I saw the hurt flash across her face, but she straightened her shoulders. “And you?”
I shrugged, moving farther away. “I’ll carry on the way I was before. My life is set, Fee. It was set long before I met you.”
“People can change.”
“If they want to.”
She shook her head. “You won’t even try.”
“Because I already know I’ll fail. This is me. It’s who I am.” I sucked in a lungful of air, already feeling the ache my words were going to cause.
“Since you get your place tomorrow, you should stay in your own room tonight, Fee. I think it would be for the best. For both of us.”
“No confusing our worlds, is what you are saying. Redrawing the lines again, Halton?”
I couldn’t tell her I was already confused. And dreading the fact that I was going to go back to the fractured way I had been sleeping again. I had the feeling, without her beside me, rest was going to be even more elusive than before.
“Yes,” I replied.
She picked up her purse and headed to the door. I followed close behind, hating the fact that I had hurt her but knowing there was nothing I could do about it.
Halton
Although I enjoyed long weekends, the one extra day of being closed seemed to bring out a panic in people. The office was crazy all day—phone calls, emails, meetings. I wasn’t due in court until Thursday, and I was grateful to have the extra time to work on my caseload.
More than once, I heard Fee’s gentle voice explaining I wasn’t accepting new clients at the moment and offering people names from a list I had given her. Around one, she entered my office and slid a bag onto the corner of my desk. She turned to leave, halting when I called out to her.
“What about you?”
She turned. “I have a sandwich at my desk.”
I shook my head—she was still hesitant about “overstepping.” I enjoyed our lunches together when I was in the office. They had, in fact, become a highlight of my day.
“Bring it in here and switch the phone to voice mail.”
She carried in her sandwich and sat down, crossing her legs. “Is there a problem?”
I bit into the thick roast beef sandwich she had ordered up from the deli on the corner. I chewed and swallowed before replying.
“No. I wanted to touch base. It’s been a busy day.”
“It has,” she murmured.
“Rene called me. He’s insisting on coming on Friday for a while. He’s been cleared.”
“All right.”
There was silence as we ate. Or rather, I ate. Fee nibbled at her sandwich, barely eating half by the time I was done mine. I balled up the paper, tossing it in the bin.
“Rene returning doesn’t mean anything, Fee. You still have a place here.”
“Have you ever thought of taking on a partner?” she asked. “You’re busy enough to keep two or three people gainfully employed.”
I sipped my cola, the cold easing the slight burn left by the horseradish on the sandwich I had inhaled. “Not really.”
“Why?”
I shrugged. “I don’t want a run-of-the-mill practice representing rich SOBs and divorces all the time.”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing for me?”
I studied her. “I don’t consider your case usual, or that you’re an SOB.”
She ignored me. “Even SOBs deserve a decent attorney. Being poor doesn’t give the exclusivity to being honest or decent.”
“I realize that.”
“You could accomplish more with an extra body. You could still choose your cases but do even more.”
“Trust would be an issue. I think having a partner would involve a lot of trust.”
She rewrapped her sandwich. “Right. And you trust few people.”
I narrowed my eyes, catching an undercurrent of anger in her tone. “Very few.”
She stood. “Sometimes, you have to offer trust to get trust, Halton.” She walked toward the door, and I was on my feet moving toward her before I could think. I caught her elbow, spinning her around.
“Hey. I do trust you.”
She tried to shake off my hold, but I refused to let her move. “You wouldn’t be here, working for me, if I didn’t trust you. I wouldn’t have had you stay in my home.”
She shut her eyes, then exhaled. “I know that. I simply mean you need help. There are lots of cases you could take on that you would believe in if you had someone else working with you.”
She meant more than that, but I let her go. I wasn’t sure I wanted to get into the meaning of her words right now. I opened my mouth, but my private line rang, breaking the moment. I stepped back and smiled.
“I’ll give it some thought. Close the door when you leave, please.”
She walked past me, shutting the door. I grabbed my phone, already knowing who would be on the other end of the line. I had been waiting for this call all day, but I didn’t want Fee to overhear it.
“Mr. Smithers, this is Jonas Peters of Peters, Down, and Hadley. I’m representing Scott Hutchings.”
I had been wondering who he would choose. They were another firm I despised. Ambulance chasers, questionable practices, and unsavory divorces. I wasn’t surprised Hutchings had chosen them to represent him. His own firm couldn’t be involved. There would be a conflict of interest since part of the settlement could be their own firm.
Peters, Down, and Hadley had the same sort of scruples as Scott—in other words: none. They would be a natural choice for him. Luckily, I was much smarter than any lawyer in their firm. Scott simply hadn’t accepted that fact yet.
“I’ve been expecting your call.”
“I’d like to set up a meeting. My client is anxious to move things forward and to make this as easy as possible on all parties concerned. He was hoping we could settle all this between us without involving the courts.”
I counted to ten before replying.
“How considerate of him,” I responded, the sarcasm evident in my voice. “Was he thinking about making it easy on my client when he harassed her at her rented accommodations this past Friday and forced her to find another place to stay?”
