Chapter 9

Leo

I had just about given up on my meeting with Whit White when Tabby called to say he’d arrived. She walked in with a pissy look on her face. When he turned to her, looking her up and down, I understood. And then he told on himself, proving what an ass he was. “You’re a lucky man getting to look at that peach all day.”

I rose from my desk and offered him a seat as Tabby rolled her eyes and shut the door.

“I didn’t think you were going to show.”

He waved his hand dismissively as if it were me who’d made him wait. “Sorry. I had some shit to do. You know how it is living the busy life, I’m sure.” He glanced back at the door and pointed. “Tell me, are you tapping that? I still see nothing but tits and ass. And those legs, I think she could wrap them around my neck lying flat on her back.”

I ground my teeth and decided that instead of scolding him, I’d change the subject. “Let’s get down to business, Mr. White. My time is just as valuable as yours, so if you’d like to tell me what this is all about, I’d appreciate it.”

Whit’s face fell. “Right. Well, it’s really cut and dry. My clients are threatening to sue me. The band signed with me five years ago to be their manager, and just before time for renewal, they’re accusing me of skimming money. They said I needed a lawyer, and I want the best.”

“Have you been skimming money?”

Whit seemed offended that I’d ask. “No. I’ve only taken what’s rightfully mine. Anything they say falls under skimming is perfectly legal, and furthermore, they have breached their contract many times by not moving forward with ideas that could have made them millions.”

“Such as?”

“Such as reuniting with their old bandmate, Mona Star. The fans loved Mona, and they got rid of her for no reason. I wanted to call it a reunion tour, which would make a great deal of money, but like my many other ideas, Kya Campbell got in the way.”

I steepled my fingers and leaned in closer. “She’s the band’s founder, is she not?”

He smiled, his eyes lit with surprise. “You’ve done your homework.”

“A little. But wouldn’t it be the band’s call if they take a job or don’t?”

“No. That’s why they hired me. I’ve also tried to offer other services, all denied.”

I’d read through the lawsuit, so I knew what Kya was accusing him of. “What is this about misuse of funds? It says you collected money for refunds, and you never gave any of it back to the band’s account. They claim you spent that money on personal vacations.”

“I was out looking for venues. I can’t help it if I have to take my girlfriend along and want to stay in a hotel. Those are all expenses for their benefit, so I feel they should pay for them.”

“The band book a lot of shows in Cancun?” The man was a swindler, and I could already tell I wanted nothing to do with him.

His phone rang in the middle of our meeting, and he cursed under his breath. “Excuse me. I need to take this.” He got up and went to the window as if I couldn’t hear everything he said.

“I can’t talk now, Mona. I’m in a meeting with the lawyer now … Yes, he’s the best, undefeated, so he cares more about his record. He isn’t going to want to lose, so don’t worry about it … Okay, yes, I’m on my way. Tell them to wait.” He ended his call and returned the phone to his pocket. “I’m afraid I need to be going. I can call you later with the rest of the boring details, but I’m sure you can see this should all work out in my favor. The contract was signed and agreed upon. They really don’t have a leg to stand on. Bunch of bitches anyway. Especially that Kya Campbell.

My fist clenched. Even though I’d had a negative thought or two or three about Kya, I didn’t like hearing the words come out of his mouth. I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation, but were you speaking with Mona Star?”

“Yes, she’s my girlfriend, well, fiancée for as long as I can keep her on the line. God knows I’m not the marrying type.”

I had to agree with that. I couldn’t see why anyone would want to marry the guy. “So you have a conflict of interest?”

“No. They released her from the band before they signed me. Before we were ever together, actually.”

If he couldn’t see why his ideas for a reunion with their old bandmate was a conflict, then I was in trouble. I had to get out of this case. It was too much of a shit storm, and I didn’t want my record fucked up because of someone like him. “I actually have a few more things before you go, and one very important thing is that we’ll be holding a press conference. I’ve already had a few calls asking questions, and I think we need to be prepared. The media will be all over this.”

He laughed it off and waved his hand dismissively once again. “Don’t worry. I know how to handle the press. I represent people, too, you know.”

I’d dealt with his type of ego before, and I was still wondering why I’d won that case. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I’m well aware, but I need you to understand, this isn’t going to be like usual. I’ll do the talking.”

“You?” He looked me up and down as if I were a bug.

I squared my shoulders. “Yeah, do you have a problem with that?” I could already tell he despised the fact that he wasn’t going to be in charge.

“Fine,” he said with a huff. “If you’re done here, I really should go.”

