by Ford, Lizzy
She looked down at where he normally placed his briefcase and started forward. He had come in first and left it. It wasn’t like him, unless the meeting this morning was off the record.
There was a knock at the door.
Her gaze flew up. The receptionist opened the door to reveal her and a man.
“Mr. Smith has an appointment with Mr. Harrison. I buzzed your office,” Linda said. “I can’t find the appointment in his book.” By her pleading look, she was silently asking for help.
“He’s at the courthouse this morning,” Kaylee replied. “I’ve got half an hour.”
Thank you! Linda mouthed. Between the two of them, they covered for Mike several times a week.
“Mike’s not in?”
The man in the doorway caught her attention in a way that left her almost addled. Kaylee gazed at him, aware he spoke without registering his words.
No more than a few years older than she was, he was lean and attractive. A quick assessment of his clothing – steel grey slacks, sapphire cashmere sweater and expensive, Italian shoes – was enough to confirm he was the kind of man Mike would humor. His features were defined, his short-cropped, dark hair framing a face that appeared to have been cut from stone. Thick, low eyebrows gave him a brooding – almost sinister – look. He smelled of cigar smoke, a scent both masculine and sweet.
There was amusement in his dark eyes, and the smile he flashed was brilliant and wide. His gaze was unusually sharp.
“Uh, no.” She recovered enough to respond. “He was called in for a meeting unexpectedly. I was late this morning. I haven’t had a chance to call his morning appointments to reschedule.”
For a long moment, the man gazed at her. He was hard to read, but she sensed he wasn’t buying her story.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“I don’t believe so,” he replied. “I left my card with the receptionist. If you could let him know Nathan Smith was here to see him, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure,” she replied, disappointed the compelling man was so quick to leave. There was something familiar about him. Or maybe, it was the warm, comforting scent of cigar smoke tickling her nose. “Do you want to make an appointment for later?”
“No.”
With a lingering look, Nathan Smith left. Kaylee stared after him. The short exchange left her feeling like a teenager whose secret crush had just said hello to her.
She shook her head. Her experiences with men were about as pleasant as a trip to a mental health facility. Whatever it was that made her feel giddy and warm about Nathan Smith, it wasn’t a good sign.
Or maybe it was the prescription drugs Evan gave her. They knocked her on her ass whenever she took them.
Kaylee grabbed his briefcase and returned to her office. She paused. The Shadowman’s stifling presence was gone.
She sighed deeply and leaned against her desk, relieved.
Thoughts of Shadowman and Nathan Smith soon disappeared. She opened Mike’s briefcase and pulled out his notebook. He was meticulous about his notes, which should give her insight into what he talked about with Dr. Rosewood Thursday.
The first note Mike wrote had a box drawn around it.
Have Kaylee pick up medical records from Dr. Rosewood.
“That’s not happening,” she muttered. “I’m never going back there.”
She glanced at her phone. Evan had been messaging her all day yesterday to make sure she was okay. Even his father sent his well wishes, and she smiled. Being around them had put some of her anxiety at rest. If she didn’t totally regret her trip there, then it was a testament to how good the father-son team was at trying to help people.
Still, if Mike insisted, she’d ask Evan to bring up the records when he went clubbing this week.
Kaylee sat down and began reading all the notes Mike and Tanya found about Amira Santiago, who had allegedly seen Mike’s client murder someone.
Having trouble focusing because of the meds, Kaylee sifted through her notes on the case to find the name of Mike’s client.
“Zyra Canos. Owns a club called … 3G in Maryland,” she murmured. She’d never met Mike’s client, but the club had to be successful, if the woman could afford Mike’s fees. Along with Zyra’s contact information, Mike had written extensive notes in the notebook in his briefcase.
From his scribbles, he was dismissive of the only witness in the homicide. He had outlined a plan to request her testimony be disallowed. If that failed, he had an aggressive strategy to disqualify the most condemning parts of her statement on the basis of her doctor’s claims that she often hallucinated.
Which meant she really wasn’t going to be a threat. The newspaper clippings about Amira’s disappearance pointed to Mike’s client, Zyra, as the likely culprit but was quick to point out she also had an alibi.
Not that it was Kaylee’s business to find the only witness who had a sliver of a chance to put Mike’s client in jail. The police were probably handling that, and Mike was probably thrilled to know his job defending Zyra just got easier.
What was bothering her about all this? Kaylee sat back and sighed. She was so drowsy from the meds that she couldn’t think straight. She tried to tell herself the only reason she cared about the girl who stabbed her was because she was there that night when she disappeared.
But there was something else nagging her instincts.
She rested her head on the desk, meaning to close her eyes for a few seconds with the hope of refreshing her brain with a break.
Some time later, her phone rang, jarring her awake. It was Linda. Kaylee fumbled around then clicked the speaker button.
“Kaylee,” she said.
“Hey, Kaylee. Mike’s twelve o’clock is here.”
“Okay, let me …” Kaylee glanced up to Mike’s office. “You know, he’s not back yet. Let me check the calendar. I’ll call you in a minute.”
Hanging up, she grabbed her smart phone and pulled up his calendar.
