Roll Against Betrayal

by Allyson Lindt

  “No. I’m representing myself.” Sydney sat like someone had jammed a rod down her spine.

  Dylan had known that would be her answer, but the apprehension racing under his skin didn’t like it. Who did he know from law school who owed him a favor? Something he could call in for a few free hours of consulting for Sydney. An extra set of eyes, to look over the contract with her.

  He’d told Laurie the truth, that he didn’t see any issues with the contract, but his concern wasn’t evaporating.

  “Thank you for coming into the office today.” Aaron launched into a smooth, friendly greeting. “I feel like it’s better to do these types of meetings in person whenever possible. It lets everyone look each other in the eye, and helps all parties feel better about the process.”

  “It’s not a problem, and I’m looking forward to it.” Sydney was cool and collected. Her tension hovered under the surface. He saw it in the tight lines around her eyes, but she hid it well.

  Dylan was impressed. And a bit turned on. This was another side of her he liked.

  The group went through the contract, with Aaron giving an overview of each section. It was all boilerplate language. The same information Dylan read in preparation.

  He still followed along on the copy on his tablet, making notes whenever Aaron used a phrase or definition that Dylan thought was important.

  They reached the Rights section of the contract. Aaron read a number, but the information that followed didn’t match what was in Dylan’s document.

  Dylan tried to be subtle about scrolling up and down in his file, to see what he’d missed. Why was he out of sync?

  “Is there an issue?” Aaron’s sharp question drew Dylan’s attention from his tablet.

  I have the wrong document. Dylan kept the reply to himself. That wasn’t the kind of thing to admit in front of the client. “I’m fine. Please continue.”

  Within a few seconds, he’d located the portion Aaron was reading, but Dylan’s copy was numbered differently.

  The rest of the meeting continued without a hitch. Sydney asked a few basic questions—Dylan was impressed with the things she honed in on—and was on her way.

  He wanted to run after her and give her a goodbye kiss. This didn’t seem like the time to push the limits of his employer’s leniency, though.

  Instead, he headed back to his office, to pull the most recent contract from the file repository on the network.

  As he flipped through the official copy, the concern hovering under his skin grew. It was identical to the file Dylan had, and that made it different than the one Aaron had read from.

  He fired a quick email off to Aaron, asking about the discrepancy. He didn’t have to wait long for a reply.

  You’re remembering the meeting wrong. Nothing is out of sync. It may be a good thing you’re sitting the rest of this case out, if your girlfriend had you that distracted.

  Dylan clenched his jaw. He knew what he’d heard. Confronting Aaron or taking things up the ladder hadn’t done him any good in the past, since Aaron was fucking Laurie.

  But this had the potential to fuck Sydney in a completely different way. Dylan needed to get a hold of the correct contract.

  Or was he blowing this up into something it wasn’t? Aaron wouldn’t pull a bait and switch with a contract. He was an incompetent asshole, but he wasn’t willingly performing ethics violations.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Sydney felt like she was watching the contract discussion from a hamster wheel. One someone else was spinning, and she couldn’t figure out how to stop. She was used to representing herself in business meetings, when speaking with banks, and in a variety of other situations.

  This was a new experience for her, and she hadn’t expected to feel so tiny and isolated.

  Having Dylan in the room helped a little, except that she didn’t know why he was still there, and she didn’t dare do anything that might cause him problems with his job.

  So she smiled, nodded, and said goodbye when it was all over, and walked out the door.

  When she reached her car, she sank into the driver’s seat and let out a long sigh. Her stomach was tied in knots, and the muscles in her neck weren’t doing much better.

  The buzz of her phone startled her. She fumbled in her purse and fished it out.

  Seeing Dylan’s name chased away some of the butterflies, and she smiled.

  You did awesome. I’ll explain everything after work if you’re free.

  She was still getting used to him wanting to see her. The weekend hadn’t been a dream after all. Her smile grew. I am.

  Good. Before then, you’re going to get a call from Liam. He’s a friend from school, and he’ll help you with the contract, free of charge. Talk to him. Have him give everything a once over.

  More of her tension seeped away. I will. Thank you. And I owe you.

  I’m sure we can think of a way you can make it up to me ;)

  Heat raced over her skin at the subtle innuendo. She could think of a lot of things she’d do to thank Dylan. Some of them involved her being on her knees, and others included straddling his legs...

  She squeezed her thighs together at the sharp pulse of need. Fantasy needed to wait until later. At least until she left the parking garage.

  Twenty minutes later, she was home. The morning after a convention was usually unwind-and-decompress time. The meeting took that away from her, but she could make it up now. Shed the professional clothes. Spend a little time with her vibrator and memories of last night.

  What was up with her? A weekend of getting laid, and now she couldn’t get enough?

  Not just getting laid. It was really good sex.

  Tomorrow you two don’t know each other.

  Josh’s sharp voice echoed in her memories, and anger surged inside. Mood. Killed.

  She draped her nice clothes over the back of a chair in her bedroom, pulled on something more comfortable, and collapsed on her bed. The ceiling didn’t have any more answers about what was wrong with Josh than she’d found anywhere else.

