“What do you mean she agreed to everything?” I growl.

I demanded things I never should have, hoping like hell Petal would fight the divorce. There’s no way she should have agreed to any of it. In the deal my lawyer just gave me, I keep possession of the house, my retirement account, the furniture, our personal savings account, and both vehicles. All of it. In addition, I will keep River one week, and she will keep him the next. It’s shared custody in the most basic sense. She literally walks away from our marriage with nothing. Who would agree to that?

But the part I truly don’t understand is that I made the demand that she keep my last name. It’s a ridiculous request, and probably one of the first times it’s ever been asked. I’ve basically demanded something she should get pissed I even bring up. It’s also against one of the main requests she had. Initially, she asked the court to restore her maiden name. I thought for sure she would fight me on some of these—if not all. Does she want rid of me so much that she’s willing to give me everything?

“Just what I said: she gave into every demand without a word.”

“I won’t agree to it!” I growl, throwing the papers across the conference table.

“Luka, you’re the one who made the demands,” he points out.

I’d like to introduce my fist to his face. “I know that, Tom! But, I only did it to delay the divorce. If she fights things, then there’s still time.”

“Time for what? She filed for divorce, Luka. She moved out. She’s given in to ridiculous demands—all to go through with the divorce quickly. Through it all, she’s only asked for one thing. I know you’re trying to hold onto the marriage, but I’ve got to tell you, buddy: she’s going to get her divorce, and you’d be insane not to take this offer and run away with it.”

“Wait. What did she ask for?”

“What?”

“You said she asked for one thing. What was it?”

“She demands that your father only have supervised visitation with your son. She requests that you or your mother always be present during his visits.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”

“Afraid not, and I know that’s not going to make you happy, but…”

“But what? That’s insane!”

“If I were you, I’d agree to it. I know your father is pretty powerful here in town, but you’re getting everything here, and let’s face it, Luka...”

“Tom—”

“Your father wants nothing to do with River. You’ve said that yourself time and time again. Take the deal and run, buddy.”

Over the last few months Petal has become more and more insistent about keeping River away from my father. I’ve tried to work it out and talk about it. I know there is so much animosity between the two of them that Dad hasn’t bothered to hide it—even in front of River. I thought that was all that was involved.

Yet, I’ve also seen my father changing lately. His ambition is taking over everything he does. He became unhinged after losing his bid for Congress. He blames Petal because I didn’t go into the FBI. Somehow in his brain, having a son in the FBI meant he would get elected easily.

I’m tired of getting caught in between both of them, but I never thought, even with everything going on it would end in a divorce. I love Petal.

“I don’t want a divorce, Tom.”

“You’re going to get one, buddy.”

Fuck.

* * *

Present:

“Just a minute!” I yell out, securing my gun and holster as I walk toward the door. I open it, not really looking at who is standing there and assuming it’s my mother. That’s my first mistake, apparently.

“We need to talk,” my father says, and I immediately jerk my head around to look at him.

I don’t feel much for my father. Our relationship has always been a little strained, but after Petal, it just got worse. When I look at him now, it is with surprise, but also disbelief. His suit is disheveled to say the least. There’s a red stain on his white shirt. I venture to say it’s lipstick. It looks as if he hasn’t shaved in a couple days, at least. I can’t smell the alcohol, but I have to wonder if he’s been drinking. Shit! This is the last thing I need tonight.

“What are you doing here?” I growl, rubbing the back of my neck in frustration.

“I’m here to see you,” my father answers, pushing his way inside.

“Dad, I’m in a hurry here.”

“Where are you going? To meet that little cunt again? Jesus, have I taught you nothing, Luka boy?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about. You’ve been using that Lucas pussy to wet your dick again.”

I don’t think; I just punch him on instinct. He goes down instantly, staggering against the sofa.

“You don’t talk about Petal like that, you sorry son of a bitch!” I warn him.

He stays where he’s at, rubbing the side of his face. I feel a little bit of vindication when I see his bottom lip is split and I can see blood.

“Is this what we’ve come to? You’re picking that—?”

“I’m not warning you again,” I growl, stopping him before he calls Petal anything else. He shouldn’t even be able to say her name.

“You’re picking her over your family again. Wasn’t it enough that she ruined your life?”

“She didn’t ruin my life. You never understood that. It didn’t matter how much I told you, you never listened. Petal made life better.”

“She destroyed everything!” he growls.

“How can you say that? You son of a bitch! She’s never done anything to you. She tried like hell to fit in our family, but you never let her.”

“She’s a lying bitch! She trapped you in that marriage!”

“She gave me a son I love!”

“She destroyed all your plans! Because of her—”

“Because of her, I’m happy!”

“Bullshit. You’re just thinking with your dick.”

“I don’t have time for this right now. I’ve got a call I have to go out on. You need to leave.”

“Not until we talk—”

“We have nothing to say to each other. You would think you’d at least try to get along with the woman who gave you your only grandchild.”

“I don’t even know if he’s your kid.”

“Daddy? What’s going on?” River asks from the door.

Fuck. That’s just what I need.

“Nothing, son. Go back to bed. Daddy will be there in a minute,” I tell him, doing my best to keep the anger out of my voice. I’ve got my fists clenched in anger to keep from tearing my father apart.

“What’s Papaw Parish mean when he says I’m not your kid? You’re my dad.” River’s face is full of worry and confusion as he confirms my worst fears in that he heard my father.

“Papaw is just kidding, River,” I try again.

My father snorts in disbelief. If I can get River back to his room, I’m going to kill my father.

“It’s not funny,” he says, rubbing his eyes. I can see the tears even from here.

“No. It sure as hell is not. Come here, sport.” I kneel down so I’m more on his level. He comes running to me and wraps his little arms around me. I stand up with River hanging on to me. “You need to leave,” I warn the man who might have fathered me, but is someone I don’t even recognize these days. Maybe I never knew him.

“This isn’t over,” he growls.

“Damn straight,” I agree because I’m going to make sure he never talks about Petal like this again. He walks out, leaving the door open as he goes. I watch him walk away, and I’ve got a bad feeling about what just went on. I need to talk to Petal. We need to be prepared. I don’t know what my father can do, but I know him well enough to understand he’s going to try and cause trouble between me and Petal any way he can.

“Papaw is mad,” River says.

I hug him a little tighter, watching as my father squeals his tires pulling out of the driveway. “Yeah, son. I guess he is,” I answer. “I guess he is.”