Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Serena

It might seem like a long-drawn-out process, but the whole hearing takes less than an hour and a half. Dominique manages to hold his shit together until Judge Marsh renders her decision. She rules in my client’s favor and orders the father to register through the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement. Based on his earlier behavior I was expecting him to act out, but I was not expecting the level of anger he exhibits in front of the judge, the bailiff, and everyone else.

Dominique jumps up from his seat the minute she smacks down the gavel and the hearing is over. He tries to make a run for Barbara, but his attorney steps in front of him. I get to my feet and urge Barbara to move to the far side of the room with me. The bailiff reaches over to his shoulder and speaks into his communication device. Although I can’t hear what he’s saying, I imagine he’s calling for back up because at this point Dominique is yelling at Barbara that she is ripping his life apart and taking his child from him. He’s not quite stupid enough to threaten her out in the open, but I can tell by the horrified look on her face that she fully understands he could get to her in his present state of mind, and she would not be safe.

His attorney leans over and says something in his ear. Whatever it is, prompts his client to shut his mouth, do an about-face and leave the room. I’m still a little shocked that he lost control of his behavior in the courthouse of all places. This is the place where everyone is usually on their best behavior.

I have to admit I’m absolutely floored that once he’s out the door, Barbara turns to me with her bottom lip quivering and asks, “Do you think I’m crazy for feeling sorry for him and still loving him even after all this?”

Naturally, I want to shake her and scream, “Yes, yes you are. Snap out of it before he does something you’ll both regret.” I don’t because that would be unprofessional. Instead, I reply calmly. “It’s okay to love someone who’s violent, but it’s not okay to let him in your life and around your children. No one can help him until he’s willing to help himself.” I reach into my briefcase and pull out a card for a domestic violence support group.

“Yes, of course you’re right. I don’t know why I said that.”

I hand her the card. No explanation needed because she’s a smart lady with some insight into her own problems.

“Don’t beat yourself up about it. It’s perfectly normal to feel conflicted about major life events. This situation has been immensely stressful. The important thing is that you stood up for your child today and did what was in their best interest. Even though you still have feelings for him, and he was being manipulative, you didn’t let it stop you from doing what you knew was right. Really, you should be proud of yourself.”

Nodding, she responds. “You’re right. I guess it’s just hard seeing him like that.”

“He’s going to be okay. This might be the rock bottom he needs to finally get himself into treatment.”

“I hope and pray that’s the case. I really do believe he has the potential to move past the addiction. If only he would believe in himself enough to give it a try. He just needs the right kind of support.”

Shock roils through my gut. “What he needs is professional substance abuse treatment. You already gave him all the support you possibly could, and it didn’t make a difference. You’re not thinking of giving him another chance, are you?”

Glancing away, she responds quietly, “I’ve made it pretty clear that I still love him. He’s a completely different man when he’s not using. But I can’t raise my kids around drugs or the dangers that using brings with it. There is so much more to this situation than I told you. He was spending all our money on drugs, having dealers in our home, and was coming and going at all hours. I don’t know what was more upsetting, all the yelling and screaming, or forever being afraid he was going to hit our child. No. As much as I love him, I can’t do that again.”

“You’re making a good decision. You can do this, Barbara. I know you can. If you need anything in the realm of legal help, you give me a call and I’ll be there for you, okay?”

When Officer Andrews gave me support at Stan’s apartment, my intention was one day to pay it forward. Little did I know how quickly an opportunity for me to do that would present itself.

Barbara nods, taking a minute to wipe away her tears again. “I appreciate all your help, Miss Sommers.”

“We all need a good support system. You had a lot of family show up for you today. And now you’ve got me for legal matters.”

Suddenly, she smiles. “Thank goodness you were assigned my case. I feel like a lucked out in that regard.” Looking over her shoulder at her family, she told me, “My grandfather would have been here as well, but he stayed home with Kristina. I’d be lost without all of you.”

When we part ways, Barbara’s family surrounds her as they walk out of the courtroom. I hear a masculine voice say my name and look up to find Dominique’s attorney walking toward me. He extends his hand, “Mark Rensberger.”

I already know that because he introduced himself to the court, just like I did. I shake his hand gamely, “Serena Sommers. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You did good today.”

I smile at him as I shove the last of my paperwork into my briefcase. “Who are you kidding? The cards were all in my favor on this one.”

He gives me a knowing look. “Some clients are easier to serve than others.”

“You did well with your losing hand. I can’t begin to imagine a courtroom strategy that would win him even partial custody.”

“Yeah, sometimes our best is all we can do.”

I grab my briefcase and say my goodbyes. “It was nice talking with you. If we don’t end up in the courtroom together again, let me say it was a pleasure getting a chance to meet you.”

“Would you like to grab some coffee with me?”

I give a small shake of my head as I clasp the handle of my briefcase harder. “I’ve got plans. Thanks for the invite though. Have a nice day, Mr. Rensberger.”

“You too, Miss Sommers.”

I turn, and head for the door. Rensberger seems like a nice enough guy. He’s no Smoke though and I can’t wait to get back to the office and tell him how my first case before the family law master went.

***

I walk out of the building and am a few yards down the sidewalk when Dominique pops up out of nowhere, blocking my path. I can tell by the look on his face he’s still angry about losing custody of his child.

“What do you want, Mr. Gobel?” I ask calmly.

“I want you to unfuck what you just fucked up,” he growls. “My family is my whole world, and you took them from me.”

“To be fair, your wife divorced you long before I came along.”

His face turns into a mask of fury. “Don’t play games with me, you fucking bitch. In the courtroom you have all the power. On the street, I do.”

