“Canada? You want me to go to Canada?” Storm asked, her voice filled with surprise. “I don’t know a soul in Canada.”
“That’s the whole idea,” River replied. “I’ve got a college buddy who owns a hunting resort in the Canadian mountains, north of Vancouver.
“He can hook you up with a cozy cabin and internet. You can work on your clients’ projects and maybe even finish your own book while you’re there. It’s gorgeous there right now. Snow, pine trees, a crackling fireplace, hot cocoa.
“Think about it, sis. You’ll be too far away for that jerk to bother you, and my friend will keep an eye on you. Connor’s one of the best guys I know. I’ve been hunting with him and his brother Nial a few times. You’ll like them, and I trust them both to keep you safe.”
“Connor...isn’t he the one who would do anything on a dare?” She giggled, remembering the stories.
“Yes! I’d forgotten about that. But seriously, he’s a great guy, and the cabins are really nice. Isolated, but close enough to a small town for supplies. I called Connor first thing this morning. They have a cabin for you for as long as you need it.
“I’ll drive up with you this weekend after the board meeting, so you’ll have your truck. Then I’ll fly back. Simple as that.
“Your soon-to-be ex won’t be able to bother you, and you can start the next chapter of your life.” He gave her a comforting hug.
“I already talked to June. She’s coming by to take you shopping for heavy winter gear. You’ll need it! A parka, gloves, thermals, warm socks, and snow boots.”
She playfully swatted his shoulder. “I know how to shop.” She giggled again. “Now I’m excited. I’ll go by the publishing house and talk to my manager. Get my client list and my notes, and tell them where I’ll be.
“Yes!” she shouted. “I can do this!” She threw her arms around River and hugged him tightly.
Lyle stepped off the elevator Friday morning with Sam and saw Storm and her brother waiting by the closed courtroom doors.
“Storm, baby!” Lyle pleaded, his eyes wide and pleading. “Honey, please talk to me. We don’t need to do this, baby. I love you!” he begged.
Storm turned her face away from him and looked to River. “Can we go in?” she asked quietly.
River shot Lyle a glare. “Yes, they should be almost ready for us.” With his arm around her, River led Storm into the courtroom.
“Storm!” Lyle called out again, but she ignored him.
“Look at that ungrateful bitch!” he muttered under his breath. “She won’t even look at me.”
“Shhh!” Sam warned. “Don’t ruin this before we even get in the door. Keep your temper in check,” he advised.
Lyle and Sam followed them into the courtroom and took their places at the opposite table.
Sam set his briefcase down and opened it, pulling out papers he planned to use as evidence of Lyle’s work ethic and the positive impact he’s had on the office and its profits.
He settled himself beside Lyle and glanced over at River. River also had a file sitting in front of him and was currently holding Storm’s hand and whispering in her ear.
Sam leaned toward Lyle and spoke quietly. “What kind of relationship does Storm have with River Dalton?”
Lyle looked over at them. “He’s her stepbrother. Her dad married his mom when they were teens. But they’re close. She calls him her brother.”
“Damn. This just got personal,” Sam muttered.
The judge walked in and everyone stood. After they were seated, the judge asked River to speak first.
“Good morning, Your Honor,” he greeted.
“We called this preliminary hearing to temporarily ask the court to suspend Mr. Lyle Hughes from using and being in control of the voting shares to my client’s father’s company.
“She named Lyle as proxy almost a year ago when their marriage was viable, but because of recent disclosures and bad behavior from Mr. Hughes, my client has asked the court to step in and suspend his control until the divorce is finalized, upon which she will resume her own control of the voting shares.”
Sam stood up. “I understand what Mr. Dalton is saying, Your Honor, but my client has been doing an exemplary job since being in control of said shares.
“We have documentation to prove that his work has improved the company’s revenue twofold, and his reputation with the company and its clients is untarnished.”
“Not so untarnished, Your Honor,” River objected.
“While I’m sure counselor can produce documents to herald Mr. Hughes’s business acumen, I can also produce proof that on many occasions he took credit for work he was never involved in. I have the client lists and remarks.”
“Your Honor, I object!” Sam responded.
The judge held up his hand. “I’ll examine the evidence from both sides.” He nodded at his bailiff. Both Sam and River passed their documents to the bailiff, who then handed them to Judge Dunlop.
“And why is your client now seeking to restrict her husband from use of the proxy, Mr. Dalton?” the judge asked.
“My client discovered Mr. Hughes having sex with his personal assistant in his office during working hours, Your Honor,” River responded.
“That’s a lie!” Lyle jumped from his seat. “She misunderstood what I was doing.”
“Order! Mr. Waters, control your client,” the judge admonished.
“Your Honor, I have proof of those allegations as well, if you’d like to see?” River said.
“Proof?” Sam asked. “What kind of proof?”
River passed the bailiff a set of photographs featuring Lyle and Jessica in a compromising position over Lyle’s desk. “Photos,” he simply stated.
Sam glanced at Lyle, who just shrugged. He was clueless about the existence of these photos.
The judge skimmed through the evidence. “I take it this is the basis for your client’s divorce claim, Mr. Dalton?” he asked, holding up the four photos.
“That’s correct, Your Honor,” River confirmed.
“Well, this isn’t family court, and I’m not here to rule on the divorce proceedings,” the judge clarified.
“My role today is to determine whether the proxy votes currently held by Mr. Hughes should be suspended. Based on the evidence presented, I find myself in agreement with the complainant. Mr. Hughes, your right to make business decisions on behalf of the company, granted to you by these proxies, is suspended until the divorce is finalized.
“But let me warn you, Mr. Hughes. Regaining control of those shares won’t be a walk in the park. They were inherited by Mrs. Hughes from her father, and distributed to her before your marriage. Unless you can produce written proof that Mrs. Hughes intended for you to have permanent ownership of them, full control will revert to Mrs. Hughes.”
The judge fixed him with a stern gaze. “Dismissed.” He rapped his gavel and left the courtroom.
Lyle sidled up to Storm. “You’re still my wife. If you think this will deter me, you’re mistaken. This is just a minor hiccup. You’re meddling with my money, Storm. I won’t let that slide.”
“It’s not your money, Lyle. It’s mine, and you’re not the one in control here. You’re nothing more than a thief and a cheat. I can’t fathom what I ever saw in you.” Her violet eyes locked with his, showing not a trace of fear, only revulsion.
Lyle sneered at her. “Get used to this, wife. Whether you’re dead or alive, you’re still mine.”
“Are you threatening Mr. Hughes?” River growled.
“She can die for all I care if she tries to keep me from what’s rightfully mine,” Lyle retorted before storming off.
