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“Is there something you need from my clients, Martin? If not, I think it’s in your best interest to go before I file a complaint to the bar regarding your behavior.”
Mr. Banks shot me another look then turned to leave the room. “If I find out you did in fact abduct Ms. Wellington, I will have you arrested and there is nothing you can do to stop me.”
We all remained quiet, Nick following them to the front door.
“What are you doing in here?” Constantine asked after turning to face me, although without his usual harsh tone.
“I wanted to help.”
“Ms. Wellington. Is what you said all true?” the attorney asked.
“Mr. Sheffield, correct?” I asked him as I folded my arms.
“You remember,” he said.
“What I remember is that you were an asshole all those years ago. However, Michael Morechower was much worse. Most of what I said is true.”
“Which is why Michael was forced into early retirement,” Mr. Sheffield said more to Constantine than to me.
“I think my father had something to do with that,” I told them, curious as to their reactions.
The two men looked at each other then Constantine walked closer. “It’s nothing you need to worry about. What you did was… admirable.”
“You didn’t trust me. You still don’t. Yes, I’ve thought about escape a dozen times, but I’ve seen a side of you that I…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, still uncertain how I felt.
“At this point, Jade, it’s more about ensuring what the prosecutor decides doesn’t affect my business.” As he brushed hair from my face, I sensed he wasn’t telling me everything. Did I really want to know the gory details about his life?
“No one coerced me into protecting you, Constantine. I’m smart enough to comprehend what you do for a living and how you do it. I also realize there are other evils in this world that trump at least some of your activities.”
He smiled, half laughing. “You never cease to amaze me.”
The fact Mr. Sheffield was watching us intently bothered the hell out of me, but the man did have Constantine’s best interests at heart. Or at least he was paid damn well to protect Constantine no matter the circumstances. “You know he won’t stop there. Mr. Banks is going to find a way to arrest you.”
“I’m well aware of that too.”
“Then be prepared that you won’t be able to stop me from doing what I need to do in order to protect what I care about. Maybe it’s for all the wrong reasons. Maybe I’ll wake up one day hating myself, but I also follow my instincts because that’s what I was taught to do. Just don’t treat me like a woman who can’t handle hearing or seeing what your life entails. I’m pretty rough and tumble.”
As he gripped my jaw, lowering his head, my entire system began to swoon. Right or wrong, I loved this man. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He brushed his lips across mine, holding the tender moment for a few seconds before pulling away. “I have some business to deal with. Go back to your room for now. Then we’ll talk.”
“A real discussion? You won’t skirt around the edges?”
Exhaling, he shook his head. “A real discussion.”
I took a step backward, my mind still reeling from what little I’d learned. I’d never taken a backseat to anyone, especially a man. It was time to try to find out as much as I could about who my father was.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Zane appearing in the doorway, the look on his face pensive.
“Mr. Thorn, Tristen is here. I didn’t think you wanted to be interrupted so I stopped him.”
I sensed the tension increasing in Constantine, his mouth twisting, likely angry about what I’d told him. “He’s early, but fine.”
There were several reasons I didn’t want to leave the room. Constantine’s anger was such that he could do something rash. Then again, maybe I wanted him to. I headed toward the door, Tristen passing as I did. He had no emotion on his face, but his eyes were full of venom. For whatever reason, the man didn’t like me very much.
As I headed to the stairs, I tried to block out their tense voices, thinking about my father and the things he’d said that might matter. I passed by Constantine’s office then backed up, going inside. I loved the room because it smelled like him, the abundant exotic wood giving off a masculine scent. Everything about the space was the perfect representation of power and dominance. I couldn’t resist walking closer to his desk, running my fingers along the edge.
Then I noticed a cell phone. The bad girl inside of me took over and I snatched it. I’d been surprised that he hadn’t set it up for face recognition, which had inspired me to pay close attention when he punched in his code to make a phone call.
And I’d memorized every number.