I’m not completely certain what he’s talking about, but it sounds vaguely threatening.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t have the power to change anything that happened in the courtroom today. Only the judge can change it. If you roll up on her like you did me just now, you’re liable to end up in the county jail.”

“Don’t threaten me,” he shouts. “I know my damn rights.”

“Look, I’ll be really honest with you right now. If you want things to change, you need to get into rehab, kick the drug habit and get your life together. If you do that, I can’t imagine anyone who would object to you seeing your child.”

“Wouldn’t you just like that, making me jump through hoops to see my own kid.”

“I can’t talk to you anymore. If you have something to say to me, go through your attorney. If you approach me again, I’ll file charges for harassment.

Dominique reaches out as though he is going to grab me, but I take a step back. When he stumbles toward me, someone jerks him back and spins him around to face them.

Dominique growls, “Who the fuck do you think you are putting your hands on me?”

Smoke replies almost casually, “I’m the man who’s going to kick your dumb ass all over this sidewalk for messing with my partner.”

Dominique’s head spins around to glance over his shoulder at me before turning back to Smoke. “Yeah, that sounds about right. Two people in fancy suits messing up everyone else’s fucking life.”

“So, this is related to a case she’s working on? You should know better than to approach the opposing counsel without your attorney. It’s one of the first things attorneys explain to their clients. Who’s your attorney?”

I provide the information when Dominique suddenly clams up. “His attorney is Mark Rensberger. This is Barbara Bailey-Gobel’s ex-husband, Dominique.”

Smoke’s eyes narrowed. “Dominique Gobel.” He takes a step closer to the belligerent man. “Look, I know you’re not used to playing by the rules, so let me explain the situation to you. If I find you threatening my partner again, I will come for you with every legal consequence I can dream up, both criminal and civil. You’ll either wind up in prison or poor as a church mouse. Everyone knows you don’t blame members of the legal team when court cases don’t go your way, much less the legal team of the opposing counsel.”

Smoke can be intimidating when he wants to be. Even when he’s threatening legal consequences instead of bodily harm. He’s strong and confident. His dark brown hair, green eyes, neatly trimmed beard surrounding those kissable lips, and muscular physique has constantly had me thinking dirty thoughts over the last few weeks.

“Don’t you have something better to do with your time than commit crimes that could generate real jail time for you, Dominique?”

“You don’t scare me, Smoke.”

How interesting. No one had mentioned Smoke’s name. Somehow Dominique already knows my illustrious partner.

“That’s because you’re not half smart. If I were you, I’d tuck tail and run because you’re pissing me off.”

“Fucking bikers,” Dominique mumbled under his breath, before stepping around Smoke and walking off.

Smoke steps forward and looks me over with a critical eye. “Are you okay? He didn’t scare you, did he?”

I snort a laugh, “No. Regardless of what his ex-wife has to say, he’s a creeper. But it’s not like he can attack me on the street and hope to get away with it.”

He’s still frowning. “I guess not, but better safe than sorry.”

I take a deep breath and lift my chin. “Thanks for the save, handsome.”

Smiling he turns and holds out his elbow for me to take. “No problem, princess. Let’s talk while we walk, and you can explain what in the fuck went down in court that led to Dom chasing you in public.”

I take his arm, and we start walking toward the coffee shop. “It’s a weird story.”

He shrugged. “They always are in this neck of the woods. You sure you’re okay? That asshole is someone you want to stay away from.”

“Yeah, he was still wound up from court.”

“I wouldn’t trust Dominique Gobel any further than I can throw him. He’s a dangerous drug runner. Drugs have ruined his health to the point that I didn’t recognize him at first. He’s half the man he used to be.”

“I did not know that,” I say truthfully, while filing away that small bit of information in the back of my mind. “Believe it or not, he wouldn’t be the first asshole I’ve dealt with in my life. After a while, it destroys one’s faith in humanity.”

“If you have any more cases involving him, I’ll act as your co-counsel.”

“If you think that’s best, I won’t fight you on it.”

“Why is it that you seem indifferent to the danger?”

“His ex-wife seems to think he’s a good man deep down inside. She talked about how amazing he is when he isn’t strung out on drugs.”

“Then she’s naïve as fuck. Gobel was never a good man, even before he got into drugs. I’m done talking about that man,” he says irritably.

“Alright,” I respond.

Getting his irritation in check, he asks, “Can I interest you in some coffee?”

“Not unless you sweeten the deal,” I say playfully.

His eyes flash up to mine, curiosity shining bright. “What kind of incentive would you require, Miss Sommers?”

Giving him the side eye, I respond “I want more of those exotic metals that mix so well with my copper kisses.”

Smiling indulgently, he responds. “You been craving my lips, have you?”

“Maybe. If you say you haven’t thought about how good we were together, I’ll call you a liar to your face.”

“I would never deny the obvious.” His eyes are alight with happiness as he gazes down at me.

“You’re a laugh a minute for a hot biker turned boring attorney by day.”

Someone walks by and stops to talk to him. It seems everywhere we go people know him by name, including Dominique. “How is it you know more people than me, and we both grew up here?”

“It’s a small city. I’ll bet we could play that connect three game and discover that we have lots of friends in common.”

Wrapping an arm around his tighter, I decide that today is a good day after all. “I have no doubt we could. We both apparently know Dominique. That’s a start, right?”

“Stay away from that dangerous—”

I give his arm a playful jerk. “Stop repeating yourself. I got the message loud and clear the first time. Let’s have coffee, flirt, and kiss.”