Possessive Lawyer: An Instalove Possessive Alpha Romance (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 183)

by Flora Ferrari

  “Why are you fighting it?” Jarrett asks me, reading my thoughts, putting his face close to mine and kissing my nose.

  “I want you, Beth. And I have more than enough for both of us, and some more after that,” he adds.

  “Let me call your boss if you don’t want to just not turn up. I can be pretty persuasive when I want to be,” he tells me and without even thinking I feel my head nodding.

  There’s no way I want to go to work right now. Not now or ever. If I have a choice between anything and staying with Jarret, then it’s Jarrett all the way.

  Forever.

  “I’m sorry,” I blurt out, throwing my arms around his neck, closing my eyes and feeling tears of relief as he hugs me right back, squeezing me hard against him.

  “Don’t be sorry, Beth. Just be mine. Everything will work out, you’ll see.”

  “But my dad,” I hear myself saying, still feeling terrible at the thought of leaving him to face god knows what while I’m sitting here in the lap of luxury.

  Jarrett looks at his watch.

  “Your dad… should have some good news of his own soon enough. I’m waiting to hear back from someone, then we can put all that landlord business behind us, once and for all,” he tells me, putting on his professional face for a moment to drive his point home before cocking a brow.

  I want to press him further. I do trust Jarret, but if he isn't the most frustrating person to deal with at times.

  The most frustrating, handsome and brilliant man I’ve ever met.

  “Now,” he says firmly, changing the subject. “Let’s get you out of those clothes. I can’t stand it when you try to cover up in front of me.

  He play fights me back onto the bed and despite my feigned attempts at looking serious about actually getting ready to go to a job I hate, least of all want, he succeeds in cheering me up the best way he knows how.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Jarrett

  I call up Beth’s boss, who doesn’t sound too thrilled about the short notice, but is more than satisfied at the figure I put on his inconvenience.

  I take down the address before heading back to the bathroom to join Beth, making a mental note to post or drop by with a cash check.

  “You’re officially fired,” I announce and she pokes her tongue out at me, then blows a stream of bubbles from her hands in my direction.

  “I feel bad still. Poor Tiffany,” she says, looking down for just a second before she jumps with a start, my hand finding her under the warm water.

  “Your boss was actually pretty nice about it. I don’t think he’s going to lose any sleep.”

  Probably go on a holiday I imagine. That waitress, Tiffany is it? She might be getting an anonymous check too.

  “Thank you,” she says, and I feel her hand in mine underwater as I kiss her.

  “It’s weird, I know,” I tell her. “But you’ll get used to it, Beth. I know you will. Once we get clear of these pesky little problems, you’ll see how great life can be. I promise.”

  How great our life will be.

  I’m about to climb into the tub myself, when my phone rings, again.

  I swear, once all this is over I’m switching that damned thing off for a month.

  It’s Bruno Carlotti, and he sounds cheerful for once.

  “Sharkey. Those men you sent, those so called thugs? They’re ready to roll over on their boss. They’ll do whatever you tell them, sign anything you put in front of them,” he says, wheezing slightly.

  “That’s great news, thank you Mr. Carlotti, I’m really grateful for your help,” I tell him, and I mean it.

  “Not at all, it was nothing. Just make sure that upstart Camberwell keeps his nose clean, out of my affairs anyway or else.”

  He hangs up, but that’s Bruno Carlotti. Short and sweet.

  And deadly.

  He owed me, and now I know I owe him, but it’s worth it. I get Beth and her dad has those clowns off his back.

  I think I might draw up some papers for those men to sign. Sort of insurance in case they get some courage back once the memory of their recent experience wears off.

  I hope he left them scratch-free like I asked, but no matter. The point’s been made and I know it’ll be enough to bend Camberwell, making sure he plays nice with Beth’s dad from now on and doesn’t try a stunt like this again.

  Mr. Carlotti and his family have long arms, and an even longer memory. Camberwell escaped him once. It’s my job to make sure he doesn’t forget that fact.

