Collateral Damage: A Small Town Romance

by Lagomarsino, Giulia

  “Sorry about that,” I said, taking my seat.

  “I’m a very busy woman, Mr. Cortell. I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

  “I’m sorry. It was a family matter. It won’t happen again.”

  She rolled her eyes and brushed me off. I had been busting my ass on her case for days and she couldn’t even give me the slightest respect. It irritated the fuck out of me. My boss glowered at me, but I ignored him. It was time to get down to business.

  “I’ve gotten pretty much everything taken care of for a divorce in New Hampshire, but you’re going to have to get your husband to move to New Hampshire with you in order to establish residency.”

  “You want me to do what?”

  I glanced at my boss and then back to her. “Mrs. Morrison, as long as you and your husband both live in New Hampshire, you can file for a divorce quickly. Otherwise, one of you would have to live there for a year. This would be the fastest way to achieve your desired results.”

  “But I work in Chicago.”

  “I realize that. You could move to the southern tip of the state under the guise of setting up new locations in Boston. It wouldn’t be the first time that someone has lived outside the city for privacy reasons.”

  “And how would I even convince him to move there?”

  “Well, if he’s still sleeping with the nanny, I’m guessing he’s not going to care where you’re located as long as she’s there.”

  She sucked in a breath and my boss stood suddenly. “Robert, perhaps you could give us a minute.”

  I nodded and stood. “My apologies, Mrs. Morrison, I wasn’t trying to offend you, only point out how easy this could be.”

  I stepped out of the room and returned to my office. A half hour later, my boss came storming in looking more pissed off than I’d ever seen him before. “What the hell were you thinking? We’re trying to retain her as a client, not push her toward another firm!”

  “Sir, we can’t do anything to help her if she won’t listen to us.”

  “Well, she’s not going to listen to you now. You were an asshole to her.”

  “Then put Chelsea or Delaney on it.”

  He rolled his eyes. “They pissed her off too. Rebecca needs someone to talk to her like a woman, someone that isn’t a high powered attorney out for all her money.”

  “Yeah, but we’re all lawyers.”

  “Maybe one of the interns,” he said thoughtfully.

  “No, they’re all looking to move up in the firm. They’ll fuck it up.”

  He slammed his hand down on my desk, his nostrils flaring. “Find me someone. We can’t lose her as a client. She’s worth millions to this firm, and if we lose her, we’ll lose other clients. All it takes is one bad word from her and we’re done. We’re the top divorce firm right now. We can’t afford to slip even one spot.”

  He stormed out of my office and I tossed my phone on the desk, slumping down in my chair. I was exhausted and I was starting to see double from staring at screens all day. Where the hell was I going to find someone that could convince this woman that we knew what we were doing?

  Mr. Mosley was wrong. We didn’t need someone that could lay this out for her. We needed someone that didn’t look or act like a fucking lawyer. But I didn’t know any lawyers that were that good with clients. Everyone I knew was headstrong and went after what they wanted. That wouldn’t work with this woman. I needed something else.

  My phone lit up with a message from my brother.

  Eric: Don’t wait too long to help Anna out. Strike while she’s vulnerable.

  Christ, I didn’t have time to think about Anna and her problems right now. I needed to figure out a solution to my current issues at work or I would be out of a job. Besides, Anna was a ball-buster. She could hold her own until I could get things under control here.

  I started searching through my rolodex for anyone that might be able to help me out when an idea popped into my head. I needed a woman that could make me look better in Rebecca’s eyes and convince her that I was the right person to take the lead on this. And Anna needed money fast.

  “It’s gotta be something big, something important,” Eric stressed. “It has to be something that you really need her help with, that no one else can help you with.”

  And just like that, an opportunity presented itself to me.

  I drove down to Anna’s house, prepared to offer her the deal of a lifetime. This had to work, not only for my career, but for my personal life. This was my opportunity to get in again with Anna. I just had to convince her that this would work out best for both of us. The LCD screen in my car lit up, signaling that my boss was calling.

  “Mr. Mosley-“

  “Robert, where the hell are you? We’re about to lose our biggest client and you’ve already left for the day!”

  “I’m working on that now, sir. I have an idea.”

  “What is it?”

  “I’m bringing in someone that can help me sway Rebecca to my side.”

  “You already have this person?”

  “I will.”

  There was a pause. “I want you at the office at seven tomorrow morning so I can meet this person.”

  “Of course.”

  “And Robert, don’t disappoint me on this. Your career is riding on this.”

  I clenched my fists around the steering wheel. “Of course.”

  He hung up and I loosened my tie, tossing it onto the seat beside me. I really fucking hoped that Anna agreed to this or I could kiss my career goodbye. Twenty minutes later, I pulled into her driveway and killed the engine. Stepping out of my car, I was a little surprised when she opened the door before I even made it to her steps.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I have a proposal for you.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms protectively over her chest.

  “Not that kind of proposal,” I added.

  “Look, we’ve already been through this. Let’s not make this more difficult than it has to be.”

  “Can I just come in for a minute? I need your help with something, and I think you need my help too. I’m just asking for five minutes.”

