Alexander moves to stand, vibrating with anger and acting like he might grab me, but I beat him to the punch. I wrap my hands around the collar of his shirt, pulling him over his desk so that his face is inches from mine.

“I would love to beat you half to death right now,” I tell him, my voice a deadly calm. “But that would be too good for you. So instead, I’m just going to inform you of three things, and you’re going to listen, understand?”

“I don’t have to listen to a fucking—”

I tug at his collar so hard that he makes a choking sound.

“I said, do you understand?”

He looks livid but finally seems to realize that I have no qualms about hurting him if it comes to it. He nods stiffly, his eyes bulging and his mouth a hard line.

“One.” I hold up one finger for effect. “You can expect to hear from Bianca’s legal team within the week. Two.” I add another finger. “You can expect to hear from me not long after, because if you think a court will continue to grant control over my mother while you’re facing criminal charges, you’re even dumber than I thought.” He makes an indignant sound, but I barrel onward, not letting him speak. “And three.” Another finger, his eyes flicking to my hand with a mixture of fear and loathing. “If you fight me on this business with Mom, if you even lift a single finger to try to block me from transferring her conservatorship from you to me, I will make sure that you rot in prison. We both know that you’ll never see jail time because of this business with Bianca; I’m sure you’ll throw money at it until you’re sure that won’t happen, but I think we both know that if I wanted to keep digging, I’d find more. A person like you doesn’t just stop being a piece of shit. I can guarantee you’ve got a fuck ton of skeletons in your closet, and if you even try to fight me…I’ll make it my mission in life to find every fucking one of them. I won’t stop until you’re rotting in prison. Do you understand?”

“You’re making a big mista—”

I cinch the fabric of his collar until another strangled sound escapes him. “Do you understand?”

He looks like he’d like nothing more than to murder me, but I’m not bothered by it. The feeling is most certainly mutual. He glares at me for several long moments, finally giving me a stiff nod. I know that’s as good as I can expect from him.

I release my hold on him more roughly than necessary, shoving him so that he tumbles back into his chair haphazardly. He’s still looking at me with murder in his eyes, but I shoot him a smile as I straighten my jacket.

“I’m glad we could reach an understanding. You have a good life, Alexander.”

He waits until I’m turning to leave to start shouting—an outraged burst of venom at my back about the mistakes I’m making, about how much he’s going to make me pay—but I’m already out the door and slamming it shut, leaving all my thoughts about Alexander Hart behind it. I don’t spare any glances to the house this time on the way out; I’m finally free of it. It means nothing to me now.

Dani is still leaning against the car outside when I step down the stairs leading from the porch, her arms crossed and her eyes full of concern, like she was poised to storm the castle at any moment if she thought I might need her.

“Did you hurt him?”

I shake my head. “Not really.”

“Pity,” she says blandly.

I fucking love this prickly woman.

I pull her against me, shoving my fingers into her hair and pressing my lips to hers briefly, staring into her gray eyes, which almost sparkle like silver in the sunlight. She really does make me feel…peaceful. I could get addicted to that feeling.

“Thank you for coming with me,” I tell her.

“You should have let me come inside.”

“Nah. You would have probably maimed him, and then I’d have to study up on criminal law to defend you. Sounds like way too much work.”

“Are you saying I’m not worth the effort?”

I grin. “I’m saying I’m not going to risk only seeing you once a month for conjugal visits.”

“Wow, now who’s greedy?”

I slant my lips against hers again, savoring it this time, keeping her close until she’s humming into my mouth. “Always greedy for you, Dani,” I mumble.

“Can we leave now? I kind of hate this place.”

I peer over my shoulder, taking in the massive house one last time before nodding at her. “Yeah. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

I don’t look back as we drive away from the house.

I’ve got too much waiting for me ahead.

OceanofPDF.com

Thirty-Three

“Well,” Manuel says with a hint of amusement. “You’ve had quite an eventful couple of weeks.”

“I’ll say,” I sigh.

“Big win, disclosing a relationship, aiding on a criminal case—I’d call that a full docket.”

My lips tilt at the corner. “It’s been interesting, to say the least.”

“Well, kid,” he says with a grin. “You held up your end of the bargain. So I’m going to hold up mine. I hope you’re ready for more responsibility.”

I ignore my racing heart. “You really think the other partners will go for it?”

“Are you kidding? Do you know how much money you just made this firm by pulling out a win like you did? I’ll be surprised if they don’t approach me about it first.”

“I…Thank you. Really, Manny. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

“Oh, bullshit,” he snorts. “You’d be here with or without me. You’re good, kid.”

“Still. I hope you know how much I appreciate you.”

“Well, it never hurts to hear it.” He nods at the door. “Now get out of here. You deserve a few days off.”

I nod, beaming as I stand. “I’ll see you at dinner this weekend?”

“I would never miss a night out celebrating with your parents,” he chuckles. “They’re always a good time.”

“They’re like children.”

“But you love them.”

“Yeah,” I huff. “I really do.”

“And will you be bringing your new man?” His smile is sly. “I have to admit, you really caught me off guard with Ezra Hart.”

“No more than I did myself,” I scoff. I can feel my expression softening. “But yeah, he’s coming. His mother too.”

“I can’t wait. I’ll try not to tell them all your embarrassing stories.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Wouldn’t I?”

I roll my eyes. “Jackass.”

“Love you too, kid.”

I’m still grinning as I leave his office, immediately accosted by my two very overbearing best friends.

“So?” Nate is vibrating with excitement. “Is it happening?”

“Seems that way,” I tell him.

“About time,” Vera says. “Maybe you’ll stop working so fucking hard now.”

“Doubt it,” Nate snorts. He waggles his eyebrows at me. “Going to see your boyfriend now, Duchess?”

“None of your business,” I say sweetly.

“Oh, come on,” he whines. “We give you all the details about our relationship.”

“ ‘Relationship’ is a strong word,” Vera grumbles.

Nate rolls his eyes. “Ignore her. She’s still coming to terms with her feelings for me.”

“Just know that I refuse to force her down an aisle chained to my wrist,” I tease.

Nate wraps his arms around Vera’s waist, laughing as she squirms away from the overexaggerated kiss he’s trying to land on her cheek. He settles for pressing it into her palm, winking at me after.

“She’ll come willingly.”

“Shut up,” she says, looking embarrassed for maybe the first time since I’ve known her. “Both of you.”