The Intern (The Dalton Family #4)(20)

“She probably is,” I admitted. “Girls like her”—I paused, thinking of that gorgeous body, squeezing the thong like it was going to make her appear—“they deserve a guy who can commit.” I glanced around the table. “Like you assholes, but that’s not me.”

“He’ll never change,” Jenner joked.

“You’ve got that right.” I released the thong and ran my fingers under my nose, taking in the slightest hint of vanilla. Fuck. I needed to get that scent out of my head; all it did was tease me. “Let’s go out tonight. I’ll show you exactly how it’s done and what it looks like since it appears that you fools have forgotten.”

Dominick slapped his hand on the table. “I’m in.”

“You know I’m in,” Jenner voiced.

We all looked at Ford.

“I’ll ask my cousin if she can watch Everly. If she’s available, then, yes, I’m in.”

“Make it happen,” I told him.

Dominick looked at each of his brothers and then took in a long, deep breath. “Before we get too far into planning this evening’s drunkfest, I have something to tell you, and it might change the way you feel about going out tonight.”

I stared at the three of them.

I couldn’t imagine what would change my mind. It certainly wouldn’t have anything to do with work; everything had been spelled out in my employment contract, leaving zero room for surprises.

“All right, lay it on me.”

Dominick lifted a pen from the table and tapped it over the file that held my contract. “We have a bit of an initiation process when new employees start at the firm. Experienced ones, like yourself, that is.”

I cocked my head to the side. “Okay …”

“We don’t find it necessary to outline this duty in the contract. One, because it’s only for a semester, and that’s such a tiny smidgen of time, and two, because we look at it as an advantage.”

“A hidden bonus,” Ford added.

“A semester?” My brows rose from the verbiage he’d used.

Dominick’s pen stilled. “You’re going to mentor an intern.”

I shook my head. “Fuck no.”

“It’s not a choice, Declan.”

I glanced at their faces, their expressions backing up this new tidbit of bullshit.

“You’re kidding …” I sighed, waiting for one of them to crack a smile, laugh—anything that would tell me this was a goddamn joke. “You really aren’t kidding.”

“It’s only for a semester, Declan. That’s it.” Jenner shifted in his chair. “Look at it like having another personal assistant. This one, you’ll just have to give a little extra attention to.”

We’d had interns at my last firm. I refused to work with one.

I didn’t have the time or patience to mentor and develop someone so green.

I’d passed them off to the estate and trust department or family law—attorneys, like the bastards in front of me, who sat on their asses all day.

That wasn’t me.

That wasn’t even close to describing my job.

“Since you’re so good with law students, this’ll be right up your alley.” Ford smirked.

“You didn’t.” I huffed air out of my mouth. “I know you didn’t just go there.”

“All the new hires get an intern,” Dominick added, like he was trying to soften the blow. “We’re not singling you out. In fact, if we didn’t assign you one, it would look like we were playing favorites.”

“But I am a favorite. The three of you are my friends. That must count for something.”

“Oh, it does,” Jenner replied, tapping his hand over the folder. “We gave you everything you asked for—things you wouldn’t have gotten if you weren’t our friend.”

I bent my fingers together, gripping them with full strength. “You gave me what I deserve—you all know that. What I don’t understand is how you’re not going to give your top litigator a pass. Do you have any fucking idea how busy I’m going to be?”

“Precisely the reason why an intern would be so helpful. Aside from your regular team, that’ll give you another set of hands to help out.”

“You’re a shitty salesperson, Jenner. Not a goddamn thing you just said has sold me on any of this.”

“Declan,” Dominick started, wrapping his hands around his coffee cup, “this isn’t negotiable. You’re going to get an intern whether you want one or not.”

I took a breath, trying to calm myself before I exploded. “Show me the candidates.” I lifted my hand in the air, circling my finger. “Line them up right now, so I can hear their qualifications and pick the smartest, most submissive one you’ve got.”

“Submissive.” Jenner laughed. “Jesus.”

“Can you picture me with someone type A?” I paused. “Do you really think that would be in the best interests of your firm and the intern’s future here?”

“We’ll pair you with someone appropriate, I assure you,” Dominick voiced. “It’s a random selection, but we’ll make sure the two of you are a good fit.”

I turned my chair toward my friend. I’d never wanted to choke his ass out more than I did right now. “You mean to tell me you’re not even going to let me choose my own intern?”