by Alina Jacobs
"It's not just that the probation period is ending," Mr. Harrington said abruptly. "We're firing you."
"Why?" I asked, leveling my gaze at him.
"I've heard that you're having an affair with Hunter Svensson," Mr. Harrington replied.
"Neither of us is married, so it's hardly an affair," I retorted.
"He's representing Walter Holbrook's wife," Charles Thurlow said. "Both of you are working on a high-profile case."
I didn't understand where he was going with this, but I wasn't going to say that.
"Hunter was sleeping with you so you would feed him information about the case," Mr. Harrington continued.
I blinked, feeling slightly stunned.
"That's not true," I said, trying to relax my jaw. "He wouldn't do that. Besides, I never had files with me. Everything was under lock and key."
Mr. Harrington looked at Charles then back at me. "You could have told him information."
"Right. After he eats me out, I tell him the particulars of the case," I said, keeping my tone casual. Mr. Harrington blanched, and Karen looked appalled—and slightly jealous, I noted.
"Do you honestly believe that, or is this another smear campaign Karen has decided to wage against me?" I said, my voice rising slightly.
"Hunter has been hunting for an easy target," Karen said to Mr. Harrington and Charles. "He sent me flowers and tried to win me over, but I am of course smarter and more loyal than Meghan. I could see right through his little charade."
"He was sending those flowers to me," I snapped. "He never sent anything to you."
"It's completely unethical that you were sleeping with him!" Karen told me, her nose twitching.
"I don't see how," I argued. "He is not the main lawyer on Danielle's case. His brothers are. He was merely a consultant. We did not talk about the case. Far from it. I don't take lightly the responsibility I have to my client, and I don't appreciate you implying that I am someone who would break the law like that. I don't want to be disbarred or arrested, nor would I ever betray my clients' trust. I have more integrity than that."
Charles sighed.
"You showed a lot of promise, Meghan—Yale Law, your extracurricular work. Your paper on patent law I thought was particularly clever. I believe you. Unfortunately, while you may be trustworthy, Hunter is not."
He tapped a button on his phone. We all stared at it as Hunter's unmistakable voice filtered through. I thought I was going to vomit when I heard him and Danielle discuss his using me for information.
I shook my head. "I don't…who sent this?"
"It was sent to us anonymously," Mr. Harrington said.
Karen looked at me triumphantly. "I guess he didn't care about you at all."
I couldn't believe it. There had to be another explanation. But then, Hunter was a self-admitted rule breaker. He hated Walter Holbrook. Maybe it was all part of a grand revenge scheme directed at Walter. Was that all I had been, a pawn?
"It's very clear that those voices belong to Hunter and Danielle," Mr. Harrington said quietly. He leaned back and looked at me. "Look, we aren't going to report this. But we have to fire you. It could put the whole case in jeopardy."
I felt like I was looking down on the scene from the ceiling. It was as if my body was being commanded by a puppet master. I stood up abruptly and held out my hand to Mr. Harrington.
"I completely understand," I said. "You were put in a difficult position. I will pack my things and leave." I walked through the office. Karen watched like a hawk as I packed up my bag. The only personal item I had on my desk was the bouquet Hunter had sent.
"Leave them," Karen said. "I'll have the cleaning staff throw them away."
I had broken all my rules for Hunter. And now I had been burned.
"You're so stupid," I whispered to myself. I blinked at the tears forming in my eyes as I stood outside in the freezing cold.
My phone buzzed.
Karen: A little reminder to be careful about who you trust
I hit play already knowing what the mp3 file was. I ended it before Hunter finished the sentence.
Kate was at the apartment when I came back.
"There you are—What's wrong?" she cried as I slumped down on the floor.
Wordlessly, I took out my phone and hit play.
"Oh," Kate said as she listened to the recording. "That's not good."
"I got fired," I hissed through my teeth.
Kate wrapped her arms around me. "Let it out," she said. "You need a good cry. Then wallow for a few days about it. We'll order Chinese and drink wine."
"I am not going to cry," I said flatly. "Hunter isn't worth it."
"Maybe there's an explanation," Kate said after a moment. "Danielle is a manipulative person. You could confront him about it."
"I can't believe you're taking his side. I was fired because of him. I don't want to hear any excuse he might have. You heard the recording. He. Said. It."
"You were so happy with him," Kate said softly.
I looked out the sad little window to the view of the neighboring brick wall.
"It's not like we were married or even dating. I've only known him a couple of weeks. It's not like I had planned out our future or anything. I broke my rules. These are the consequences."
"At least make him get you another job," Kate told me.
"No," I said, suddenly exhausted. "I can't face him. I failed at life in New York City. I failed at being a high-profile corporate lawyer. I want to go home. I miss my sisters."
"You're just going to quit?" Kate asked.
"Our lease is up at the end of this month," I reminded her. "I have no job, no boyfriend, and you're busy with Walter, so you're hardly ever here anyway. So yeah. I'm quitting."
28
Hunter
On the way to meet Danielle, I picked up a bouquet at a flower shop I liked to frequent. It had the soft pinks and cream colors I had come to associate with Meg.
