Lisa made herself comfortable on the extra-large sectional on the other side of the office. It was another piece of white furniture. Although it was her company that decorated this room, she hated Braylee’s décor.
However, since Braylee spent so much time there, Lisa tried her best to make her office a home away from home. It still felt cold. Everything was white, chrome, and glass. Lisa couldn’t help thinking that at least the furniture was comfortable.
She turned to her friend whose hair was perfect. Not a strand out of place, “Right…you never miss an opportunity to get all that mass of hair done, or your nails, or…your weekly massage. Let’s not pretend you don’t pamper yourself.”
“Yes, I do pamper myself and I have zero guilt about it. I deserve at least that as hard as I work.”
“No one can disagree with how hard you work. But, what about the rest of your life? I understood before why you weren’t dating while you were building your practice, but it’s thriving! As a matter of fact, it’s more than thriving.”
Braylee looked through the documents and paperwork on her desk to make sure she had everything to take with her for her morning meetings, “Everybody is not like you Lisa. I don’t dream of a husband or kids. I’m content with my life. And, when I get the urge to be around children, Luca is more than enough to nourish that part of me.”
Lately, they’d been having this conversation more and more. Braylee’s past dating experiences made her feel as if she needed to choose between her career and whoever she was in a relationship with at the time. That was no contest.
She didn’t think all men were the same, but the men she dated did seem to be intimidated by her success. Even, the successful ones. They couldn’t deal with the fact she could buy her own things and that her career was just as important to her as theirs was to them.
And, after her last disastrously failed relationship more than two years ago, Braylee resigned herself to forever being single. That she would probably never know what it was like to be in a loving and respectful relationship where she wouldn’t have to deny any part of herself. She’d been there and done that. No thank you.
Sometimes it made her sad, but she had her practice which more than filled up her days. But, she had to admit that her nights were starting to get a little lonely.
Braylee sighed, if she were honest, lately work hadn’t been as fulfilling as it had once been.
But marriage and kids….those dreams went up in flames years ago. And, she’d finally accepted that was not in her future. While her parents had managed to stay married for over thirty years, she couldn’t use them as a great example. They seemed to live to make each other miserable.
Her sister, Stephanie had been dating her fiancé, Maurice for the past five years. They seemed to be following in her parent’s footsteps. They argued all the time and always seemed miserable when they were together. However, Stephanie and Maurice did have one thing in common, they both had no problems spending other people’s money, especially hers.
Since Braylee was more than seven years older, she was more like a mother than a sister to Stephanie. Especially, during the dark years.
Braylee didn’t want to even think or talk about her personal life anymore, “Lisa, my schedule is tight. Why did you stop by?”
“Way to be subtle. Have you realized how rude and impatient you’ve become? You’re going to have to do better.” Lisa clapped her hands together, “I know what you need. You need some really hot and sweaty sex even if it’s just a casual hookup because my goodness you need to relax.”
Lisa pointed toward her desk, “And, that Violator vibrator in your bottom left drawer over there is not the same thing.”
Braylee’s caramel complexion turned three shades of red. She’d had way too much wine celebrating a legal victory when she’d told Lisa about that. “Okay…now that you’ve embarrassed the hell out of me, can we please please move on to another subject?”
“Fine. Are you going to represent Alexandro?”
Anything but this conversation too, “No. So, if that’s all you wanted to know I could have answered you in less than a five-minute phone call.”
“Seriously? Even after you talked to him? And, on a side note, maybe you could use Alex for some hot and sweaty sex. I don’t think he’s seeing anyone seriously and for obvious reasons he’s been pretty uptight too.”
She exhaled loudly, “You’re sick. I don’t even know the man.”
“But, he is sexy as hell. And, no one is asking you to get married…just to relieve some stress.”
“I don’t do casual sex, Lisa.”
“Fine. But, I’m right about this. So, you’re honestly not going to represent him?”
“I told you that I wasn’t making any promises before I went to his office.”
The disappointment was written all over Lisa’s face, “So, there’s no hope of saving his business?” As if talking to herself she spoke, “I’m sure if there were a way you would have found it.”
“I didn’t say that there wasn’t any way to beat the legal mess they’re in even if they knowingly sold the faulty electrical switch. I just can’t represent him.”
Lisa drew her eyebrows together, “Why? Because you’re attracted to him aren’t you? You always run away from men who scare you.”
Braylee choked, “No! Are you kidding? I just met the man…I’m not attracted to him.”
“Mmhmm. I’ve known you since college, and that’s not what your tale tell is telling me. You wouldn’t last a minute at a Vegas poker table.”
Braylee casually touched her face, “You’re being ridiculous and I don’t have a tale tell. I’m not representing him because both he and his team lack respect! Do you know he was almost an hour late, and they started speaking Italian right in front of me as if I weren’t even there? Hello? Again…it would have taken five minutes to find and read my bio on the internet. But, even if I could put that blatant disrespect to the side, his case would suck up all of my time for a very long time. I just can’t abandon my other clients for what it would take to represent him.”