“He regrets his actions. His only defense was that he became emotional when he saw the divorce papers. He overdrank and made a bad choice. We’ve all been there, right, Hal? I mean it was a blow to his ego. A male thing.”
I blinked, unsure if this asshole was being serious or not. Was he really pulling the “C’mon it’s a guy thing—you get it” shit on me?
“His ego,” I repeated.
“Yes.”
“So, if that was a blow to his ego, tell me, what did he think was going to happen after he kicked my client out of their marital home, took away her only mode of transportation, canceled her credit cards and access to their bank account, and dropped her off at a hotel like a second-rate hooker with a wave and a ‘see you later’? He thought they’d have drinks and solve everything between them?”
There was a pause.
“He gave her some money.”
“Again, I will refer to the second-rate hooker comment. Twenty grand for almost ten years of marriage? We both know, in Toronto, that wouldn’t even cover a deposit on a place to live, Jonas. Your client handled this badly.”
“He regrets his actions.”
“He is going to regret it a lot more when I get through with him.”
There was another pause.
“We would like to meet as soon as possible and move this forward.”
Time in the world of the law has a totally different meaning. Urgent means I’ll get to it when convenient. As soon as possible could be next week or next month. If a lawyer says he’ll “get right back to you,” grab a coffee. Maybe a sandwich. You’re going to wait a while.
But I wanted this done now. I glanced at my schedule and decided to move things along fast.
“Friday afternoon. Four o’clock. My office,” I snapped and hung up.
I was g
oing to fry that bastard.
I sent a quick message to Fee telling her to move everything from three o’clock onward on Friday until next week. I sent Rene a text asking him to be here Friday afternoon. I picked up the phone and called Wyatt.
He answered after several rings, sounding distracted. In the background, I could hear a game playing. He was addicted to all that shit. Jobs like mine that paid well allowed him to spend more time playing than working. Add in pizza and beer, and his life was perfect. Normally, I found it amusing. Right now, I was annoyed.
“Put down your controller and turn off your fucking game. I need your attention.”
Silence fell.
“I need everything you can find on Scott Hutchings. Attorney.” I rattled off all the information I knew.
“You want finances?”
“I want it all. Finances. Where he is spending his money. Who he is spending it on. His cell phone records. I want to know what time he gets up in the morning, takes a crap, and how long he wanks off for in the shower.”
There was a long pause.
“I think that is more for a PI than a job for me.”
“Get me everything you can.”
“Okay, I’ll work on it.”
“Do it fast.”
“How fast? It’s gonna take—”
“Fucking fast or you’re fired. No more retainer. Got it?”
“Got it.”
I hung up.
My mood got worse as the week progressed.
Tuesday night, Fee stayed in her room all evening, and eventually, I gave up waiting for her and went to bed. I tossed and turned all night, not even getting an hour of sleep. My bed felt strange and cold—uncomfortable.
Maybe it was time for a new mattress. I would have to look into it.
We both looked tired on Wednesday morning, but neither of us addressed the elephant in the room. I decided I would sleep better once Fee was in her own place. Having someone in my space was disturbing me. I was used to being on my own. I kept telling myself that. My world would return to normal once Fee was gone.
I ignored the laughter in my head.
Wednesday afternoon, Aiden dropped by the office and gave Fee the keys to the apartment. He perched on the edge of her desk, talking to her. For some reason, it bothered me to see his massive frame looming over her. It bothered me even more that she laughed and talked to him like an old friend. I knew he was happily married. I knew he was a friendly guy and was simply being Aiden. I didn’t like it. When I heard him offer to take her to the place and show her around, I lost it.
I stormed out of my office, ignoring the fact that clients were in the waiting area. “Thanks, Aiden. I’ll take it from here. I’m sure Bentley needs you back at the office. You can go. I appreciate you bringing the keys yourself.”
He stood with a frown, crossing his arms. His gigantic frame dwarfed me, but I didn’t back away. I met his gaze with all the anger I was feeling. He narrowed his eyes, then suddenly grinned, his eyebrows lifting as he chuckled. He stepped back, slapping me on both shoulders.
“Oh, this is awesome.”
“What the hell are you on about?” I almost snarled.
Laughing, he wiped his eyes. He turned to Fee and held out his hand. “Great to meet you, Fee. No doubt, I’m going to be seeing a lot of you.” He turned and headed to the door, still laughing.
He paused and met my gaze and started to laugh again. “Bent is going to howl.” He walked out, pulling the door closed behind him. I glared at his retreating figure. I stomped back into my office.
“Send in the next client,” I ordered, then flung myself into my chair.
What the hell was that about?
By Friday morning, I was dragging my ass. My few hours of sleep a night had turned into zero hours of sleep. Fifteen- or twenty-minute catnaps a few times during the hours of midnight and five a.m. were all I was able to manage.
And to top it off, on Wednesday night before she left my place for hers, Fee had informed me she felt it best if she came to and from the office on her own. I had argued with her, but she insisted it was for the best.