But I couldn't think about Meg right now. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before I walked into the nearly empty restaurant. There was no way I was sleeping with Danielle. But I was confident that I could convince her that this thing with Meg would be beneficial for her.
"Danielle," I said, presenting her with the bouquet. She was sitting alone at a table. She wasn't acting like a grieving mother. I remembered what Carter had said, that he thought she had had something to do with the fire. But no one could be that coldhearted, could they?
Except my father was.
"Thank you for the flowers," she purred. "It's nice to be around a man that knows how to treat a woman. Now about that payment. We all need a satisfactory ending. I'm a lonely, grieving widow." She leaned forward, her breasts almost spilling out of the low-cut dress.
"I'm sorry for your loss," I said. She reached out, trailing her fingers up my hand, then she picked it up and pulled my fingers to her mouth.
I needed to play it carefully with Danielle. I had no intention of actually using Meg to feed Danielle information for her divorce. That was highly illegal and unethical. I would never cost Meg her career like that. If anyone found out, it would be disastrous for her. But I couldn't let Danielle catch on to that fact.
"We must move on," she said, putting one of my fingers in her mouth and sucking it. I tried to keep the expression on my face neutral.
"I don't know why I married Walter," she said. "I never cared for dark-haired men. I always had a thing for blonds."
"Is that so."
"I want you to fuck me, Hunter."
"I can't."
"Because of Meg." She dropped my hand. Her eyes narrowed, and her nostrils flared. "You know what I think, Hunter? I think you never had any intention of giving me information from Meg about my divorce."
"Now that's just not true," I replied.
"I know when a man is head over heels in love," Danielle scoffed. "You're drunk on her. I think you need to sober up."
I stared at her, keeping my face cold.
"I can help you," she said, licking her lips, "And make it worth your while, of course. There's more information I can get from Holbrook. They're in disarray right now what with the horrible tragedy."
"I’m not sleeping with you," I said.
"You can fuck me and Meg at the same time," she said, eyes widening.
I sneered at her. "You're older than my mother. Even if Meg and I weren't together, I would never want you."
"Hm," she said, her face smug. "I suppose we'll find out soon."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked apprehensively.
Danielle cocked her head. "You're going to come crawling back to me, heartbroken and begging me for my help. And you know what? I’m going to give it to you. For the right price. We'll put that lying mouth to good use."
"Never going to happen," I said flatly.
She smirked. "I'll remind you next time I see you."
"Except that we won't be seeing any more of each other," I told her. "Our business is concluded."
"No, it's not," she snarled. "You're my lawyer!"
"I feel the need to tell you in person as a professional courtesy," I told her, "but I'm moving out of New York City. I have some business that needs tending to. I'll travel back and forth a bit, but my brothers Josh and Eric will be handling your case exclusively."
"You bastard!" she screeched and threw the flowers at my face. "You're going to regret this!"
"No, I won't," I replied, picking up the flowers and walking out of the restaurant.
I wished Meg wasn't at work. I texted her that I missed her but didn't receive a response. She must be busy. I wanted to wrap my body around hers. I was finally free of Danielle, and I had a few more weeks until I was going to move back to Harrogate.
I headed to the Svensson Investment office. I knew Greg would be working. We could go over the information that Danielle had sent.
As soon as I stepped off the elevator, I heard yelling and several children screaming at the top of their lungs.
"You need to take them back to Harrogate. They cannot stay here. This is insanity!" I heard Greg yell as I walked into his office.
"Mace kicked them out," Archer said over the din.
Three kids were fighting over a game console. I waded in and pulled them apart.
"Stop it," I ordered.
They looked up at me angrily. "He stole my stuff! Liam gave it to me as a Christmas present!"
"No, he didn't! That was supposed to be for me, and you stole it!"
One kid took a swing at his brother, and I lunged, pinning his arms down.
"You're acting like animals," I growled at them.
"And not cute ones either," Archer said. "Mace said not to send them back unless you came too."
"I'm not going to Harrogate for two weeks," I said. "We discussed this."
Archer held up his hands. "Mace is frazzled. He's starting to count cracks in the ceiling again."
"You need to go now," Greg told me. "You procured the information. There's no reason for you to stay."
But there was—Meg.
I heard someone sprinting down the hallway. Billy came screaming into the room. He ran straight into his brothers at full speed, and they crashed to the ground.
Archer and Greg were looking at me. Archer had a very young kid in his arms wearing a plastic shower cap and not much else.
"Who is that?"
"Newest arrival. Sent Mace right over the edge, and he just handed him to me and told me to leave. I think he's got lice, by the way. I did my special lemon-oil treatment."
"That's it," Greg ordered. "Out. They cannot stay here." He looked at me.
I sighed. The little one cried and cried.
I held out my arms. Archer handed him to me, and he quieted down.
"If you don't take them back to Harrogate, we could just send them to Seattle and let Fritz be surprised," Archer joked.
"You're sending us away?" Billy asked. "Daddy sent us away."
"Dad's a horrible person," I told him.
"Mace said we were bad."
"You're not bad. You just need some structure."
My brothers all looked at me. Sometimes it sucked being the oldest.
