the door.
“We can establish a firm that can handle cases all around the country. Once we’re strong enough, we can try to go international,” I explain. “I open it here, but we have a couple of branches in strategic places, like Colorado. We hire lawyers who can work remotely and represent us in their areas. That saves us a lot in traveling expenses.”
“It’s a great idea. I’m in, unless your mother fucks me more than she already has.”
“Well, let’s work on that, too,” I say and grab my laptop.
Nyx is a good person. I am helping her because what my mother did is fucked up. However, I have my own motives to push for this lawsuit. I’ll get her enough money that she’ll be able to pay for her child’s college tuition.
The week goes by fast. By Wednesday, Mom calls me.
“For Chrissake, Pierce Griffin, what do you think you are doing?” she says when I answer the call.
“Excuse me?” I ask. “Hello, Mother. I hope you’re well.”
“Skip the pleasantries and explain yourself,” she snaps. “I just received a bunch of documents with nonsense. What do you have to say for yourself?”
I snort, “I realize you graduated from law school last century, but I’m sure you know what I sent you. Also, that is well documented, and just a tip because you’re my mother, you should have your attorney present or send me a response. This call is… Why are you calling me again?”
“This is unacceptable,” she reprimands me. “This is certainly a joke. You’re choosing the help over me. Your mother. What is next, going back to that dangerous woman? You should be glad she didn’t kill you while you two lived together.”
My teeth grind with anger and disbelief at what I’m hearing. Rage burns through my blood. The need for revenge is eating at me. My hand squeezes the phone tight while I take deep breaths. Beacon is right. I have to be patient. Even if it takes years, I won’t do anything until I have all the evidence I need to make everyone in that firm pay for what they did to Leyla.
The rest is on me because I should’ve put her first. Fuck, is she ever going to forgive me for not knowing how to treat someone as important as she is?
She’s my entire life.
“Have your lawyer go through the documents,” I say, composing my voice and acting professional.
“Just a reminder that you can’t be in court,” she says, and her voice has a tone of happiness within her.
“You forget that I don’t need to be in court to win,” I remind her and then add, “Do you know that Edward took advantage of her? This makes your firm look bad.”
“She’s a woman,” she fights back. “Not some underage teenager who didn’t know the consequences of trying to get ahead in the game by using her body.”
“I hope you don’t use that kind of defense in court,” I advise her. “Also, let me remind you that he’s her boss.”
She huffs. “It doesn’t matter. You won’t win this.”
“That's good, Mom. Keep underestimating me.”
Needless to say, by the end of the week, she settles. Nyx not only has a new job, but she also has a good cushion in her bank account for a rainy day. On Saturday, she leaves for New York where she’ll work at least until November.
I’m glad things got worked out in time for my procedure. On Sunday, I’m tempted to tell Leyla what I’m about to do. On one hand, there’s our new no lies policy. On the other, I don’t want to give her hope, or worse, what if she says, “I don’t care”?
We are over.
It can’t be over yet. There has to be a way back to us.
Beacon agreed to let me stay in his studio. Well, in his lair. The asshole has an underground house to get away from us. That kid is an evil genius. Lately, I’m wondering if he’s the real Beacon or if he cloned himself. Maybe the real Beac is living it large on some tropical island.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Pierce
Monday morning, I go to Sophia’s house. We have a conference call and a meeting. I’m great at faking it, but I feel my anxiety increasing as the minutes pass. There are so many things at play, and what if something goes wrong. I should’ve said something to Leyla before I left, but what if she doesn’t care.
We have to sit down soon and talk. She’ll probably say that’s not