Unless you were lying to me, which I wouldn’t put past you since you’re a prick.
“Listen, he’s making changes in his life, taking a new route, and needs legal counsel for the next few months to get that done. That’s where you step in.”
“So, I can still work with Felix?”
His brow quirks, and I realize my mistake in referring to Mr. Bernard by his first name.
I need to take a step back and not push this. I don’t need him prying into my business. He can’t wonder why I’m objecting or fighting for a man like this.
“If you’re available. If not, we’ll assign him another associate.” His eyes narrow. “But knowing you, I’m sure you will be available.”
He continues to look at me as if he can read my mind. He thinks if he stares at me long enough, he can bash down the walls I’ve gathered around my brain. Good luck. Better men have tried. There is only one person who seems to be able to reduce me to a puddle on the floor, and it’s not him. Nope, that spot is filled by a drug dealer who is way too handsome for his own good and mine, seeing as I have to work with him.
Warmth spreads over my cheeks.
“Skye, is there something I should know?”
Shit.
Here I am blushing over Tobias Kosta, and now my boss thinks I have a thing for Felix Bernard.
My heart pounds frantically in my chest. I can feel a thin layer of sweat collecting at the base of my neck. I’m happy he can’t see it and, most importantly, relieved that he can’t see what I’m feeling.
Play it cool.
“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I respond.
“What I’m talking about is, is there going to be a problem with you working for two of the most powerful men in the city, maybe the entire East Coast? Because having their secrets under our roof is the best thing that could happen to this firm. Do you understand?”
“Understood.”
Standing in front of his desk, hand on hip, I wait for him to say more. When he doesn’t speak for a few seconds and then picks up a folder in front of him, I assume he’s done with me.
“If that’s all, I’m going to head down to my office and get a head start on this. I have a lot to do, and I need to start prep work if I want to hit the ground running with Mr. Kosta.”
“See, Skye? That’s why you’re the best. And now I can keep my tee time with the state attorney general. Rumors are he will be moving up and will need people outside the DOJ offices to help him accomplish his goals. With those two clients’ info in our pockets and working with the US AG, things are looking very sunny for all of us.”
What he’s really trying to say is this is why the firm values me as much as they do.
Most people might go to lunch, have dinner, meet colleagues for a round of freaking golf, but no. I work all the damn time.
With nothing more to say, I turn on my heel and head out the door. On my way out, I don’t go through the glass doors. This time, I bypass the receptionist and go the other way, through the entrance to the other section of the building. The side where my office is. When I make it, I’m breathing hard from the pace of my steps.
As soon as I’m inside, I close the door, strip off my blazer, and throw myself into my chair. Then I cradle my head in my hands and let out the biggest breath I have ever taken. What have I gotten myself into?
I don’t know why he wants me, and I don’t want to think about it, either. I swivel in my chair to face the East River. My office is high enough to see over the small buildings that should block the view. I stare down at those surrounding buildings, then I look out into the horizon, hoping my heart will stop pounding from my nerves that are still on edge.
This changes nothing.
I can still find out the information I want. There is no way he’s going to need me that much. What could Tobias need? I turn back to my desk, touch my mouse, and allow my computer to open. The first thing I do is type his name into the search engine. Tobias Kosta.
There is a lot about him, but I find it interesting that there is no substantial evidence of his criminal practices. The news speculates, but there is no concrete proof other than to talk about his connections to the underworld.
He was raised in Miami. They mention how his father, Niko Kosta, died. He was an American drug smuggler. A major figure in the cocaine trade. He lived in Miami and transported the drugs through his private boat dock.
Nice family, Toby.
When it starts to talk about his death, I skip that part. That one makes chills form on my arms and my stomach feel hollow. And it’s not like I need it to form a general picture about my new client.
Looking down, I find I’m rubbing my wrist again. This has to stop. I can’t fall apart all the time. My head shakes back and forth.
Get a handle on yourself, Skye.
Death is not something I like to think about, so instead of reading how Tobias’s father died, I look at who he’s associated with and then check to see if there are any arrests.
Anything that gives me a better idea of what I’ll be doing with him and how much time it will take. If what Mr. Williams says is true, I’ll be helping him finalize the paperwork for a merger.
What does that mean? I’m not sure, but as soon as I have his file on my desk, I’ll be better equipped to know how much time this will take.
After finishing my research, I feel a little out of sorts. I’m staring at a picture of him and those blue eyes that can make a woman lose her breath. Hell, they can bring anyone to cardiac arrest.
They are too deep, too intense. A world of emotion stares back at me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how I’m going to face him. Grabbing my phone, I think of who I can call and talk about this with. Besides my father, I have no one. Sure, I have a few friends here and there, but they’re colleagues, not friends. Hermit is not a big enough word for what I am. I don’t have siblings. I don’t have anyone.
I pick up the phone and dial, and I hear my father’s voice on the line. He sounds tired. I need to insist that he come to the city, but I’m afraid of pushing too hard. Just hearing his voice is enough to help calm me right now.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, pumpkin, how’s the city’s best attorney?” He speaks clearly, so he must be having a good day so far, which is really what I needed to hear, but I still need to know how his appointment went. The fact that I haven’t had time to look into the bill also weighs on me. But maybe he can put my mind at ease. I just need to figure out a way to broach the subject and not have him clam up.
“I don’t know, let me get Seth Williams on the line and ask him,” I joke.
He laughs. “No, but really?”
“Oh, just winning cases, getting more clients, and working my tail off,” I humble-brag.
“So, a normal day, huh?”
I laugh a bit and decide not to ask too many questions today. I’m sure if there was something to tell me, he wouldn’t keep it from me, right?
Plus, he sounds happy and proud, and I don’t want to ruin the mood. Because of his influence, I’m as driven and confident as I am. Growing up, he did everything for me. Even working extra hours, he spent an endless amount of time researching scholarships we could apply for, and then, when we still needed more money, he took on side gigs not only to pay for my college but also to send me to law school.