Rascal (Rascals Book 1)(44)

It was a fair question. So, I explained the discussion I’d had with her in the bathroom.

“I just wanted to reassure her that we would do everything we could to get her what she deserved,” I told them. “It wasn’t meant to undermine the partners’ suggestion, I promise.”

“Except it did,” Arthur countered.

I was silent for a moment. Fuck it. If I was going to get fired, I might as well be upfront about it.

“I studied law because I wanted to be an advocate for people who couldn’t advocate for themselves,” I said, my heart racing. “I wanted to be able to fight for the best interests of those who didn’t have the resources to fight on their own. And I think our client deserves better than the settlement. I think it is in her best interest to keep fighting. Because I think that if anyone can get her what she deserves, it’s this firm.”

I thought it was a rousing speech, but the blank looks on the partner’s faces just seemed to confirm that they thought that potential associates should be seen but not heard. Maybe not even seen.

I was definitely fired. Bracing myself, I looked down at the ground, waiting for the blow.

Instead, there was a knock on the door.

Arthur’s secretary poked her head in the door.

“Henry Hayes is here to see you,” she said.

Immediately, the atmosphere in the room changed. Everyone sat up straighter, and there were some excited looks.

“You didn’t say you were meeting with Hayes,” one of the other partners spoke up, looking impressed. “Arthur, that’s great news.”

“It’s not on my calendar,” Arthur frowned, “but I’m sure we can make time for him.”

They all chortled with laughter. “I’d say. What does his company bill, two, three million a year in legal fees?”

“It would be a great account to land.”

“We’ll finish this discussion later,” Arthur said, but his secretary gulped.

“Actually, he’s here to see Alexandra,” she said, looking awkward.

Again, everyone was staring at me. Only Arthur seemed to take it all in stride.

“Bring him in,” he told his secretary. “Alexandra can make introductions.”

Henry came in, smiling and showing off the dimple he shared with his son.

“Alex,” he said, greeting me with a hug. “So good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too,” I coughed, my mind racing. He’d said he would check out the firm, but I didn’t think he’d meant it!

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Henry looked around the room.

Most of the partners were staring at him, obviously thrilled that he was in our midst. They all seemed to be regarding me with a newfound respect.

“Let me introduce you to the partners, Mr. Hayes,” I offered.

“Please, Alex, you know you can call me Henry.”

Immediately I could tell the partners were impressed that I was on a first-name basis with one of the wealthiest and most influential people in Chicago. I made introductions, and Henry quickly charmed them all.

“You’re very lucky,” he said, giving me a pat on the shoulder. “Having such a talented young lawyer on your team.”

“Yes, we’re very proud of her,” Arthur agreed quickly. “We think Alexandra has a lot of potential.”

“She’s the kind of person that would make a man reconsider his legal options,” Henry added, the implication clear.

I could see the partners exchange looks, and I mentally relaxed. It looked like I wasn’t getting fired today, and I could thank Henry Hayes for that.



“And your dad just swept in and saved the day,” I told Emerson that evening at the bar, still elated from my near miss. “I was probably five or ten minutes away from being fired!”

“I’m sure they weren’t going to fire you,” Emerson said. “They’re not that stupid.”

I snorted. “Sure. You didn’t see me this afternoon,” I said. “They weren’t the ones who were being stupid—I was. I should have never spoken up in that meeting or contradicted the partners.”

“You said what you believed,” Emerson reminded me. “And I would think they would appreciate that.”

“You’re sweet.” I snuggled into his embrace. “But that’s not how lawyers think.”

“It’s how I’d want anyone representing me to act.” He kissed me on the forehead. “And obviously your client agrees.”

“I should thank your father.” I took a sip of beer. “I really owe him.”

Emerson frowned. “Don’t tell him that,” he warned me.

I was confused. “Why not? It’s true.”

“My father probably already thinks you’re in debt to him. Don’t give him any reason to believe that.” Emerson’s words sounded ominous.

“You make him seem like a mob boss,” I teased, but I couldn’t make him smile.

Instead, his expression was stormy. “Everything my father has ever done for me has come with strings. That’s just how he operates.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Just be careful, OK?”

I was confused. I knew there was some tension between Emerson and his parents, but I couldn’t understand why Emerson was so concerned. As far as I was concerned, his father had just saved my ass, and I really was in his debt.