Chapter 5 - The Extortionist
"Get out, Richard," Amara said, her voice shaking as she backed away. "You have no right to be here."
"I have every right," Richard laughed, leaning against the doorframe. "I'm the father of those kids in there. And imagine my surprise when I heard from an old neighbor that my broke ex-wife suddenly moved into a million-dollar townhouse owned by Pierce Logistics."
Nathan walked out from the kitchen, wiping his hands with a napkin. He stepped between Amara and the doorway, his imposing six-foot-two frame instantly casting a cold shadow over Richard.
"Can I help you?" Nathan asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Richard straightened his leather jacket, trying to look unimpressed, though his eyes betrayed his nervousness. "You must be the rich benefactor. Nathan Pierce. Must be nice having so much cash you can buy other men's families."
"Richard, leave!" Amara yelled from behind Nathan. "You haven't paid a dime of child support in three years! You abandoned us!"
"Yeah, well, the court doesn't know that yet," Richard smirked, pulling a folded legal document from his pocket. "I just filed for emergency full custody of Kira and Caden. A mother who collapses from starvation in front of her kids isn't fit. Unless, of course..."
Richard looked directly at Nathan.
"...Mr. Pierce wants to settle this out of court. Say, two hundred thousand dollars for me to sign away my parental rights forever."
Amara gasped, horror seizing her chest. "You're selling your own children?!"
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"I'm securing my financial future, babe," Richard said coldly. "You've got twenty-four hours, Pierce. Pay me, or I take those kids to a state shelter tomorrow morning while the custody suit processes."
Richard turned and walked down the steps into the rain, leaving a heavy, suffocating silence behind him.
