I step aside to let him in, and then glance behind him. Cameras flash as reporters try their best to get a shot of me. I groan, closing the door and locking it firmly. I motion towards the living room, and my brother nods.
He looks around the mayor’s residence and whistles. “Glad to see you’ve landed on your feet.”
“Might not be in here much longer. Drink?” I start walking toward the bar in the corner of the room. I uncork a crystal decanter of cognac and glance at my brother.
He shakes his head. “I’m good.”
“You sure?” I pour a bit of cognac into my glass and look at him again.
“Haven’t touched the stuff in over a year, and I’m not going to start now.”
“Really?” I spin around to look at him, eyes wide. My brother, certified party animal, is completely sober now? “Things have changed,” I say.
He grunts. “I’ve changed. Things have mostly stayed the same.”
We sit down across from each other. He looks around the room and I look at him. His dark auburn hair is shorter than I remember, neatly cut and styled. He looks tired, but otherwise healthier than when I last saw him.
“So, to what do I owe this honor?”
Liam finally swings his eyes back towards me. He interlaces his fingers and watches as I take a sip of my drink.
“I’m here about the case. It’s all over the news.”
“I’m aware.”
“I’d like you to keep Ashley out of it.”
“It’s not really up to me.”
Tension ripples in his shoulders as he keeps his green eyes trained on me. “Adrian, she’s very pregnant. We’re about to have a baby, I’m about to graduate, and this whole mess would just put too much strain on everything. I’m asking you, please, to do what you can to keep us out of the case.”
I sit back and exhale. “I knew you’d gotten married, but I had no idea she was pregnant.”
“Six months,” he nods. His face softens and he glances out the window. A smile twitches at his lips and he sighs again. “Gonna be a little boy.”
“Congratulations, little brother. I would have sent a present. I had no idea.”
“I don’t want your presents. I just want you to stay out of our lives.”
He doesn’t say it with venom. He doesn’t say it angrily. He just says it matter-of-factly, and that stings more than I expected.
Until now, I hadn’t really considered how Liam was doing. I knew he’d cut my parents off and stopped talking to me, but I guess I hadn’t thought that he might actually be happy in his new life. Seeing him now makes me reconsider. Maybe he’s the one who made the right choice. Maybe I’m the fool, and not the other way around.
He sighs, running his fingers through his hair and finally nodding to me.
“I’d better go. Ash is at her sister’s and I need to go pick her up.”
“Stella?”
He frowns. “Yeah, why?”
I sit back and shake my head. “No reason.” I stare at him curiously, but I see no hint of recognition on his face. He says nothing more about the case, and my eyebrows arch in understanding. She hasn’t told them yet.
She hasn’t told her sister that she’s defending the Big Bad Wolf—the evil man that they all think I am.
Looks like Stella isn’t as fearless as I thought she was. I stand up and walk Liam over to the front door. I extend my hand towards him. He hesitates, but finally shakes it.
“Look, Liam. I… I’m sorry. I’m happy for you, it sounds like you’re doing really well. I’ll do what I can to keep you guys out of this. I promise.”
Liam nods. “I appreciate that.”
I take a deep breath, chewing my lip. “I’m sorry for how it all went down last year.” I shake my head and open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I want to tell him that I miss him, that I’m glad to see him, that I don’t like being cut off from his life. I want to tell him that I want to meet the baby and that I regret being such a fucking dick to him for the sake of a doomed political career.
But how can I say that? How can I say anything in the foyer of the mayor’s residence? The house looms over us like a massive reminder of what I chose over him.
Liam nods at me, and then opens the door and walks out. I watch him for a few seconds as he stalks down the pathway, unfazed by the reporters outside the gate. They part around him silently, as if they can sense that he shouldn’t be bothered. My little brother is more self-assured and more confident than I’ve ever seen him.
I close the door and sigh.
His visit rattled me. I don’t want to admit it to myself, but I have to. Seeing him reminded me of what I did on my path to this mansion.
And for what?
The journey from councilor to mayor was made step by step, and I didn’t realize who I was hurting along the way until now.
I was only thinking of becoming mayor, and then becoming governor, and then…
Sighing, I sit down and pick up my glass of liquor again. Those dreams all seem very far-fetched now. From where I’m sitting, they seem almost laughable. I really thought I had a chance at being the President of the United States?
Ridiculous.
I’m one scandal away from losing everything… and then what do I have left?
I have no wife, no children, my brother won’t speak to me except to tell me to keep him out of my mess. I still speak to my parents, but how many friends do I actually have?
How many people have called me to lend me their support once this story broke?
I laugh bitterly. Not many.
Cheryl—but I’m the one who signs her paychecks. There’s Barry, my private investigator, but again—I’m Mr. Moneybags to him.
How many people are around me because they choose to be, for no other reason than they actually like me?
None.
5
Stella
When Adrian Maguire knocks on my office door frame, I think I’m seeing things. I frown at him.