Thus far, Mike had missed two appointments, not including the one Nathan claimed to have.
She dialed his cell phone. A familiar ringtone came from his office. Kaylee let it ring and followed the sound from her office into his. She opened the top drawer of his desk to find both his work and cell phones there.
“Mike,” she muttered. “If you were ditching work, you could’ve told me.” She clicked her phone off and reached over to dial the receptionist. “Linda, can you do me a favor and reschedule? I don’t know where Mike is. I’ll call the rest of his clients he has on his schedule for today.”
“Alrighty,” Linda replied.
Kaylee went back to her office, gaze falling to the files. She checked Mike’s schedule and called everyone else booked for the day to reschedule them then sat back down.
She had too much else to do to sit and stare at the file containing information about Amira and Zyra. Reluctantly, Kaylee set the file aside and moved onto her next assignment.
Caught up in a cycle of working and dozing off, she didn’t realize how quickly the day passed, until Linda buzzed her around five.
“Kaylee.”
“Did Mike tell you if he’s free this evening?”
“No.”
“Nathan Smith came back. He said he’ll be at the Gavel at six, if Mike can meet him there.”
“Did he say what this is about?” Kaylee asked, irked. “Cuz he’s not on any schedule Mike has. There’s no files or messages anywhere about him.”
“He’s good at not answering questions,” Linda said. “He’s not from around here. Maybe he’s trying to recruit Mike.”
“Ah. That makes sense. Mike’s had a few headhunters from New York sniffing around the past six months,” Kaylee said. “God, I hope he leaves.”
“You and me both. He doesn’t treat admin professionals much better than juniors.”
“This place would definitely be better off without him,” Kaylee agreed. Her thoughts went to Nathan. “I’m almost done. I’ll drop by the Gavel a
nd see if I can figure this guy out.”
“Tell him Mike is the best attorney on the planet and he must hire him.”
Kaylee laughed. “Okay. Will do.”
“I’m headed out. See you tomorrow, Kaylee.”
“Night, Linda.”
Kaylee rose with a grimace. She was healed but stiff. She straightened up her desk and replaced Mike’s briefcase, so he wasn’t pissed at her first thing in the morning when he came in.
She grabbed her purse and notepad where she’d tried to jot down notes about Amira and her sudden disappearance.
The idea she somehow managed to escape with her life twice in one night made her stop dead in the middle of the sidewalk leading to the Gavel.
He could’ve killed her in the elevator.
She started to hyperventilate, recalling how strong the man who grabbed her had been.
She’d passed out. Was there more? Had she been too drugged up to recall anything else he might’ve said?
She shook her head. Monday was the worst ever, and today had been decent. Without Mike at the office, she almost caught up with everything and had some notes for him about Amira. Hidden in her office, she doubted anyone but Linda knew she was there. No one had sought her out to try to talk to her about what happened.
Stuck between remembering her attack and the sighting of Shadowman, her hands were clammy by the time she reached the Gavel. Attorneys and paralegals had begun to fill the popular, after work hangout spot. Kaylee went to the bar and sat down. She glanced at her watch. She was fifteen minutes early.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked.
“Vodka cranberry,” she replied. “Thanks.”
He moved away.
Tugging her notepad free, Kaylee glanced around the bar to see if the mysterious Nathan Smith had arrived yet. He hadn’t, and she focused on her notepad.
Why was Amira abducted? She’d drawn a circle around the question while in her office, unable to figure out who would want the girl to disappear, since she wasn’t a solid enough witness to put Mike’s client in jail. The girl was beautiful with a touch of caramel in her skin marking her Brazilian heritage and dark blue eyes. She’s shimmered with the innocence of a small child.
Until she stabbed me.
Maybe that’s what bothered her most. Amira had been upset about hurting her.
Unable to sort through why Monday went awry, Kaylee glanced at her phone, growing more perplexed trying to figure out what Mike was doing. True, he would never tell a lowly junior his plans. But he should’ve at least asked her to reschedule all his meetings. He loved bossing her around and stressing her out with sudden changes in his day or schedule.
“If you’re here, I assume Mike isn’t coming.”
She looked up, enthralled by Nathan’s stunning features and piercing gaze up close. He sat in the chair beside her. As before, it took her a moment to respond. What was it about him that made her feel self-conscious? Just that he was damned good looking, like someone who should be in a movie about ancient Greek gladiators?
Or the scary-intense way he regarded her? He was almost dangerous in close proximity, his low brow and dark eyes making her think of a serial killer she saw in a movie.
She definitely had to stop watching scary movies.
“No, he’s not,” she replied.
“Seven dollars even,” the bartender said, placing her drink down. “What can I get you?” he asked Nathan.
“Put hers on my tab,” Nathan replied, handing the bartender a credit card before she could object. “Double shot of whiskey on the rocks.”
“You got it.” The bartender swept his card away.
“I can get my own,” Kaylee said, reaching for her purse.
“On me,” Nathan replied.
“I have to insist. It’s Mike’s policy. Clients don’t buy us drinks,” she said firmly.
“I’m not a client.”
Kaylee met his gaze, waiting.