  I’ve only just put down my phone when it rings again.

  It’s Mr. Camberwell himself.

  Fancy that.

  “Alright, Sharkey. You’ve had your fun. Now call off your dogs. My men won’t even come out of their homes let alone come work for me. What did you do?”

  I chuckle silently to myself, wishing I could see the looks on their faces, but the tremor in his voice is reward enough.

  “On one condition. No. Two conditions,” I tell him slowly. Trying hard not to laugh and putting on my best deep and serious voice.

  Beth’s humming in the bath and I can hear the splash of bathwater, so I go into my study and push the door almost fully closed behind me.

  Camberwell sighs. “What is it? What do you want?”

  “It’s pretty simple really. More like what I don’t want,” I say, snarling a bit as I’m reminded just how annoying this guy is.

  “You’ll sign a new tenancy agreement for Mr. Shaw, Camberwell. One I’ll draft myself. You’ll get your rent, fair’s fair. But it’ll be at a heavily reduced rate, to make up for the bullshit you’ve put these people through.”

  He sniffs on the other end of the line.

  “What else?” he asks gruffly, sounding relieved that’s all so far.

  “You’ll stay out of Mr. Carlotti’s business interests, right away from them. Maybe in another state, I would recommend. If you know what’s good for you.”

  “The fuck’s Carlotti got to do with any of this?” he asks, the tremor in his voice returning.

  “Carlotti is my dog, you moron. The one you want called off?” I say dryly.

  “Bullshit,” he spits. “You’re full of shit, Sharkey.”

  “Try me. Just. Try me,” I tell him, waiting for his answer.

  “Alright… but I want full rent on those two properties,” he protests.

  “Half,” I tell him. “I can review that in six months if you play nice. No cops and no courts, Camberwell. You’re getting out of this way too easy. I’d take it with a little gratitude if I were you.”

  He growls but agrees and I hang up after telling him I’ll be seeing him real soon with some new paperwork for him to sign.

  Making another mental note to have those three goons of his sign some incriminating statements against him. I figure my Saturday is looking busy, might even be spilling over into Sunday at this rate.

  That’s okay.

  I don’t plan to keep my attorney door open for too much longer.

  Life suddenly has something else in it that interests me much, much more.

  Beth’s broken out into song by the time I get back to the bathroom, determined to join her this time, no more interruptions.

  I’ll deal with that paperwork later on.

  She looks embarrassed as I come back in. “I can’t sing,” she confesses.

  She’s right, she can’t sing but I still think she sounds fantastic. She sounds like someone who’s finally relaxed and at home enough to express herself just how she wants.

  And that’s music to my ears.

  Now!” I announce. “Move over and let me get in for some of that tub lovin’ will ya,”

  Another phone starts ringing, just as my big toe hits the water.

  It’s the suite phone. The hotel calling.

  I decide to ignore it. Whatever it is, it can wait, but about a minute later, just as I’m settled in right behind Beth, there’s a vicious pounding and yelling from the front door.

  Thanks
guys. Thanks for trying to warn me.

  I think I have a hunch who it might be too.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Beth

  Jarrett groans, but it turns into a low growl of anger.

  “Well? I guess there was only one more person to deal with,” he says loudly as he sloshes out of the tub and grabs a towel, which he puts around his middle before he kisses my forehead.

  “You might wanna put a robe on,” he says, before moving confidently towards the terrible banging from the front door.

  I shrink down into the bath water, wishing it could hide me in a mountain of bubbles, but like Jarrett, I know who it is and we may as well get it over and done with.

  I decide to stay put, but once I hear Jarret’s low and calm voice overtaken by my dad’s shouting, I hustle to get out of the bath and dry myself quickly, wishing I had clothes handy instead of just a robe.

  I can hear Jarrett speaking firmly but calmly, but dad’s not having any of it.

  “Beth! Beth come out here this minute, I’m taking you home!”

  I cringe, this is worse than embarrassing. After all the help Jarrett’s given us, after everything I’ve been through with him, this will test it to the limit.