“It was nice meeting you, White. I’ll call you later, and we’ll finish when we both have time.” He got up and shook my hand, which I wiped on my pants as soon as the motherfucker was gone.

I walked out to make sure he hadn’t upset Tabby and found her sitting with a look of shock on her face. “Are you okay, Tabs?”

“Yeah, he’s the not first man who talked to me like I was a piece of meat, and I’m sure he won’t be the last.”

“If he says or does anything inappropriate, you let me know. I don’t like that guy.”

“If you don’t like him, why are you going to defend him?” She spun her chair away from me and got back to work, her fingers flying so fast on her keyboard, you’d have thought it was on fire.

“You’re right. I’m going to tell my father I can’t do it.”

She gave a short chuckle and glanced over her shoulder. “Good luck with that.”

Jon walked in about that time and stopped to lean on Tabby’s desk. “What do you wish him luck for? He’s got the best record ever. Even his old man hasn’t gone on an undefeated streak like this one.”

“This is different. I don’t want this case. The guy’s an asshole.”

“So? We defend assholes every day. It’s our motto. Get a magnifying glass. It’s printed right on our business cards.” He laughed but met my eyes. “You’re serious. You’re really bothered by this guy.”

“It’s not the man as much as the case.”

“Well, you can’t drop a case just because you think you’re going to lose.”

“I’m not sure I’d lose. I just don’t know what could happen if I win, but my guess is, nothing good.”

“Jesus, is this guy being sued by the mob or something?”

“No, not hardly. Look, I need to get to my dad’s office before this goes any further. I have to get off this case.” There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it, and with any luck, he’d see it my way.

I walked past Jon toward the door, and he put his hand out to stop me. “Hey, you know as well as I do, he’s never going to let you drop a case. If he wants you on it, you’re on it.”

I thought of Kya. I couldn’t face her on an opposing side knowing the person was probably guilty and most likely needed to serve some time in prison. It was bad enough I’d been such an asshole to her the last time we’d hooked up, but I didn’t want her to hate me even more. Besides, I’d said I wanted to be friends. It was time I proved it. It was the least I could do despite a broken heart. “I’ve got to try.”

I headed down the hall to the opposite side of the suite to my father’s office and stopped to talk to his secretary, Edith, who was three times the age of mine and not as fashion savvy. The dress she wore was one I’d seen her in when I was in high school.

“Hello, Leo. You can go on in. Your father just got back from a meeting.”

“Thanks, Edith.” I walked in and found him practicing his golf swing. He kept a putter and a return in his office, and when he was really stressed, he would spend his time there, focused on the ball and the hole.

“Hey, Dad.”

“How did the meeting with the new client go?”

“I need to talk to you about that.” I scratched my beard, which I kept trimmed short, and took a seat. “I don’t think I can defend this person.”

“Not this again.” My father swung his club too hard and sent the ball over his return. “What’s it this time? Not your type of music?”

“Dad, you know as well as I do that this is a conflict for me. Kya and I were friends. We graduated together. She was my first, for fuck’s sake.”

“Well, if we stopped taking cases based on every woman you fucked, we’d never take any clients.” He stormed to the door and shut it all the way. Then he walked to his desk and plopped down in his chair.

My father flattened his palms on his desk. “Let me put it to you this way, son. This client, the one you want to pass off, he chose us because of your record. He is also willing to pay us a butt-load of money, and I don’t have to tell you that a high-profile case like this one is just what we need.”

I met his eyes. “If we win. I’m not sure I can defend him without wanting to kill him.”

He slapped his palms against the table. “That’s your immaturity talking. Do you think I’ve liked every client I’ve defended?”

“No, and neither have I, but this is different. I don’t want to upset a friend.”

“But you’re perfectly fine to upset your father?”

“That’s not it, Dad.”

He eased back in his chair. “Did you tell him about the press conference?”

“Yes, and he didn’t seem too happy that he couldn’t put on a show.”

“That’s just how his type is, son. It’s our job to steer them where we want them to go, to make them show the side of themselves to the public that we want them to and nothing else. It’s an art form all its own and one I know you’re good at.”

“Well, I’m not sure he has a good side. He showed up late, he sexually harassed Tabatha, and he’s just an overall arrogant asshole. And all of that is aside from the fact that he’s most likely guilty of stealing from my oldest friend.” I hoped he would see I was serious, but he cleared his throat and sat up in his seat.

“Are you finished?”

“Dad, listen.”

“No. We keep the case. You do the best you can, but I didn’t raise a fucking quitter. This case is way too important. Change your attitude before the press conference. I need them to see you confident.”

I got to my feet and left his office already feeling like I’d lost.