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“No,” he turned away from me and clenched his fists, “I don’t believe it is.”
“When you work with criminals, you bring out the monsters in this world.” I turned a chair right side up as I tried to control myself. Even after all these years, I could see we still weren’t safe to be alone in the same room. “I could print an entire list of people who’d like to destroy me, my father, the whole Gates name. Why are you surprised someone would be out to get you?”
“This is different.”
“How?” I challenged, staring him straight on.
“Because this is affecting me, my case, my clients, everything.” He stomped his foot like a child. “I’ve only had one minor hiccup in all my years as a lawyer,” he snarled.
Minor? It was hardly minor from what I could remember.
“But damn, I had this plan. It was perfect. I made it a year ago when things went south for my client. I was ahead of the storm; everything was falling into place. This client would bring me,” he looked over at me, “us unlimited access to something much more than we have now.” He rubbed his head. “Now because of—” He pulled back his lips and ground his teeth. “Now, what was supposed to be a smooth trial, a slam dunk, just blew up in my face.”
I remained deadpan at his confused speech. I wondered if he was going senile. Cameron might be a good lawyer, but he was a hothead.
“Will whatever you messed up affect business here?” I leaned against the conference table and tucked my hands in my pockets. His twisted face told me I struck another chord.
“I’m sinking, and you’re worried about your hotels.”
Of course, I am. “It’s a logical question to ask. We pay you a great deal of money. Your clients stay here. If they’re upset, who’s to say they won’t cause a problem here?”
“I got your call, Cameron…” Kenna’s voice trailed off as she entered and took in the mess in the office. “What happened here?”
“Why don’t you tell me?” Cameron’s hands clenched into fists and a whole new level of anger showed when he looked at her. “Any of your friends share what they’ve been up to?”
“I’m not following.” She glanced at me, but I gave her nothing mainly because I was still in the dark as to what was going on.
“Martin Castillo.” He pronounced the name carefully as he glared at his daughter.
I went still.
What on Earth did this have to do with Castillo, the Mexican drug lord I’d killed? What possible connection did he have to Cameron or Kenna? My mind spun.
“Who’s that?” Kenna drew back her chin.
“Don’t,” he made her jump, “play stupid with me, girl!”
“Dad,” she raised her hands, “I swear I don’t know who that is.”
“You know a lot more than you let on.”
“What does that mean?” Again, she looked utterly confused at what he was hinting at.
“So help me God, Kenna, if you know something, if you didn’t warn me, I’ll—” He pointed at her, and I took a step toward him. The anger burned through my eyes, and he saw it and backed up a step. “What?” he challenged.
“What?” I used my size to tower over him, my spine locked into place, and my fists itched to feel his cheekbones crack. “Watch your tone, Cameron. Unlike my father, I have no loyalty to you.”
“I’m merely saying this doesn’t concern you.”
“It doesn’t concern her either.”
“How would you know?” He toned it down a bit but didn’t waver.
I wasn’t about to let anyone know I was the one who took down Castillo. I didn’t have a death wish. I’d have one half of Mexico after me and the other praising me. That secret was known by only a select few, and it sure as shit wasn’t for Cameron-fucking-Tame.
“It’s pretty damn obvious she doesn’t know anything. I get that you’re upset,” I lowered my voice but kept it sharp, “but you need to pull yourself together, straighten up our office, and figure out how to fix whatever it is that’s screwed up. If it’s a messed-up case you’re involved in, just be sure you clean it up fast because if something blows back onto our family’s business, you’ll have to deal with me.” His face turned beet red, but he kept his mouth shut. “Also, if I see you come at your daughter like that again, the next thing you’ll see is my fist in your fucking face.” I turned to look at Kenna. She bit her lip as she stared at her father. When she caught my expression, she spun around and left.
“You owe me a lamp,” I called to Cameron as I firmly shut the door.
