Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
The word ‘break’ hangs heavy in the air between us, and the look in her eyes almost makes me regret mentioning it to her.
Almost.
It’s the fucking truth, though…
“The break isn’t intended to hurt you, Scarlett.”
“It hurts already…”
I sigh and stand to my feet. I walk over to her and wrap my arm around her shoulders, walking her back to my bed.
I move under the covers first and pull her against my chest again.
This time, to my surprise, I fall asleep with ease.
RECESS (N.):
A BREAK IN A TRIAL OR OTHER COURT PROCEEDINGS OR A LEGISLATIVE SESSION UNTIL A CERTAIN DATE AND TIME.
SCARLETT
In every romance novel I’ve read, the phrases “I need space” and “we should take a break” never lead to a happily ever after. Occasionally, the author writes a few scenes to feed me some false hope, but it’s only taken me five hundred stories to know what’s about to be served.
Heartbreak.
Or tragedy.
Or worse…the real heroine will appear, and the hero will move on with her instead of the woman in the earlier chapters. There’ll be stanzas full of justification, reasons why the first girl was just a “temporary plot device,” a mere stepping stone until he reached who he really belonged with forever.
I stock up on boxes of Kleenex for whenever reality hits.
PENALTY (N.):
IN CRIMINAL LAW, A MONEY FINE OR FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY ORDERED BY THE JUDGE AFTER CONVICTION FOR A CRIME.
JAMESON
Scarlett’s father has a way of making a room feel ten times smaller whenever he’s in it. He has an aura of power that reaches people who don’t even know him.
It’s why no one has bothered to sit on either side of him in the courtroom today, and why Rachel’s hands still slightly tremble whenever she writes “Lucas” on any notes for me.
For some reason, he’s staring at me like I’ve committed a crime against him. Like he’s well aware that I’m hiding something from him.
There’s no way he knows I slept with his daughter… At least, I think?
“Hello, Mr. Tate?” The judge clears his throat. “Are you in the court with us today?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” I stand to my feet. “I’m here.”
“Then please address the issue at hand,” he says. “Do you honestly expect this court to believe that your clients won’t flee the country if given bail?”
“No, Your Honor,” I say. “They’ll probably be on the first flight out of here if you let them out.”
Lucas shoots me a “What the fuck?” from across the courtroom, but I ignore him.
“The state agrees, Your Honor.” Julia jumps to her feet. “Under no condition should these men be allowed bail—at any amount.”
“I wasn’t done.” I roll my eyes. “My clients are willing to surrender their passports, wear ankle monitoring, and commit to any terms under the typical bail structure for cases like this.”
“Men don’t typically beat the hell out of federal agents and launder money.”
“Allegedly, Julia.” I smile at her. “We’re not at trial yet.”
“Enough.” The judge bangs his gavel. “I agree with Mr. Tate and will grant the clients a one-million-dollar secured bond, with surrendered passports and community monitoring up until trial.”
He bangs his gavel. “Next case!”
I shut my briefcase and slip into the hallway before Julia can say anything to me.
“My apologies for doubting you for a single second.” Lucas steps next to me. “I should’ve known.”
“Yes, you should’ve.” I hand him a folder. “Do I need to explain what you need to do next to pay their bail, or do you have it?”
“I believe I have it.” He smiles. “You’re really a joy to have on-call for legal issues.”
That feeling isn’t mutual. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
“I know you’re busy, but I need another quick research favor from your assistant Rachel, if that’s okay.”
“She already looked into your daughter’s check-cashing thing,” I say. “You have nothing to worry about there.”
“It’s not that.” He pulls a stack of business cards from his pocket and hands them to me. “I took the liberty of walking through your firm this morning and plucking cards from the lawyers who match certain credentials.”
“My firm has a website, Lucas…”
“Whenever you get a chance, can you let me know if any of those young men would be good enough for a date with Scarlett?”
“Excuse me?”
“I feel bad for how I’ve treated her lately.” He frowns, looking remorseful for the first time I’ve ever known him. “I would like to make it up to her.”
“By playing matchmaker?”
“We may be slightly estranged, but I know my daughter.” He pauses. “She’s lonely and doesn’t have many friends. I would allow a boyfriend—as long as he’s decent and someone you would approve of as well.”
I blink.
“No rush on this request,” he says. “It can take months since she’s busy with her studies anyway. My cases come first, of course.”
“Of course.” I slip the cards into my pocket. “I need to go check on a docket upstairs. Anything else you need from me for now?”