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He smiled at me. “I’m here representing Liam O’Connor.”
I frowned. “I was under the impression that Mr. O’Connor would be meeting me himself.” I can’t stand it when clients send a proxy. More often than not, they didn’t have all the information I needed and I ended up having to meet with the client one-on-one anyway. We could save a lot of time and effort if they just owned up to their responsibilities and did their jobs.
I would never say that out loud though, especially about Liam O’Connor. Everyone knew the O’Connors. He used to be a small-time mafia boss but I’ve heard that recently he’s made some pretty influential friends and he’s been expanding. I tried not to follow gossip like that but lately it was all people seemed to talk about. After a shootout at one of the towers downtown was linked to him, he’s been in the public eye. And I was not looking to piss off a mafia boss.
“He will. He’s requested a change in location. He feels more comfortable meeting you in his own office. For security. I’m sure you understand.”
It was hard to take someone seriously when they were wearing a Star Wars tie. I eyed him suspiciously.
“How do I know you’re who you say you are?” For all I knew, he could be someone who has issues with Mr. O’Connor and is looking to hurt me to send a message. Given my own family history, I knew to be wary of strangers who claimed to be there ‘to help.’
Jaime grinned. “They said you were smart.” He pulled a letter out from the breast pocket inside his suit jacket, handing it to me. Frowning at him, I grabbed a letter opener and sliced it open, pulling out the contents. It was a letter signed by Mr. O’Connor asking for a change in location. It mentioned security but also said he felt it was best for me to meet him where the job would be held so I could get a lay of the land. I hadn’t agreed to take the contract yet but it made sense so I could have a full picture of what was needed from me.
Nodding slowly, I folded the letter back up and put it in my briefcase. I knew better than to leave documents like that in my office. It was innocent enough until someone went looking for a reason to use it. All documents related to Liam O’Connor were to be shredded and burned as soon as they weren’t needed. That was just the kind of thing that needed to be done as a lawyer in the mafia.
ChapterTwo
I never setout to do jobs like this. It came with the territory, given who I was related to. My father, a mafia boss in his own right, was almost as well known as the O’Connors. He expected his sons to follow in his footsteps and his daughters to marry who he dictated. He was furious when I refused and went to college on my own dime. Then law school, becoming the thing he was almost always fighting against. For a little while, he attempted to use it in his favor. I was his in-house counsel and I was happy with the position.
It wasn’t until later that I realized I was just a placeholder until he found someone better. Or at least, someone male. A woman has no part in his world outside of producing more boys. It was a sucker punch and when he demanded I stop stalling and get married, I left. He’s been trying to force me back ever since but I stayed out of the limelight and he wasn’t willing to make a scene. He wanted me to come crawling back to him on my own.
If he found out I was working with the O’Connors, he’d lose his mind. They don't exactly get along.
Jaime eyed me curiously but stayed silent. I was still suspicious of him though so I figured I’d ask him a few questions to make sure I wasn’t walking into some kind of trap.
“How did you say you knew Mr. O’Connor?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I’m on his security team.”
I frowned. “Why would a member of his security team be acting as delivery boy?” He snorted and I cringed. “I apologize. That was rude.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I pissed off my cousin and I’ve been temporarily reassigned. He’ll get over himself eventually.”
Raising an eyebrow, I waited for him to explain further but he seemed uninterested in continuing. He looked around, studying the room.
“I feel like this room has more bookshelves than actual office space.”
Pursing my lips, I felt my cheeks flush. I went a tad excessive with the amount of books I had in my office but I didn’t like to want something and not have it. It was easier to have what I needed nearby.
“Yes, well…”
He glanced back at me, tipping his head slightly. “Should we go?”
Nodding, I was about to push to my feet but I hesitated. It’s been driving me nuts and I wasn’t sure I had the nerve to ask Mr. O’Connor himself.
“If you don’t mind, I have one more question.”
He was pulling his overcoat on but he turned his attention to me. “Shoot.”
My brow furrowed. He’s too cavalier to be in the mafia.
“Do you happen to know how Mr. O’Connor found out about me?”
I felt a little stupid asking but I’m not some bigshot laywer. I only graduated a few years ago and my experience was largely working for my father, a known enemy of the O’Connors. I didn’t even have a recommendation before I started this job and I doubt my boss was out singing my praises. He liked to pretend he was giving the harder cases to the guys because they were more cutthroat but he’s seen me in court, he knows I can handle myself. He just doesn’t like giving good cases to women. None of this pointed someone in my direction for a job offer.
A slow grin passed over his face. “Does the name Mateo Ramirez ring any bells?”
My eyebrows flew up. “Mr. Ramirez recommended me?”