  She pursed her lips, but nodded and motioned for me to come in. I walked into the rundown trailer and took a seat on her sofa.

  “So, what do you need?”

  “I have a case that I need help with. My whole career is riding on this.”

  Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “And you think I can help?”

  “I know you can.”

  “Robert, I know nothing about the law. I can’t-“

  “Just hear me out, okay?” She nodded and sat down. “I have this client, a woman, and she caught her husband cheating. She wants a divorce, but there are complications…things I need for her to do so I can protect her assets. But she won’t listen to me or any of the other men at the office. And the women, I don’t know, they’re all too catty or something. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great lawyers, but she doesn’t like them, so she won’t listen to them either. And if someone can’t get through to her, she’s going to find a different firm, and that would be very bad for us.”

  “Why?”

  “Your reputation is everything. If she were to tell people that we couldn’t come through for her, we would start losing clients. Right now, we’re the top firm in Chicago. That could change with just one bad word from her.”

  “You said your career is riding on this case,” she said curiously. “Why?”

  I blew out a breath and rubbed my hands together. I didn’t want to admit that my boss was holding my whole goddamn career over my head with this one case, but I was desperate.

  “I’m up for senior partner at my firm. It would make my career, but if I lose this client, I won’t get it. In fact, I could lose my job.”

  She snorted. “And these are the people you want to work for?”

  “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. It would open so many doors for me.”

  “Ok
ay, I get that, but I still don’t see how I can help.”

  “I’m planning to take Rebecca out to lunch tomorrow, see if I can get her to listen to me. Right now, all she sees is a bastard lawyer that wants her money.”

  “Don’t you?”

  I calmly looked at her. “Yes, I want her money. I have a job, and in order to keep that job, I have to bring in the money. She’s the source of that income. It’s not like I’m going to steal her money or anything, but I have to do my job, and the only way to do that is if she actually fucking listens to me.”

  “And why would me being there make any difference?”

  “I need her to see me as human. I need her to see me as the good guy.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly. “I’m still not seeing how I can help.”

  “I need you to…to come with me. Be my girlfriend, or better yet, my fiancé. I need you to talk me up, not in a pigheaded way, but in a way that would make you want me to be your lawyer. I need her to trust me with her case.”

  “Robert, in case you haven’t noticed, we don’t exactly get along very well.”

  “I realize that.”

  “And I’m bound to say something shitty.”

  “That’s probably for the best, just as long as it’s done in a loving way.”

  “How do you say something shitty in a loving way?”

  I sighed. “You know, He’s a real shark, and he’s definitely after your money, but he’s the best out there to deal with this.”

  “You think backhanded compliments are going to work on her?” She cringed. “I gotta tell you, I don’t think that’s the way to play it.”

  “So, you tell me what would work on you?”

  She thought about it for a moment. “Well, you’re right on seeing the human side, and even partially on the acknowledgement of what kind of lawyer you are, but there has to be good stuff wrapped up in there too. I would need to know about other cases you’ve worked so I could play up the good that you’ve done for people.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t give out client details.”

  “I’m not asking for names and dates or anything. More like general scenarios. I wouldn’t come out and directly say anything about a case, but it would give me a tale to weave. She needs to see that side of you. And it would help if you didn’t look too cocky while I was doing it.”

  “So, is that a yes? You’ll do this for me?”

  “I can try, but I’m not sure I’ll get through to her. I’m not in the same world as you. Just because this might work with me doesn’t mean it would do anything for her. Maybe she’s just a bitch and doesn’t want to see your side on this.”

  I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. I knew she was right. “I can’t give up, Anna. I have too much on the line. Besides, I think the two of you might get along really well.”

  “In what world?”

  “Rebecca is a lot like you. She’s strong-willed, a real ballbuster.”

  Anna glowered at me. “I’m sorry, were you trying to get me on your side or not?”

  I chuckled. “See? That’s what I need. You’re not afraid to tell it like it is, which honestly, I’m not sure where this side of you came from. You never used to be this outspoken,” I said, watching her face. She looked away from me, chewing the inside of her cheek.

  “Well, when you have an aunt and uncle who think you’re trash, an alcoholic mother that destroys her life, and a town that loves to gossip, you have to grow a backbone.”

  I nodded in understanding. “Look, I just need you to be there with me, make me look good, and if you get a good feeling from her, commiserate with her or something.”

  “But I’m not a lawyer. I won’t even know half of what I’m saying.”

  “I don’t need you to speak to her like a lawyer. I need you to be there for me, and act like a woman that’s in shock over what’s happening to her.”

  “Frankly, that won’t take too much,” she muttered.

  “And if you can do that for me, I’ll help you get your house.”

  “What?”

  “Name your price.”

  She stood and walked away from me, running her hand through her hair. “You can’t be serious. That’s insane.”

  “I’m good for it. And if I get this promotion, I’ll get a pay raise. Trust me, money is not an issue.” I paused and thought about that for a moment. “Well, if you asked me for a million dollars, I might have to take out a loan. I don’t have that much liquid cash.”

