“I have a job, unlike you,” I said. I didn’t know if that was the case, but it was a pretty good guess.

“I’m filing for custody.”

“Why? You haven’t given a shit before now.” I wasn’t even sure why I was wasting my breath. I should let Kale deal with her and keep me from stroking out.

“Because she’s my daughter.”

“Bullshit. You haven’t called, sent cards, presents. Nothing. You don’t give a shit about her. What’s the real reason?”

She stayed silent.

“You want more money.”

“I’m her mother!” Her voice was shrill and agitated.

“And that makes you deserving of compensation?”

“Yes,” she replied. “I made her.”

I shook my head, pushed the button to lower the window so the fresh air came in. Made Claire? I thought of Maple and her puppies.

I counted to ten, then gritted out, “You do realize extorting a cop isn’t the smartest of ideas.”

“I want custody. I’ll petition for it.”

“Bullshit,” I said again. I’d initially paid her so she’d go away. She didn’t want Claire, but she’d put me on the birth certificate and told me Claire was mine because she knew I had deep pockets. Eighteen years’ worth. But when I’d learned the truth, having my name as Claire’s legal father had screwed her over. She hadn’t been able to put Claire up for adoption without my consent.

The only thing she could do was walk. And the fifty grand incentive I’d given her to do so had worked. But now she was back for more.

“It’s been five years, Mandy. Why the fuck are you back now? The cash didn’t hold you?”

“I have bills.”

Bills. More like she owed someone. Drugs. Gambling. Whatever.

I’d pay her. Hell, I’d sell the ranch if it meant keeping Claire safe. But Mandy was stupid. A judge would see through her petition. Through everything. Eventually. She’d drag this shit out if it meant a chance at some cash. She wasn’t stupid. She knew I was protective of Claire and was extorting that, too.

Fuck me.

I finally had a chance with Sarah, and Mandy was back.

I wanted a life with Sarah. I wanted her to know Claire, to be her mother. They hadn’t even met and the image was so perfect it made my breath catch. But having Mandy in the picture, fucking with all that, was not okay. I’d dealt with Mandy because I’d made her my business. But Sarah didn’t owe the woman anything. She deserved a family. Peace. Not a greedy drug addict threatening to destroy it all.

It was time to wean Mandy off the money tit. To make her gone for good. Because with her around, I couldn’t be completely free to have Sarah. The fact that Sarah had handcuffed me to my bed proved that.

“Try your shit if you want, but know this. You’re not getting near Claire. She’s not what you want. You don’t give a shit about her. Didn’t even ask how she was, what she looks like. I’ll get to the point. You’re not getting shit from me. Not one dime.”