Reasonable Doubt: Volume 2 (Reasonable Doubt #2)(8)

He didn't answer. He reached out for my hand, but I shut the door.

“I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Hamilton.” I smiled and walked away.

Liability (n.):

Legal responsibilities for one’s acts or omissions.

A week later...

Andrew

There was only one thing in Durham that held no comparison to New York: Court. The lawyers in New York actually took their jobs seriously. They pored over their research all night, polished their defenses to perfection, and presented their cases with pride.

In Durham, “lawyers” didn’t do shit, and in a moment like this—when I was listening to a young and inexperienced prosecutor embarrass herself, I almost missed those days.

Then again, I wasn’t paying too much attention to the proceedings today. I was too busy thinking about Aubrey and how many times we’d f**ked in my office this morning.

We’d said our usual, “Good morning Mr. Hamilton,” “Hello Miss Everhart” greetings and locked eyes as she set my coffee down. She’d opened her seductive mouth to say something else, but the next thing I knew, my hands were in her hair and I was pulling her sexy ass against my desk.

I was ruthlessly pounding into her from behind as I massaged her clit, and when she collapsed on my carpet, I’d spread her legs and devoured her pu**y.

I was completely insatiable when it came to Aubrey, and being around her for more than five seconds was enough to send me over the edge.

There’s no point in even counting how many times we’ve f**ked anymore...

“As you can see...” The prosecutor’s voice suddenly cut through my thoughts. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, all of the evidence that I’ve presented will prove—”

“Objection!” I’d had enough of this shit. “Your Honor, last time I checked, this was an evidentiary hearing, not a trial. Why is Ms. Kline being allowed to address a nonexistent jury?”

The judge took off her glasses and shook her head. “Ms. Kline, as hesitant as I am to agree with Mr. Hamilton, he does have a point. Have you concluded with your presentation of evidence? Barring a closing statement to the jury?”

“I have, Your Honor,” she said, puffing out her chest as if she’d just presented the case of the century.

“Mr. Hamilton...” The judge looked my way. “Do you care to surprise me today by refuting any of the evidence presented?”

“No, Your Honor.” This hearing was a waste of time, and she knew it as well as I did.

“I see.” She put her glasses on again. “Let the record show that while the prosecution has presented a compelling and rather large collection of evidence, it’s this court’s ruling that it is not enough to warrant a trial.” She banged her gavel and stood up.

Ms. Kline walked over to me and held out her hand. “So, I’ll file an appeal, get more evidence, and see you on this matter again soon, right?”

“Are you asking me or are you telling me?”

“Your client committed the highest degree of fraud, Mr. Hamilton.” She crossed her arms. “Someone has to pay for that.”

“No one ever will if you remain on top of it, will they?” I put my files in my briefcase. “I’ll be waiting for your next move. And yes, you should get more evidence since the judge clearly ruled that what you had was not enough.”

“So, that means I should appeal? Do you think I could win this thing?”

“I think you could go back to law school and f**king pay attention.” I scoffed. “Either that, or do your clients a favor and find them a better lawyer.”

“You mean someone like you?”

“There’s no one like me.” I slid a pair of shades over my eyes. “But anyone would be better than you.”

“Are you always this rude to your opponents, Mr. Hamilton?” She cracked a smile. “I mean, I’ve heard stories, but you are really—”

“Really what?”

“Intriguing.” She stepped closer. “You are really intriguing.”

I blinked and looked her over. If I’d met her on Date-Match she might’ve been worthy of one night, but I never mixed business with pleasure.

At least, I didn’t used to.

“I’m not sure if you’re seeing anyone or not,” she said, lowering her voice, “but I think you and I have a lot in common, and—”

“What exactly do we have in common, Miss Kline?”

“Well...” She stepped even closer and rubbed my shoulder. “We were both staring at each other during the hearing, we both have high profile careers, and we both have a passion for the law—a passion that could clearly be transferred to other things.” She licked her lips. “Right?”

I stepped back. “Miss Kline, I was staring at you during the hearing because I was trying to comprehend how someone could show up to court and be so unprepared, unprofessional, and utterly annoying. We do both have high profile careers, but if you continue presenting cases like the one you presented today, I’ll be interviewing you for a secretary position at my firm within the next six months.” I ignored her gasp. “And if your passion for the law is anything like the way you f**k, then you and I have absolutely nothing in common.”

“Did you...” She shook her head, stepping back as her face reddened. “Did you really just say that to me?”