No, the arguing came from the Gunn side. I spent a lot of time with my cousins. Their households were boisterous and argumentative. My skills were already sharp before I hit my first law school lecture. Law school merely fined tuned my natural skills. Skills, I hoped would help me land this deal that would make my career.
When I found out one of my sorority sisters was engaged to Sol Flemming, an agent for some top names in the music industry, it only took a phone call, seats behind the players dugout at National’s Park, and two dinners to convince Sol to let me handle his biggest client. John Pike or Pike as he was more famously known.
I can still remember the first time I saw Pike perform. It was about five or six years ago now. His voice and let’s face it…his looks mesmerized me then, and still do. How many eighteen year olds had silver white hair, natural, and pale blue eyes, and if that wasn’t enough, a voice that would make anyone forget about dropping their drawers, but leaving them at home. I was not immune and knew that boy was going places, but that night I never got a chance to meet him.
He’d just been starting out back then. He’s now the international mega star that I’d always known he was going to be. So what, if I was a fan girl, no doubt about it. We could still do business together, even if I’d been bouncing in my chair for the last couple of days, ever since Sol said he would arrange this meeting and see what we had to offer.
Bounding out of bed, I hit the shower. I’d already planned out my outfit for this meeting, it wasn’t until later this morning, but I wanted to get in a bit early. I went for the pale pink D&G suit today. Light blue sleeveless shirt, so sheer and light it looked almost white. Then my four inch red soled pumps. Diamonds my granddad gave me for graduating high school, and the Tiffany tennis bracelet from my mom for college. I picked up my red Louis bag and I was good to go. Good thing, I literally only had to walk across the street to get to my office on F Street NW, otherwise, it would have been a problem with these one false step and twist my ankle shoes, would be a reality.
As I walked toward the office, I noticed a couple standing on the sidewalk next to a car. The front passenger seat was open and it seemed to me as though the man was trying to force the woman into the car, since he had his hand around her bicep. It also appeared to me like she didn’t want to go. Now, this was something you didn’t see very often, at least around here.
As I got closer, I could hear him yelling at her in a foreign language. They appeared to be Asian, dark hair, olive complexion. He wore a dark suit no tie, and had a thick long beard, and his hair was pulled up into a man bun on his head. Even though I couldn’t understand a word they spoke, I understood body language. Her leaning away from him, him tugging her toward him, and the look in the woman’s dark eyes, when she glanced up, gazing right at me, spoke of fear.
“Are you okay?” I asked as I approached them, my cell phone already in my hand, I’d begun videoing the two of them and the license plate of the car. Hopefully, without the guy being aware of it. Hey, you never know, I have a cousin who’s a PI, he was always saying, get it on video.
“Yes,” the man called back. “This none of your business. I have diplomatic immunity.”
His English was heavily accented, but I understood him well enough. Still, it wasn’t him I was speaking to and I wanted to hear this from the woman. I didn’t get too close to them. I didn’t want to be in anyone’s grabbing range. I glanced around but not many people were on the sidewalks yet, while there were a few cars on the road, no one else was stopping or appeared to be paying them or me any attention. That left me. “How about you, Ma’am?” I asked the woman, staring pointedly at her.
She seemed anywhere from thirty to fifty. She had one of those flawless beautiful faces, her body was rounded and curvy. The dress she wore appeared to be expensive, the shoes on her feet were Manolo’s I recognized them. Her entire appearance screamed wealth, and the car they stood next to was a black BMW 750LI. Not cheap.
“Ah—” she began.
The man tugged on her arm as though to keep her quiet.
I held the phone higher for him to see. “Do I need to call a cop?”
He shook his head, glaring at me with dark hate filled eyes, so much so, I felt a chill race down my back.
“Please,” the woman said, trying to pull away from him.
The woman’s soft voice drew my gaze away from the man and back to her. I approached her and placed my hand on her shoulder, and felt her shudder. I saw the bruise on her wrist from where the man must have grabbed her. “That’s it. I’m calling the cops.”
Before I could press the first button, the man pushed the woman, hard. She stumbled right into me, knocking me down and the phone out of my hand. I fell backward with her on top of me. I must have blanked out for a moment, because suddenly, all I could hear were voices yelling, her crying then her weight lifted off me and someone held my hand and lifted me up onto my feet.
CHAPTER THREE
Pike
“What the fuck? Stop the car!”
“What’s going on?” Sol screamed.
“Stop the fucking car!” When he did, I got out and rushed to help the women I’d seen being pushed to the ground by some asshole. I saw the man bend down and grab something from the sidewalk, yelling in some language I might not speak but I recognized his meaning well enough. I screamed asshole at him but he backed away to his car. He jumped into the car and slammed the door, driving off before I could punch his ass.
As we pulled down onto F Street, I’d seen the altercation going on along the sidewalk. Looked like some guy was arguing with two women, and neither one of them welcomed the attention. When he shoved one into the other and they both hit the pavement, I’d seen enough. That shit it ain’t right. I might fuck women and leave them before morning came but I never ever hit or physically harmed one.