“I’m a classmate,” Nathan said.
“None of his classmates would buy a new member to the firm a drink.”
Nathan almost smiled. “All right, Kaylee. I’m a friend.”
“Mike has no friends. He’s intolerable.” Her eyes narrowed. “You want to try again?”
“I see why he hired you. You’ll make a great lawyer.” Nathan said, the corner of his mouth lifting. He held her gaze. “Maybe I’m considering becoming a client.”
“Or maybe you want something from him.”
“Smart girl.” He touched her chin, amusement in his face.
She had the sudden urge not to drink around him. He wasn’t the headhunter she expected. She’d dealt with them before. They never hid their intentions one-on-one.
This man didn’t want her to know who he was or why he needed to see Mike. It made her uneasy.
“Where is Mike?” he asked too casually.
“That’s none of your business. You’ve failed to convince me you have any sort of relationship with him,” she replied. “I think I should go.”
Kaylee rose and fumbled with her notepad, angry and nervous around the handsome stranger.
Nathan caught her arm. His hand was unusually hot, warm enough to pierce the thick material of her suit jacket. She froze, recognizing the sensation.
“One drink,” Nathan said.
Kaylee looked up at him uncertainly, intrigued by the enigmatic man but unsettled by his intensity as well.
“Sit your ass down,” he added, winking. “I know you’re curious.”
She hesitated then sat, instinctively pushing her chair away from his.
Nathan was watching her. “I feel like we know each other,” he started.
“We don’t,” she said pertly. “I have a feeling you don’t know Mike either.”
“You’re pretty protective of your boss. He must be a good guy.”
Kaylee bit her tongue to keep from responding. She looked away, temper flaring. Nathan couldn’t know he’d just given her a verbal slap, a reminder she was always covering for a man she considered to be the lowliest scumbag on the planet.
“So he’s the opposite,” Nathan said, chuckling.
“Mr. Harrison is a renowned defense attorney who has never lost a case,” she replied.
“But how is he as a person?”
“Why?” She eyed him, unable to determine what this man wanted.
Nathan didn’t answer. He reached forward to grab the leg of her chair and pulled her closer, until her knee rested at the edge of his chair and his at the edge of hers.
Kaylee’s face grew hot at the intimate proximity to a stranger. His body heat was as intense as his look. If she let her left leg relax, it would be resting against his thigh.
She found herself interested by the idea of experiencing his heated strength in more ways than one.
“Thanks.” His attention shifted to the bartender. He lifted his drink. “Cheers.”
She lifted her glass and took a sip then set it down. Whatever Nathan was doing, she wasn’t about to get shit-faced so he could exploit her for information. It was hard enough for her to focus with him so close. She dealt with men all the time and never felt as affected as she did now.
Nathan swallowed half his drink in one gulp.
They gazed at each other.
“Don’t look so worried,” Nathan said. He rested a large hand on her thigh and squeezed. “My intentions are relatively decent.”
“That’s encouraging,” she retorted. She swiped his hand off her thigh.
“You were telling me how Mike is as a person,” Nathan prompted.
“No, I wasn’t. I was finishing my drink to leave.” Kaylee tossed the rest of her drink back.
She stood, off-balance with the lack of space between them. Nathan rested his hands on her hips to steady her, their faces inches a part.
Kaylee’s breath caught from the combination of his hot touch and direct gaze. Her stomach was fluttering, and warmth raced through her. She hadn’t noticed a
man this way in years.
Strong, steady, calm and intense, Nathan had already called her on it when she lied. There was no doubt he’d notice the fact she was attracted to him.
She was surprised to find his intensity a turn on. She couldn’t stand the way Mike watched her, waiting like a predator to pounce on any mistake she made so he could rub her nose it in.
Nathan’s attention was different. He wasn’t trying to catch her mistakes. He was looking at her, as if he really wanted to know her from the inside out.
She’d given up on finding a man interested in the woman behind the business suit. Her father valued appearances more than substance, pushing his daughter to follow him into law and getting her the internship with Mike. The men she dated – at least, those her socialite mother set her up with – were more attracted to the idea of meeting her father than being with her.
“Goodbye, Nathan,” she said.
Kaylee grabbed her purse and walked away. She made her way through the bar, unable to think clearly until she reached the chilled fall evening air outside. She breathed deeply, rattled by the sexy Nathan. After a moment, she started down the block towards the parking lot where her car awaited her.
She walked quickly, anxious to be home. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t register the sound of anyone following.
Kaylee unlocked her car door and tossed her purse in the backseat.
“Kaylee, wait.”
She turned to face Nathan. He hung back a few feet, dark eyes on her.
“You’re following me?” she asked.
“It’s important I talk to - ”
“If you want to see Mike, you can make an appointment like everyone else,” she told him. She turned and opened the door.
Nathan reached around her and pushed it closed.
Kaylee tensed, suddenly reminded of another scary movie she’d watched.
“Back off, Nathan,” she said, facing him. Any further words caught in her throat.
His body was inches away, his height and heat rendering her breathless. The fact he followed her to her car, however, unsettled her.
“Better?” He held up his hands and took a step back.
