AllFreeNovel
Share Us
GABRIEL
Sometimes, no matter how much you plan, how many variables you assess, how many mock trials you run, unexpected things happen. A juror has an off day. Or the judge, for that matter. Or even the weather: snow in the forecast statistically has a way of making witnesses talk faster on the stand and sometimes gloss over important details.
That’s what happened on the stairs, addressing the office.
Something unexpected.
I’m not sure what my actual intention was. But it certainly wasn’t to wind up fucking kissing Fumi in front of everyone.
But it happened.
And I cannot, for the fucking life of me, get it out of my head.
The feel of her soft lips against mine. The shiver down her spine underneath my palm.
The little whimper in her throat.
Fuck. This is going to be a problem.
But here we are. And just as if something had gone unexpectedly in court, I’ll have to adjust, deflect, or move past it.
I’m choosing the latter as I step into my office, followed closely by Meredith, Josh, my campaign finance officer Bennet, and Fumi. Alistair tries to storm in too, but I stop him at the door.
“Private meeting,” I grunt.
“Fuck that, we’re talking. Now.”
“Believe me. We aren’t.”
His jaw clenches. “What the fuck was that?” he growls. “I mean Jesus Christ. How about a little goddamn respect?”
“Meaning?”
“Taylor and I are already bending over backward to allow this fucking campaign of yours, and I think we’re both being extremely accommodating in letting you run it as you see fit, even when it does affect the firm.”
His eyes narrow dangerously.
“So how about a fucking ounce of respect on your end? How about a heads up before you start bribing the fucking HR department and making grand statements that—spoiler—will absolutely affect the firm’s culture and our relationships with our employees.”
“Alistair—”
“I’m not asking for much here,,” he mutters. “Just not to be blindsided with a dickslap from my own brother at my own firm.”
I could mention how I had to act fast to stay ahead of the story. But at the end of the day, that doesn’t matter, and Alistair won’t give a shit. So?—
“I apologize,” I exhale, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “You’re right. I should have run that by you and Tay, even if it was a last-minute decision.”
“Yeah,” he grunts. “You fucking should have.” Then he sighs, shaking it off. “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t.”
“Please,” he snickers. “I have just begun.”
He cocks a brow at me, turns, and then heads down the hall to his own office. I decide to be charitable and not call him out when I clearly catch a glimpse of Eloise sitting on his desk, with the blinds drawn across the interior-facing office windows.
Shutting my office door, I exhale and turn to address the people in the room.
“As we discussed, the amount today is going to be five million, not four.”
