Halton: Vested Interest #6

by Melanie Moreland

  “Let’s not jump too fast, Fee. In fact, Jonas called earlier, and I told him to send an offer—an official, written one—not something thrown on the table by his client while high.”

  She looked past me, over my shoulder, her gaze unfocused. “I’m not a vindictive person, Halton.”

  I snorted. “Yeah, I got that.”

  She held up her hand. “I grew up simply. My father wasn’t wealthy, and when he died, there wasn’t anything left for me except enough to pay for the funeral. He didn’t even have life insurance. I worked while putting myself, then Scott, through university. I enjoyed working until Scott decided I wasn’t good enough to be part of his firm. I volunteered as much as I could since he insisted I wasn’t allowed to work anymore. He felt it would reflect badly on him if his wife worked, while none of the other partners’ wives did. But I liked to stay busy. Maybe his offer doesn’t seem like much to you, but I can get a little place, put the rest aside, and move on with my life. Find a job I enjoy and work there instead of having to work someplace I dislike. I don’t plan on sitting around and spending money. That isn’t me.”

  I resisted asking her if she disliked working here—for me. It made sense she would want a clean break once her case was settled. I didn’t like it for some reason, but it made sense.

  I knitted my fingers together and studied her. “I’m going to be blunt. As Scott’s spouse, legally you are entitled to fifty percent of your net worth as a married couple. Including his shares in his company since I plan to get that ridiculous piece of paper struck down. That also means you inherit half of the debt.”

  She blinked. “Debt? Scott never had any debt. He paid the house off quickly and…” Her voice trailed off as I shook my head.

  “Reid was here earlier with some information. Scott took a second mortgage out some months ago. I can argue the house was solely in his name, therefore the debt is his, but we could lose. Reid also found a lot of cash withdrawals from various accounts—even from Scott’s retirement fund.”

  “Is he broke?”

  I shook my head. “No. But he is depleting his resources, and it worries me. At some point, there won’t be anything left.” I didn’t say anything about the idea he was skimming from his own company and hiding the money. I would use that when and if needed.

  Fee’s eyes widened and filled with sadness. “You were right, weren’t you? It’s drugs.”

  “I haven’t confirmed it yet, but I think so, yes.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s throwing his life away like that.” Her gaze dropped, her voice quiet. “I feel as if I need to reach out to him to try to stop it.”

  Standing, I crossed to the front of the desk and dropped to my knees in front of her. I gathered her hands in mine, shocked at how cold they were.

  “You can’t, Fee. You need to stay away from him. You’ve seen the way the drugs enrage him. I don’t want you anywhere near him. Promise me you won’t do that.”

  “Don’t I owe him that?”

  “No,” I stated firmly. “You don’t. He’s a grown man. He knew the consequences of his choices the second he decided to snort cocaine. He has spent his entire career screwing people over, taking advantage, and being selfish. He relied on the fact that you were so beaten down, you would allow him to dictate this divorce as well. He knows it isn’t happening now, so he can fucking well pay the price.”

  I felt a tremor race through her, so I gentled my voice. “Let’s see what the offer is, Fee, and if you want to accept it and move on, I won’t force you. You’ve had enough choices taken away from you already. I won’t add to the list. But let me do the job you hired me to do, okay? Let me defend you against him.”

  She sagged in the chair. “Okay.”

  “Good. As soon as the offer comes in, we’ll talk again.”

  She nodded and opened her mouth, then closed it.

  “What?”

  “It’s a different hat now.”

  “All right.”

  “What is happening, Halton? With us? Is what I’m doing with you any different? Am I not cheating on him?”

  “No, you’re separated. Your relationship is over—you are both aware of that fact. When he cheated on you, you thought you were still in the relationship together. That’s the difference. As for us, Fee…I don’t know how to answer that. I like being with you. I enjoy it. Sex with you is incredible…” I hesitated.

  “But temporary.”

