There’s a good school only a mile away with several good-sized developments in different stages of construction. This area will only grow more populated. Charles pointed out some real estate investments I could make, and I plan to put some money there in Asher’s name. I make some notations on the prospectus I’m turning down and shoot off an email to Charles.
With work done, I go find my family. Sera and Asher are on the roof again. Sera is decked out in a pretty sundress with a wide-brimmed hat tied beneath her chin. Asher is in little jeans, brown shoes, and a small barn coat.
“Cute,” I say, sliding onto the blanket next to my woman.
“Me or Asher?”
“Both, but you especially.” I pinch her chin lightly and then angle my head beneath her hat for a kiss. She allows a small peck before drawing back. A frown creases my forehead.
“Asher is watching,” she whispers.
“He needs to get used to this.” I lean forward and capture her lips again. This time she allows me to linger until Asher pokes his head next to ours.
“Mine.” He puts one little palm on each cheek and pushes us apart. Once I’m a safe distance from his mother, he repeats his claim. “Mine.”
Sera rubs her lips together to keep from laughing. “He sounds like you,” she giggles behind her hand.
“I can’t believe I’m competing with a three-year-old for your affections, and please”—I hold up my hand—“don’t crush my ego and tell me who you’d save if the house was on fire.”
“You’re six foot two and two hundred pounds. I wouldn’t be able to save you even if I wanted to,” she protests, cuddling Asher close.
The boy’s blue eyes narrow in suspicion. “Me save.”
I’m not sure if he’s saying he would save Sera or that we should be saving him. “You’re right, little man. We’d both save your mom and I’d save you, too.” I ruffle his hair.
A beep on my phone forestalls any more discussion on this topic. “Hello.”
“Mr. Jericho, Lucas is here and would like to see you.”
Beside me, Sera stiffens and draws Asher close.
“I’ll be down.”
“He asked for Ms. Sera, as well.”
She starts to get up, but I shake my head. “I’ll be down,” I repeat and hang up. “Stay up here and practice your rescue techniques.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, darling. Consider this one of my saves.” I wink. There’s no need for her to see Lucas. He’s an asshole, and the only reason he’s shown up is to cause problems. Or ask for money. Or both.
“He has a guest with him,” Paul informs me. “I didn’t want to say anything over the phone.” In case it would upset Sera are the unspoken words.
“Good decision, Paul.” We’re all united in making Sera happy, even little Asher.
In the study, I find Lucas staring at the real estate prospectus on my desk. “I wouldn’t invest in that one,” I tell him.
“Right. Of course you wouldn’t.” He rolls his eyes, clearly thinking I’m lying to him.
“The developer is known for shoddy workmanship and has lawsuits as long as my arm.”
Lucas merely rolls his eyes again. “Sure, man. Look, speaking of lawsuits, I’d like you to meet Christina Journey.” He drags a woman forward. Short with dark brown, almost black hair, Christina’s round cheeks and big blue eyes remind me of someone.
“Ms. Journey.” I jerk my chin up in acknowledgment.
She swallows and then puts her own chin in the air. “I’m Asher’s mother.”
Ahh, that’s where I’ve seen those eyes before. I’m going to have to give Paul a big bonus this year. Sera did not need to deal with this. “You have been working hard,” I say to Lucas. None of Michael’s family had known about Asher.
“I saw some kids things when I was here for the will reading and started asking around.” He’s very proud of himself.
I take a slow walk around Michael’s desk and seat myself in the big leather chair before I respond. “Asher’s mother is upstairs with her son. I’m not familiar with you.”
Her jaw clenches, but before she can speak again, Lucas shoves her out of the way. “I’m filing a lawsuit to have the will nullified. The money should’ve gone to Asher and his mom, not to that Sera b—”
“Don’t say it,” I warn. “We both know you’ll regret it.”
He snaps his lips together.
“The money wasn’t left to Sera. The money was left to me. She only gets the use of the fortune during her lifetime. Even if Asher is this woman’s biological son, she is not entitled to any monies. Only Michael’s direct issue is entitled to a statutory cut, which is not more than he is allotted under the will.”
Lucas pulls a sheaf of papers from out of his back pocket and slams them on the desk. “You talk a big game, Jericho, but we’ll see you in court.” He grabs the woman’s arm and drags her out, only to stop short. I hear a scornful laugh.