  Her thoughts raced around in circles, chasing the reality of fantasy fulfillment, both in the bedroom and with her board game.

  Why were both so complicated?

  Sydney needed to step outside of her own head. She grabbed her phone and dialed her best friend.

  “Hey.” Kathryn’s greeting was cheerful. “Perfect timing. I just finished a class.” Kathryn taught marital arts. She was at least as good as Josh. “How was the con? What did I miss? Did you get laid?”

  She asked that every time. She’d met her boyfriends at a convention, and kept insisting that, if she could do it, so could Sydney.

  “Yes.” Sydney couldn’t fight her smirk.

  There was a pause, and then, “Ha. I told you so. What’s he like? Is he sexy? Of course he is. Did you use him and toss him away, or give in and give him your number?”

  This was making Sydney feel better. “He has my number, but I made him beg for it just a little,” she joked. “And he’s got this roommate...” No. Fuck. Why did she say that?

  “Ooh. Did you...? I’m guessing, if you mentioned it... How was it?”

  “It was good. Incredible.” Sydney didn’t want to share details. Those were hers. “But it was only a one-time thing. With the roommate, that is.”

  “You never know.” Kathryn’s tone was playful. “But either way, at least you had a blast. So, give me details. What are their names?”

  The answer stuck in Sydney’s throat. When Kathryn met Dylan, the truth was going to come out. And it wasn’t like Sydney’d gone back to Josh, so this wasn’t a big deal.

  “Why are you hesitating?” Kathryn asked.

  Busted. “Mr. Has-My-Number is Dylan. His roommate is Josh.”

  Kathryn sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth, making Sydney wince.

  “The name is a coincidence?” Kathryn’s cheer had wilted.

  Sydney pushed back a wave of defensiveness. Her friend was looking out fo
r her. “No. It was him... And I know, but it was just once, and I didn’t know Dylan knew him at first.”

  “I’m not saying anything.” Kathryn’s cautious tone implied plenty. “Because you do know. Okay, I’m going to say something. If Josh treats you the same way again, I’m grinding his balls into the dirt. I don’t care what kind of black belt he has, or if I’m allowed to hit below it; I will.”

  “It won’t happen again. No plans of that at all.” Especially with the note he left things on.

  A knock filtered in from the front door, and Sydney frowned. “There’s someone here. Talk to you soon?”

  “Always. But Syd... Please be careful with him.”

  “Always.” Sydney’s assurance came out too bright. She disconnected and went to answer the door. When she peered through the peephole, she didn’t recognize the man on the other side.

  Keeping the security chain in place, she opened the door a crack. “May I help you?”

  “I have court papers for Sydney Brimhall.” He held up several pieces of paper clipped together, showing her the court markings up top.

  Was this the contract from this morning? She already had a copy of that. “Hang on a sec.” She closed the door enough to unlatch it, then opened it wider.

  He shoved the document at her. “Here. Phone number for questions is on the top. Contact the court or your attorney if you need. Have a nice day.” He was walking away before he finished talking.

  Not the friendliest guy. Then again, if it was his job to tell people the courts wanted to talk to them, he probably got yelled at a lot.

  She leaned against her apartment doorframe, to flip through the paperwork. The Cease and Desist on the front page brought back her earlier tension. The Patent Infringement a little lower down made bile rise in her throat. What the hell was this?

  “Tink? What’s wrong?” Josh’s voice startled her, and she looked up to find him standing in front of her, watching her with concern.

  She should have stepped inside and closed her door.

  The sound of his voice sent goosebumps racing over her skin, and at the same time was like nails on a chalkboard. Damn her body for the former. She wasn’t in the mood for whatever he wanted. “Did you come by to insult, threaten, or belittle me a little more? Needed to do it in person?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I’m here to apologize. I was going to ask Dylan to intercede on my behalf, but you deserve better than hearing it from a messenger.”

  That was almost insightful and considerate of him. It didn’t make up for the past, recent or longer ago. “Great. Good for you. See you around.”

  “Tell me what’s wrong?”

  Why did he care? Besides, she didn’t need Josh’s help. Dylan said Liam would call her. She could slip in a question about this at the same time. “Nah. I’m good.”

  “What is this?” Josh angled his body so his shoulder rested against hers, and he could see what was in her had. “Cease and Desist?”

  She yanked the document and her arm away. Heat seared her skin where he’d touched. “Nothing for you to worry about. I’m going to discuss it with my attorney.”

  “You suddenly have a lawyer?”

  “Dylan hooked me up with Liam.”

  Josh clenched his jaw, and his expression almost said of course he did.

  She liked having news that bothered him but was none of his business. But that didn’t erase her worry about the notice she held.

  “Tink, you don’t have to forgive me. I was a superior ass last night. But let me help you with this?” Concern and sincerity lined his voice. The use of her nickname didn’t hurt either.

  “This is technically company related. Are you even allowed to talk to me?” She wasn’t letting him off the hook.

  “If it’s not related to your contract, I don’t see how telling me could hurt.”

  She saw a lot of ways it could hurt, but the gnawing pit in her gut wanted her to deal with the issue. If nothing else, he could offer a second opinion. “It’s indirectly related to the contract.” Since it challenged her ownership of the property. Why was she still talking to him? Because he almost sounded sincere when he apologized, and because she needed answers.