  Jarrett. This is my dad… Dad. This is Jarrett.

  Not exactly the introductions I was hoping for.

  Oh, by the way daddy, Jarrett and I are going to be living together from now on.

  I feel like I’m shrinking, but as soon as I see Jarret, I stand taller. I walk over to him, standing beside him as he calmly waits for my dad to finish losing his shit.

  Jarrett looks away from my dad just long enough to catch my eye, and I slip my hand into his and he gives it a firm squeeze.

  “Beth? What the hell are you doing? You’ll put some clothes on and you’ll get downstairs with me, right this minute,” he says, his voice getting higher but I’m not budging and neither is Jarrett.

  He carries on for another full minute, at least. His eyes going from Jarrett’s to mine, then to Jarrett’s body and then back to mine before he finally runs out of steam.

  He suddenly stops mid-sentence and flushes bright red.

  “Why aren’t either of you saying anything?” he asks, looking more confused than angry by now.

  “Beth?” he asks me, a tear in his eye.

  “Why don’t you come in, Mr. Shaw?” Jarrett says gently, holding the door open and ushering him in before closing it.

  “I’ll go get changed, Beth. Maybe you and your dad...” he suggests, pointing with his chin toward the living room.

  Before he goes, he pulls me close and whispers to me. “I’m proud of you, Beth. So proud right now.”

  I feel my heart swell and I flush with nothing but love for my man, making it a lot easier to take my dad through, sit him down and have a little talk before Jarrett rejoins us.

  Jarrett takes his time, and when he comes into the lounge, it’s like he’s a different man. The same man, just better.

  Not that there was anything wrong with the other Jarrett.

  For the first time, apart from his photo, I see Jarrett in a suit and fully groomed. Even his shoes are shined.

  He looks and smells like something straight out of a Hollywood courtroom drama, and he has the presence to make my dad change his tune pretty darn quick.

  I’ve only just had time to make sure dad’s alright, and to tell him yes, there is something between Jarrett and me but that’s my business. I’m an adult now.

  And I feel all woman when Jarrett sits down next to me.

  “Mr. Shaw, I-” Jarrett starts to say apologetically, but dad interrupts him.

  “No, Mr. Sharkey. I’m the one who should be apologizing… I’m sorry for causing a scene. I was just so worried about Beth,” he says, and dad takes my hand, the tear in his eye spilling over and running down his cheek.

  “I’m fine dad. It was Jarrett, Mr. Sharkey who saved me. Those men were trying to get into the house, and he took care of them, all by himself,” I tell him.

  “You… took care of them?” my dad swallows, and Jarrett gives one of his winning smiles, chuckling softly.

  “I did. But they’re fine, don’t worry. Like I said, Mr. Shaw.”

  “Call me Arnold,” my dad says sheepishly, still holding my hand as I stroke his hair back and give him a peck on the cheek.

  Poor dad. He does love to worry about me.

  “Arnold,” Jarrett continues. “I’ve managed to negotiate a new lease agreement with your landlord Mr. Camberwell. Now, it’s a reduced rate and comes with his assurance that you won’t be bothered by him or his men ever again.”

  I feel my own jaw drop, wondering just how, let alone when Jarrett managed to pull all this off.

  All while getting me off at least three, or is it four times?

  “But… but…” dad stammers, unable to form a sentence.

  “I know, I know, I have been a little slow in arranging the actual paperwork, but we should have it by the end of this weekend. Monday at the latest,” he says, shooting me a little wink as dad puts his head in both his hands.

  “But how?” Dad asks. “Camberwell said he’d ruin me. He had the leases all signed with those higher rates. I was dumb enough to sign them. How the hell did you...”

  “It was Beth, really,” Jarrett tells him. “She came to me and explained the situation. I figured being more discreet was more useful than dragging it through civil court proceedings.”

  “Which we would have lost,” Dad says, matter of fact and I quickly look to Jarrett, who’s nodding.

