Darius’ face shined with pride. “I like the way your mind works. You’re a natural at this.”
Special beamed at the compliment.
“My gut tells me the key to how she’s managing to live such a high and mighty lifestyle is the father of her middle kid,” Special went on. “The fact that he’s nowhere in the picture means he’s probably paying her big time to keep her mouth shut. I bet he’s somebody famous.”
Darius’ phone vibrated, shaking the table. This time, Special reached for it and flipped it over. A name flashed across the screen, but all Special could make out was Wilson before Darius snatched it from her hand. She couldn’t tell if that was a first or last name.
“Hey!” This time Darius turned off the phone and placed it in his shirt pocket.
Special laughed it off. “Why’re you so nervous about me answering your phone? What’ve you got to hide?”
“Nothing. It’s just work. But they’re going to have to wait until tomorrow because tonight is all about you.”
Work my ass.
Something in Special’s gut began to gnaw at her. And her gut was rarely wrong. When a man refused to answer his phone in your presence, that was a sign—not just a sign, but a neon billboard—signaling that something was up. And the something usually wasn’t good.
“Hey, pretty lady. Are you still here in the room with me or someplace else?”
Special inhaled. Vernetta had warned her to take it slow. She had wanted to hold off on the question she was about to ask until she was sure what she wanted from Darius. But this wasn’t a normal relationship. She was considering committing herself to a man who would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. If she truly planned to go down that bumpy road, everything had to be on the up and up.
“Are you seeing anyone besides me?” she blurted out.
“Whoa. Where did that come from?”
“No place in particular.” She studied his face for signs of deception like a cop examining a prime suspect. “So are you?”
“Are you seeing anyone?” Darius fired back.
“I asked you first.”
“I don’t have anyone special in my life at the moment. After meeting you, I even took down my profile on MyHarmony. Right now, I’m all about you.”
His reassuring words caused the tight sensation in her stomach to ease a bit. She’d find out later who Wilson was.
“And you?” Darius asked again.
“Nope,” Special said. “Nobody in my life and nobody even on the horizon. I’m really, really digging on you right now.”
Darius smiled. “Say that again.”
Special rounded the card table and bent to kiss him. “I’m really, really digging on you.”
“And you’re doing an excellent job at it.”
Darius pushed his chair back and Special climbed into his lap. She unbuttoned his shirt and began massaging his pecs and peppering his neck with soft kisses. She had read that men with spinal cord injuries like Darius’ had a heightened sense of touch in their upper body because of the loss of sensation in their lower half.
Judging from Darius’ loud moans, that was most definitely the case.
CHAPTER 35
Fletcher’s deposition prep should’ve taken place a week ago, but he repeatedly blew me off. Now that we’re almost down to the wire, I have no choice but to camp outside his office.
It’s close to ten o’clock at night, when he finally waves me inside.
“I’ve had my deposition taken before,” he protests. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Yes, it is a big deal. It’s late. So let’s get to it.”
We move to the corner of his office with Fletcher taking the couch directly across from the armchair where I’m seated.
“Most attorneys will begin by asking you background information, but that’s not Girlie’s style. She’s likely to go for the jugular in an effort to unnerve you. So I’m going to run through this the way I think she will.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“When was the last time you had sex with Bliss Fenton?”
Fletcher frowns. “Wait. She’s not going to expect me to remember the exact date, is she?”
“If you can remember, yes.”
“Well, I can’t.”
“Okay. Then say that.”
Fletcher returns to his role-playing position. He slouches low on the couch. “I don’t recall the exact date.”
“I’d prefer it if you said I don’t remember rather than I don’t recall. It sounds less like you’re trying to avoid the question. And please don’t sit like that at the deposition. You look way too relaxed.”
He sits more erect. “Got it, counselor. I don’t remember the exact date.”
“Do you remember what month it was?”
“Yep.”
“Don’t be flippant, Fletcher. Say yes rather than yep.”
He winks. “Got it, counselor. Yes.”
“And you answered that question perfectly by just saying yes and not volunteering more information. Let Girlie pull it from you.”
He grins, warming to my compliment.
“And what month was it?”
“February of last year.”
“And how do you remember that it was February of last year?”
“Because we broke up two weeks before Valentine’s Day.”
“Where did you last have sex with my client?”
Fletcher starts to answer, then flubs his words. “Um...my place... Probably?”
This time, I step out of my legal-eagle role. “Probably? You remember when you had sex for the last time, but you don’t remember where?”
Fletcher flashes his killer smile. “Bliss was a bit of a freak. We had sex in lots of out-of-the-ordinary places.”
“Fletcher, I need you to be serious.”
“I am being serious.” He grabs a bottle of alkaline water from the end table, screws off the cap and chugs half the bottle.
“So where did you last have sex?” I ask again.
“My place.”
“And do you mean your home in Beverly Hills?”
He nods. “Yes.”
