Ralph waves his hand, brushing me off. “Who cares about that. Water under the bridge. Either way, after years of being in Colorado, Michael Tesoro is interested in expanding his business back in the city. Throughout the five boroughs to beexact. And since he’s in need of legal representation, I want him as a client.”
“So you’ve made clear.”
“And I need you to do it.”
“You’ve also made that abundantly clear, but as I just said, he refused to give me the time of day in Colorado, what makes you think he will now? If you want him as a client so badly, talk to him yourself.”
His face grows stern and his voice becomes cold as ice. “That’s not how this works. While you may be a junior partner, I’m your superior. Not to mention a Vize.”
Fucking asshole.
“I realize Margaret comes back from maternity leave soon, so that doesn’t give us much time. However, in the meantime I think it’s best for everyone if you leverage the new position you’ve found yourself in with Mr. Tesoro’s daughter and do what you need to do to make sure we secure him as a client. There’s major money to be found in this.”
If Ralph only knew the position, as he put it, that I’m in —and all the others I’ve already been in—with Sarina, I don’t think he’d be pushing this the way he is.
“You want me to use her.”
He shudders, rather dramatically. “Use is such an ugly term. Leverage, Ramos. Say it with me.Leverage.”
I don’t say it with him or mirror his enthusiasm. This situation is messy enough, I don’t need to add to it.
I hear what he’s saying, but at its core —what he’s asking me to do— I don’t feel comfortable with.
“We’ll get the deal,” I reassure him, needing to get him off my back.
“Good, because in case I haven’t made myself clear, you don’t have a choice.”
Except I do and using her isn’t one of them.
I refuse.
CHAPTER 14
SARINA
“What do you mean the wedding is being moved up?”
“Exactly what I said.”
“But how is that even possible?”
“How do you think? It’s Dad, anything’s possible,” she scoffs. “I’m already feeling stressed. I was hoping telling you wouldn’t add to it, and that you’d be excited.”
“Of course, I am. You know how much I love Chloe. I just wasn’t expecting the wedding to be moved up so soon.”
I hear her fiancée, Chloe, in the background mumbling something to my sister before she chimes in. “Is that my favorite soon-to-be sister-in-law?”
“The one and only.”
Harper’s voice grows distant as she shouts that she’ll see me soon from what sounds to be the other side of the room, leaving me and Chloe on the call.
“What’s she talking about?”
“Which part? The wedding being moved up or the see you soon part?”
“Both.”
“Your mom called Harper bright and early this morning. She didn’t say much other than me and Harper needed to come over right away, making it sound urgent. We hopped into my truck and I drove us there. Harper was so fucking nervous, she didn’t even change out of her nightgown, for fuck’s sake.”
