"Objection!" Mr. Connors stood up, his glare indicating a long history of previous cases opposite Rose Hendricks.
Rose shook her head sadly. "I object to the mole, too! I do! It really needs to be looked at. And I also object to Luvell Packing and Shipping thinking their mansion in The Hampton’s is far more important than my client’s meals. Or dental work. Or..."
"Objection!" Thomas Connors shouted. "Your honor! Ms. Hendricks is appealing to your sense of..."
Rose quickly offered, "Decency?"
His face went red as he grated, “I was going to say humor.”
"Alright! Enough." The honorable Judge Theodore Givens rubbed his temple with one leathery set of fingers and raised his other in a motion that said sit your asses down.
"Ms. Hendricks." Rose took her seat and raised innocent eyebrows. "I know you consider yourself very amusing, but it has been a long week so could you please stop provoking Mr. Connors."
"Yes, your honor. I didn't realize Thomas was so sensitive. If I'd had any idea..."
Judge Givens raised his hand to silence her again but suppressed a smile. "Fine. Fine. I don’t need to hear anymore anyway. I’ve made my verdict." He directed his attention to the defense. "Mr. Luvell, after hearing from co-workers and management about Mrs. Lavigne's performance, and seeing the history charted very thoroughly in company reports, I not only rule that you reinstate her pension, but fine you an additional one hundred thousand dollars for darkening her good name. Court adjourned." He slammed the gavel down and stood up.
Rose felt the embrace before she saw it coming. "I can't believe it! Thank you!!"
Rose shot a glance to Thomas Connors as she patted her client. "You're welcome Wanda. You deserve only the best."
Mrs. Lavigne sat back in her chair and covered her cheeks with her hands. "A hundred thousand dollars AND my pension! What am I going to do with myself?"
Rose touched the woman's shoulder with kindness. "Hopefully relax and enjoy yourself a little. Maybe go on a vacation?" Having spent over a year on this case, she knew everything about her client's situation. A devoted office worker who’d gotten stuck in a routine, she hadn't stepped out to explore the world in a long, long while. "It's time," Rose added, withdrawing her hand. She made a noise as the wind got knocked out of her with another grateful embrace. "Okay, you're going to get my new suit all wet,” she said, but she really didn’t mind.
Wanda reached for her purse, tears racing down her face. "I have to call my son! He lives in Texas and didn’t think the judge was going to make a decision today! He’s coming next week." She froze with the phone in her hand and looked at her lawyer. “Do you think I could still have him come visit?”
Rose laughed, “Hell, tell him you’ll pay for it!”
Wanda reacted with joy and dialed.
Thomas waited in the middle of the aisle for Rose to join him. She glanced over and wished there was another way out, but there wasn’t. If he would just shake her hand and act like a decent human being…
She mouthed, I’ll call you, to Wanda and gathered her things, bracing herself for the impending wrath of a sore loser.
Chapter Four
The woman sure could walk fast. She was a block away by the time Eli found her. He jogged up to join her, matching her pace. “Hey, you forgot this.” He handed her a plastic cap to cover the paper cup.
She glanced to it with a disturbed look as she took it from him. "I heard what you said to that woman. Why’d you say I got this from softball?”
“Well, where did you get it from?” He dodged a woman walking her dog, and downed the last of his new espresso.
She didn’t lose a step. "I...I was mugged."
He tossed his empty cup into a nearly full public trashcan. "That’s awful. Did it happen down here? What streets should I avoid?"
She glanced over and caught the smile in his eyes. She half-chuckled. "I don't think someone like you has to worry."
“Yeah? You think I could take ‘em?” He comically stood up straighter and bulked up his shoulders like a body-builder.
She grinned and shook her head, slowing her pace to normal. “You’re very strange, you know that?”
“Yeah, I get that a lot.” He stopped walking altogether and she joined him, looking up without hiding her face for the first time. “Listen, I gotta go. Sorry I chased you down like that. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You didn’t,” she told him.
“Good. It’s just I thought that if it was someone you knew who did that,” he pointed to her shiner, then to her nose, “And that…then I have the number for some shelters that could help. But since you were mugged, I guess it’s not necessary.”