“Who initiated the date?”
Fletcher grins. “It wasn’t a date.”
“If it wasn’t a date, then what was it?”
“A hookup. A booty call. Take your pick.”
I slap my legal pad on the coffee table and place both hands on my knees. “That’s not going to work, Fletcher. You’re being too flippant. Your deposition is going to be recorded. And if it’s played at trial, neither the judge nor the jury is going to like you. And that will hurt your case.”
“Like me? They don’t need to like me. Bliss stole my sperm. What about what they think of her?”
“It’s not my job to worry about what they think of her. You’re my only concern. Let’s try it again. Who initiated the date?”
“Bliss did. She called and asked if she could come over to my place.”
“And you agreed?”
“Yeah.” He holds up a palm, stopping me before I can correct him. “I mean, yes.”
“Who initiated the sex?”
He pauses. “I don’t remember.”
I step out of my role again. “Did you really forget or are you trying to avoid admitting that you initiated it?”
He smiles and cocks his head. “Okay, I initiated it.”
“And how did you—”
“Vernetta, I don’t have the energy for this tonight. I’m sure I’ll be able to handle her attorney’s questions just fine.”
I fold my arms across my chest.
Fletcher chuckles. “I used to love it when you pouted.”
“You’re scaring me, you know that? I need you to take this seriously.”
“It’s
been a long day. We’re both tired. Just give me your list of questions. I’ll study them and we can go over them the morning of the deposition. That’s the way my attorney did it in our copyright infringement case.”
“This isn’t a copyright case.”
“I know that. And I also know how to answer questions at a deposition.”
I stare at him long and hard. “If this case goes south because you blow the depo, don’t blame me.”
“It’s not going south. It doesn’t matter when or where we had sex. All that matters is that Bliss stole my sperm and we’re going to prove it. It’s as simple as that.”
* * *
It’s almost midnight by the time I get home. Jefferson is waiting up for me and he doesn’t look happy. His arms are locked across his chest and his cheeks are in the pouting position.
“I called you a couple of times. Why didn’t you answer?”
“Sorry. My phone was out of juice.”
“You have a charger in your car.”
After the night I had with Fletcher, I don’t want to talk to anybody, including my husband. “I didn’t plug it in, okay?”
“No, it’s not okay. I was worried about you.”
“I’m sorry. I was trying to prep Fletcher for his deposition and it was like pulling teeth.”
“So you’ve been with Fletcher all this time?”
“No. Not all this time. Only since about ten o’clock.”
“Since when do you meet with your clients at ten o’clock at night?”
I must really be tired. What am I thinking telling Jefferson I’d been with Fletcher? I should’ve lied and said I was working on a brief.
“We scheduled the meeting late because that was the only time he was available.”
“Maybe he wanted it that late because he had other things on his mind. You didn’t happen to prep him over drinks, did you?”
“C’mon, Jefferson. I’ve had a long day. I don’t have time for this tonight. You’ve never been insecure.
Stop acting like you are now.”
“This has nothing to do with my being insecure. If I’d ignored your calls all evening and walked in here at this time of night, all hell would break loose.”
He’s right, but I’m feeling too ornery to admit it. “I just told you where I was. I’m tired and I’m going to bed.”
“So it’s like that?”
“Like what?”
“You’re going to disrespect me by walking in here after midnight and then act like it’s no big deal.”
I sulk over and peck him on the forehead. “For one, it’s not after midnight. It’s only eleven-fifty-one. And two, I’m dog tired. Can we finish this discussion tomorrow?”
“Nope. I want to finish it now.”
“I’m sorry. I just don’t have the energy for a fight tonight.”
I hurry out of the room and down the hallway. A minute or so later I hear the front door slam and Jefferson’s truck pulling out of the driveway.
CHAPTER 36
Bliss and Jessica sat inside Bliss’ Audi in the Ralph’s parking lot listening to the radio. Bliss checked her watch, but didn’t comment on Joseph’s tardiness. Since she was anxious to gloat, she’d gladly wait all day for him to arrive.
“I know this is a waste of energy, but you need to behave today,” Jessica warned. “At least for Aiden’s sake.”
“I’m going to be as sweet as apple pie.” Bliss was all but beaming. “I forgot to tell you that I got Aiden’s child support increased. I asked for fifteen grand, but that stingy judge only gave me twelve. An extra two grand a month is better than nothing.”
Jessica rubbed her forehead. “Unbelievable.”
“I filled out the papers myself and had someone at the court’s Self-Help Clinic look them over. Didn’t even use an attorney. Maybe I should consider going to law school. Anyway, let’s celebrate by driving to Palm Springs this weekend. I could use a good massage.”
Jessica didn’t say a word as Bliss rattled on.
“I forgot to ask how Paul liked the outfit I picked out.”
“He didn’t.” Jessica stared out of the window.
“What? He’s crazy. I should call him up right now.”
