Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“Beautiful ladies and honored gents.” Daniel grabs an imaginary microphone. “We’re gathered here today to pay tribute to my legendary looks. And, ladies, I know my accent is irresistible, but don’t faint just yet. Because, unfortunately, my Adonis appearance and killer dimples are not, in fact, why we’re here. Disappointing, I know.”
Many interns giggle and the others smile, playing straight into his manwhorish hands. Some would call that charming.
I was that once. Charming.
Now, interns are just as scared of me as they are of Nate.
Knox places an arm around Daniel’s shoulder. “What’s more disappointing is that it’s time we split you guys up. Those who want to be on Dan’s side, raise a hand. Those who prefer me, raise two. No pushing, please. As much as I want to, I can’t accept everyone.”
Chaos ensues as interns split themselves up between Daniel and Knox.
“Do something,” Candice chastises in her stern voice. “They’ll leave you scraps again.”
I check my watch since it’s close to my lunch appointment with a judge. “And we care because…?”
“The load of work on your desk, maybe? My going home to my family at a reasonable hour, maybe? Also, maybe not settling for the choices those two make anymore. They gloat about it in front of the other partners and make a drama out of it.”
“I don’t care about any of that.”
“Well, I care about my reasonable working hours and you promised to get me some help. It’s perfect timing for that.”
“Fine. Who are the best interns?”
She points at a tall girl and a lean guy who aren’t making as much of a fuss as the others but are veering more toward Knox. His twisted obsession with high-profile criminal cases makes many interns flock to him.
“Kate Bukowski and Omar Taylor, Jr. Both top of their class,” Candice tells me.
“Grades only mean they spent all-nighters studying or cheating. I need them to be smart.”
“They’re the best interns we have. Now, do something.”
Sighing, I approach the scene. The chaos halts for a bit and the interns watch me with eyes wide and mouths agape.
They aren’t used to me getting involved in things like this.
“What are you doing here?” Daniel jumps down from his pedestal.
“Aren’t we picking interns?” I ask, casually running my gaze over the interns, who’ve suddenly grown silent.
“We’ll send yours later.” Knox waves me away. “No need to waste your time.”
“I’m going to personally pick mine.” I stare at the two interns Candice pointed out to me. “Kate and Omar. Follow me.”
They both startle, but it’s not in a bad way. More like their eyes get wider and they stare at each other in an ‘is this happening?’ type of way.
I might not hunt down high-profile cases like Knox, but I get a lot of work that will look good on their resumes.
“What? No.” Daniel slides in front of me with the grace of a panther. “That’s not how it works!”
“It is now.” I turn around and leave. The two interns hesitate for a second before they follow without a word.
“This is called preferential treatment, because you’re Nate’s prince,” Knox whispers as I pass him by.
“Take it up with him then.”
“Why the hell are you even here?” Daniel calls after me.
“Take that up with Candice,” I motion at her and she gives him a gloating smile as she guides the interns to my office.
I tell them what’s expected of them, efficiency without headaches, then grab my briefcase and leave.
Daniel and Knox are still making a show out of dividing the interns and I ignore them as I head to the exit.
“They’re at it again.” Aspen, the only senior female partner at the firm, falls in step beside me and we get in the elevator.
She’s in her early thirties and one of the founders of Weaver & Shaw. They would never admit it, but Aspen is the line that kept Nate and Kingsley Shaw from killing each other and actually doing something productive with their destructive energy.
In a way, she’s Nate’s strategist and close friend, but she can turn into a fireball that matches her hair color in court.
“I know.” I release a sigh as I hit the button for the parking garage.
“How have you been?”
I raise a brow and she raises a perfect one back.
“Let me guess. Nate tattled and now, I have to deal with his enforcer arm and secret weapon of mass destruction.”
“I’m anything but a secret, Sebastian. And you forget that I was there when you hit rock bottom. I’m going to be the bearer of bad news and inform you that it won’t happen again, not only for the sake of Nate and the firm, but also for your sake.”
“I’m going to be fine.”
“You better be. I don’t want to start using what I know to keep you in line.”
The elevator pings open and we step into the parking garage, then stop. “What are you talking about, Aspen?”