AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I cradled her head against my chest and rubbed her back. It was funny. Penelope wasn’t my little girl anymore, but in times of stress, she still wanted to be embraced as one. And I would never tire of it either. “We need to find out who bought that park. It will exhaust our resources, but if we buy it from them—”
She jerked her head back. “We can give the homeless there a real home. It’s genius.”
We’d partnered with other groups on several projects like that around California, Detroit, and Austin. So far, they’d gone fairly smoothly.
I could contact those organizations again, and I would if necessary. But this felt intensely personal.
New York was my city.
Even if I didn’t want her anymore.
This need to leave a mark here swirled in my chest. I’d spent my entire adult life dedicated to wherever I was needed, but I’d neglected the place that had been my home at one time.
Abruptly, Penelope let me go. “I’ll draft a contract.”
“Sweetheart, you have other—”
“This is more important. Besides, when I’m the full-time attorney for Earth Warriors, I want to be able to slide right in. I need practice at everything.”
I patted her back. Her drive and ambition were admirable. “Just don’t burn yourself out. This is a long game.”
“Iknow, Mom.” She shoved me toward the door. “I’ll clean this up. You need to get some rest. You have to be at Kane’s office first thing in the morning.”
CHAPTERSEVEN
KANE
“You’ve been here allthis time?”
The incredulous and irritated voice echoed through my office.
I finished jotting the notes for my latest challenging case... murder between rival families.
“You can keep ignoring me, but I’m not going anywhere.”
The irritation had ramped up a notch. And instead of igniting me, a smile threatened. I kept my head tucked down so she couldn’t see.
“I’m flattered you’ve been waiting to see me, especially knowing how busy you are.” I finally looked up. This dress was long and flowy, but it was obvious she had a waist and a chest. Her scarf was emerald green that contrasted with the chocolate brown dress. “Rescue any puppies on the way home last night?”
Long fingers curled in on themselves. She forced out a breath and released her fist before she crossed the space between us.
“As a matter of fact, I didn’t.” She dropped into one of the chairs across from my desk.
“While surprise visits are always such a joy”—my tone said they were anything but—“I’m quite busy this morning. I have an accused murderer to defend.”
She made a noise of disgust. It was enough to make me grip my pen a little harder. I felt that same pang in my chest she’d caused so very long ago as if it had just occurred. She’d been clear she didn’t approve of my career then and obviously still didn’t.
Very few people did... except my clients. They more than approved. Until they were free. Then all of a sudden it was as if they’d never done the things they’d been accused of.
Me? I was stuck with the stigma of defending the worst of the worst. Even my father’s barbs just bounced off.
But not the barbs from the infamous JoJo. Oh no. I had tofeelher disapproval as if it mattered.
Only now, I didn’t have an escape in the Atlantic Ocean.
“When are you going to ask for details of Penelope’s case?”
That uncomfortable feeling in my chest deepened.