“Did we have a meeting scheduled today?” I look behind him at my assistant, who apologizes with a look. “What are you doing here?”
“Ms. King, so nice to see you,” he smiles. He steps through and closes the door. The room suddenly feels stuffy. I don’t move from behind my desk, and I watch his movements carefully.
He’s like a panther, sleek and quiet as he pads over towards the chairs. He sits down across from me and tents his fingers in front of his chest. He smiles at me, with his perfect teeth and his dimples on full display. Stupid, sexy Adrian.
“Can I help you? You really should make an appointment, I have a meeting in five—”
“I won’t be long.”
I stare at him. He’s actually enjoying this. It’s like he wants to mess with me, to make me as angry as possible. I arch my eyebrows, refusing to speak.
He opens his arms and smiles wider. “I had a visit from my brother yesterday.”
My heart thumps. If he told Liam that I’m defending him, then Ashley will know. She’ll be very, very angry if she finds out from someone else.
I clear my throat and shift in my seat. My mouth feels dry.
Adrian starts laughing. “Relax, Stella—may I call you Stella? —my brother doesn’t know we’re working together.”
I exhale despite myself. Adrian is still smiling. He arches an eyebrow. “Better? You were looking a little tense.”
“Why are you here?”
“Well, I thought you might reconsider my offer. When my brother visited last night and I realized he didn’t know about you and me—”
“There is no ‘you and me’, Mr. Maguire,” I interrupt. “You are my client, and I am working on your case. There’s nothing between us, nothing beyond the strict confines of this particular professional relationship.”
“Of course.”
“But?”
“But when I realized that you hadn’t told your sister about… my case… I thought it would be an opportunity to clear the air.”
/> I take a deep breath. I’m sick of these games. “What are you saying, Mr. Maguire? Just say what you mean.”
“Come to dinner with me. I won’t tell my brother about this until you’re ready to tell your sister. I just want to show you that I’m not the monster you think I am.”
I look at him with an arched eyebrow. His chiseled jaw and piercing blue eyes are what won him the election, I’m sure of it. He has a gift for looking sincere all the time, and he’s mastered the easy smile.
Well, he doesn’t fool me. I know what a snake he is. He can turn his charm on full-blast, and it still won’t faze me.
Taking a deep breath, I consider his proposal. “So, let me get this straight. You won’t tell my sister that you’ve hired my firm for your case if I go out to dinner with you.”
“Exactly. Simple.”
“That sounds a lot like extortion.”
“It’s dinner, Stella. I think it’ll help you work on my case effectively.”
“I’m perfectly capable of working on your case effectively without spending any unnecessary time with you.”
His tongue slides out to lick his lips and a current of warmth snakes down my spine. It settles in the pit of my stomach, and I can’t help but watch the way he moves. He flexes his hands, and I notice how broad they are. His eyes flash and he swallows, and I notice his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
Every second that I spend with him heightens my confusion. I despise him with every fiber of my being, but my body is reacting to his in an entirely… friendlier way.
“Stella,” he says, and I hate how good my name sounds on his tongue. “I’m just asking you to get to know me. I’m not a monster.”
“Do you realize that this sort of extortion is exactly what got you into this mess in the first place?”
“I never extorted anyone. I had a business deal with a partner.”
“Right, well, it wasn’t legal. And this right here?” I point my fingers between him and me. “This is telling me a lot more about you than a dinner at some swanky restaurant will.”
His eyes sweep from my face down my body and that fire burns in my stomach again.
“Give me a chance. I’m not the devil.”
“Could have fooled me.”
Adrian laughs, and this time it sounds genuine. It’s not the schmoozy, fake laugh that he uses in meeting and press conferences. His mouth opens wider and his eyes crinkle more. Adrian shakes his head.
“I like you, Stella.”
“I can’t say I return the feeling.”
“Come on. I’m begging now. Go out to dinner with me, and I won’t tell your sister about this.”
“Would you really tell her if I don’t?”
“If it’ll convince you to come out with me, then yes. I’ll walk out of this office and get her on the phone.”
“You’re a piece of shit.”
“You’ve mentioned that.”
“How did you get past my assistant, anyway?”
“It’s not exactly Fort Knox.”
He leans towards me, a smile playing over his stupidly attractive lips. A strand of hair falls across his forehead and his blue eyes twinkle.
I grimace. “I’ll bill you double for the hours.”
“I can afford it.”
“I have work to do.”
He grins and stands up. “Well, I won’t keep you a second longer. How’s Friday?”
“Whatever.”
He laughs again, and my hatred for him dims the slightest bit. He nods at me and strides out the door. My assistant, Olivia, comes rushing through the doorway.
“Stella, I am so sorry. He just walked past and said something about an appointment, and I tried to stop him, but—”
“It’s fine, Olivia, really.” I sigh. “Block off Friday evening on my calendar, will you?” Olivia nods. She looks terrified, and I try to smile at her. “It’s okay, Olivia. Thank you.”