"Let me pack a bag. We'll go to Harrogate tonight."
"Ooh!" Archer said. "Can I have your apartment?"
"No," I snapped.
"But you won't be here!"
"Do not let him move into my condo," I ordered Greg.
"I’m taking his apartment," Archer stage-whispered.
Back at my condo, as I stuffed clothes into my suitcase, I saw a familiar pair of lacy underwear. Meg. I needed to see her. I looked at the clock. Surely she would be at home by now. I texted her that I was coming over. No response.
The disapproving old lady, Mrs. Vega, was in the hallway when I arrived.
"I hope you aren't here for another hookup or booty call or whatever the kids do," she said with a disgusted expression.
Ignoring her, I knocked on the door. "Meg, could you please open up!"
Mrs. Vega glared at me. "She doesn't live here anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"She left. Took all her belongings and said she was going back home."
"Why? What about her job?" I asked.
Mrs. Vega ignored the question and scowled at me. "You're going to get that girl in trouble. I know men like you." She cast one last dirty look my way and slammed her apartment door.
Meg left without telling me? I didn't understand. I had to deal with my brothers, but as soon as I had them settled, I needed to find Meg.
29
Meghan
My sisters were ecstatic to see me.
"I can't believe you're home!" Minnie said as she and Rose huffed and puffed as they tried to carry my heavy suitcases upstairs.
"I’m sorry it didn't work out," Hazel said, hugging me. "But I'm glad you're back."
"I just feel like a failure," I admitted.
"You aren't! You gave it your best. You're still a lawyer. No one can take that away from you."
"Uncle Barry said he's talking to the council tomorrow about giving you a position," Hazel said.
My phone buzzed. I was sure it was Hunter. I was ignoring his messages.
"Is that him?" Hazel asked, her eyes narrowing. "Don't respond to him. He was a jerk."
"Maybe there's a reasonable explanation," I said uncertainly.
"Doubtful," Hazel said with a snort.
"No, you can't give him up!" Minnie cried. "He's so handsome, and he bought you those shoes."
"Let him apologize," Rose pleaded.
"Relationships aren't a Disney movie," Hazel scolded Minnie and Rose. Then she turned to me. "You need some time to figure out your life. You need to wallow, lay in bed, and watch Netflix. Eat chicken nuggets and pizza rolls—that will make you feel much better!"
We went to the kitchen, and I started to calm down a little bit as I sat at the table, joking with my sisters.
I heard the mail slot on the front door clang. Minnie ran to grab the mail. "There's a letter for Meghan," she announced.
I opened the letter. Then my heart went cold.
"That bastard," I hissed. In the letter was a parking ticket and a summons to pay a fine of eight hundred dollars for removing the boots from my car.
"That bastard. I knew it. I knew that was illegal! Hunter broke the rules, and I have to pay for it." The tears that I thought had been squashed down came flooding out, and my sisters huddled around me while I sobbed.
"Just tell him and he'll pay for it, I'm sure," Minnie said, stroking my hair.
"No," I said. "I never want to see him again."
The doorbell rang, and Rose ran to the door.
"It's him!" she exclaimed.
I was furious. I marched to the front door and opened it, letting it slam against the wall with a crack.
Hunter looked slightly alarmed, and he shifted his weight as he stood there on the porch.
"Can I come in
?" he said after a moment.
"No!" I screamed at him.
"Why are you ignoring me?" he demanded. "Mrs. Vega said you quit your job?"
If I had been furious before, now all I wanted to do was throw Hunter into a volcano.
"I was fired, and it is your fault!" I screeched. I fumbled in my jacket pocket for my phone, almost dropping it because I was shaking with rage. Hunter reached out to steady me.
"Don't touch me!" I shrieked.
"I'm trying to help."
"You were never trying to help me, you liar!"
I finally found the file and turned up the volume to full blast. His voice blared out of the phone. It was slightly tinny, but you could clearly make out how he was promising to sell me out to Danielle. My sisters made horrified noises from their viewing platform on the stairs.
"That is not what it sounds like," Hunter said, face serious, as soon as the clip ended.
"Really?" I yelled. "Because it sounds like you used me to complete your grand plan. Find the stupid, insecure girl and make her feel special and then just use her to win a case."
"It wasn’t about the case. I needed information about—" He snapped his mouth shut. "Never mind. That didn't have anything to do with you."
"So you admit there was lying going on," I countered.
He scowled. "No. Just misdirection. It wasn't about you."
"I was fired," I shouted, banging on my chest to punctuate the words. "I am the only one here who was hurt."
"I'm sorry," Hunter said tersely, "but I will find you another job. This is a good thing for you."
"No, it's not," I seethed. "I was humiliated. I'm blacklisted in New York City law."
"People will understand," Hunter said, his tone soothing. I just wanted to punch him in the face. "Everyone does underhanded things. Everyone bends the rules."
"Not me. I bent the rules for you because I thought you cared about me, but you didn't."
"I do care about you," Hunter pleaded. "That recording is not how I feel about you. It was just part of a plan. I needed Danielle to not, well steal, but borrow some information for me. I also may have promised something I wasn't willing to deliver."