Lucas took a very large step backward, silently acknowledging Devins fortitude.
Do you need a change, sweetheart? she asked the baby.
Lucas thought fumigation might be more in order. But when Devin laid Amelia on her back on the floor and reached for a bright blue diaper bag, all he could think about was escaping.
He darted toward an open window.
Would you like to change her? Devin asked sweetly.
Lucass jaw dropped open. He could probably count on one hand the number of times in his life hed been rendered speechless. But this was one of them.
Since youre going for sole custody, Devin continued, you might as well get in some practice.
Shell have a nanny, he pointed out.
Devin tugged off Amelias stretchy pink pants, revealing a white diaper. You dont plan to change her diapers?
Lucas turned away, gazing across the wooden deck and the sloped lawn to the calm waters of the lake. Devins neighbor had a dock with a sleek speedboat tied up. A few dozen houses were visible along the curve of the shoreline, front yards neatly landscaped, while evergreens covered the hillsides behind. It was actually quite beautiful here.
Lucas? Devin prompted.
I dont expect it to be necessary, he said, answering her question. There was a very good reason why nannies were invented.
Theres a girl, Devin cooed, and Lucas dared to look back to where Amelia stood on chubby bare feet, hand grasping Devins hair for balance.
Devin tucked away the change pad and handed Amelia a bottle of juice. The baby promptly plunked down on her fresh diaper and popped the bottle in her mouth.
Why do you want custody? Devin asked, coming to her feet, brushing her palms across her backside and finger-combing her hair where Amelia had mussed it. Her T-shirt was wrinkled, and several damp spots dotted its front. It was no wonder she went for plain, serviceable clothing. He could only imagine the havoc Amelia would wreak on linen and silk.
Still, the plain clothing couldnt hide her gorgeous figure. She was short, maybe five-five. And the absence of heels made her seem even shorter. But her legs were lithe and toned, her waist nipped in and breasts rounded and in perfect proportion to everything else.
He didnt know what she did for exercise, but it was working.
You dont seem particularly interested in Amelia, Devin continued.
Shes a Demarco. So?
So, I have a responsibility Cant you at least be honest?
I am being honest. He owed it to his brother to keep Amelia safe. If Lucas had died with a daughter in such a vulnerable position, hed expect no less of Konrad.
You want her ten percent of Pacific Robotics, Lucas, controlling interest. You dont give one whit about Amelia as a person.
Youre dead wrong about that.
Ill do whatever you ask for the company, she pledged. I promise I wont interfere.
He wished he could believe her. What did Steve say? I cant tell you that.
Lucas threw up his hands. I know what he said. Hed offered her a deal. If she won guardianship of Amelia, Steve would make it worth her while to support his plans for expansion into South America.
Then why ask me?
I wanted to know if I could trust you.
She moved closer. Youre lying. Youll never trust me. You wanted information to use against me.
She was close.
Hed wanted information to use against Steve. I can see this is getting us nowhere.
Im way ahead of you, Lucas. Ive known for weeks that we were going nowhere.
He gazed into her crystal blue eyes, unable to help noticing her dark lashes, prettily arched brows, small, straight nose, bow lips and creamy smooth skin. She was a beautiful woman. She was also feisty and passionate, making her a frustrating opponent.
But hed defeated frustrating opponents before. And hed win this battle, too. She might know how to change a diaper, but Amelia needed more than hugs and a fresh bottom. She was a Demarco. She would one day control a significant percentage of a corporation worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
She needed education, advice and experience, and she needed the security and savvy that went along with her future position in life. Lake Westmire might be a fine place to raise most children. But it wasnt enough for Amelia.
Two
Devin was more than pleased with the lawyer Steve had provided for the temporary custody hearing. The man made his points to the judge concisely and eloquently, describing Devins bond with Amelia, how Devin had been present during her birth and that Amelia had lived in Devins house since coming home from the hospital. He provided testimonial letters from friends and neighbors speaking of Devins parenting skills, the nursery shed outfitted for Amelia and her attention to Amelias health and well-being.
