Thanks for the reviews on the previous chapter, I appreciate the support.
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Monday afternoon, Beck sat in his lawyer's office for an urgent appointment.
Beck: Thank you so much for seeing me at the last minute.
Conrad: You sounded serious on the phone.
Beck: This is serious.
Conrad: Is this about the custody battle with your ex?
Beck: Yes, I made the biggest mistake.
Conrad: Mr. Oliver, I have already contacted Ms. West's attorney, case closed.
Beck: Reopen the case, please. I'll do anything, just, please.
Conrad: A few days ago you said you were positive about calling off the case.
Beck: I lied, okay? I never wanted to end the case.
Conrad: Why did you?
Beck sighed running his fingers through his hair.
Beck: I was being blackmailed.
Conrad: Blackmailed? By who?
Beck: Jade. She said if I didn't call off the case, she'd report me.
Conrad: Report you for what? What have you done?
Beck: I went to a gentlemen's club a week ago with friends.
Beck's lawyer shrugged confused, Beck sighed.
Beck: Being at a strip club goes against my policy as an educator.
Conrad: Why was Jade there?
Beck: Apparently, she's a stripper. That's her career.
Conrad: Why didn't you tell me?
Beck: Jade would have reported me and I could lose my job.
Conrad: What's more important to you, your job or your kids?
Beck: My kids of course.
Conrad: Are there any photos of you at the club?
Beck: (shakes his head) No, I didn't take any pictures that night.
Conrad: Jade can't hold anything against you.
Beck: Will you reopen the case?
Conrad: (nods) I have to, you seem determined.
Beck: Thanks.
Conrad: I will be in contact Jade's attorney soon.
Beck: There's something else I have to tell you.
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Later that Monday night, Jade was in bed asleep until she heard knocking. Jade sat up in bed looking around her dark room. The knocking continued as she stood out of bed grabbing her robe to put on. She angrily stumped to the front door.
Jade: Go away Zeek.
Jade opened her front door to a surprise.
Jade: What is this?
Jade looked confused at the team of officers standing on her porch.
OFC Rainer: Ma'am, there's been a complaint to CPS.
Jade: Complaint?
OFC Rainer: I have a search warrant for drugs in this home.
Jade: There, there are no drugs-
Jade stopped talking as a team of officers rushed inside pushing her out the way.
OFC Rainer: This shouldn't take long.
The next day, Tuesday afternoon, the toddlers all sat on the living room floor waiting for Jade. Zeek followed Jade around the small house as she gathered her things.
Zeek: Well, did they find anything?
Jade: If they found something, I would be in jail right now.
Zeek: Answer my question, did they find anything?
Jade: No!
Zeek: You didn't tell them I had it, did you?
Jade: (sighs) No Zeek, leave me alone.
Zeek: I don't need the cops running to my dad's house.
Jade: Why aren't you at his house? Why are you still here?
Zeek: Where are you going?
Jade: Nowhere.
Zeek: You're dressed, you got the brats dressed. Looks like somewhere.
Jade: I'm just going for a drive.
Jade picked up her purse from the floor, Zeek snatched it away.
Jade: Zeek, what the hell?
Zeek: You got some money Jade? You need money to go places.
Jade: I don't have any cash, I told you that yesterday.
Zeek looked into Jade's purse pulling out a stack of cash.
Zeek: Lying ass bitch.
Jade: It's just my tips from Saturday, not much.
Zeek: Why did you lie to me?
Jade: Because I need to go, grocery shopping.
Zeek: You know I still owe that loan I took.
Jade: That stupid mess isn't my business.
Zeek counted the money in his hand, Jade tried taking it from him.
Zeek: I'm out.
Zeek pushed passed Jade, she grabbed his arm stopping him.
Jade: Not with my money.
Jade managed to grab her cash back from Zeek.
Zeek: Give it back Jade, quit playing.
Jade: No. I have to buy groceries.
Zeek: And I have three guys out looking for me.
Jade: That's not my problem.
Zeek tried taking the money from Jade, she fought back pushing him away.
Zeek: Do you really want to do this now?
Jade: This is my money and you're always taking it.
Zeek: I need it.
Jade: I need it! Have you seen my fridge? It's empty!
Zeek snatched the money away from Jade, she became angry.
Jade: I'm tired of you!
Zeek: I'm tired of you too, bitch.
Jade: You're always taking food out of my kids' mouths and I'm sick of it!
Zeek: Go dance on a pole you nasty slut.
Zeek grabbed his jacket walking towards the front door to leave.
Jade: One day someone is gonna kick your ass and I can't wait for it.
Zeek stopped in his tracks, he turned around facing Jade.
Zeek: What did you just say?
Jade: You fucking heard me.
Zeek stepped closer to Jade, she felt nervous but didn't show it.
Zeek: You have something you want to say to me?
Jade: I hope someone kicks your ass.
Zeek didn't waste no time, he slapped Jade hard across her face knocking her down to the floor.
Zeek: I'm tired of you disrespecting me!
Zeek raised his fist at Jade, Andre stood up from the floor running over to Jade. The small tot stood between the two.
Andre: No! You leave my mommy alone!
Jade looked to Andre surprised, then back at Zeek afraid of what he'd do.
Andre: You no hit her! I tell my daddy on you!
Zeek: You're lucky you're not my kid. Stupid brats.
Zeek rolled his eyes annoyed, Jade watched as he walked out the house slamming the door behind him. Andre turned to Jade shaking his head.
Andre: I no like him. He's a bad man.
Jade sat up on the floor, she pulled Andre into her arms holding him tight. The other four toddlers sat watching them, Jade looked over.
Jade: Come here.
The four tots stood up walking over to Jade, she pulled them all in hugging them.
Cat: Him scary mommy.
Jade: I know, I know.
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Thanks for reading, more to come.