Defense

  “How was your first day at my firm?” I asked.

  “It was good. I enjoyed it.”

  “It wasn’t too complicated for you, was it?”

  “Not at all. I even handled the phones with ease.” She smiled.

  “Good.” I chuckled. “What did your family think about you making an impulsive move here?”

  “I don’t have any family. I’m an only child and my parents died a year ago.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thanks. I just needed a change of scenery. I lived in Boston my whole life and after my parents died, I wanted to start somewhere fresh.”

  “What did you do back in Boston?” I asked.

  My phone rang, and when I pulled it from my pocket, it was Brad calling.

  “I need to get this. Brad, what’s up?”

  “You’re needed down at the police station. It’s Joey Johnson.”

  “I’m having dinner right now. Can’t you handle it?”

  “He specifically asked for you.”

  I sighed. “I’m on my way.”

  I looked at Ariana as a confused look swept over her face.

  “We have to go. Someone I know was just arrested and he’s asking for me to represent him. Mind taking a little trip down to the police station? Since you are my secretary, you can take some notes for me.”

  “I don’t mind at all.”

  I held my finger up to Hilary from across the restaurant and she walked over. Pulling out my credit card, I handed it to her.

  “I’m sorry, but we have to leave. Work calls.”

  “I’ll be right back with this.” She smiled.

  We entered the police station and were taken back into a room where Joey sat.

  “Mr. Russo.” Detective George glared at me.

  “Detective. I hope you weren’t harassing my client. What are you charging him with?”

  “Rape,” he spoke. “Your client was brought in as a suspect fitting the description of the man who raped a woman in Central Park a couple of nights ago.”

  “It wasn’t me!” Joey exclaimed.

  “Don’t say another word, Joey. Do you have DNA proof, detective?”

  “Not yet, but he was found lurking around the same area where the incident took place. Fits the description to the T and it seemed as if he was looking for something. We’re placing him under arrest for the rape of Carla King. Bond will be set in the morning.”

  “I need a moment with my client.”

  After talking with Joey and having Ariana take notes on everything he said, we left the police station and climbed into the Bentley.

  “Do you believe he’s innocent?” she asked.

  “This again?” I arched my brow. “I’m sorry about dinner.”

  “It’s okay. This was more fun.” She smiled.

  “You’re really getting a taste for the law. I can see the excitement in your eyes.”

  “Maybe.”

  Jeffery pulled alongside the curb to her apartment building and I held out my hand and helped her from the car.

  “Again, I’m sorry about dinner. We’ll reschedule. Okay?”

  “Sure.” A small smile crossed her lips.

  “Have a good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Good night, Luca.”

  Placing my hands in my pocket, I walked back to the car and climbed inside. What I wouldn’t have given to kiss those beautiful plump lips of hers. I didn’t want to cross the line. Not yet anyway. My plan for finding out more about her tonight was interrupted and I wasn’t happy about that. Once I knew, it would be easier to get her into bed. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was more to her than she was letting on.

  The next morning when I arrived at the office, Ariana was already sitting at her desk. After looking at my watch, I glanced at her.

  “Good morning. You’re ten minutes early.” I smiled.

  “Good morning. It’s better to be ten minutes early than five minutes late.” She grinned.

  “I agree. Lisa was always late, so I’m not used to seeing anyone sitting here for at least another twenty minutes. Can you grab me a cup of coffee?”

  “Sure. Cream and sugar?” She got up from her chair.

  “Just black and make sure it’s a fresh pot.”

  Walking into my office, I set my briefcase down and took a seat behind my desk. A few moments later, Ariana stepped in and set my coffee down in front of me.

  “Thank you.” I picked it up and took a sip.

  “You’re welcome.”

  I grabbed a pile of files from my desk and handed them to her.

  “I need you to go through these and get court dates set up. If you need any help, ask Olivia. I’ll be leaving in about an hour for Joey’s bail hearing.”

  “Okay.” She smiled. “Is that all?”

  I wanted to tell her no, that wasn’t all because I wanted her in my lap, feeling that sweet beautiful ass of hers resting comfortably on me. I wanted her lips on mine and I wanted my hand up her skirt.

  “What are your plans for tonight?” I asked.

  “I’m going apartment hunting after work,” she replied.

  “So no dinner?”

  “Sorry, but I have to find a place. I hate imposing on Olivia and Harry.”

  “How is seeing Harry working out for you?” I asked as I leaned back in my chair.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Olivia told me what happened. Actually, she didn’t voluntarily tell me. I sort of dragged it out of her, so you can’t be mad. It must be hard seeing the two of them together.”

  I needed to get her thoughts on the situation to see if she was still hung up on Harry. Maybe that was her plan and why she’d moved to New York. Perhaps she wanted him back.

  “Oh. It’s working out fine. I put what happened four years ago in the past and we’re moving forward.”

  “So you have no interest in him?”

  She narrowed her eye as she stood there clutching the file folders to her chest.

