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Visiting Smith’s office this time was nowhere near as intimidating as it was the first time she’d gone in there to discuss Andrei and the possible promotion.
Victoria knew what she wanted. The tall, blond, and sexy defense attorney had caught her attention the first time she saw him, but she never knew how important he’d become to her.
“Are you sure about this, Bellamy?” Smith asked. “Once you turn this down, there’s no guarantee something like this will come around again.”
Victoria took a deep breath. “Can I be frankly honest with you, sir?” she asked.
He studied her for a bit before replying. “Go ahead.”
“I probably seem like a complete idiot for not taking this position, and if this were a few months ago, I would have jumped on it. The last time we spoke, you told me that no matter how much I wanted to make a difference in this kind of work, I would never be able to put in the type of dedication as a person with a family. If I’m being truthful, I think you’re right. But the problem was that I saw that as a bad thing.”
Victoria took a deep breath and steadied herself as she explained her reasoning.
“Go on,” Smith encouraged. “I’m listening.”
“The reason I took this job isn’t as big and complicated as saving the world. That’s great that people want to do that, but I’m a realist. The truth is that people can make a difference, but they can’t make big changes overnight. If there is one thing this job has taught me, it’s that bad people will always be out there hurting others and messing with good people.”
“Although I could do some great work as the DA in Chicago, I know I’ve made a difference right here in this city. I know turning it down may disappoint you, but the truth is if I leave here, I’ll disappoint myself. If I do that, it doesn’t matter whether I’m the DA or just another ADA. I can’t help anyone and put the right people away who deserve it.”
He stared at her, but she didn’t break. She looked right back as if she were in a trial and proving her case. Even when the meanest bastard stared back at her, she didn’t waver because she knew justice would prevail when she did everything in her power to try a case fairly and accurately.
Even though she felt like she was the one on trial, she held her ground just the same and waited. If he thought she should be let go, that was his decision to make. Whatever happened, she didn’t regret her decision.
“I knew I hired you for a reason,” he said.
What he said threw her off. “Excuse me, sir??
?
“Everyone around here knows I’m a hard ass, but it isn’t because I want to fuck with people. It’s because that’s the only way I can tell who has the salt to make it in this office. We see so much awful shit every day that those who can’t deal with me won’t be able to do this job for long. I’m nothing when it comes to the mess we see done out there. I recommended you for the position because I know you can do some great things. Now, you’ve proved that you can speak your mind to me without worrying if I’ll like what you say or not. I still don’t approve of your choice, but I can respect that, and Bellamy, once a colleague earns my respect, it’s something that never goes away.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Now get back to work, Bellamy. If you’re staying here, you might as well do some of that good you were talking about.”
She nodded. “Yes, sir.” She got up to leave, not sure whether she felt pride in her achievement, appreciation for not getting fired, or both.
“And Victoria?”
She turned back, a little stunned that he’d used her first name.
“I think you’ve earned the right to call me Andrew, but not in front of the interns. Don’t want them getting big-ass heads around here.”
“Yes, sir. I mean Andrew. Thank you.”
He nodded and went back to his work.
As soon as she got back to her desk, she could hear her ringtone. When Victoria saw Andrei calling her phone, her smile was hard to hide, and she had no intention of doing so.
“Hey, beautiful,” Andrei said.
“Hi,” she said.
“You sound happy.”
“I am very happy.”
“Well, let’s keep the good streak going. Join me for dinner tonight.”