Braylee softened her voice, “I’m sorry. But, because you’re my friend, I can recommend someone fantastic for him.”
Even though Lisa was disappointed, she understood, “I had hoped that after you two met maybe…well. I trust that you’ll find someone who can help them.”
Braylee looked at her watch, “So, can you call and tell him to stop sending me those damn flowers. I hate to rush you out, but I’ve got a meeting in a few minutes? Can we meet for dinner or something later?”
After a few more minutes of trying to schedule dinner, Lisa left. Shortly thereafter, so did Braylee.
Chapter 5
Braylee spent her morning in meetings with the Partners of her firm. However, when she returned most of her staff had taken off to lunch except for Nate. And, most of those flowers were still there.
She caught him losing it with someone on the phone. He hung up the phone and looked up at her, “This has got to be one of the craziest days we’ve experienced in a while.”
Braylee picked her mail up off of his desk and started going through it, “Who was on the phone?”
“That was my realtor. You know I’m trying to coordinate selling my condo and closing on my house for next week. Apparently, the appraisers can only come today. As a matter of fact in the next thirty minutes. If I miss it, he won’t be able to come back until after the closing date on my house. LaSonya won’t be back from lunch to cover me for another forty-five.”
“Just go. I’m sure I can hold down the fort for the next forty-five minutes or so.”
Nate was skeptical, “Are you sure?”
“What? Don't you think I can handle it? The phones can just go to voice-mail until LaSonya gets back.”
“It’s not that I don’t think you can’t handle it. It’s just you’ve been ridiculous these last few days. I don’t want you to scare off any potential clients.”
She gave him
a dirty look, “Get out of here before I change my mind.”
Nate gave her a roguish smile as he grabbed his keys out of the top drawer, “Wait…did you use that Violator? You seem to be in much better spirits.”
Her eyes widened in shock as she whispered, “How’d you know about that?”
“You’ve had that thing for about two years. I’m your personal assistant, who do you think changes the batteries. Or, do you think they change themselves? Don’t look so surprised. Whatever works right?” Nate winked at her, “I should be back in a couple of hours.”
He walked around Braylee and out the door as she stood speechless. Did everybody in the office know about the vibrator in her desk? She should probably take that thing home.
Her back was still turned away from the door when someone else entered, “Excuse me…Ms. Hinsdale?”
That voice. It was smooth like butter, and she recognized it instantly. Braylee slowly turned around to come face to face with Alexandro Manchetti.
Her voice caught in her throat, and her heart sped up. However, Braylee recovered quickly, “Mr. Manchetti? How…can I help you?”
“I was hoping that I could have a moment of your time.”
She crossed her arms underneath her breast, “Only if that will convince you to stop sending me these ridiculous flowers.”
Alexandro smirked as he looked around the room, “You think I sent the flowers?”
An unfamiliar sense of uncertainty started to creep into her eyes, “Didn’t you?”
“No. It wasn’t me.” He chuckled, “If I were interested in a woman she wouldn’t have to wonder if I sent her flowers.” Alex continued to look around the room, “I would have also been more…shall we say…creative.”
After a disdainful examination, Alexandro re-focused his full attention on to her. Try as he might, he couldn’t ignore the way her black pencil dress hugged her hour glass figure. Under a different set of circumstances, he would have most assuredly been interested in learning how far her legs went up that dress.
However, this wasn’t a personal visit. His business was far more important than a mere attraction to a beautiful woman.
Alex’s voice was river deep…focused, “I’m not here because I’m interested in romancing you. I’m here because I’m interested in you representing Manchetti Enterprises, and since our last meeting didn’t go as planned, I felt the need to make my case one on one.”
Braylee was rarely embarrassed but today she’d managed it for the third time. And, she couldn’t hide the blush forming on her cheeks. If she were honest, there was a part of her that was slightly…disappointed.
While she wasn’t interested in dating anyone at the moment, she still had to admit that Alexandro was a walking wet dream. He would probably be much more fun than her Violator.
Braylee cleared her throat eager to get back onto more comfortable ground, “Mr. Manchetti…”
Hoping to use her embarrassment to his advantage, Alexandro gave her a lopsided grin as he laid on the charm, “Please, call me Alex.”
The sound of his voice was like a silken caress, and it affected Braylee in a way that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Her knees started to wobble.
Who had time for wobbly knees? Braylee certainly didn’t. She sat on the edge of Nate’s desk to keep from looking unsteady on her feet and crossed her legs. No way was she about to make a complete fool of herself. Determined not to appear weak or affected by him in any way, she sat with her back ram-rod straight; Leaning on her confidence as a good attorney and the Mask. They had always been her shield of protection. This time would be no different.
With the skill of an interrogator, her voice was firmer and more focused than she actually felt, “I can’t work with someone who doesn’t respect me or my time.”
“I apologize for our rudeness. That will never happen again. But, I won’t apologize for being late to our meeting. Family means everything. Luciano…my brother’s teenage daughter is having a difficult time dealing with…everything. I needed to offer her comfort.”
The pain of Luciano’s death flashed briefly across his face. Braylee felt like a first class ass. It had only been a few weeks. They were obviously still grieving.