  I feel like he’s been protecting me from that truth the whole time, silently working towards solving our problem instead of weighing me down with them.

  I sigh, and shivering, feel a shudder of warmth for my man. Wanting him now more than ever. Counting the seconds until we’re alone again, but my dad’s not done yet, unfortunately.

  “And what about all this other business?” he asks Jarrett coldly. “Have you saved me from ruin, only to help yourself to my daughter in the process?” he asks angrily, tensing up but Jarrett only seems to relax at the idea put to him.

  “That was not my intention nor my motive for helping you, Arnold. I can understand it might be difficult for you to-”

  “You missed work today, Beth. How are we going to get by, even at half the rent if you stop working?” Dad says, but his face falls again, then his eyes narrow as he turns to Jarrett again, standing up.

  “You’ve ruined me, you snake! I’ve just exchanged one crook for another. If you think I’m going to let you take my daughter from me. Just because you set one thing right doesn’t give you free rein to take whatever you like!” he cries out loud.

  “It’s shark, Arnold. Not snake. And I haven’t taken anything that didn’t belong to me in the first place,” Jarrett says coolly.

  “Dad, Jarrett. C’mon, stop this. Let’s all sit down and act like adults instead of kids,” I hear myself telling them both.

  Jarrett’s okay with it, but dad’s too hurt for words, I can tell.

  “What are you gonna do for money?” Dad asks me, then looking around the suite, he scoffs. “Are you gonna live off Mr. Rich lawyer here, until he gets tired of you? Until he decides he wants to move on to his next conquest?”

  “Enough!” Jarrett snarls, pounding his fist on the coffee table, making us both jump, and it’s his turn to stand up, towering over my dad.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Jarrett

  Arnold’s not a bad guy. I just wish he’d stop making out like I’m some kind of monster, just because Beth and I found each other. Or is it because she’s finally realizing she’s not a little girl anymore?

  She’s a grown woman who can make her own mind up.

  Saving his rump from Camberwell hasn’t won me too much favor with him, which is up to him I guess but if he thinks he can stand in my house and suggest my intentions towards Beth are anything but honorable then I’ve got a problem with that.

  I
’m gonna need to set him straight on that point.

  “I’ve been pretty patient with you so far, Arnold. For Beth’s sake,” I tell him. “But don’t barge your way into my home and start telling me what I am and what I’m not.”

  He looks down at his feet.

  “I love your daughter, Arnold. I loved her the moment I laid eyes on her and if you or anyone else has a problem with that, then that’s too bad.”

  I’m waiting for Beth to chime in, but she’s looking at me now, waiting to hear what else I have to say, and suddenly I feel nervous.

  I thought I might wait a while, maybe take our time to ease into things living together full time, but seeing as everything’s been brought to a head, seeing as her dad’s right here and getting all up in my business about it…

  “I just don’t think an eighteen year old girl and a-” Arnold starts to say, between gritted teeth, eyeing the doorway and then looking at Beth again.

  But she cuts him off.

  “Don’t try and cheapen this dad. Jarrett does love me, more than you’ll know and he’s just saved both of us from not only financial ruin, but physical danger.”

  She stands up too and comes over to join me at my side, taking my hand in hers again, looking up at me. “I love Jarrett, Dad. Age is just a number and I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but it’s what I’ve decided. Jarrett and I are going to move in together,” she announces, and I feel my hand squeeze hers tighter.

  “I do appreciate what you’ve done, Jarrett. I really do. But this is something entirely different,” her dad implores, looking back to his daughter.

  “Just… take some time to think it through, Beth. Come home and we can talk about it.”

  I hear myself bristling at the idea of her leaving. I feel my patience wearing thin.

  “I think Beth’s staying here with me today, Arnold,” I growl.

  He opens his mouth to speak again but I silence him.

  “And every day after that,” I tell him, then turning to Beth, I take her hand up to my lips and kiss it.

  “As my wife.”

  I’m not sure which one to help sit down first, because they both look like they’re about to faint.