Encounter With an Alpha

STORM

“You want me to go to Canada?” Storm asked. She was shocked. “I don’t know anyone in Canada.”

“That’s the point,” River said. “I have an old college buddy that owns a hunting resort in the mountains of Canada, north of Vancouver.

“He can set you up with a nice cabin and internet. You can work on your clients and maybe even finish your own book while up there. It’s beautiful there right now. Snow, pine trees, roaring fireplace, hot cocoa.

“Come on, sis. You’ll be too far away from numbnuts for him to bother you, and my friend will keep tabs on you. Connor’s one of the best guys I know. I’ve been up hunting with him and his brother Nial a couple of times. You’ll like them, and I trust them both to keep you safe.”

“I remember you talking about Connor. Isn’t he the one that would do anything in a dare?” She giggled.

“Yes! I forgot about that. But seriously, he’s a great guy, and the cabins are really nice. Secluded, but close to a small town to get supplies. I called Connor first thing this morning. They have a cabin for you for as long as you need it.

“I’ll drive up with you this weekend after the board meeting, that way you’ll have your truck. Then I’ll fly home. Easy peasy.

“Your soon-to-be ex won’t be able to bother you, and you can get started on the next chapter of your life.” He gave her a hug.

“I already reached out to June. She’s coming by to take you shopping for heavy winter gear. You’ll need it! A parka, gloves, thermals, warm socks, and snow boots.”

She swatted his shoulder. “I know how to shop.” She giggled again. “Now I’m excited. I’ll go by the publishing house and speak to my manager. Get my client list and my notes, and tell them where I’ll be.

“Yes!” she shouted. “I can do this!” She threw her arms around River and gave him a hug.

LYLE

Lyle stepped off the elevator Friday morning with Sam and saw Storm and her brother waiting by the closed courtroom doors.

“Storm, baby!” Lyle gave her puppy dog eyes. “Honey, please talk to me,” he pleaded. “We don’t need to do this, baby. I love you!” he beseeched.

Storm turned her face away from him and looked to River. “Can we go in?” she asked quietly.

River glared at Lyle. “Yes, they should be almost ready for us.” With his arm around her, River led Storm into the courtroom.

“Storm!” Lyle called out again, but she ignored him.

“Look at that ungrateful bitch!” he growled under his breath. “She won’t even look at me.”

“Shhh!” Sam admonished. “Don’t tank this before we even get in the door. Keep your temper under control,” he warned.

Lyle and Sam followed them into the courtroom and set up at the opposite table.

Sam set his briefcase down and opened it, pulling out papers he intended to use as evidence of Lyle’s work ethic and the positive impact he’s had on the office and its profits.

He settled himself beside Lyle and glanced over at River. River also had a file sitting in front of him and was currently holding Storm’s hand and whispering in her ear.

Sam leaned toward Lyle and spoke quietly. “What kind of relationship does Storm have with River Dalton?”

Lyle looked over at them. “He’s her stepbrother. Her dad married his mom when they were teens. But they’re close. She calls him her brother.”

“Damn. This just got personal,” Sam breathed.

The judge walked in and everyone stood. After they were seated, the judge asked River to speak first.

“Good morning, Your Honor,” he greeted.

“We called this preliminary hearing to temporarily ask the court to suspend Mr. Lyle Hughes from using and being in control of the voting shares to my client’s father’s company.

“She named Lyle as proxy almost a year ago when their marriage was viable, but because of recent disclosures and bad behavior from Mr. Hughes, my client has asked the court to step in and suspend his control until the divorce is finalized, upon which she will resume her own control of the voting shares.”

Sam stood up. “I understand what Mr. Dalton is saying, Your Honor, but my client has been doing an exemplary job since being in control of said shares.

“We have documentation to prove that his work has improved the company’s revenue twofold, and his reputation with the company and its clients is untarnished.”

“Not so untarnished, Your Honor,” River objected.

“While I’m sure counselor can produce documents to herald Mr. Hughes’s business acumen, I can also produce proof that on many occasions he took credit for work he was never involved in. I have the client lists and remarks.”

“Your Honor, I object!” Sam responded.

The judge held up his hand. “I’ll examine the evidence from both sides.” He nodded at his bailiff. Both Sam and River passed their documents to the bailiff, who then handed them to Judge Dunlop.

“And why is your client now seeking to restrict her husband from use of the proxy, Mr. Dalton?” the judge asked.

“My client discovered Mr. Hughes having sex with his personal assistant in his office during working hours, You Honor,” River responded.

“That’s a lie!” Lyle jumped from his seat. “She misunderstood what I was doing.”

“Order! Mr. Waters, control your client,” the judge admonished.

“Your Honor, I have proof of those allegations as well, if you’d like to see?” River said.

“Proof?” Sam asked. “What kind of proof?”

River handed copies of the photographs of Lyle and Jessica bent over Lyle’s desk to the bailiff. “Photos,” he answered.

Sam looked down at Lyle, who only shrugged. He had no idea anyone had taken photos.

The judge flipped through the evidence. “I am assuming this is the grounds your client is claiming for divorce, Mr. Dalton?” the judge asked, holding the four photos.

“It is, Your Honor,” River responded.

“Well, this is not family court, and I am not ruling on the divorce proceedings,” the judge said.

“My job here today is to decide if the proxy votes that Mr. Hughes holds now should be suspended. And from the evidence before me, I have to agree with the complainant. Mr. Hughes, your right to decide on business for the company granted to you by those proxies is hereby suspended pending the divorce.

“But I’m going to warn you, Mr. Hughes. Getting control of those shares won’t be easy for you. They were an inheritance from Mrs. Hughes’s father, distributed to her before you were married. Unless you have written documentation that Mrs. Hughes intended for you to hold permanent ownership of them, full control will be reverted to Mrs. Hughes.”

The judge stared at him. “Dismissed.” He tapped his gavel, then exited the courtroom.

Lyle moved closer to Storm. “You’re still my wife. If you think this will stop me, you’re wrong. This is only a temporary setback. It’s my money you’re messing with, Storm. I won’t forgive that.”

“It’s not your money, Lyle. It’s mine, and you don’t have the power here. You’re nothing but a thief and a cheater. I have no idea what I ever saw in you.” Her violet eyes met his straight on. Lyle saw no fear in them, only disgust.

Lyle sneered at her. “Get comfortable, wife. Dead or alive, you are still mine.”

“Is that a threat, Mr. Hughes?” River snarled.

“She can die trying to keep me from keeping what’s mine,” Lyle said before walking away.