“I’m sorry about the loss of your brother.”
“Thank you. We are doing our best to cope. Part of our healing process is tied to this case.”
“Alex, listen…I’m not sure if I’m the one to help you. If I were to take on your case, it would be at the expense of all of my others. This case has the potential to be a long and drawn out battle. And, according to public records, your company provided the electrical switch that caught fire right before each accident.” Braylee shifted her legs again.
His mouth went dry as his eyes followed them. Her legs were lethal. Somehow Alex managed to meet her focused gaze with one of his own. Angry with himself for concentrating on her legs when his very life was in jeopardy made his words come out harder than intended, “Ms. Hinsdale the public records are wrong.”
While difficult to focus on the matter at hand and not his piercing black eyes, Braylee countered, “Even if that were the case, at the risk of sounding insensitive, your brother killed himself. And, he left what some would say was an apology for…something.”
Alex’s jaw tightened, “Luciano didn’t kill himself.”
Braylee had casually kept up with the case from the newspapers. She lifted one sculpted eyebrow in disbelief before carefully responding, “Mr. Manchetti, what you believe and what can be proven would seem to stand in stark contrast.”
He took his hand and rubbed it across his chin, “That is why I am here. I need your courtroom brilliance…I need a pit bull. I feel confident, if you take my case, we can beat this.”
Braylee tried her level best to be compassionate. She knew it wasn’t easy for the great Mr. Alexandro Manchetti to be vulnerable. “While I appreciate your kind words, even I can’t turn water into wine.”
Alex was a proud man. He knew he wasn’t very good at asking for help. However, the strain of losing his brother, watching his family’s legacy go up in flames, and the possibility of losing his company were almost too much to bear.
If ever there was a time he needed to put his pride to the side this was it. He was going to do whatever was necessary to clear his family’s name…especially Luciano. And, for this he was sure he needed Braylee Hinsdale.
“I trusted Lisa’s opinion of you, but I’ve also done my own research. From what I’ve been able to gather, you love a challenge. It seems to be what makes the blood pump through your veins. However, over the last few years, while very lucrative, any first-year law student could have handled the cases you’ve taken.”
Alex put his hands up before Braylee could refute his claims, “Look, I am under no illusions of how difficult this case would be to win. It would be the ultimate challenge. But, I won’t go down without at least putting up one hell of a fight.”
Silence.
As much as she wanted to challenge his words, Braylee couldn’t. He was right. She’d been too busy to acknowledge how boring her life had become. There truly was nothing like being in a courtroom. The rush of being in front of a judge, presenting a case to ten to twelve strangers while laying out a well-prepared case. Going toe to toe with a fellow attorney in a battle of whit, intelligence, and strategy made the blood pump through her veins. For Braylee, there wasn’t anything that came close to that high. But, lately most of her cases were settled before they even got that far.
One thing was for certain, she couldn’t help but admire his determination. The fact that he made her pulse race shouldn’t disqualify him as a client. After all, she was a professional. However, her instincts told her not to do it.
This case was the definition of high profile. What if she lost? Big stakes an even bigger reward. But, the mere thought of mounting a vigorous defense already left her with a heady feeling.
While studying this powerful man, Braylee tilted her head to the side
as she contemplated the consequences. Neither moved a muscle. He didn’t even blink as his eyes challenged hers, but then, neither did she.
The fire between them and the lure of making the impossible possible were almost irresistible. Almost.
He saw it the moment she’d made her decision. Alexandro was already planning his next move to woo her into taking his case. He didn’t give up easily, and he wanted her.
Braylee slowly slid from the desk and stood as she smoothed down her dress, “Your stock prices are crap. So, I’ll take my retainer in cash. I’ll email you where you can wire the funds.” As she turned to walk back into her office, Braylee threw one more caveat over her shoulder, “You wanted the best…now you’ve got it. I just hope you can handle it.”
A slow smile spread across his face. He watched the beautiful Braylee Hinsdale walk away in those stilettos with the confidence of a queen.
Feeling like he had when he’d made his first billion, Alex walked out of Braylee’s office and pushed the down button on the elevator. His cell phone vibrated within his inside jacket pocket,
He answered, “Manchetti.”
“Hi, darling.”
“Jeanine.”
“You’ve been very busy these last couple of weeks. I haven’t been able to connect with you. I just wanted to know if we were still on for the benefit tonight.”
He’d been so caught up with work, Cecily, and trying to woo Braylee that he’d forgotten about the benefit.
“You do remember it’s tonight right? I’m not going to let you cancel. It’ll be good for you to get out and about.”
“Of course. I’ve just had a lot on my mind. What time shall I be there to pick you up?”
Jeanine was thrilled that Alex was still going to attend. They’d known each other for years. And, while they weren’t officially dating, she’d made sure to try and be there for him since the death of Luciano. Although he was still in mourning, what better way to get back into the swing of things than with this benefit? And, when he was ready to start dating again, she’d be right there.
“Great! How does seven o’clock sound?”
A Storm Is Coming Page 3