  “I told you before I’m not forever—I’m just right now. It’s all I have to offer.” I tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “One day soon, FeeNellyRaptor, you’ll move on to a new life. You’ll be the strong, independent woman I know you to be, and you’ll find your place.” I swallowed down the sudden thickness in my throat. “And you’ll find the man who’ll love you forever and treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Like the fierce goddess you are.”

  “And where will you be?” she asked, her voice a whisper in the room.

  “Here, doing what I do.” I tapped the end of her nose and stood. “I’ll be cheering you on, grateful I got to have one sliver of your time, and knowing you made me a better man for it.”

  She stood and flung her arms around my neck, holding me tight. I gripped her back, feeling the loss of her when she moved away.

  She hurried to the door. “Don’t work too late, Halton.” She paused, her hand on the doorframe. “I’m going to get something to eat and go to the condo. You know where I am later if you want to find me.”

  We both knew I would.

  “Got it.”

  It hurt to watch her walk away. But I knew it was going to be the same every time she did it, until the day she no longer returned. How I would deal then, I had no idea. But somehow, I would figure it out.

  I had no other choice.

  I sat down and lost myself in the pile of work in front of me.

  That, I knew, would always be there.

  Halton

  An hour later, I glanced at my watch in frustration. I wasn’t accomplishing anything. I couldn’t concentrate on the files, and I had gone through the same documents time and again. I flipped the folder closed, knowing I had to give up and start again in the morning. I would come in early. I stood and stretched, deciding to grab a bite across the street, then head home.

  I walked across the street, pausing by the large windows of my favorite local bar. Sitting at a table was Fee. Her head was down, tilted away, but there was no doubt it was her. The light caught her silver hair cascading down over her shoulders. She was leaning on her elbow, her chin propped up in her hand, staring at the table, her finger tracing an abstract design on the wood. A glass of wine was in front of her, an untouched salad, ignored. I could see the strain of everything in the droop of her shoulders, and the need to somehow ease her worries, fix whatever was weighing on her, hit me.

  Something about her made me want to solve everything that was upsetting her. Make her entire world right—even if it was me that was the problem. It was very confusing.

  I stared at her for another moment, drinking in her beauty. I lifted my gaze, bristling when I saw a man leaning against the bar, his attention entirely focused on Fee. He sipped his drink, his unwavering gaze piercing. I glared when his eyes met mine, his eyebrows rising and his chin dipping as if to say “look at her,” then focused his gaze back on Fee. My hackles rose at the predatory look.

  He drained his drink, setting it on the bar, and straightened. He rolled his shoulders as if gearing up for a fight, then turned and began to move toward Fee.

  Like a bull seeing a waving cape, I charged forward, my muscles taut and my focus on one thing, and one thing only.

  Getting to Fee before that asshole did.

  I burst through the door, darting to the right, my legs eating up the distance quickly. I hit the edge of a table, barely stopping long enough to mutter an apology, heading toward Fee and cutting off the jerk. Fee’s startled gaze met mine, and before she could say anything, I ben
t, wrapped my hand around her neck and pulled her in, kissing her hard. She gasped into my mouth but let me pull her close, her mouth moving perfectly with mine.

  I eased back. “Hey, love. Sorry I’m late.”

  She blinked.

  “You started without me. Good.” I sat down, pulling my chair close. I glanced over my shoulder, meeting the stranger’s eyes. He was frozen, one hand clutching the back of a chair as he stared at us. I smirked and lifted my eyebrows. He frowned, and without thinking, I mouthed one word.

  “Mine.”

  He spun on his heel and headed toward the bar.

  Fee glanced at me, then toward the bar. “What just happened?”

  I turned to her with a grin. “Nothing. I missed you. I thought we could have dinner.”

  “You missed me,” she repeated, the surprise in her voice evident.

  “Yep.”

  “And you knew I’d be here…because?”