Before the car had even come to a complete stop I had the door open and rushed over to the women. Helping them both up, while looking after the car speeding away. It turned the corner, so I couldn’t get the license plate.
I glanced at the first woman as I held her arm with one hand. “Are you all right?”
There were tears running down her round face. “Yes. Thank you. Am fine.”
I turned to the other woman and blinked. Then blinked again. Fucking beautiful.
Tall, toned and naturally tanned. Her hair was pulled back into a messy type bump on the top. But long wisps of multicolored golden brown hair hung down at the sides framing her oval face. Her full painted pink lips were parted. Her eyes were narrowed, in anger perhaps, and staring in the direction, the car had driven. Then she turned those pair of large light brown eyes on me.
Holy shit! My dick jumped. I managed to stammer while still holding onto her arm, “Are you all right?”
“Oh my God, Eryn?”
I raised my head to see Sol standing on the sidewalk, the car idling behind him. He knew her? “What?” Wait! Eryn? I turned back to her. “You’re Eryn Gunn?”
“Yes. Thank you. I’m fine.”
Shit…her voice came out husky, shaky, sending shivers throughout my body. This was the lawyer we were on our way to see. I knew she was supposed to be young, but young and hawt. Fuck!
“What’s going on?” Sol asked.
Good question. “Yeah, what happened here?”
Sol and I were staring at Eryn, but she was staring at the other woman, who softly cried on the other side of me.
Eryn took a step away from me causing me to drop my hold on her and approach the woman. She placed one hand on her shoulder. “Would you like us to call a cop?” Eryn asked.
The woman shook her head, then wiped the tears from her face. “No. No. Please. No police. I am fine.”
“Are you sure? Who was that asshole? Did he harm you?” Eryn continued.
“No. Thank you. I’m fine. Forget him. Police won’t help he does have immunity. He’s a diplomat.” The woman wouldn’t make eye contact with any of us, but the fear in her eyes was
evident. That and the way her body continued to shudder.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass. There are still laws in this country. Do you need help? Is that your husband?” I asked.
“Yes, he’s right,” Eryn agreed. “There are laws to protect you.”
The stranger shook her head. “Please. I just need taxi. Can you help me get a taxi?”
“Do you have some place to go? Money for a cab?” Eryn asked.
“Yes, yes. I have sister who will help me. I just need taxi.”
There wasn’t anything else we could do for the woman. So, I stepped out onto the street and hailed a cab for her.
Before she got in, Eryn handed her what looked like a business card. “That’s my number if you decide you need legal representation or find yourself in any situation where you need help, call me.”
The woman nodded, took the card and squeezed Eryn’s hand before getting into the cab. “Thank you,” she said as she shut the door.
The three of us remained on the sidewalk and watched the cab drive off.
It was Sol who broke the silence, “Wow Eryn, when you set out to impress you do leave one hell of a damned impression!”
Eryn mouth curled up into a grin.
Damned if my dick didn’t respond to it by twitching. “Are you sure you’re all right?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. Landed on my ass. So, it’s all good.”
I couldn’t help it, l leaned back a bit, so I could check out said ass. “Nice one too, if I may say so.”
“I think I better make introductions before this gets out of hand,” Sol interjected with a gruff voice.
“No need, Sol. I’d recognize Mr. Pike anywhere with that white hair.” She held out her hand toward me. “Eryn Gunn.”
I took her hand, enjoying the warmth emanating between us. “A pleasure Eryn, and please, just Pike.”
“Pike. You gentlemen are a little early.”
“So it would seem, but now I’m glad that we were,” I stated.
“Me too.”
“Why don’t we go and park the car and then we’ll meet you in your office, Eryn,” Sol offered.
“Yes. That will give me a minute to make sure we’re all set up for our meeting.”
I still held her hand, something we both seemed to notice at the same time. I released her and immediately missed her warmth. “Sol, why don’t you go park the car and I’ll walk with Eryn to her office.”
“No, please, it’s fine.” She raised her hand and pointed in the direction of her building, which was right across the street. “It’s right there and there’s a guard at the entrance. I’ll be fine. See you both in five minutes.”
Before I could protest farther, Sol grabbed my arm and pulled me back to the car he’d abandoned on the street.
“All right,” I said and winked at her before getting into the car. As we pulled off, I couldn’t help myself. I twisted around in my seat to stare at her. I kept watch until she crossed the street and we turned into the parking garage and I couldn’t see her anymore.
“I wonder what that was all about?” Sol asked.
“No idea. But that guy, what an asshole.”
“Speaking of which, behave,” Sol warned.
I turned to glare at him. “What?” I decided to play innocent. But Sol knew me too well, he’d been my manager a long time and my friend. Innocent…I was not.
“She might very well be your lawyer. She’s very good and comes highly recommended. She believes she can get you out of this contract without the hefty penalty fees. So don’t fuck this up, more to the point…don’t fuck with her.”
I winced. “Now Sol. She’s an adult. There’s no harm in mixing, business with pleasure as long as both parties can separate the two and understand it’s for our mutual benefit.” I know I’d done it before and planned on doing it again. Soon.
