When I Saw You
Page 29
He was worth over a billion dollars. Joseph Craig, the illegitimate son of a maid, in a matter of twenty years, went from owning only clothes and a few pieces of furniture to having a net worth of over a billion dollars. He was positioned to make the Forbes list of richest Americans. He had more money than the biological father who’d never acknowledged him. He’d realized his lifetime goal.
In the process, he’d broken the law, compromised his own principals, betrayed his fiancée and lost his best friend, a friend who served as the most stable influence of his adult life. He’d lost the respect of a man he held more esteem for than any other—a man who’d taken him into his home and made him part of his family, a man he thought of more as a brother than a friend.
“Joseph? Are you here?”
Joseph pushed a button on the remote, silencing the stereo. His gaze found Lia, who came through the doorway. “I love you,” he said as he pushed himself to a sitting position. “I love you more than I ever imagined possible.” He threw his feet over the side of the bed and stood up, crossing the room and meeting her at the door. “And I’m determined to get that sparkle to come back to your eyes when you look at me.”
“Sparkle?”
“The one that used to come to your eyes when you saw me.” He pulled her slowly towards him, his eyes never leaving hers. “I love you,” he said again before dropping his mouth over hers.
“Wow,” Lia said softly, when he lifted his head. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Sense.” He kissed her forehead. “I have a phone call to make, and then I’ll be ready to go.”
20
Five months later, Lia was sitting opposite Joseph at the kitchen table in their Georgetown home, nibbling on a toasted bagel and reading the Sunday Style section of the Washington Post, when she saw a picture of Joseph.
Washington’s own Joseph Craig reportedly missed being included in the Forbes 400 richest Americans list by $50 million. But don’t feel too sorry for the ex–senior partner at Prossi, Stuart & Craig and current professor at Georgetown Law School—he is worth $950 million, according to sources. The magazine, which will hit newsstands in about two weeks, reports Craig kept himself from contention by quietly giving away $380 million to several charities benefiting abused women and children. He originally gave a donation of $300 million, but apparently gave another $80 million away when he learned he still had enough to make the list…Go figure.
Lia lifted her eyes from the article. “Joseph?”
“Yes?” His brown eyes met hers.
“I love you.”
A little over twenty-four hours later, Tony opened the door to a classroom at Georgetown University and, ignoring the curious stares from the twenty or so students in attendance, took a seat in the back row.
Joseph, who was standing at the front of the classroom, hesitated, clearly surprised by the identity of his visitor. “I’m sure most of you recognize our distinguished guest in the back row, my former law partner, Tony Prossi. Now that I’m no longer practicing, I’d say he’s hands down the best trial attorney in the country, so this is indeed an honor and, if we’re lucky, he’ll join in on our discussion today.”
Forty-five minutes later, after the last student filed out of the classroom, Joseph found himself alone with his ex-friend and partner. “You’re good at this,” Tony said, filling the silence as he walked towards Joseph, who was still standing at the front of the room.
“It’s an interesting change. I like teaching.”
“I read you signed on with CNN.”
Joseph had recently been hired to serve as their on-air legal analyst. “They’ve been trying to get me for a couple years and now I finally have the time.” He pushed his hands into his pockets. “I guess you saw the article in the Post yesterday.”
“I had no idea.”
“Well, it was supposed to remain confidential,” Joseph said. “I gave the money away with the agreement they wouldn’t release my name. I’m not sure what happened.”
“Well, I’m glad they did. It was a noble thing to do.”
“It was the right thing to do. The money wasn’t rightfully mine.”
“Eighty million of it was,” Tony said.
“Yeah, well. I didn’t want to make the list.”
Tony nodded, his eyes searching as they looked into Joseph’s. “So, did you meet him? Did you meet Eastman?”
Joseph shook his head. “No. I gave the man twenty years of my life. I think that’s enough.”
“You know it was always his loss.”
Joseph shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is how I conduct myself. What kind of man, what kind of father I am.”
“Is Lia pregnant?”
“She is.” Joseph smiled.
“Congratulations. That’s great, Joe! You didn’t waste any time. You haven’t been married long. I heard you eloped.”
“A few months. We went to Bermuda—just the two of us.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” He turned away then and began to gather his papers.
“How’s Lia? I hear she’s still working for Nick.”
Joseph finished packing his briefcase and then pulled up a chair in front of Tony’s and sat down. “Lia is the one person in this world I can’t imagine being without. Lia is amazing and she’s stayed amazing through this whole thing.”
“You seem happy.”
“I am—most of the time.” He hesitated, continuing to meet Tony’s eyes. “I’m sorry for…for everything. I should never have risked the firm.”
Tony shook his head. “It’s the past. Nothing came of it.”
“But it could have, and I want you to know I’m sorry. You deserved more from me. I let you down. I let myself down. And I’m sorry.”
“You’re forgiven,” Tony said as he pushed back his chair. “Do you have time for lunch?”
“Definitely.” Joseph smiled. “My treat.”
Also by Laura Branchflower
A Sense of Belonging
A White Picket Fence