  I shrugged. “Lucky guess.” I looked at her plate. “Tell me that’s an appetizer.”

  “It’s my dinner.”

  “Not anymore.” I signaled for the waiter and ordered us cheeseburgers and a basket of fries. I glanced at Fee. “Guinness?”

  “No, I’ll drink my wine.”

  I shrugged off my jacket and faced her fully. “Okay.”

  “What did you do, Halton? Why is that man staring at us?”

  I thought of the word I’d mouthed to the jerk-off. What possessed me, I had no idea, but the thought of someone else moving in on Fee made me want to punch something.

  “He’s probably thinking the same thing I am.”

  “Which is?”

  I grinned and kissed her. “That you’re the prettiest woman here. No doubt he’s jealous I get to sit beside you and do this.” I pulled her in for another long kiss. “Play your cards right, Fee, and I’ll let you take me home too.”

  She laughed softly. “I think you’re trying to distract me.”

  “Is it working?”

  “If I say yes, it will encourage your behavior.”

  “I think you like my behavior.”

  She rolled her eyes but let me link my fingers with hers. I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed the tender skin.

  I glanced toward the bar, narrowing my eyes at the asshole still staring. He grabbed his coat and walked out of the bar.

  “That’s right, fucker,” I muttered. “Keep walking.”

  Fee shook her head, understanding dawning across her face. “Incorrigible.”

  I sat back with a grin and picked up my Guinness. “That’s me.” I leaned forward. “I think we need to go back to the office after we eat, Fee. There is something in the library I need to do.”

  “What is that?” she asked.

  I narrowed my eyes, my stare intense. My body was fired up with testosterone, and I knew only one way to calm it. My fantasy was going to be played out. Repeatedly.

  “You.”

  By Thursday, my body was teeming with energy. I hadn’t been without Fee beside me at night once.

  Every morning, I swore I would go it alone that night, and every night, I found my way back to her. It didn’t matter if it was on the sofa in her place, her bed, or mine, I slept. As long as she was close, I could relax.

  I even felt calmer during the day. In control. Whether it was the sleep, the sex, or Fee, I had no idea.

  I was drawn to her. At the office. At home. When I was out at meetings or in court, she was constantly on the shadowy edges of my mind.

  Rejuvenated, I worked out harder. My mind was sharper.

  And the sex. Never had I experienced the sensations sex with Fee brought me. Unlike past relationships, the more I had sex with Fee, the more I wanted it. At the office—especially the library. Every surface, hard, soft, wall, or counter in the condo. In my car. Every chance I got.

  I craved her touch. I could hear her voice and place her in the office, even when my door was closed. Every excuse I could come up with, I found a way to touch her. She was an addiction.

  One I wasn’t sure how I would live without once this was over.

  Because it would be over—it was the way things worked for me.

  Fee came into my office, setting some documents on the corner of my desk. “Rene needs you to sign these as soon as possible, please.”

  I reached for them, my fingers brushing against hers. I tried to keep our time during office hours professional, but I broke my own rule time and again. After the office closed, all bets were off.

  And usually, so were our clothes.

  “Have I mentioned you look very pretty today?” I inquired. She had her hair down and was wearing a new dress, the deep green emphasizing her eyes.

  Her cheeks colored and she smiled. “Thank you. I wanted to look nice for tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  “I’m having dinner with Joanne.”

  I frowned. “Did I know about this?”

  She shook her head in exasperation. “I mentioned it on the weekend, Halton.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To The Keg. Not far.”

  “Take a cab. Call me when you’re ready, and I’ll pick you up.”

  She took a stack of files I was done with and held them against her chest, her crossed arms holding them in place. “I will walk there and take a cab back to my place. You don’t have to pick me up.”

  “It’ll be dark,” I protested, unsure why I felt the need to make sure she was safe.

  “I’ll be fine, Halton. I’m meeting her at six. I’ll be home around nine or so, and I will be fine.”