  “Absolutely not. The two of them were meant to be together. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t have lasted this long. They’re happy and I’m happy for them.”

  Got my answer.

  “That’s good. Okay, get working on those court dates.”

  She turned around and began to walk out of my office, then stopped and looked at me.

  “Why would you ask me that?”

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I was just curious.”

  “And why were you curious?”

  “I just wondered if it was awkward. That’s all.”

  “There’s more to your story, Mr. Russo. You wouldn’t have asked unless you were trying to find out something. Perhaps you were trying to find out for yourself.”

  “Why would I do that?” I asked with a furrowed brow.

  “Because you’re interested in me and you wanted to make sure that I wasn’t here to get my ex-boyfriend back because that would pose a problem for you.”

  “What kind of problem would it pose?”

  “If I was interested in someone else, you wouldn’t stand a chance.” Her brow arched, making her even sexier than she already was.

  “I would always stand a chance, Miss Williams. Women can’t resist my charm. In fact, they have trouble keeping their panties up in my presence.”

  My cock was on the rise.

  “I don’t succumb to charm and I can guarantee you that my panties will stay intact in your presence.” She turned and walked out of my office.

  I sat there with a smile on my face as I looked down at my hard and throbbing cock.

  “Don’t worry, big guy. You’ll have a taste of her. I promise.”

  ****

  Joey got out on bail and now it was time to put his case together. When I arrived back at my office, I called Sheila, my investigator, into my office and handed her Joey’s file.

  “I want the victim interviewed and I want you to go to Central Park and look around. Joey said he was the
re that night because he was running in the area that day and when he got home, he noticed his wallet was missing. See what you can find.”

  “I’ll go now. Anything else?”

  “No. Just see what you can find to discredit her.”

  After Sheila left, I started looking through some paperwork that was sitting on my desk. One thing that grabbed my attention was Ariana’s final paperwork for me to sign. What the fuck? I turned to my computer and searched her name in the database.

  “Ariana!” I shouted from my desk. “Get in my office now!”

  Chapter Nine

  Ariana

  Shit. What did I do to make him shout like that? I took in a deep breath as I got up from my chair and stepped inside his office.

  “Shut the door and have a seat,” he commanded in a harsh voice.

  The look on his face was pure anger and I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what I’d done.

  “What’s up?” I bit down on my bottom lip.

  “What’s up?” He cocked his head. “Let me tell you what’s up.” His eyes darted to his computer screen. “Ariana Grace Williams, born October 1, 1991. Graduated Harvard Law 2016 at the top of her class and delivered valedictorian speech. Interned at Young, Johns, & Pettyfer. Daughter of Emma and John Williams. Sibling of Julia Brooks. Whom are all still very much alive and living in Boston.” He glared at me.

  Shit. Shit. Shit. Maybe I should have told him about Harvard.

  I gulped as his eyes burned into mine and not in a seductive way.

  “You’re a fucking lawyer?” His voice was stern and somewhat frightening.

  “Not yet. I still have to take the bar exam.”

  “This is unbelievable. Harvard? Really? Top of your class? Valedictorian speech? Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” He got up from his chair and paced around his office.

  “You said you didn’t need to know what skills I had. You said it didn’t matter.”

  “I don’t give a shit what I said!” he shouted as he walked over to me and placed his hands on each arm of my chair, his angry face mere inches from mine. “This is important information that you should have told me. You led me to believe you knew nothing about the law. You deceived me, Ariana,” he spoke as his angry eyes stared at me.

  “I didn’t deceive you at all. You assumed and I played on your assumption. Not a good feeling, is it, Mr. Russo?”

  “So this was payback for me not telling you I wasn’t the secretary?”

  “No. This was just me trying to get my life back together.”

  “Why did you lie about your family?”

  “Am I on trial?” I asked.

  His eyes narrowed at me as he stood up and took a seat behind his desk.

  “No. But I am your boss and I think I have the right to know.”

  “My family isn’t your concern, Luca.” I probably just got fired. “They’re dead to me.”

  “And you won’t tell me why?”

  “No,” I adamantly spoke as I got up from my chair. “I’ll get my things and go.” I began to walk towards the door.

  “Do you really think that I’d fire you?” he asked. “Sit down, please.” His voice calmed.

  Taking in a deep breath, I sat back down. He folded his hands on his desk and stared at me for a moment. His eyes displayed a bit of warmth and the anger seemed to have dissipated.

  “You’re right. Your personal life isn’t any of my concern. But what is my concern is that you haven’t taken your bar exam yet and I want to know why.”

  “I was scheduled to take it back in Boston, but then things happened, and I had to quickly leave and relocate. I wanted to take the bar here, but it’s in less than two weeks and way past the deadline for registration, so I’ll be taking it in November.”

  “Are you ready to take the bar exam, Ariana?”

  “Yes. I’m ready. I just wish—”

  “I have a very good friend whom I’m certain can get you in to take it this month.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. But you must make sure you’re ready for it. It’s extremely hard and usually only about sixty percent of the people who take it for the first time actually pass.”