Hed then contrasted Lucass lack of parenting experience, his plans to hire a nanny instead of being hands-on himself and the fact that hed spent almost no time with Amelia since her birth. He acknowledged the security concerns around a child from such a wealthy family, but pointed out there were many options to ensure her safety.
Devin had to admit, shed never thought about the potential of someone kidnapping Amelia for ransom. Did that even still happen in America? It had been a long time since the Lindbergh case.
Shed thought hed done a stellar job, thought they were sure to win. But then at the last minute Lucass lawyer stood up to address the judge.
He acknowledged Devins bond with Amelia, talked about the portability of Devins career as a self-help book writer, then suggested what he called a compromisethat both Amelia and Devin take up temporary residence at the Demarco mansion. Amelia could be with Devin, but shed also have the advantage of the Demarco security.
Devins gaze flew to Lucass face. His smug expression told her hed planned this all along.
Hed known he couldnt beat her in a straight-up fight, and hed come up with an underhanded way to snatch her victory. By the time permanent guardianship was considered, Lucas would have built a bond with Amelia. And Devins best advantage would be gone.
She opened her mouth to protest, but she knew there was no way out. Any argument she put forward would make her sound unreasonable. This same judge would eventually decide permanent guardianship, and Devin couldnt afford to yield the moral high ground to Lucas. On the face of it, he was offering a reasonable solution.
In reality, he had outmaneuvered her. Amelia would be under his roof, and under his care, and Devin knew he would pull out all the stops to make the Demarco mansion a perfect home for the baby.
Ms. Hartley? asked the judge, her hand going to the gavel.
Devins lawyer spoke up. We cant support that kind of disruption to Amelias life. Shes already lost her mother. Ms. Hartleys house is the only home shes ever known.
The judges gaze moved to Devin. Youre a writer? You work from home?
Devin had no choice but to nod.
Do you have other children?
Devin shook her head.
Do you have other children?
Devin shook her head.
Do you object to coming to a compromise?
Devin recognized a trick question when she heard it. Next, the judge would want to know why she objected to better security for Amelia. She shook her head in capitulation.
The judge brought the gavel down. So ordered. Temporary custody goes to Ms. Hartley, provided she and the child reside at the Demarco mansion. Open visitation is awarded to Mr. Demarco. I trust you will arrange for security, sir?
Of course, Your Honor. Lucas nodded.
Devins lawyer leaned sideways. Sorry about that.
Devin shook her head. You couldnt have seen it coming.
Lucas is a good strategist.
Devin scoffed. In my neighborhood, we call that conniving.
Thats what we call it in my neighborhood, too. He placed the file folders back in his briefcase. But it works.
It works, Devin agreed. And she had no one to blame but herself. Shed underestimated Lucas. Shed make sure that never happened again.
Devin? Lucas stepped across the courtroom to her table, his shadow coming over her.
Youre a piece of work, she said as she gathered her purse and pushed back her chair.
So Ive been told.
You backed me into a corner.
Yes, I did.
Devin looked up. You play dirty. He didnt even bat an eye. Only when it counts. Why do I get the feeling it counts a lot? I play to win.
This isnt a game, Lucas. A little girls future was on the line. Amelia wasnt some pawn to be passed around at the whim and convenience of the adults in her life.
He paused for a moment, expression hardening, obviously taking offense at Devins candor. Thats why it counts. He rapped his knuckles decisively on the tabletop. How long will it take you to pack?
She stood to confront him. Shed worn two-inch heels, but she wished she had a little more height. He was easily over six feet, neatly trimmed hair, freshly shaved, an expensive suit, fine silk tie, everything pressed to within an inch of its life. The man positively reeked power.
You mean in days? she asked sarcastically, thinking shed need a couple of weeks. I meant in hours.
She did an expression check to see if he was joking. He wasnt.
When you say jump, do people generally ask how high?
He tented his fingers on the table and leaned slightly forward. I try not to say jump unless I have to.
