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“It may mean steady work,” Barker shrugged, “but it’s the only work you’ll ever get again. No one willingly says ‘oh yeah, lemme just hire the firm that works for the mafia. Bet they’re trustworthy folk. The only reason Silverstein can get away with it is because his dad died.”
I hadn’t had any cases relating to the Marinos yet, but I knew they were the family that basically ran Chicago’s underground.
“Yeah, I say you should never trust a snake not to bite you.”
Even I knew what the Cosa Nostra tenets were. Don’t snitch, don’t involve civilians, don’t hurt women and children—the very foundations of the Italian mafia.
Things started clicking together in my head. I needed a win, a big one, and this was arguably one of the biggest clients in the city.
And he’d just walked out the door angry.
Chapter Three
LAUREN
Ididn’t finish my apple, and I didn’t wait for the elevator. I ran down those side stairs like I wasn’t wearing heels, begging the universe to give me a break.
Both in the sense that I would still find him there and, pun intended, that I would not break an ankle or my neck in my rush to get to him.
The lobby was light and open, and it was clear the man was not there.
Without pausing to breathe, I dashed for the front entrance; he could have exited through the back door as well; there were parking lots on both sides of the building, but the front was more likely. If the receptionist looked at me in surprise as I sped by her, I didn’t notice it.
I had a single-minded focus.
To win a case and get myself out of that damn closet!
And oh, the universe delivered. The man was still in front of his car, unlocking it, and adrenaline gave me the little boost I needed to make it to him before he could open the door.
Of course, running in heels was a loud affair, so he’d turned to see me coming a few long seconds before I got there. In retrospect, that was probably a very good thing for me.
Sneaking up on someone raised on fighting was probably not the greatest idea.
I slowed as I reached him, panting embarrassingly hard. I was a jogger, not a sprinter. Sue me.
“I want to take your case,” I gasped quickly, pulling up short. He frowned down at me. I was right—he really did have an intense gaze. It was like all of his focus was on me and just me. Whether that was good or not… Well, I guess I’d find out.
“Come again?” he asked, suspicious. I steadied my breath, fixing my posture.
“My name is Lauren Kylin, junior partner at Barker, Carter, and Dark Attorneys, and I want to take your case.”
Chapter Four
RICHARD
Ilooked down at this woman. I didn’t know what to make of her or her offer.
Her pretty blonde hair was mussed from running, and she’d probably look very professional if she weren’t still trying to catch her breath. Her navy pencil skirt had ridden up in her rush, exposing promisingly soft, smooth thighs. Her business-ready office attire couldn’t mask the allure of her willowy figure, and her angular features gave her a peculiar and striking look. I could admit without hesitation that I’d want her under me in any other situation.
But I wasn’t here for that. I was here to free my dad, and beauty doesn’t mean brains… although it did not exclude it either.
Still, she was the first person at any of the several firms I’d visited so far who had shown any interest in my case.
“Junior partner?” I asked, a heavy dose of skepticism in my tone. Her ice blue eyes narrowed in challenge—and determination. Good. That was a promising sign.
“A matter of seniority, not skill, I assure you,” she said.
“I don’t know, you’re awfully young for a lawyer,” I half-teased. To my surprise—and delight—this woman smirked.
