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Mason has become a cautionary tale among my partners. The reason why I’m inciting change. I don’t think any of them are above that same kind of sick infestation. Hence the quote, and the reason why I’ve implemented a number of rules within Lark and Gannet.
Change was compulsory.
There’s a second verse to the quote that goes: Great men are almost always bad men.
Now this part…I don’t agree with. Sure, probably just about every member of The Firm is flawed in some sense; having been corrupted by their own power and wealth. And some have even gone to great lengths to make other bad men disappear outside of the law, but it was a necessary evil for the greater good.
As a lawyer, that’s a slippery slope. A dangerous one I need to be cautious of myself.
Caleb Mason, however, would not have served one day in prison. There are enough gray areas of the law to hide within. As he proved, he knew them well enough.
An investigation into Mason meant an investigation into The Firm. Someone—a very powerful someone—has more than their membership to an exclusive sex club to hide.
A soft knock sounds at my door: three quick raps. My chest tightens with anticipation as I give Alexis permission to enter. “Come in.”
She’s dressed in black today, a tight dress that hugs every sultry curve. The long sleeves are necessary, to hide her shoulder wound that’s still healing. It will leave behind a scar. Every time I look at it, I try to envision her courage, her strength, not the man who inflicted it. I think of her devotion, of my devotion to her, and that there are no bounds to our relationship. Otherwise, I’ll be tempted to confront every member and demand to know where that fucker is.
In all likelihood, Mason is dead. He was a dead man the moment I allowed those men to cart him off. Alexis and I discussed it once, and since the recovery of her brother, his admittance into the rehab facility, she was more than ready to put Mason behind us.
For her, I’ve accepted the outcome.
As she takes her knelt position in my office, I lean against my desk. I fold my arms, letting my gaze drag over every sexy inch of her. “What am I going to do with you today?”
She peeks up at me. “Anything my Master desires.”
My pants tighten, and I’m already kneeling beside her, sinking my hand in her hair and claiming her mouth. “There’s a brief I need revised,” I say, running my thumb over her swollen lips. “I want to think about you working on it with no panties.”
She nods against me. “Yes, sir.”
“And wearing these,” I say, bringing out nipple clamps from my pocket.
Her green eyes widen a little, giving me the response I desire, before she assents. “Yes, sir.”
“Come here.” I take her hands and help her to stand, essentially calming my racing heart before I have her bent over the desk. “Undo the buttons of your dress.”
She takes her time, painstakingly slow as she pulls the top button open. The buzz of the intercom snaps my patience. “Dammit.”
“Do you want me to address Julia?” she asks.
“No,” I say. “Stay just like you are.” I head around my desk and press the button. “Yes? Make it quick. Please,” I add, attempting to implement my own rules. Though with Julia, it’s merely a formality. She understands me better than most.
“There’s a man here to see you, sir.”
I blow out a long breath. “A name?”
After a brief pause, she says, “He’s adamant. Insisting you know who he is.”
My chest prickles with apprehension, and I glance at Alexis. “Behind my desk. Now.”
She moves quickly, refastening the top of her dress as I say, “Bring him in.”
I stand beside Alexis, my hand on the small of her back. When Julia leads the man in the black suit through the door, I raise my chin. “This is most unexpected.”
He waits for Julia to leave before closing the door with little noise, and then approaches my desk. His dark hair is slicked back, but in a tidy, classy way, not mobster. He’s nearly as tall as me, but slightly trimmer in build. “I’m to relay my employer’s hopeful sentiments that you and Miss Wilde are doing well?”
“We’re fine. Thank you.” I move a step closer, keeping Alexis tucked near my side. “You can tell your employer all is handled. I hope they appreciate that I’m diligent in keeping their privacy secure.” I narrow my gaze at him.
He smiles, dropping his head for a moment as he presses his fingers to the desk. “That was never a concern, Mister Larkin. I’m here on business. As it seems you’re now short a partner, my employer wishes to express their vested interest in seeing the position filled soon.”
