HER RUSSIAN SURRENDER by Theodora Taylor

Author:Theodora Taylor [Taylor, Theodora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Published: 2014-08-22T21:00:00+00:00

23

Nikolai watched Samantha closely as she sat down across from him in one of the study’s leather guest chairs. It was her second visit to his study, but this time there was no awe in her expression as she took her seat. No bright smile dimpling her face either.

In fact, her angry eyes stayed on the lawyer, as if Nikolai had brought a lethal snake into his study, even as she spoke to him. “Why are you doing this?” she asked Nikolai.

The sincere note of hurt in her voice irritated him. She acted as if she hadn’t been the one to start this, the one who’d decided to leave, taking his baby with her.

Kevin, who’d chosen to remain standing, stepped in smoothly to answer that question for him.

“As you know, Ms. McKinley, I handle all matters involving family law, which this falls under since you are pregnant with Mr. Rustanov’s child.”

Samantha shook her head at Kevin. “I’m only a few weeks pregnant, and he’s already calling in a shark like you?”

If Kevin was insulted by her words, it didn’t show on his face. “Mr. Rustanov has concerns about your future plans. You’ve insinuated that you plan to retain full custody of his child.”

Now Samantha looked from Kevin to Nikolai, like they were both crazy. “Yes, I’m going to retain full custody because I’m the baby’s mother and because he,” she shot an angry glance at Nikolai, “and I barely know each other.”

“Be that as it may, if your plan is to remove yourself from this residence, then you’ll need to establish a custody agreement with Mr. Rustanov before you do so.”

Sam darted another disbelieving look towards Nikolai, this one soaked with derision. Then she crossed her arms over her chest and said, “Fine. What does he want? Holidays, Birthdays, every other weekend? Would he like me to arrange for a nanny for this child, too, so the baby can spend all of Mr. Rustanov’s agreed upon custodial time with her?”

Nikolai flinched at her harsh assessment of his parenting skills, but her words bounced of Kevin as if the lawyer was made of Teflon.

“Actually, he’ll be taking full custody of the child, and you’ll be the one who needs to decide whether you’ll cooperate with us.”

Kevin brought up his leather briefcase and pulled out a sheaf of papers. “If you sign this custody agreement now, we’ll guarantee you weekends and holidays. If you force us to take this case to a judge after the child is born, then we won’t feel obligated to give you any access to the child at all.”

“What?” Samantha asked, her voice hot with anger. “Okay, I understand Nikolai’s good at hockey or whatever, but there’s no way in hell a judge is ever going to give him full custody of a child. This isn’t Pavel. I’m this baby’s biological mother!”

“Sure, sure,” Kevin said, folding his arms. “And you’ve done a lot of good work at your shelter.”

“Shelters,” she corrected. “I’ve opened two. My plan is to establish a Ruth’s House in every state before I die.

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