one of the girls who slipped something in my drink or one of the men.”
I frown as the dull ache of my headache pumps through me.
“You are so lucky. You hit the concrete so damn hard. You could have died, Ash,” Jen whispers.
I screw up my face. “I know.” I shake my head. “Oh God, Jen, what a nightmare.”
“Cameron was so worried.” Jenna replies.
I smile softly. “He was beautiful. He was kissing me and holding me. He didn’t think I heard him tell me he loved me before I woke up.”
Jen frowns. “He told you he loved you?”
I smile softly and nod. “He must have thought I was going to die or something.”
“You two need to work this shit out.” She shakes her head.
“I know, I’m going to talk to him. I’m just grateful that he came when I needed him the most.”
Knock, knock, knock.
Jen frowns, gets up and answers it. “Hello.”
“Hello, is Ashley Tucker here?” a male voice asks.
“Yes.” Jenna frowns. “Can I help you?”
“I have some papers to serve her.”
I frown and sit up before I slowly walk to the door. “I’m Ashley. What’s this about?” I ask.
“Can you sign here, please?” He points to the dotted line and I sign. He hands me an envelope and I glance out to see two men standing on our front lawn, and another two in a car. Who are they?
The man leaves and I walk out front. “Can I help you?” I ask the man standing on the edge of my lawn.
The man nods and smiles as he approaches. “We’re here to watch over Owen Stanton.”
I frown. “What for?”
“His father has requested it. We won’t bother you, ma’am.”
What the hell? That’s weird. I walk back inside and open the envelope as uneasiness fills me.
Court Subpoena
Cameron Stanton verses Ashley Tucker
Cameron Stanton seeks full custody
of Owen Tucker.
He wants full custody.
Oh my God.
24
Ashley
I frown as I stare down at the piece of paper in front of me.
“What is it?” Jenna asks.
“I…” I whisper in horror.
“What is it?” she asks again.
I read it out loud to make sure I’m not imagining this.
Cameron Stanton seeks
full custody of Owen Tucker
Temporary emergency
injunction requested
Los Angeles Courthouse
on the 8th at 10:00 .a.m.
Closed courtroom application granted.
Legal representation not required as per temporary order requirements
to enable time to prepare for full case.
Full custody hearing to be heard
in twenty-eight days.
“He wants custody,” I whisper in horror.
“What do you mean?” Jenna snatches the papers from my hand and reads them.
I drop to a seated position on the couch in shock.
“What the hell?” Jenna growls. “Is he a fucking idiot? You were obviously drugged. You don’t do drugs!” she yells in an outrage.
I hold my chest in pain as the thought that he actually thinks Owen is unsafe with me hits home.
How could he do this?
My head drops to my hands in dismay.
“Oh shit, Ash, that’s tomorrow. The court case is tomorrow,” Jenna gasps.
I glance up at her. I don’t even know what to think. What the hell is going on?
Jenna goes over to the window and stares out at the men surrounding the property. “These men are here to make sure that you don’t run with Owen.”
“What?” I frown, I stand and go over and peer out through the curtains. “Are you serious?”
“Why else would they be here?”
“I don’t believe this,” I whisper.
“Get the fucker on the phone.” Jenna growls as she runs to find my phone.
I drop back onto the sofa; this is the warning. This is what he was warning me about if I didn’t leave the club. I knew he wasn’t a man to be crossed, but this?
She passes me my phone and I stare at it in my hand. “I’m not ringing him. I’m going over there.”
Hell hath no fury like a mother scorned.
I’ve hit an all-time low.
Who the hell does he think he is?
I buzz his doorbell at the gates of his house, and they open immediately.
He’s expecting me.
I march up to the front doors and he waits with the door open. I storm past him into the house.
“Please, do come in,” he mutters sarcastically.
“What the hell is this?” I cry as I hold the court papers up to him.
“Calm down.”
“Calm down?” I scream. “You have been a father for five fucking minutes and you think you can look after him better than me?”
He glares at me. “I’m not out doing drugs, Ashley.”
“Neither am I!” I scream.
“The proof is in the pudding. Where did you spend last night? Where?” he yells.