  She was going to cave anyway, if he kept asking. Might as well get it over with. She stepped aside. “I’m not saying things are good between us. They’re not. But... please take a look?” She handed him the notice.

  Josh lingered in the entryway. He scanned the paperwork quietly for a few minutes, then handed it back. “You’re being trolled.”

  “What? Why? How?”

  “Patent troll. And in this case, their claim is beyond ludicrous. It’s for any board game using characters of a mythological origin.”

  She knew the term. Patent trolls were entities who filed broad patents, then used them to demand money from anyone who created a product that fell within their sweeping definition. “Do I pay them, then?” That was typically the result. Cheaper to pay them to go away, than to fight them.

  “You take them to court.” Josh didn’t hesitate.

  There was no way she could afford that. “I saw that episode of Silicon Valley. Once I pay attorney fees, I’ll have been better off just writing these guys a check.”

  “Dylan will help you. I’ll help you. I’ll tell you exactly what paperwork to fill out, what you need to tell the judge in court, and everything else. You can ask Liam if he’s willing to accompany you, but I’ll give you all the knowledge you need, to feel comfortable with fighting this.”

  “Why? Because that keeps my contract cleaner for your family’s law firm?”

  A whisper of hurt flashed across his face. “Because this is a bullshit move on the best of days, but especially when it’s directed at you. People like this need to be shut down. Besides, I’m biased and don’t want to see you miserable.”

  At any hands other than your own. The bitter thought surged forward without her permission. “When do you have time?”

  “Right now. My afternoon is free.”

  Please don’t let me regret this. She gestured to the couch. “Can I get you a drink? There’s Mt. Dew.”

  “I’d love that.” He grinned. “Grab your laptop or something, to make notes with. We have a few hours of work ahead of us.”

  She returned with soda and computer in hand, and settled in next to him.

  For the rest of the afternoon, he shoved her head full of so much knowledge, she thought her brain might explode. But she was grateful for the information. What felt daunting and overwhelming when Josh arrived now looked manageable. Another inconvenience at the office.

  Someone knocked, and when Sydney looked up, she realized how low the sun had set in the sky. “Be right back.” She crossed the room.

  When she saw Dylan through the peephole, flutters danced through her heart. She flung the door open, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

  He wasn’t kissing back. Why was he just standing there?

  She stepped back, to ask what was wrong. He wasn’t looking at her; he was glaring at Josh, who appeared settled and completely at ease on her couch.

  Well, fuck.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Dylan had a long day. The meeting with Sydney had left his mind whirring. He worked through lunch on a different project. And work kept him late.

  Then to show up here, to find...

  He wasn’t jumping to conclusions. He also wasn’t blind. Sydney was in a great mood when she greeted him. Josh looked entirely too at home in her living room. The two people who parted very bitter ways last night seemed to be getting along great now.

  Dylan couldn’t ignore the slap-in-the-face feeling that came with this. Worse, no one was saying anything. “Am I interrupting?” he asked.

  “Not at all. Come in,” Sydney said.

  “Sure.” He settled into a chair.

  Josh’s position on the couch and the paperwork spread out around him implied he and Sydney had been cozied up, doing... something.

&nb
sp; Dylan fought the urge to be the possessive who flew off the handle. “What did I miss?” Either everything or nothing, given that there were no protests of this isn’t what it looks like.

  Sydney stood at the edge of the living room, looking between them. She crossed one arm across her chest, to grab the other. At least she had the grace to know this was an awkward situation. Josh didn’t look fazed. “I was served a Cease and Desist for a patent infringement,” she said.

  The news worried Dylan on her behalf. He was also more than a little hurt she’d gone to Josh. “You could have called me. Or asked Liam about it.”

  “He hasn’t contacted me yet.”

  “Oh.” Dylan would deal with that later.

  “And Josh was more or less here when I was served, so he got caught in the beam of my initial panic.”

  That didn’t make the situation better in any way. “I’m sorry... Did I miss something? We ended last night with him telling you to pretend we don’t know each other—not the least romantic thing to tell someone after sex, but probably in the top ten—and today he just happened to be here when you were served.”

  “I had the afternoon off, for the chiropractor.” Josh finally spoke. “I stopped by, after—”

  “Nope.” Dylan snapped out the word. “I don’t want to hear it from you.” With Sydney, he didn’t have the same gnawing concern she’d feed him bullshit. Which was a disconcerting feeling. He’d never mistrusted Josh before now.

  “He wasn’t here when I was served,” Sydney said. “He showed up a few minutes after. I swear to God, it was one of those coincidences. He said he was here to apologize. I didn’t want to hear it, but he saw me freaking out and offered to help. I might not trust him when it comes to keeping his commitments, but he grew up in that law firm, and if he says he’s got an answer, I believe it.”

  Dylan didn’t miss the hurt that flashed across Josh’s face, and smugness surged inside. He could be the bigger guy here, but he wasn’t up for that. He gestured for Sydney to come closer. “You should sit. It’s been a long day.” This setup still didn’t sit well with him.