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“I’ve got to go. Living this far from work sure puts a cramp in my schedule.”
Oakley laughed. “Um, pretty sure, that’s a cramp in your style.”
“Nope, my style is fine. It’s my damn schedule that is off. It just makes me late, stressed about timeframes in the morning and when I’m irritated first thing, the rest of the day is going downhill. It’s like leaving sixty minutes before court instead of thirty to make sure I am there on time.”
“Mmm, okay,” she said with a shake of her head. “For what it’s worth, I like your style too.”
Dropping another kiss on her lips, Ryker stood back so Oakley could walk out of the room ahead of him and, with one final smile of encouragement, went down the stairs. He passed Callie, who said something to Oakley in a cheerful voice. He heard some of the women’s names and was grateful for their taking Oakley under their wing.
His Oakley was taking the enforced seclusion from the world well. In fact, if he were to make a further statement, he might say she was relieved to be here under lock and key and guard. He wondered if he would ever get the confident, fiery woman back that he had before the kidnapping. He loved her and made no excuses about that fact, but he did want her to enjoy her life. Tracking and looking for Audra would not produce security and confidence in anyone, especially Oakley. This had to come to an end soon.
Riding in the passenger seat of the well-appointed Escalade belonging to the agency’s fleet, Ryker almost wished that Audra would make a move. If she did make one, then that would force everyone’s hand. They would be able to stop her, arrest her, and put her group under notice. That would allow the rest of them to begin to put the pieces back together and return to the life they had before she disrupted everything.
Ryker took a deep breath and let it slowly out, calming his mind and clearing it of all the personal things he had to deal with in favor of concentrating on his client and the court case. His officer client had been discharged without proper due process because if that had been done, it would be obvious that when they asked him to terminate his commission, they would have known that what they were accusing him of did not happen. It didn’t take Ryker long to figure that out, and it wouldn’t have taken internal affairs any longer.
Besides asking for the decision to be overturned, Ryker was also asking for compensation and his legal bill to be paid by the government. He knew just how to do it because he had done it plenty of times before, and was well known in certain circles for his thoroughness and accuracy.
Ryker was also well-known for declining cases. When he started to get into the cases and found out they weren’t accurate and appropriate, he wouldn’t represent the client. He wasn’t there to make money, although of course, he needed to make it. He was doing this particular angle of advocacy because few other attorneys were. And because it was his passion.
A passion just like Oakley had a passion for the mental health of these same people. He wondered how many of these clients he and Oakley had cross-served over the years. She would have had to help after he had won their case; otherwise, he would have seen her name before he met her. He was a thorough researcher, and so was his intern researcher. They would have run into Oakley’s name if she had been working with any of the clients before or simultaneously with him.
Levi pulled the Escalade into the parking area of the courthouse, driving him to a space near the elevator.
“I don’t usually get the opportunity to have someone drive me to court, escort me in, and hang out while I’m brilliant in front of the judge.”
“Yeah, whatever, man, I’m just here because I was told to be. Your brilliance isn’t something I’m particularly eager to see, if you know what I mean.”
“Asshole.”
“Hey, just being honest here.” Levi laughed at the face Ryker was giving him, causing Ryker to laugh as well.
“OK, let’s go get this over with so I can get back to Oakley.”
Levi remarked as they entered the elevator, “You really love her.”
Looking ahead, he replied, “I really do.”
Levi shook his head. “I thought I would need to bow out with Finley because of you. We’re just friends and all, but I like going out and doing things with her, but you are tough competition. You have the money to do whatever you want to do. It isn’t that I’m not without resources, but it’s hard to beat classy, rich, and handsome.”
They got off the elevator, and Ryker looked at his watch before checking the area around them. He led Levi off to the side of the broad entranceway.
“Finley doesn’t care about those things. She is a little rough around the edges too, and the two of you have similar tastes. I like a tablecloth on the table, and she’d eat lunch standing if it suited her needs.”
Levi cocked his head to the side. “She’s less bothered with conventions, and you like them.”
“Well, more than Finley does. Besides, I want a wife and a family. Finley would likely be fine with the wife part, but kids are not in her plans.”
“She’s Storm’s nanny, so I get not wanting to have more to take care of. I’m not much of a kid person, either. I mean, I like them, but,” he shrugged.
“And that right there is a big reason why you will do well with Finley or someone like her. You like beer rather than wine. You love football and baseball, and I’m more of a soccer guy. And so much more. Wish you well.”
Levi grinned. “Thanks, man.” He sobered. “I think.”
“Besides, I don’t like to battle for the top position. Not that I have any experience with Finley, but a guy can kinda tell.”
“Ew, shit, man, TMI. But I can hear the insecurity.” Levi laughed. “A man that is confident in who he is doesn’t have to be on top.”
“Yeah, but he wants to be.”
