. The Navy was not a job to him, it was his purpose, and he did it with such passion, honor, and courage. A calling. She had been convinced being a lawyer was her calling, but dammit, working at this firm had opened her eyes to a side of the law she didn’t like. One where money and power were all that mattered. Diane had been assigned some questionable cases before, though, and she had accepted she would have to get used to it. This case was the worst yet. Volkov was making her rethink everything she thought about being a lawyer.

She thumped the steering wheel in frustration. She couldn't go home, not yet. It wasn’t like she could talk to Steve about this case, and trying to play happy families with this going on would be a challenge. Picking up her phone, she texted him.