“Okay.” She forces a smile and then walks back to her desk.
It’s the truth, too. I’m not even angry. A part of me is looking forward to Friday night. It’s a small part of me, but still, a part of me wants to spend more time with him.
Then, I take a deep breath and groan. The more time I spend with him, the less I hate him. That in itself feels like a betrayal. What if his annoying, charismatic smile starts to win me over? What if, by the end of this case, I don’t hate him at all? What would Ashley think, then?
This was supposed to be professional. I was going to tell Ashley about it when the time was right, and I would explain that my hands are tied. I had to take the case, because otherwise I would lose my job.
But now?
Now I’m going out to dinner with him. I’m spending time with him outside of the office, and that is completely unacceptable.
No, I need to tell Ashley. I need to explain everything to her before it blows up in my face. Just… not today. Maybe after Friday, after I see how he acts at dinner.
Then I’ll tell her. I’ll meet up with her on Saturday for coffee or lunch and I’ll tell her everything.
6
Adrian
My office is falling apart. Everything is in turmoil, and I spend every day this week just trying to keep my head above water. Agreements that I’ve made fall through, and I lose all semblance of control as mayor. My own party is turning against me, with all my staff running like rats off a sinking ship.
It’s a nightmare. I’m hanging on by a thread. The governor could have me removed as mayor—it doesn’t help that he knows I was gunning for his job.
So, by the time Friday rolls around, I’m glad to see Stella. Even though it’s obvious that she doesn’t want to be here, I can’t help but smile when I see her walk into the restaurant. The hostess leads her to our table, and I stand up to greet her.
She ignores my outstretched hand and sits down, barely throwing me a glance.
I grin.
“Nice to see you, Ms. King.”
“Wish I could say the same. You might want to hurry this along, it could turn out to be an expensive dinner for you. I’m on the clock.”
“I told you before, I can afford it.”
She looks at me over the menu and grunts. She looks back down and ignores me as best she can, but finally I see her eyes flick up towards mine. She sighs and closes the menu. By the time the waitress comes back to take our drink orders, she still hasn’t said anything.
This might be harder than I expected.
“So,” I start. “How was your week.”
“Long.”
I try to fight a grin. “Stella, I’m not the enemy.”
“No, you’re a client. If you’d like to discuss your case, I can do that. I won’t discuss any personal matters with you.”
Her eyes drift over my shoulders and then snap back to my face. She takes a deep breath and then sips the wine I ordered. She nods.
“It’s good.”
“It’s a Shiraz.”
“Full-bodied,” she says.
Just like you.
My cock throbs as I watch her take another sip. She has no idea how fucking sexy she is, or how much I want her. The idea of winning her over—of making this hard, serious woman bend over for me—it’s almost irresistible. By the look on her face, it might be a little more difficult than I thought.
“My brother told me your sister is expecting. Congratulations. You’ll be an aunt.”
A smile flashes in her eyes before her mask of hatred returns. She nods. “Yeah. I’m really happy for her.”
“Do you want kids?”
She sighs. “I never thought I did. I thought my career was everything. But seeing Ashley like this… I don’t know. It’s made me reconsider some things.”
“You love your sister.”
Stella nods.
We fall silent for a few moments. I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry about what happened last year—during the election. I wasn’t thinking straight. I never meant to hurt your sister.”
“Well, you’re paying for it now.”
“Yeah.” I think of the nightmare that my job has become and I sigh. “I was selfish.”
“You were. You still are.”
“How do you know that?” I frown. I grin at her, shaking my head. “I could be a saint now. You don’t know me.”
“You threatened to tell my sister about this in order to get me to go out with you, with no regard for my feelings or my wishes. That’s selfish.”
I sit back. “True. Are you enjoying yourself, though?”
“That’s not the point.”
“So you don’t think the end justifies the means?”
“And what end is that?” She arches an eyebrow, and my cock throbs. The end that I have in mind is my shaft buried deep inside her, and her mouth open as she screams my name.
I chuckle. “Just two adults having a good time.”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m having a good time. It’s good wine, though.” She leans back, and her eyes sparkle in the dim light of the restaurant. I nudge my foot forward and my knee touches hers. She doesn’t flinch away. Her eyes stay steady on mine, and she takes another sip of wine.
“So, Theresa says you’re the best in the state for this kind of case. Corruption is your specialty?”
She nods. “She made it clear that I had to work the case, otherwise I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Do you have a plan? I mean, even if we avoid jail time for you, your political career is pretty much over. I can’t see you winning another term, even if they don’t remove you from office. What are you going to do?”
I arch my eyebrows in surprise. No one has said that to me. People have criticized me on the news, but everyone close to me has talked about getting through his, recovering, moving on.
No one has told me that it’s over. Really, truly over.
But Stella says it, and she could be right. I sigh. “I’m not really sure.”
Ruined: An Enemies to Lovers Romance Page 3
