Page 150 of Buckin' Around

Full custody and a birth certificate for Ives are hanging in my mother’s grip.

I always knew she was a brilliant lawyer, but I’ve never been on the receiving end of her genius or generosity.

“Take them, Spencer. Miss Alcott will not be a problem to either you or Ivy any more.”

I take the papers, my movements slow, as if in a dream.

“There is one other thing. Not really my department, but I have an associate who will take on your sexual harassment case against Priscilla Princeton and some of the other founding members. All you have to do is arrange a meeting.” She slides a white business card over the table. “She’s the best in the business when it comes to this sort of litigation.”

Holy fuck.

“Thanks,” I utter, picking up the card.

“Don’t thank me yet. But if I could ask one thing, Spencer, please leave the particular conversation you had around Priscilla with your father off the record.”

Some things never change.

My face hardens as Stace glances at me.

“I’m not going to lie for him,” I say.

“I know that, but your father was raised to do whatever it takes, and in his mind, it wasn’t something he thought would phase you. I guess he is just as out of touch as I was.”

“Will Silver Elite close if we pursue this? I don’t want the staff losing their jobs.”

“There’s always a chance of that. Businesses close up all the time for less. However, I think if word gets out around a topic of this nature and nothing is done, that would be far worse.”

She forces a smile, and I realize she is caught in the middle of all this. Maybe she has always been the rock in a hard place when it came to our father and this family.

Is that what Stace was trying to say when she sent me that cryptic message? Something about how we can only do what we think is right at the time?

I forget.

“Thanks. It’s worth pursuing, but there is something time sensitive I have to do first. Do you have any strings to pull in getting Ives a passport?” I ask Mom.

“The quickest we can get her one is about a week. Why, Spencer?”

“There’s somewhere else we’re meant to be.”

I stand and give Stace a smile. Her jaw has dropped, but her face is filled with hope.

“Thanks.” I nod to them both. “This means a lot to Ivy and me.”

I turn and head for the door.

“Spencer, wait.” Mom is up and rushing after me, her fingers closing around my biceps. “At least let me meet my granddaughter before you run off to Ireland and never come back.”

“Sure, Mom. We won’t go without saying goodbye.”

I know how much that one scars.

Stacey appears at her side. “I’m really proud of you, Spence.”

Her chin wobbles, and she scrunches up her face.

I don’t think Stace has been proud of anything I’ve done since high school. I huff a surprised laugh and fold her in for a huggle.

“Back at you, sis.”