She refused to flinch under his attempt at intimidation. I need a week.
No problem.
She blinked in surprise.
Ill take Amelia with me now, and you can catch up. Dont be ridiculous.
Lucas turned to Devins lawyer, who had been watching the exchange with obvious interest. Bill? Is there a countdown to the judges order? Some sort of implementation period?
Devin looked to Bill. No countdown, he admitted with an apologetic glance in Devins direction. The order takes effect right away.
Lucas turned his attention back to Devin. How long will it take you to pack? he repeated.
She couldnt let him win again. Certainly not this early, and definitely not this decisively. She frantically searched her brain for a comeback.
Then it came to her, and her shoulders relaxed with relief. The man was bluffing.
Instead of answering his question, she reached into her purse for her cell phone, flipped it open and pressed the speed dial for Lexi.
Lexi picked up after a single ring. Howd it go? Her voice was breathless.
How are you, Lexi?
There was a confused pause. Uh, fine. But what the hell happened?
Its a bit complicated. Why?
Can you get Amelias car seat and diaper bag ready? Sure, said Lexi.
Devin tipped the phone beneath her chin, addressing Lucas. You do have a backseat in that sports car, right? His eyes narrowed. Lucas is going to pick her up.
Lexis voice lowered to a growl. He didnt. Tell me he did not get custody.
No. Devin kept her voice even. Its just a visit. She watched Lucas carefully. Shed seen his reaction to Amelias crying, the fear and loathing of her messy diaper. No way, no how, was the man going to put himself into a position where he was alone with her.
But instead of capitulating, Lucas gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. He pressed a number on his phone. Beauchamp Nanny Service? He held Devins gaze while he spoke. Im going to need a nanny within the hour.
Devin swore under her breath.
What was that? asked Lexi.
Ill be home in an hour, Devin responded.
The car seat?
Ill tell you about it when I get there. Devin ended the call.
Ill call you right back, Lucas said into his phone. Then he tucked it into his pocket and looked expectantly at Devin. So, how long will it take you to pack?
Lucas watched while two members of the household staff lugged the last of Devin and Amelias belongings up the wide, curving staircase that rose from the octagonal entry foyer of the Demarco mansion. It was completely dark now, and Devin had tartly informed him a few minutes ago that it was past Amelias bedtime, before pointedly closing the nursery door in his face.
Told you not to trust him, Byron Phoenix said as he ambled into the two-story foyer from the hallway that led to the great room and the study.
I never trusted him, Lucas responded, turning to face his deceased mothers second husband, Byron, who was dressed in his usual blue jeans and Western-style shirt. His trimmed brown hair was streaked with silver. He had a highball in his handcola and something. His custom-leather tooled boots clicked against the tile floor.
He shelled out for her lawyers? Byron came to a halt, his broad shoulders squaring, thumbs hooking into his belt loops while his gaze followed the stairs to the second floor where Devin and Amelia had been given adjoining rooms with a shared bathroom.
Probably should have seen that one coming, Lucas admitted. At least it explained why Steve had gone out to Lake Westmire, and why Devin had at first denied the fact that hed been there. At least shes finally home.
But so is that mama bear Devin Hartley, Byron pointed out.
She is a problem, Lucas admitted. Hed won today, but then so had Devin.
Byron puffed out his broad chest. We shoot intruders back in Texas.
If we shot intruders here in Seattle, youd have been dead years ago.
You know I loved your mama. Byrons words werent defensive, he was simply stating fact.
It had taken Lucas a few years, but hed come to respect that the rough Texas cattle baron made his motherCrystalhappy.
Back then, everyone called you an intruder, Lucas pointed out.
Are you defending Devin?
No. Lucas hadnt meant to take up Devins side. She was a very big problem for him. She obviously wasnt going to disappear easily, and now she had Steve to bankroll her efforts.
Lucas glanced at Byrons crystal glass and decided a drink was a good idea. He started toward the great room, which was accessed by a wood-panel and portrait-lined hallway. Byron fell into step.