“If Scott finds that out, he will use it. If he has any idea at all that I was ever at your place, he will twist it until it is so sordid, not even you can unsully it, Halton.” She met my gaze. “I am not sure I should be here in your office, but I am enjoying the work and the challenge. I like feeling productive again—I won’t allow him to take that from me as well.”
“And you don’t think he’ll make an issue of the fact that you’re living in my building?” I challenged her, unable to figure out why it was so important to me that I drive her.
She crossed her arms. “Technically, it’s not your building. They have two separate addresses, Halton. I had no idea they were attached by a walkway until you told me. I doubt Scott will either. He isn’t that bright.”
For some reason, that made me laugh. I relaxed a little. “Come on, Fee, let me drive you.”
“No. I need to do this my way.”
“A cab, then. I’ll arrange it for you.”
“As long as you put it on Scott’s bill with all the rest of the things you are covering.”
Agreeing, I laughed and let it go.
For now.
I worked through Friday morning, and Rene arrived just after I broke for lunch. He looked like Rene. Dressed to the max, his head bright and gleaming, and his grin wide. I could see the effects of his accident, though. He moved a little slower, and his smile was forced at times when he turned certain ways. His arm was still in a sling and a cast, the healing wound on his head covered with a neat bandage. But his mind was sharp, and he looked happy to be back in the office. He and Fee sat together for a while and talked. He came into my office when they were done and sat across from me.
“I hear Scott is coming in this afternoon.”
“Yes.”
Fee had accepted the news quietly enough when I told her, but I knew she was anxious. She hid it better than I did, but I knew she wasn’t sleeping either. The amount of coffee we drank in the day was staggering, but neither of us touched on the subject. It was like a landmine neither of us wanted to step on. The explosion would be deadly.
Fee walked in, interrupting us. She placed a bag and a coffee on my desk. She smiled at Rene. “Are you sure you don’t want coffee? A sandwich? Anything?”
“No, dear Fee, I’m good.”
“Where is your lunch?” I asked.
“I can’t, Halton. Not today.”
Without thinking, I grabbed her hand. “You have to eat, Fee. Something. I need you strong this afternoon.”
“I’m too nervous.”
I squeezed her fingers. “I’ll be there with you. Every moment. He won’t have a chance to be alone with you or say anything. I’ll shut him down so fast, his head will spin.”
Releasing her hand, I unwrapped my sandwich and rewrapped half. “Please eat this.” She hesitated, and I slipped my fingers under her chin. “Please. You’re too pale. You need the energy.”
She met my gaze. Quietly, I added, “For me.”
She took the sandwich and left. I sat down, biting into my lunch and chewing fast. It tasted like sawdust, but I needed it. I looked up to find Rene staring at me.
“What?”
He started to grin, then shook his head. “How do you want to play this?”
I took another bite, thinking. “Fee is going to be in here. I want you at your desk. Show them into the library, and I’ll bring her in. She’s not to be alone with him. At all.”
Rene rubbed his chin. “So Fee is playing the client, I’m the worker, and you’re the attorney? Those are our roles?”
“Those are the facts.”
He shook his head. “There is way more to this scenario than that. You can object and deny all you want, Halton, but I know you too well.”
“Deny what?”
He chuckled. “I’m going to let you figure that part out.”
I slammed my h
and on the desk. “I am sick of all the cryptic BS from everyone. Spit it out.”
Rene studied me. “You look like shit.”
“I’m not sleeping. I have a lot on my mind.”
“Your client-slash-assistant looks the same way.”
“She’s nervous. I’m sure she’s having trouble resting too. Once today is over, she’ll relax.”
“Uh-huh.” He sat back in his chair, chuckling and muttering to himself.
I ignored him.
I heard Scott’s voice outside my closed door. It annoyed me more than usual. Drawing in a long breath, I slid on my jacket, pulling down my cuffs and making sure my tie was straight. I shut my eyes and used a few relaxation mind tricks I always relied on to help center my thoughts. I needed my head clear.
I glanced at Fee. She had eaten about two bites of the sandwich I had given her. She was paler than ever, her hands fretting with the edge of her jacket and tugging on the ends of her beautiful hair. At least she wasn’t chewing her nails.
I picked up her file. “Ready, Fee?”
She offered me a smile, but I saw the look in her eyes. It did something to me—tore at my chest and made me want to take away the fear in her eyes.
I didn’t think, only reacted. I stepped close and pulled her into my arms. She flung her arms around my neck and buried her face into my chest. I felt the tremors that ran through her body, and I tightened my hold.
“Together, Fee. We’re going to face this bastard together. He doesn’t get to push you around anymore, and he doesn’t determine your self-worth. You do. I do. And I think you’re fucking priceless.”
She glanced up at me. I cupped her face and broke my own rule. I lowered my mouth to hers and kissed her. Gently. Sweetly. Showing her, without words, how important she was.
I lifted my head and gave her a minute to gather herself. Rene opened the office door and poked his head in. He met my narrowed eyes, lifting his eyebrows a little, then nodding. He tilted his chin toward the library.
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 61