Chapter 5 - The Dark Shadows of the Past
Despite the legal victories, danger still lurked in the shadows of Chicago.
Two weeks after the incident at the marina, Riker received a late-night call from Bernard Holt while sitting in his study, watching the rain beat against the window panes.
“Riker, we have a problem,” Bernard said urgently. “Diana Harlo’s legal team in Miami just filed an emergency motion to void her relinquishment paperwork.”
Riker’s eyes narrowed. “On what grounds?”
“They’re claiming coercion,” Bernard explained. “She’s alleging that you threatened her life on the yacht. But even worse—someone is backing her financially. Someone with deep pockets and a lot of political sway in Illinois.”
“Victor Vance,” Riker spat the name like poison.
“Exactly,” Bernard confirmed. “Vance realized that if the twins’ guardianship is restored to Diana, she can validate the sale of the auto repair shop and defeat our injunction. He’s paying her legal bills and hiring a high-profile family court attorney named Richard Sterling to fight for custody of the children.”
Riker stood up from his desk, walking over to the fireplace. “They’re trying to take the children back just to secure a real estate deal.”
“Sterling is a ruthless court operator, Riker,” Bernard warned. “He’ll drag your past into the spotlight. He’ll paint your home as an unsafe environment for two five-year-old orphans. He’ll argue that a man with your reputation has no right raising children.”
Riker looked toward the doorway of his study. Owen was standing there in his pajamas, holding his stuffed bear, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“Mr. Riker?” Owen whispered. “I had a bad dream.”
Riker immediately hung up the phone and walked over to the boy, kneeling down and wrapping his warm, strong arms around his shoulders.
“It was just a dream, Owen,” Riker said gently, lifting the boy into his arms. “You’re safe here.”
Owen rested his head against Riker’s shoulder, holding Captain tightly. “Don't let the bad people take us away.”
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Riker’s heart squeezed with a fierce, protective love he had never known he was capable of feeling.
“Over my dead body, son,” Riker whispered into the child’s soft curls. “Over my dead body.”