“You better not. Just stay out of it.”
“You’re such a doormat where he’s concerned.”
“That’s funny. That’s exactly what Paul thinks about our relationship. He says I’m your lapdog, which I guess is basically the same thing.”
Bliss waited a beat. “He actually said that to you?”
She nodded.
“Well, he’s wrong. You’re the sister I never had. He’s just trying to hurt you. Ignore him.”
Jessica turned away just as Dr. Franco pulled into the parking lot.
Bliss gripped the steering wheel with both hands. “And you don’t need to say it again. I’m going to behave.” She swung open the door and rested her body against the rear of the car.
Joseph opened the back door of his Mercedes and began unbuckling Aiden from his car seat. He had a smug look on his face as he marched his son toward Bliss and Jessica.
“Why is he looking so happy?” Bliss muttered.
Jessica stood nearby. “Just don’t start anything.”
Aiden waved as they got closer. Joseph let go of his hand and Aiden ran straight to Jessica.
It took Bliss a few seconds to drop her outstretched arms.
“That’s just classic,” Joseph said.
Embarrassed, Bliss gently untangled her son from Jessica’s embrace and held him close.
“Did you miss Mommy?”
Joseph was already walking back to his car. “Hey,” Bliss called after him. “Did you get the court order?”
He slowly turned around. “Yeah, I got it. And it’s fine. Whatever you want is fine. Frankly, I should thank you.”
His words stunned her. Bliss had been hoping for a fight. Not this kinder, gentler crap.
“Thank you for what?”
“I finally understand that you’ll never change, so I’ve stopped expecting you to. Lena and I had a long talk. She encouraged me to just let it go. Anything you decide to do is just going to roll off my back. As a matter of fact, it was one of the reasons I finally asked Lena to marry me. So, thank you.”
He turned his attention to Jessica. “I’d love it if you and Paul would come to the wedding. We’re going to do it in Jamaica around Christmas time.”
“I figured you wouldn’t want to be there.” He winked at Bliss and continued toward his car.
Bliss seemed to be having trouble coming up with a sufficiently nasty retort. And then it came to her.
“Maybe I just might show up,” she yelled. “Crash your wedding and cause a little havoc.”
Dr. Franco froze mid-stride, then looked back over his shoulder. Bliss could see he was struggling to control his rage, so she pushed even harder.
“We’ll see if you let that just roll off your back.”
As suddenly as his anger appeared, it vanished almost as quickly. He responded in a gentle voice delivered with a smile.
“You know, Bliss, I believe in karma. You’re going to get everything you deserve. And I predict it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.”
“Is that a threat, doctor?”
He paused, then smiled even wider. “Not at all. I don’t make threats. Threats don’t change things. Actions do.”
CHAPTER 37
Girlie Cortez commences her deposition of my client with an affectionate smile. I’ve warned Fletcher not to take her at face value. Girlie’s smile is likely to hide something deadly.
“Please state your name for the record.”
“Fletcher Douglas McClain.”
We’re gathered in a cramped conference room in Girlie’s crapp
y office building. Fletcher and I met at six that morning and spent close to three hours preparing him for his testimony. To my surprise, he turned out to be a model witness during our abbreviated prep session, listening intently to my instructions and answering my questions accordingly. Right now, he conveys the air of a man who’s relaxed and confident.
Bliss has her arms folded and is avoiding eye contact with Fletcher. There’s enough animosity flowing between them to ignite a whole arsenal of explosives without a match.
“Have you had your deposition taken before, Mr. McClain?”
“Yes, I have.”
“How many times?”
“Just once.”
“And what kind of case was it?”
Fletcher looks over at me as if I need to object. But I nod, urging him to respond. Girlie’s question isn’t out of line just yet.
“Copyright infringement.”
“Were you a plaintiff or defendant?”
“Neither.”
“Tell me about the facts of that case.”
“Objection. That case isn’t relevant here,” I say. “I instruct the witness not to answer.”
Girlie shoots me a perturbed look. “Excuse me? You’re instructing him not to answer on a relevancy objection?”
I enjoy landing the first dig. “The facts of that case have nothing to do with this one. Let’s move on.”
She releases a long breath, which tells me she’s not going to waste time pushing the issue.
“Mr. McClain, how much did you earn from your position as CEO of Karma Entertainment last year?”
That question wipes the confidence right off Fletcher’s face. As predicted, she begins with an area intended to unnerve him.
“Objection. This isn’t a paternity case, counselor. His income has no relevance here.”
“I disagree. Mr. McClain’s income has a direct bearing on the fraud cause of action. It’s our contention that he only filed it as a form of harassment, to keep my client from going after his precious millions. So you can answer the question.”
Even if she could prove it, it wouldn’t be a defense to fraud. I could push it further, but it wouldn’t be worth the fight. Fletcher’s eyes dart in my direction. I give a slight nod, directing him to answer.
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