Desperate to not meet his eyes, she held her coffee in both hands and looked toward the passing cars. “Nope. I was mugged, so…”
He held out his strong hand, palm up. “I’m Eli Jackson.”
“Diana.” She went to shake his hand, but he kissed hers instead and brought a flush to her face.
He grinned in a brotherly way, let it go and shoved his hands in his pants’ pockets. “Diana…Diana Karl from Amanda and Cathy’s party?”
She blinked. “No, I’m Diana Carter. But that’s close. Karl, Carter…”
He laughed. “Well, at least I was close. Alright, you have a good day!”
She smiled a real smile as he turned to go. “Thanks for the coffee.”
He nodded a goodbye and headed back in the direction they’d come. After a couple steps she called after him, “Sir?”
He turned around and rubbed his head with a big smile. “Eli. Call me Eli.”
The cloud had returned to her eyes and she glanced around the street before she asked, “Why do you have the phone numbers for shelters? Do you know…people who needed them?”
He licked his lips to hold back the knot that began to grow in his throat. Her asking that question with her face all bruised and her eyes so sad, it broke his fucking heart. “Too many. But not as many I used to.”
“Oh.” She stared at him, not understanding it was he who’d reduced the number of women who needed shelters, personally. And he checked back on them periodically to reassure himself they were in better places now.
He waited, not sure if she’d ask him for the information. It would take a lot considering she’d be outing her lie. But she still had some fire left in her; he could see it in her smile. The bastard hadn’t beaten the flame completely out of her. At least not yet.
Her mouth opened to speak and his heart raced with hope. C’mon Diana. Ask me for the numbers. Say you weren’t mugged. Be brave. You can do it.
“Nice meeting you,” she said with a faraway look.
This time forcing a smile was difficult. “You too, Diana.”
He walked away, thinking about her. Diana Carter. He was going to find out who did that to her…and make the guy pay.
Chapter Five
It's not that he was a bad lawyer, but Thomas Connors played it careful and it showed in his bland wardrobe and haircut. His entire presentation screamed I'm horrible in the sack. Rose faced him where he waited in the courtroom’s center aisle, and held her briefcase in front of her body.
"When are you going to grow up and act like a professional," Thomas demanded.
"Does growing up mean losing? If so, I don't wanna.”
He cocked a well-shaven chin, as his eyes became steel. "You don't win every time. Take it down a notch, Ms. Hendricks."
"Why don't you bring it up a notch, Thomas." She said his name like the sound of it was disgusting to her palette. "Like spend a little money on a tie that doesn't make you look like a dead fish for example. And get that mole checked out before it kills you." Not interested in his reaction, she walked right past him without a backwards glance. She'd only stopped to be polite, but if he couldn't have the good manners to shake her hand, then fuck him!
Her two-month-old burgundy heels tip-tapped along the cold courthouse hallway tile and she glanced down at them rememberin
g the same sound tripled when she, Michelle and Laura hurried to get to the wedding on time only two weeks ago. Her heart kind of hurt thinking about that day. Her best friend had found her guy and here Rose was winning another case and not having anybody to call to tell the news to. She’d call Michelle as she always did but calling a best friend wasn't the same as when a male voice massaged her ears with a congratulations that said he couldn't wait to get her clothes off and show her who had the power for real. She wanted a man in her life, one who didn't mind her job came with busting a few dozen balls.
She pulled out her phone and dialed her girlfriend, paused in the hallway, tapping her foot and listening to the unanswered ring. “C’mon Chelle. Pick up!” she whispered. They’d met two years ago when a client hadn’t wanted to pay Michelle for her services. Rose had upheld her reputation by getting Michelle the money owed her plus a lot more. The two women hit it off on their first meeting and had been inseparable ever since. At least until Nathaniel arrived. They hadn’t gone out once since the wedding, which was normal. But it still sucked.