  She turned and walked away, her swaying hips teasing me. The dress swung around her knees, the silky fabric grazing the swell of her ass. It was spectacular.

  “Then call me when you get there. Both coming and going.”

  She didn’t turn her head, but I knew what her facial expression was without seeing it.

  “Stop rolling your eyes at me,” I commanded.

  Her low laughter confirmed my suspicion.

  “Worrywart,” she muttered.

  “Stubborn woman,” I retaliated.

  But I was grinning as I dragged the documents closer. I enjoyed sparring with her. More and more of her personality was shining through, and I liked seeing it. My admiration for her grew daily. She endeared herself to me more than I thought possible.

  I wasn’t certain how I felt about that. But I seemed unable to stop it.

  I rubbed my eyes and shut off the desk light. I had worked through everything on my desk and that waited for me on my computer. I was fully caught up—a rare occurrence these days, given how busy my practice had become. I had been mulling over Fee’s idea the past few days, thinking she was right. Maybe it was time to bring someone else on board. Another attorney with the same principles as me, who wanted to do some good in this world. Between the two of us, I was certain I could convince Fee to stay on board. There would be enough to keep her and Rene busy. We could even expand the office and add a third body to help out.

  I walked to my car, still thinking. I glanced at my watch, wondering if Fee was home now. I already knew I would seek her out. I had given up the fight, deciding to enjoy the peace she gave me and the sleep I was getting used to while I could.

  It was past ten, dark, and the streets quieter than usual as I steered my car out of the garage and headed toward the condo. I turned down the street where my building was located, intent on getting home, having a shower, and going to Fee. Her bed was smaller, but I preferred knowing she was safe at home when I returned to my condo in the early hours of the morning and got ready for work. She still insisted on separate vehicles, and I had stopped fighting her.

  I was still waiting for Scott’s offer. Jonas had requested an extension, and I had the feeling he was having trouble pinning Scott down. The delay worked in our favor, but I was looking forward to putting the screws to them as soon as possible.

  As I sat at a red light, I glanced to my left when the flash of
something bright under the streetlight caught my eye.

  I froze when I realized what I was seeing. Fee was standing on the sidewalk, arguing with someone.

  Scott.

  As I watched, he gripped her shoulders, pushing her back against the brick of the building beside her, shaking her fast.

  Rage tore through me, clouding my brain. I didn’t wait for the light to change. Not giving a shit for my own safety, I hit the gas, tearing through the red light. The car screeched to an abrupt stop, and I slammed it into park and flung open the door so fast, the hinges creaked in protest. I ignored the honks of other cars that had to veer around mine I had left abandoned. My entire concentration was on Fee and the asshole who had her pinned. I could hear her voice pleading with him to calm down and let her go as my feet pounded against the cement. A noise escaped my throat—one I was certain I had never made until that moment—a low, almost feral growl.

  Fee’s terrified gaze met mine, her eyes widening in relief and alarm as she saw the murderous look on my face. I sank my hands into Scott’s shoulders, pressing hard, and tore him away from Fee, sending him sprawling to the sidewalk. I stepped in front of Fee, protecting her with my body as I glared down at him.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, turning my head. “Did he hurt you?”

  “He-he scared me,” she replied, her voice shaking. “But I’m okay.”

  I found her hand in the dark and squeezed it, then focused my attention on the man struggling to get to his feet. “What the hell are you doing, Scott?” I demanded.

  He glared up at me, his eyes unfocused and dark. The bastard was high again.

  “Talking to my wife. Leave us alone,” he spat at me, his body twitching.

  “I will say this one more time. She isn’t your wife anymore. You kicked her out, and you’ve lost the right to call her that.” I shook my head. “Where is your common sense? You have screwed your entire case with this bonehead move. Attacking my client with witnesses?” I laughed, the sound dry and rough. “You can kiss your case goodbye, Scott. I am going to make it my number one priority to see you pay for this stunt.”