Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Well, I’ll leave the two of you to talk.” Pittman looked at me. “I know you’ll need coverage for the Barag deposition. I’ll have Charles sit in for you. Mr. Westbrook is a VIP client, so we’ll need to rearrange some things to see that you’re available when he needs you.”
“The Barag deposition? It’s tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry. If Charles can’t get up to speed, we’ll reschedule it. Mr. Westbrook’s trip takes priority.”
“Trip?”
“You’ll be accompanying him to Greensboro.”
***
I stayed quiet with a practiced smile plastered on my face until I closed the door behind Pittman. He’d left with dollar signs in his eyes, none the wiser about my wanting to strangle the new VIP.
Folding my arms across my chest as I turned to face Gray, I hissed, “What kind of game do you think you’re playing?”
“What? I need new counsel.”
“I thought I made it clear last night that I wasn’t interested in representing you when I said, ‘Hire another firm.’ What part of that was vague?”
“I’m a good client. Your firm credits you for landing the business. It’s good for you.”
Defiant, I jutted my chin out. “You have no idea what’s good for me. You are not good for me.”
I held my breath as he walked toward me. The nerve endings on my skin came alive even though I hadn’t been touched. But there was no way in hell I was backing down or letting him see the effect he had on me. Gray got right into my personal space.
I expected the deep vibrato of his intimidating voice to put me in my place. Instead, he caught me off guard when he spoke softly.
“I’m sorry I lied to you, Layla.”
I’d hardened when it came to this man. I couldn’t do soft.
“Whatever happened more than a year ago was a mistake,” I said. “But the mistake wasn’t in your lie. The mistake was getting involved with you.”
The slightest twitch of his eye was the only indication that he’d felt my strike.
“We need to be in Greensboro at noon to meet with my new partners,” he said. “It’s best to have your input while the terms of the partnership are being negotiated so things are already smoothed out when you draft the agreement.”
The request in itself wasn’t odd. I’d accompanied clients to business-formation negotiations on occasion. What was off, though, was that I was essentially stuck. No doubt Gray was fully aware of the predicament he’d put me in. If I went to the partners now and refused to work on the new account, I’d have to give them an explanation.
And what would I say? “Remember when I had to do pro bono legal services as part of my sanctions for violating attorney-client privilege? You know, that time you almost fired me? Well, while I was fulfilling my punishment by working at a men’s prison, I met Grayson Westbrook and started to fall for him. Sometimes we’d sneak into the stacks of the library and make out. Everything was great—until he lied to me. What’s that? You think I should’ve seen that coming? But how was I supposed to know getting involved with a prisoner arrested for insider trading was a bad idea?”
I shot him an annoyed glare. “I’ll have my assistant make my arrangements and email them over to you.”
A slow grin spread across his handsome face. I wanted to smack it the hell off.
“Great. Let her know I prefer the Langham.”
“A hotel? I thought the meeting was at noon?”
“It is. But some of the investors are from out of town—they’re also flying in. They’ll expect to have dinner.”
“So have dinner with them. You don’t need me for that.”
“Dinner will be a continuation of our business discussion.”
I squared my shoulders. “Then you’ll take notes and let me know if anything changes after the actual business meeting during the day. I’ll be flying home on an evening flight.”
To my surprise, Gray gave in. He nodded, took a step back, and extended his hand. “Glad to have you on my team, counselor.”
My eyes dropped to his hand. A memory I hadn’t thought about in ages flashed before my eyes. The first time he’d kissed me, he’d cupped my face with his big hands, and I’d nearly melted. I hated that it now made me feel vulnerable and afraid to even touch him. It was a bad idea to let the past have power over me.
Hoping I didn’t tremble, I put my hand in his. A spark zapped right through me. It was akin to sticking my finger in an electrical socket. Abruptly, I slipped my hand from Gray’s and walked around him toward my desk.
“Email me the names of your partners so I can do a quick search with the SEC and our investigator.”
“That’s not necessary.”
With the desk now acting as a barrier, I lifted a file and gave it my attention while speaking. “Let’s get one thing clear. If I’m your counsel, things are going to be done my way and with proper due diligence.”