THE CRAZY GOOD SERIES - Rachel Robinson Page 0,215

he’s worth. I convinced her she’s worth way more than we’re going after and he’s earned a far harsher punishment.

I push through the large, heavy double doors of the icy office with my head as high as it can go. This is Morganna Sterns as the world knows me— tenacious, predatory, on top of the world, regardless of life’s circumstances. I come out on top, always. It’s not an option. Respect is required in my field. The secretary at the desk says a polite hello with her head down and directs me to the proper conference room. Philippe chatters behind me on my cell phone, taking messages that I’m already processing in my head at the same time. A couple of the men in one of the offices pop their heads out to leer, their eyes wandering up and down my body, assuming I’m completely unaware of their creepy attention.

I let my gaze dart toward them. “Any good cases, boys?” I narrow my eyes and smirk. One attorney with a bad side part and fake smile turns red from the neck up. “Seems as if you have too much time on your hands,” I say, diverting my attention back to the hallway in front of me. I flick my perfectly waved hair over one shoulder and don’t think about them again. It’s why I avoid the office.

I requested Toni, a shrewd female attorney, to sit in today’s proceedings with Penny and me. I think Toni swings the other way—you can never be sure if a person’s lack of dating life is attributed to having a highly successful career or because there aren’t enough fish in the dating pond. I’d guess if she does prefer women, her options in Virginia Beach are limited and even further sliced in half when you pair them with her IQ and ambition.

Steeling myself, I open the one-way tinted door. “Penelope!” I say, greeting my client with a huge smile and fake octave. A wide, relieved smile breaks across her own face. I sit my leather briefcase on the mahogany conference table as Phillipe sets to work arranging papers to be signed. He’s done this so many times it takes no thought at all, and he even balances a phone call while sorting. I love him for so many reasons. Mostly because he is the gay version of me.

I nod at Toni, who sits across the table. Her white blouse is starched to death and her lank hair is scraped back into a messy ponytail. It’s not the chic messy ponytail either. It’s the “I don’t give a shit” hairstyle. She nods back and continues her conversation, and gestures for me to let her know when I’m ready.

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous, Morganna. It’s so odd. I haven’t seen him in forever. You know I haven’t had any contact with David for so long that I have no idea where he’s at,” Penny explains.

I knew this fact. The private eye lost track of the crazy asshole before I left for Georgia. I don’t tell my client that.

“It’s the final steps today, Penny. Everything will be over soon. Do you have any specific questions for me?” I feel the need to be a touch more professional in this atmosphere than I would at home.

Her gaze flicks left and right, falling on Phillipe and then on Toni who has graciously ended her phone call. “You’re sure he won’t be in court?”

I shake my head.

“No. The way we’ve set it up has given him no choice in the matter. He’ll meet with his attorneys and you meet with us, and there’s nothing more to do. David knows he’s in a corner.”

Toni pipes up. “Everyone knows what happens when you force people into corners.” Ever so tactful and even less helpful. I glare at her. She closes her mouth and has the good sense to look a little put off.

“Yes, they get caught,” I reply, making sure Penny feels the confidence radiating in my voice. Phillipe answers another call and I can tell by the change in his tenor that it’s Steven. I can’t help it; I pause just to see if I can make out his muffled voice through Phillipe’s blue tooth.

“She’s in a meeting right now. No, I will not relay that message. Is there something more appropriate you want me to tell her?” I stifle a smile by biting my lip.

I pass the paperwork that Toni has initialed over to Penny and watch as she