Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
I questioned if it was even possible to find an impartial judge, free from my father’s potential influence or interference.
Any investigation needed to be comprehensive and meticulous. There was a high probability that the incidents in question were not solely confined to the Dallas home office. I needed Lon—my old mentor from my Chicago days— to be involved. He was extensively connected. If we could file a case in Illinois where Lon resided, or even in Washington DC, where he also maintained a presence, that may solve the personal vendetta issue.
Would Lon agree to partner with me?
“Why’re you out here?” Beau asked huskily, standing nearby. He startled me so hard that the notebook I’d been making notes in tumbled from my lap.
“Shit, Beau, you scared me.” My hand flew to my heart. The number two pencil I held poked me in the chest. It hurt. Of course I couldn’t say that to Beau. He was sliced, hooked, or bitten every day. But I suffered in pain in my own way too.
“What’s goin’ on?” he asked again, staring pointedly at the piles of paper on the sofa beside me. “You were distracted all night. What’s happenin’?”
I stacked the documents I’d laid on the sofa and moved those piles with care to the coffee table in front of me. When I had the seat cleared off, I patted the sofa beside me for Beau to take a seat in a way that he angled his face toward me.
“When I was called back to the office this afternoon,” I said and waited for him to nod that he was with me. “I had a significant case dropped in my lap.”
“Who’re you plannin’ to pass it off to?” he asked. Although I always kept the sanctity of attorney/client privilege, Beau understood the inner workings of my firm. These days, I was a big-picture owner. I didn’t keep many cases for myself.
“I’ll handle this one,” I said on a deep sigh.
“What am I missin’?” Beau asked. “Is it pro bono?”
“It’ll be substantial and costly. I’ll have to collaborate with a larger firm that has access to more resources, assuming everything works out.” I felt the weight of the case pressing me down. It was incredibly difficult for me to wrap my head around my father being a sexual predator… An asshole, sure. Demanding and in control, always. A god complex where he thought he could crush anyone who got in his way, you bet. Maybe it wasn’t such a hard leap to violating the rights of a person to their own body. It was overwhelming. Beau gently cupped my neck, offering comfort.
“Lon would partner with you, right?”
“He’s the person I’d reach out to.” A deep sigh escaped, knowing Lon’s presence in our lives could reignite some uncertainties in Beau. He had insecurity there that I wasn’t sure we fully resolved. “What I can say to you is that it’ll demand a lot of time from me. The pre-suit phase will be challenging. I’ll be away from home quite a bit, which I don’t appreciate, but that’s not the worst of it. The emotional toll will be toughest. It’ll be difficult to compartmentalize the facts of this case.”
“Then don’t take it. No harm done. We need you here with us. Those were the agreements we made before havin’ our children.”
I gave him a closer look, trying to read his sincerity. I cherished my family, but they were safe. Beau and I built a life to keep them secure. If I left for days at a time, Beau would be here with them. I’d return home as often as possible, but the idea that any member of my family would continue to assault women, most likely growing even bolder because they persistently escaped punishment…
“So you’ve decided to do it without my input,” Beau said flatly, allowing his hand to drop away. “This life we’re livin’ is because of you, and you can’t give us fifteen years to allow them all to grow up before you disappear again? Tough cases consume you. You’ll be trapped in that life until a judgement is reached. You’ll win the case, and others will be waitin’ in the wings for your help. I’ll lose you again, and you promised me it wouldn’t happen.”
“Beau, I won’t ever emotionally leave my family…”
My guy rose, drawing the throw he wore closer around him like a shield as he started for the bedroom. I closed my eyes, knowing in my heart that if he understood the details, he’d insist I take the case.
With quick, efficient movements, I cleared the table, securing the paperwork then followed Beau. I kept the overhead lights off, relying on the moonlight filtering through the windows to guide me to his side of the bed, taking a seat on the edge. He didn’t scoot over, only allowing me minimal space. I clasped my hands, tucking them between my thighs.