  “I’m not worried.” I looked down at my hands.

  “Harvard, eh?” He smiled.

  “Yes. And you?”

  “Cornell. Top of my class. Delivered the valedictorian speech.”

  “Impressive. And this firm?”

  “My grandfather was the founding partner. He had a stroke a couple of years ago, which forced him to retire from the law. He brought me in as a partner right after law school. I became a lawyer because of him.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “And I’m sorry about your family.”

  “Don’t be.” I lightly shook my head.

  “Are you one hundred percent sure you’re going to stay in New York permanently?” he asked.

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “Then this is what I’m going to do for you. I’ll make the call to my friend, get you registered for the bar, pay all your exam fees and, once you pass, you will work here at the firm as a junior associate. Deal?” He grinned.

  “How do you know I’ll be a good enough attorney for your firm?”

  “I already told you that you’d make a damn good lawyer. Do you accept?”

  “It takes about three months for the results to come back. What do I do if Lisa returns before then?”

  “You’ll get the results quick. That I can guarantee.”

  “You have that kind of pull, Mr. Russo?”

  “I do.” He smirked. “I can do a lot of things. Never underestimate me.”

  “Why would you do this for me?”

  “Because, Ariana, you’re broken and you’re trying to put the pieces of your life back together. We’ve all been there. You were all set to take the bar and become a lawyer until something happened with your family, which led you off your path. I can put you back on that path.”

  Excitement soared through my body. This was really happening and my life was already starting to change for the better.

  “I accept.” I grinned. “But what about the other partners? Don’t they have to agree to bring me on as a junior associate?”

  “I’m the majority holder and partner in this firm. I make whatever decisions I feel are in the best interest of this company.”

  “Thank you, Luca. You have no idea how much I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”

  The corners of his mouth curved up into a smile. “Then show me. Have dinner with me tonight. Not a business dinner, but a personal one. A date.”

  How could I tell him no after what he was doing for me? He was jumpstarting my career and I knew in the back of my mind that I’d have to somehow pay the price for it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go out with him. He was sexy, successful, and intelligent. But there wasn’t any room in my life right now for any type of relationship. Plus, I had an overwhelming feeling that he’d end up breaking my heart and hurting me if things got out of control. I’d already been hurt enough for a lifetime.

  “I was supposed to go apartment hunting, remember?”

  “You can go tomorrow. In fact, I’ll call my realtor to help you find something.”

  “I guess dinner would be nice.” I smiled.

  “Nice?” His brow arched. “I’ll pick you up at seven and we’ll go back to the same restaurant as last night since we didn’t get to enjoy the fine food they have.”

  “I’ll be ready.” I got up from my chair.

  “You know what?” He slyly smiled. “We’ll have dinner at my place tonight instead.”

  I stood there and narrowed my eye suspiciously at him. If he thought he was going to get me to sleep with him, he was crazy, because it wasn’t happening.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I spoke.

  “Why?” He smirked. “Are you afraid you won’t be able to resist me in the privacy of my own home? That you won’t be able to keep your pan
ties intact? Or is it that you don’t trust me?”

  “I can resist you, Mr. Russo. I’m not worried about that. As far as trust goes, I’m not sure yet. From what I hear, you’re quite the player of ladies.”

  “True.” He shrugged. “And I’m sure Olivia has warned you about me. But I can assure you that I will be on my best behavior tonight.”

  “Text me your address and I’ll see you at seven.” I smiled as I walked out of his office.

  Once I reached my desk, I let out a deep breath. In my head, I knew having dinner with him at his place was a bad idea.

  Chapter Ten

  Luca

  I promised her that I would be on my best behavior tonight. Was it a promise I could keep? Yes. As hard as it would be to keep my hands off her, I had to. I needed to gain her trust completely, and as of now, I didn’t have it. Whatever happened back in Boston with her family broke her into tiny little pieces. She didn’t trust anyone. I could tell. She probably didn’t even trust Olivia. She was a lawyer and top of her class. I knew she was intelligent as hell and now she turned me on even more, intensifying my need to fuck her.

  Picking up the phone, I dialed my friend, David Hildenberg, a family friend whom I’d known since the day I was born.

  “Luca, my boy. How are you?”

  “I’m good, David. How are you?”

  “I’m doing well. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”

  “I have a favor to ask.”

  “Okay. What is it?”

  “I have a friend who just moved from Boston, and she just graduated law school. I want to hire her as soon as possible as an associate, but she has to take the bar. I know there’s one coming up in a couple of weeks. I need her to sit for it. You know I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Ariana Williams. She graduated top of her class from Harvard.”

  “Send me what you have on her and I’ll get her registered. How fast do you need the results?”

  “As soon as possible. I’m very anxious to get her on board here at the firm.”

  “Would your grandfather approve of her?”

  “Most definitely. In fact, he probably would have called you himself.”