When the voicemail message came on, she sighed. “Hey, it’s me. Again. I won a case! Again.” Her voice showed no celebration. “Which isn’t nearly as much fun if I can’t share it with you. Call me back you jerk. I get you’re all blissed out and everything…but call me back.” She paused, unused to the loneliness she’d heard in her own voice.
Glancing around her second home, she watched for a searching moment the winners and losers convening outside the many closed courtroom doors. She’d won her client back what was her right, and here Rose was feeling depressed. That wasn’t like her. It nagged at her that something had to change. She was only thirty and she was already losing her love for the chase? That couldn’t be! She was a driven go-getter who prided herself on doing more and winning more than any of the attorneys at the firm she worked at, especially Paul, her only competition for becoming a junior partner.
Walking through the heavy double doors, she headed down the long stairs. I’ll walk home today. It’ll clear my head. And then I’ll run a hot bath, light a shit-ton of candles and put on my K.T. Tunstall playlist. Maybe go to bed early for once. Maybe I just need some sleep.
"Ms. Hendricks!" A female voice called out from behind her. Rose turned and saw Wanda waving by the double doors, the phone still tightly to her ear. “My son wants to thank you!”
Rose waved back, a grateful smile warming her stomach. “Tell him it was my pleasure! And tell him I said to get his butt out here so you can take him to dinner!” Wanda laughed and sent another enthusiastic wave.
With her heart lightened, Rose headed off. Thank you, God. I needed that.
Chapter Six
Espresso propelled a stormy stroll through the streets of Downtown. As he neared the courthouse, Eli pulled out his phone and dialed his packmate. He only had to wait one ring for a curt, "What?"
"'Bout time you answered, Dontae,” he joked, dryly. “What are you doing, watching porn with your dick in your hand?"
A wry laugh came through the phone. "I'm not you, Eli."
"Your only flaw," Eli smirked, glancing up at the greying light, thanks to high-rise buildings blocking the waning sun. His wolf loved it. “And I don’t need porn when I’ve got real live women.”
“Asshole.”
“Are you looking in a mirror again?”
“You’re ridiculous,” Dontae chuckled.
"I need you to look up someone for me. Diana Carter."
The sound of heavy fingers smacking the keyboard was instantaneous. “What’d you see?”
“Beaten pretty badly and over time. I managed to get her to talk with me for a while, which wasn’t easy. She lied to me about who did it."
“Of course she did. Women love to lie.”
Eli let that one slide. Dontae was into fighting the good fight and protecting the innocent just as much as Eli, Darik and Nathaniel were, despite the fact that sometimes the innocent included women. Fucking Catherine. After her, Dontae had become a walking bitter icicle when it came to the fairer sex, but he was more a sucker for justice than he was for holding a grudge and so he kept typing.
Eli watched a couple of suits laughing together as they passed him. Flush pockets brought a certain kind of grin to a man. The Dow Jones must have had a good day.
"Diana Carter. Looks like there are six of them in New York. Two in the Financial District, one blonde, the other brunette.
“She had brown hair. Not thick.”
"She could have dyed it. Women can’t stick to anything. What color were her eyes.”
“Blue,” Eli answered, getting irritated by the broken record that was Dontae’s broken heart.
“It might be this one, then. The other has brown eyes. But she could have been wearing contacts. Blue ones.”
“Dontae…”
“I’m just saying…”
“Just give me the address.” Dontae huffed impatience and told it to him. As Eli memorized the street number, he realized they’d been really close earlier. She said she’d run from home. Well, she didn’t have to run far. Wondering if she was married or if it was just a boyfriend doing the damage, he asked Dontae, "Anyone else live there?"
As his packmate typed, Eli saw walking toward him a pretty woman in a black suit, her wine-colored blouse matching conservative heels. She stared at the traffic rolling by like she didn’t really see it. He recognized her immediately from the wedding and the breakfast they’d gone to afterward as a group, and suddenly the typing he’d been listening to, completely lost his attention. Her light brown hair was tied up in a high bun with stray, long wisps framing pink cheeks. Her curves in that suit were even more attractive than they had been in the dress she wore the day he met her. His wolf woke up immediately, catching Eli by surprise.
