Page 37 of Following His Orders

“Thank you.”

Tracey knocks at the door. “Your appointment has arrived, Mr Miller,” she says.

“Great. Send them in,” I say.

“Nathan Miller, George Pecker.” Kemp’s lawyer holds his hand out as he introduces himself.

I stand to return the gesture. “This is my associate… Miss Johnson.” I introduce Bentley to the attorney while staring down Kemp, who pales a little when he sees her.

“Miss Johnson.” Pecker nods before sitting down. “My associate, William Jackson, and my client, Mark Kemp.” He continues before glancing from me to Bentley. “I don’t see your client here, Mr Miller. Are we expecting him?”

“We are not. Let’s get started.” I open the manilla folder.

* * *

The meeting draggedon for over an hour. Bentley held her own throughout the entire thing. Asking questions where they needed to be asked and taking notes like the diligent student she is. She didn’t miss a beat at all. I couldn’t be any fucking prouder.

Pushing to my feet while signalling the conclusion of our initial arbitration, I shake Pecker’s hand before moving on to his associate. I don’t offer the same courtesy to Kemp. I’ll never shake that man’s hand.

“You know your father couldn’t beat me. You won’t be able to either, Bentley. But kudos to you for trying, sweetheart.” The fucker grins in her direction.

“It’s Miss Johnson. And I won’t need to try very hard. This is an open-and-shut case, Mr Kemp,” Bentley fires back.

“The only thingopen and shutabout this case is your legs. I hear you’ve been opening them for your boss. Your father would be ashamed of youifhe were here.”

I move on autopilot. I don’t think. I just do. Before I can talk myself out of it, I’m around the table and my right fist is connecting with Kemp’s jaw. He falls to the ground. “Get your client out of my office,” I tell Pecker.

“You’ll regret that. I’m going to fucking own you, fucker. You all saw. He attacked without provocation. I’m pressing charges,” Kemp spits out as he rolls to his knees on the floor, stands, and dusts off his jacket.

“I saw nothing. You?” Pecker looks to his associate.

“No, sir, not a thing.” The young kid smiles.

“What? You fucking idiots work for me.” Kemp’s face couldn’t get any redder than it is right now. He’s fuming. Steam is practically billowing out of his ears.

“Not anymore, we don’t. We quit. Find yourself another attorney. I don’t represent scum,” Pecker says before turning around to me. “Nathan, sorry to waste your time today. Miss Johnson, I apologize on behalf of my former client,” he says before walking out the door, his associate hot on his trail.

“I will fucking end you. Both of you. For this,” Kemp seethes.

“Try it, motherfucker. I dare you,” I hiss back, positioning myself between him and Bentley, who has come to stand beside me.

SEVENTEEN

“Ican’t believe you hit him,” I yell at Nathan once we’re back in his office.

“I won’t let anyone talk to you like that. Ever. I don’t care who the fuck they think they are. No one will ever disrespect you.” He’s still pissed as he paces the room in an effort to expel some of the pent-up energy.

The door swings open and Xavier and Alistair walk in. “I’ll, ah, be in my office,” I tell Nathan.

He reaches out, grasping my wrist and pulling my body into his. “Stay,” he whispers.

I look between him and the other partners, who are presently staring at us. I know that they know we’ve been seeing each other, but they’ve never seen us together. Not like this. Touching.

“I watched it on the CCTV. You’re right hook could use some work,” Alistair says with a shrug.

“Fuck off,” Nathan grunts.

“Wait… These offices have CCTV?” I ask. Holy shit, the things I have done in here. The thingswe’vedone in here… I look up and around the ceiling.

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