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anything, except make him furious. She could see the intensity burning inside her ex-husband. She knew Erik would respond, most likely with force.
    Erik responded to the threat as his ex-wife predicted. Moving with astonishing speed, he grabbed Richard by the lapel of his Italian jacket and lifted him a foot off the floor.
    “Listen to me; I don't care what you try, or how many lawyers you have. You'll never, ever take my baby girl from me. Furthermore, I don't care who you are; never threaten me again. If you cross me, I'll deal with you on my terms this time, my way, and I promise you, you won't like it. Do we understand each other?”
    Richard nodded, as his legs dangled in the air helplessly. With a mighty heave, Erik tossed Richard ten feet down the marble foyer. The man landed in a heap, sliding another ten feet and crashing into a large potted fern.
    Richard picked himself up and charged Erik like a wild Rhino. Erik timed his counter with deadly precision, redirecting Richard's charge into the solid oak front door. Erik grabbed his stunned opponent by the back of his jacket and forcefully threw him back to the floor, pinning the Richard down easily with an arm lock. Erik applied pressure until Richard yelped in agony. Erik let up on the pressure and allowed Richard to return to his feet.
    “Next time, rich boy, I won't be so forgiving,” Erik whispered.
    “Stop it!” Margaret screamed as Richard prepared for another assault. “This won't solve anything! Richard, clean yourself up and go back to our guests.” She gestured toward the door.
    Richard glared angrily at Erik. “This isn't over, Knight. Not by a long shot.”
    “For your sake, it had better be. Any time you want to continue, you know where I am,” Erik remarked with hate-filled venom.
    “Both of you, knock it off!” Margaret screamed. She looked at Erik. “Must it always end in fisticuffs with you?” She turned her attention to her husband. “And you! Must you act like such a pompous ass? Why must you always torment him? He's a trained fighter. You're not going to win that kind of brawl with him.”
    Richard brushed himself off, mumbling as he limped back to their guests. Margaret turned toward her ex-husband. She saw that his look of anger was now replaced by one of shock and actual hurt. She really didn't hate him personally, she realized, just what he chose to do with his life. Deep down, she knew she was to blame for a great many things that went wrong during their two-year marriage. All of a sudden, she felt pity for the man standing in front of her.
    “I'm sorry, Erik. I wanted to tell you under different circumstances. Sometimes Richard can be a little condescending, but his heart is in the right place and he really does love her.”
    “I'm sure he does, but can't he love her without adopting her?”
    “Of course he can, but he's got this whole family thing right now. We'll discuss it later. I promise.”
    “I just don't want to go through what I went through seven years ago,” Erik replied.
    “That was a mistake. I swear I didn't know he took it to that end. I won't let that happen, I promise. We've both had enough hurt.”
    Erik nodded. “On that point, we can both agree.”
    She hesitated momentarily. “Erik, I shouldn't have been such a bitch earlier. You didn't have that coming. I'm really happy your work is picking up. I don't know what's wrong with me. I've been snapping at everyone lately.”
    Erik seemed startled by this sudden change in her tone. “Well, no harm no foul,” he responded lightly. “I'm sorry about the ruckus here. It shouldn't have happened. You better get back to your company. I'll see you Friday night to pick up the munchkin.”
    Margaret nodded silently, watching Erik turn away and head down the long brick walkway. She stared at the now crumpled bills in her hand and did something totally unexpected.
    “Erik, take this and show our daughter a great time.” She balled up the bills and casually