Through the phone Dontae grumbled, “I don’t like your attitude. I can voice my opinion about women, especially…"
Aware of her approach, Eli lowered his voice and cut Dontae off, “I see someone we know. You can chastise me later. Anyone live with Diana?”
Dontae growled, “"Yep. One person. A Louis West.”
“Great.” Hanging up the phone, he waved, his smile showing surprise. “Rose! Hey! What are you doing over here?”
She glanced to him and her blue eyes blinked then narrowed as she tried to place him.
He spied the courthouse behind her. “That’s right! You work over there, don’t you? I’m sorry. I forgot.” He cocked his head to the side. “Nathaniel’s roommate, Eli, remember?”
Recognition sprang into her big blue eyes. “Right! Eli! I’m sorry. I totally forgot your name.”
His ego took a hit; he couldn’t deny it. He rubbed his head, a defense mechanism he often used to calm himself or gather his thoughts. “No big deal. So much was going on that day. The whole wedding thing and…” They both let it drop and stared at each other for an awkward moment. “How’d it go over there?” He glanced to the courthouse.
She followed his eye line and adjusted the strap of her purse with one hand, her leather briefcase in the other. “Oh, I won a case today.”
A whiff of her scent drifted to him and his eyebrows shot up. “Oh yeah? Congratulations.”
She stared at him with something in her eyes he couldn’t read. “Thank you, Eli. I needed someone to say that.”
“What was the case about?” He cocked his head to the side and crossed his arms, motioning to her briefcase first. “That’s a nice one.”
She glanced to it. “Thanks. My mom gave it to me when I finished law school. My dad was an attorney too, but he died when I was fifteen.” Her eyes flickered.
“I’m sorry,” Eli said, gently.
She gave a little shrug. “It was a long time ago, but on days like this…I wish he knew I followed in his footsteps. It’d be nice to see his face in the back of the room, watching as I argue against...” Shaking it off, she forced a smile. “The case? It was another big company trying to screw over an employee so th
ey could be richer than they already are. I’ll never understand why people can’t look out for each other more.”
He wanted to tell her about what he and his friends did, and the urge hit him hard. He frowned at the bizarreness of such an impossible impulse. Of course he couldn’t tell her, their secret was so deeply entwined in their good deeds. Clearing his throat, he said what he could. “That’s great, Rose. I’m glad you’re on the side of the good guy.”
The light in her eyes, how they looked almost grey with the fading sun, it was mesmerizing. “Of course I am!” she smiled. “You’ve met my friend. She wouldn’t hang out with a jerk, would she?” He didn’t react to her teasing as he should have. No smile came. He was distracted, his wolf beginning to pace inside of him for a reason he couldn’t put his finger on. She moved a stray lock of hair that had blown onto her cheek, and it was like the city slowed down to watch. “You okay, Eli?”
He dragged his eyes away from the pretty wisps blowing in the breeze. “Me? Yeah, sure, I’m great. Say, what’s that perfume?”
Her eyelashes fluttered to the ground as a blush rose in her cheeks. “Vanilla? It’s the only one I can wear without sneezing. Plus, I like it.”
An intensity had overtaken him that he was unaware of. “You smell like heaven.”
She lost the smile. “You smell good, too.”
He bit his tongue as the urge to rip open that professional blouse she had on, right here on the street, gnawed at him.
“You sure you’re alright?” she asked, her concern genuine.
“What?” He barely heard her. “I’m fine. How are you?”
She laughed, and pushed her hair back again, glancing to the sidewalk, unable to hold his look. He had no idea how hard he was staring at her, tracing all the lines in her face.
She motioned to him. “So, what are you doing over here? And why are you looking at me like you’re going to eat me?”
Shoving his hands in his pants pockets, he suddenly became very aware of himself and how he’d lost track of time and reality. Nervously he looked around and stammered, “Oh, was I doing that? Why am I here? Good question. I was just taking a walk. Had a few too many shots of espresso I think,” he chuckled, and it sounded weird.
Werewolves of New York: Eli (Werewolves of... Book 2) Page 2
