Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
“You really think you’ll be able to get a dismissal?” Garrett asked.
“I wouldn’t have said so if I weren’t positive.”
“Okay.” Kent angled his head forward. “You’re a cagey son of a bitch. I don’t know whether to believe you or not. So far, all I hear from you is promises and no action.”
“The only thing I promised you that I haven’t been able to fulfill was getting you Desmond Beck. Which you can’t blame on me. He wants Livvy fired. You’re prioritizing your dick over good business.”
“I’m not going to fire Livvy!”
“Then I don’t know what you want me to do. I told you he saw Livvy dining and dashing on a lunch ticket, leaving her trainee to pay. Desmond is old-school; he believes the owner of a business is only as good as those he employees.”
“Did you tell him I made it right? I hired the trainee! She no longer has to work under Livvy. What else can I do except fire her?”
“That was definitely a step in the right direction.” Kent nodded. “I do have a suggestion.”
“Which is?” Garrett looked like he would rather gargle rocks than take any suggestions from him.
“You could organize a small dinner party next week. Invite Desmond and his wife, and maybe four other couples. I’ll bring a date to sidetrack Desmond’s wife while you get better acquainted with him.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Garrett said approvingly. “Do you think he’ll accept the invitation?”
“Address the invitation to his wife after giving a donation to her charity. They’ll accept.”
“You’re a slick son of a bitch.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Gathering his files, Kent looked at him questioningly. “Any other promises I have failed to deliver on?”
“What’s going on with the Ross case? You told me—”
“You should have read your emails this morning before the meeting. Morgan accepted the latest offer.”
“How much?”
“What we asked for.”
“Twelve million?”
“Yes.”
“You just made my day.”
“Glad to help.” Kent didn’t let Garrett bask in his happiness for long. “Buy the townhouse, but I wouldn’t install Livvy until Desmond signs on the dotted line.”
Garrett nodded. “Good call.”
He regretted his decision not to become a divorce lawyer, because he saw a huge settlement in Garrett’s wife’s future.
“Anything else? I have calls to make.”
“There’s just one more thing we need to discuss. I didn’t see a Valerie Monroe on the new clients we’ve taken on.”
“I’m representing her on my own.”
Garrett frowned. “Our contract states the cases you take on in Kansas City—”
“Lucca Caruso,” Kent cut him off again, “is paying for me to represent Ms. Monroe. I didn’t think you would want to publicly have the firm associated with a known mobster or be the one to experience the fallout if she is convicted. Lucca doesn’t accept failure. If I thought wrong, I’m more than willing—”
“No.” Garrett’s voice rose in fear. He looked like he was going to vomit up the bagel he had eaten. “You were right. I’ll just tell the others you were contracted with Caruso before you started at the firm. I’m willing to make an exception for the good of the firm.”
As money hungry as Garrett was, he wasn’t ready to put his skills to the test, especially if there was a chance of endangering his cushy life.
Standing up, Kent gathered his files into his hands, preparing to leave. “Wise choice. By the way, how did you find out I was representing Ms. Monroe?”
“Jeffrey saw you leaving the jail while he was visiting one of his clients. He asked one of the guards who you were there to see.”
“I was waiting for some information to come back before I told you I had been asked to represent her. I hadn’t decided yet.”
“You haven’t got the information back yet?” Garrett rose, walking across the carpet to stand next to him.
“No.”
“Then why did you tell me you were representing her?”
“I only made up my mind up now,” he lied easily, wanting to make his point. “I don’t like anyone”—Kent coldly stared into Garrett’s eyes—“digging into my business.”
Holding his gaze until Kent was sure Garrett understand the implied threat, he reached out and opened the door. “You first.” Giving him a benign smile, Kent motioned him forward.
He walked in the opposite direction of Garrett, deciding to drop the files off and use the opportunity to see Sage.
When he entered the elevator, his mind was on Jeffrey more than Sage. He didn’t like the other lawyer and was curious about his actions. Jeffrey could be an unforeseen liability if he wasn’t careful.
Taking Valerie’s case might not have been his brightest move, especially while he needed to keep a low profile at Hollingsworth until he could accomplish the reason he had come here to begin with.
To make Sage fall in love with him.
TWENTY
Entering the file office only to find Glenda sitting behind the desk was disappointing. Damn, he was tempted to leave with the files. It had been the perfect excuse to strike up a conversation with Sage. Her not being there put a hitch in his plan.