  Her eyes widened and she shook her head slowly. “I can’t believe this.”

  I stood and walked over to her, taking her hands in mine. “Look, I know this sounds outrageous, but I need this. I need someone I can trust, and frankly, if I ask anyone else, I have no idea how it’ll turn out. I trust you to say the right things.”

  She pushed a hand through her hair. “What about your boss? I mean, bringing along a date to a business lunch is in poor taste, isn’t it?”

  “He won’t be there.”

  “I don’t know, Robert. I could mess everything up for you. I just-“

  “Please,” I begged. “I sort of already told him that I had the solution to our problem. If I show up tomorrow for this lunch and I can’t get through to her, I’ll lose my job anyway. So, really, the pressure is off you.”

  She laughed, shaking her head slightly. “You have to talk to Eric.”

  “I will.”

  “And I don’t have any fancy suits to wear to a meeting like this.”

  “Trust me, it’s better if you don’t have one.”

  She thought about it for another minute, and based on the worried look on her face, I really didn’t think she was going to go for it. She looked like she was ready to kick me out at any moment. But then she turned to me and grinned.

  “What time do you need me there?”

  “Seven. You should just pack a bag and come with me into the city. I can help get you prepared.”

  Anna

  This was ridiculous. I had lost my mind and jumped off the deep end. That was the only explanation for why I was in Robert’s car, headed for the city. I swore that I wouldn’t be involved with him in any way ever again, yet here I was, sitting in his fancy car with a bag in his trunk. I didn’t know what I was thinking. Scratch that, I didn’t know what he was thinking. The idea that I could somehow help him out with this case was ludicrous.

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked, fidgeting in my seat. God, I was so nervous. I was going to ruin everything.

  “Yes, I’m positive.”

  “But what if she hates me and I end up pissing her off? I don’t exactly have the best temper.”

  He grinned as he glanced over at me. “That’s what I’m counting on. See, everyone at the office walks on eggshells around her. They want to please her because she’s the moneymaker.”

  “What about you?”

  “I spoke my mind, and it didn’t turn out so well.”

  “What did you say to her?”

  He shrugged slightly. “I told her she had to relocate to New Hampshire for a speedy divorce and she balked at the idea. I told her that as long as the nanny was moving with them, he probably didn’t give a shit where they lived.”

  My eyes widened and then I burst out laughing. “How could you say that?”

  “Because it’s the truth and that’s what she needs to hear. She just didn’t want to hear it from a man.”

  “Yeah, but she just found out her husband was cheating with the nanny. That was pretty insensitive.”

  “I don’t give a shit. If she wants to protect her fortune, she needs to be angry. She needs to be ruthless. When she first came to us, we were sure that he knew that she wanted a divorce, but he’s still clueless, which gives us an advantage. If he knew she wanted a divorce, he would never move to New Hampshire.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s a no-fault state, but there are exceptions to that, and one of those exceptions is adultery. Illinois is a
no-fault state also, but there are no exceptions. She would have to split everything with him. He would also get alimony because he stays home with the kids.”

  “Wait, I thought you said they had a nanny.”

  “Rich people can afford to do both.”

  I thought on that for a moment. If I was in her position, I wouldn’t have a dime to split with my husband. “How much is she worth?”

  He cleared his throat. “She pretty much owns half of Chicago. She has investments everywhere, and they extend past Chicago. She’s a ruthless businesswoman. I need her to be just as ruthless now.”

  “But…do you think maybe he feels bad about cheating? I mean, what if he’s cheating because she’s working so much or maybe she doesn’t put out.”

  He slowly looked at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Would that be a good excuse for you?”

  “No, and I’m not saying that it’s an excuse here either, but things happen when people feel abandoned.”

  “Is that a shot at me?”

  I grunted in frustration. “No, I’m just saying-“

  “He could have been out working. He could have shared in the business with her, but he chose the easy route, and now he’s going to walk away with nothing.”

  We pulled into his parking garage and memories of my weekend with him assaulted me. Where would I be sleeping? I hoped he didn’t think I would share a room with him. The ride in the elevator was filled with tension as we approached his floor. I was so nervous, and not just because of what I had to do tomorrow, but because I remembered the things he did to me the last time I was here. But as much as I wanted Robert, that would be a terrible idea.

  I walked into his apartment and immediately headed for the window to look outside. I needed a distraction, anything to keep me from thinking about what I really wanted right now. Robert walked up beside me, sliding his hands into his pockets.

  “We haven’t finished discussing payment.”

  I startled and stepped back, gaping at him. “What?”

  His eyes twinkled as he stared at me and I realized that he was talking about how much he would pay me. That was the only reason I had agreed to do this. I needed a solution to my problem and one appeared. But now that I was here, I felt terrible about accepting. Shouldn’t I be doing this for old times sake? He used to be someone that I loved. Was it really too much to ask to help him out just because he needed it? No matter how much I wanted that money, I couldn’t go through with it. It felt wrong on so many levels. Besides, this wasn’t the way I wanted to buy my own place. It felt like cheating.