Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
TWENTY-NINE
Rosalie
After an afternoon hearing, I drink a double espresso at my desk as I try to concentrate on work. Alexei didn’t return to my house last night, which is a good thing because I probably would’ve stabbed him to death. I still can’t believe what he did to me in that booze closet at the bar yesterday.
A small part of me, one that I’m trying to quash desperately, was lonely last night. I wonder where he was—not that it’s any of my business because I don’t care. I remind myself of that fact as I keep typing.
Joseph Cage walks into my office. “Where are we on the Bernanki merger?”
I look up and my eyes focus. He’s dressed in a nice, beige-colored suit with a salmon-colored tie today. “The documents are with the buyer. We just need signatures.”
“How about the Waltisi contracts?”
“The three employment contracts? The other side’s negotiating and sending over their stipulations now.” I sit back and hide a wince as the welts on my ass protest. Welts from Alexei’s belt.
Cage moves into my office. “What about Alexei Sokolov’s murder defense?”
Just hearing his name sends shards of fire through me. “I’m filing an appeal as to the overturning without prejudice tomorrow,” I say. “I spoke with the primary detective, and he seems solid to me. In addition, he’s looked over all the charges against the judge and the prosecuting attorney, and while there are many, he doesn’t see any that lead back to Alexei or his enemies.” Of which, I feel like one right now.
“So it’s possible Alexei wasn’t set up.”
I look over at Miles’s boxes. “Yeah. I haven’t gone through Miles’s notes yet. That’s my plan after I finish this brief.”
“Miles was a good attorney.” Cage leans against my desk and plays with a silver paperweight Alana once gave me.
I stiffen. “I read the trial transcripts. He did an okay job.”
“Okay?” Cage asks, his eyebrows raising.
I nod. “He missed a couple of objections he should have issued, and he made a couple of silly ones, but nothing that would point to purposeful error.”
Cage sighs. “We could subpoena Miles’s banking records.”
“I already have.” I shift my weight and attempt to find a comfortable position. Every time I move, somewhere on my body aches from Alexei. Unfortunately, the sensations are arousing. I am so screwed up. “I sent it to the executor of the estate yesterday morning.”
“Who is that?”
I glance at my notes. “Larry Coswell at Banks and Georges.” It’s a rival firm, which just meant that Miles wanted privacy. “He wasn’t married, and I don’t think he had any kids. He just had work, so it should be easy to acquire his records,” I say. “I’m curious if there are any deposits we can trace back to a source. Of course, this was seven years ago, so we’ll see if I can even get them.”
“Miles was a good guy.” Cage shifts his weight on my desk.
I don’t like people sitting on my desk. I put my cup of coffee right where his butt is every morning.
His gaze lingers on my mouth. “I have tickets to Wicked this weekend. What do you say?”
“She politely declines,” Alexei says smoothly as he walks into the room. Tension spirals from him to me, heating my face. I want to contradict him, but now isn’t the time.
Cage pushes away from my desk. “I believe she can answer for herself.”
One of Alexei’s eyebrows rises. Today he looks every inch the mob boss, with a high-end suit that includes a jacket, all black, and stark-white shirt. No tie, though. “All right. Go ahead and answer.”
Man, I want to throw something at him. Where’s my letter opener, anyway? “Thank you, Joseph, but we’ve already had this talk. I’m not going to the theater with you.”
Cage blushes a deep crimson. “Very well. I’ll leave you to it then.” He brushes by Alexei without a word.
Amusement fills Alexei’s gaze.
“Don’t you look happy,” I say. “I turned him down because I wanted to do so, because it is stupid to date my boss, not because of you.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, princess,” he says. “Or go ahead. Go on a date with him. See how that ends up.”
I cross my arms. I still want to ask him where he was last night, but I won’t give him the satisfaction. “I’ve changed the passcode on my phone.”
“I’ll figure it out again,” he murmurs.
What an ass. “You didn’t figure it out. You watched me because I trusted you.”
“You’ve never completely trusted me, have you?”
I don’t want to play this game because he’s probably right. “Where is Ella?”
“She’s safe.”
How can I trust him when he kidnaps my friends? “What do you want, Alexei?”
His gaze heats. My nipples spring awake along with my clit. I glance toward the door. He wouldn’t. His chuckle is low and masculine. “I was busy last night and came to check on you as soon as possible.”