“Not when this one can come back and bite you in the ass. Not kidding Pike. She comes from an influential family. If they ever decide to go against you in court, pretty much on anything, you would lose.”
“Noted. Now, stop worrying. I promise, if anything happens between us I’ll make sure she understands it has nothing to do with business.” It was true. I keep my business separate from my personal, because I never allow any woman I ever sleep with to get personal. Other than the physical. That only last one night. I want no expectations and let any woman I sleep with know that from the first.
If they couldn’t deal then it didn’t happen. And yeah, so what if I’ve slept with most any woman that attracts me and some that I’ve worked with in the past? It was never more than once. I always tell them, if they can’t handle it, let me know up front and it won’t happen. Only once did I ever have to replace my publicist because she didn’t believe my one night rule. Then again, it was not even for one night. I never spent the night with a woman. Ever. I preferred waking up alone.
Women got ideas when they fall asleep with you wrapped around them, or they you. So no…not going there. Not giving them that impression at all. Still, I instinctively knew, Eryn would take some work. Yet, in the end, I would get what I want. I always did. And from the moment she stared at me…I wanted her.
CHAPTER FOUR
Eryn
I waited at the light, to cross the street, my thoughts on what just happened. I hoped the woman would get whatever help she needed, but knowing I did all that I could. Then my thoughts veered to Pike. Oh, my! He was even better looking than I remembered, better looking in person even than his photos. The man was a frigging panty magnet. In that, you wanted to drop them at his feet.
I didn’t know whether to be embarrassed that he caught me at such at awkward moment or feel good he was one of the few people who stopped to help. I decided to go with feel good. It spoke to his character, and the kind of person he really was. So yeah, according to the news he was a world class player, never appearing with the same woman twice. Never any mention of a girlfriend. But that didn’t mean that he didn’t have a solid core of ethics in other matters. That hauntingly beautiful voice had to come from a soulful depth.
Walking past the glass double doors into my office building, the first floor looked more like an artist gallery than the lobby for a law firm, an accounting firm, doctor’s office and electrical engineers. Black and white photographs and some oil paintings, with tiny price tags on them, hung on both sides of the walls. That’s because it also functioned as a local art gallery.
We represented all of the artists whose work was on display in our lobby as well as throughout the building. The family owned the building. A lot of people coming to meetings here have actually bought some of the art on display. All local artists from the metro area of DC, Maryland and Virginia. We’ve had shows on the ground floor as well as the second level, which was wider and had more space to showcase work.
Our law firm and style weren’t that of our parents or theirs, there was very little that would clue anyone into the fact this office housed an array of professional offices, including a law firm that took up the tenth and eleventh floors. It was in the heart of the Penn Quarter in downtown DC. You could see the monument from the roof of the building. Many times we’ve had 4th of July parties up there for family, close friends and favorite clients, who more often than not, became one and the same.
I nodded to the guard on duty at the front desk.
He stared at me grinning, then his features turned into a frown.
I grimaced. I imagined my hair and clothes might be a bit of a mess. I wasn’t hurt, but needed to get to a bathroom fast to be able to access what outer damage my unexpected encounter with the pavement caused.
“You got a little dirt on your power suit today, Eryn. If you’re meeting a client you might want to clean that little smudge off,” Fred stated pointing in the general direction of my face.
I grinned back at him, my earlier encounter almost forgotten with his friendly smile.
Fred has been security at this building since we first opened and he kne
w us all by name, as well as our habits. He and his family always get invited to our 4th of July party up on the roof. In fact, when his daughter graduated law school next year, she would be joining our firm. Fred knew me well enough to be well aware the only time I would put a skirt on was to meet a new client for the first time. To set them at ease a little. “Is that the ten o’clock I saw on the books?”
We always provided a list of visitors with appointments at the guard’s desk to make it easier for them to access the building. We didn’t just let anyone walk off the streets and get in. There were some expensive pieces of artwork around.
“Yep, that’s them.”
“You sure everything is okay?”
“Yes, I just took a little spill on the sidewalk is all, but I’m fine really.”
He glanced at my feet and frowned. “Not surprised with those high heels you’re wearing. Be careful. Okay? I’ll send your guests right up when they arrive. You have a nice day, Eryn and reel another one in.” He chuckled. Fred loved to fish, he’d taken me, and my cousins out on the Chesapeake many times when we were younger.
“You know it, thanks. Oh, and I’m looking forward to seeing Olivia in a couple of months for the roof party.”
“She’ll be here.”
I moved past him and toward the two elevators, hitting the button for eleven. I will stop in the bathroom quickly first though to straighten up. I took one look at myself in the full length mirror and smiled. Not too bad. I redid my hair, so it didn’t look like I’d been tossed to the ground. And with the help of a little water got rid of the smudge on the side of my skirt. “Good to go,” I said to my reflection and hurried to my office to check in with my legal assistant, then we would head down to the tenth floor where all the conference rooms were. It also had the best view of the city as a backdrop. It could be used to intimidate or impress, depending on the circumstances. Today, I meant for it to impress. Although, given the way Pike and I already met I think that was impression enough, still the scenery won’t hurt.
The Prison Guard's Son: Young Guns Book One Page 2
