Chapter 23

Leo

I hadn’t heard a peep from my father or Jon since I’d left, and I was more than curious if my father had given Jon the case. I had a feeling since he was already involved that it would fall in his lap, and I not only wanted to go down and talk to them about my latest move but find out if I was right and apologize to my friend for bailing on him.

As I walked into the office, heads turned, and you would have thought I’d stormed in cursing, rather than offering the kind smiles I gave them as I passed. I rounded the corner and went to my father’s end of the hall, and when I walked into Edith’s office, she stood from her desk.

“Leonard! It’s good to see you, honey. Your father is with Jon.”

“Then, I’ll just go on in.” I shrugged, and as I headed over to the door, she came around the desk after me.

“Wait, I’ll let him know you’re here.”

I reached the door before she did, so I opened it and went on in. “Hello, gentlemen.”

My father rose from his desk. “You don’t work here anymore, and you’re not welcome to come barging into my office.”

“It’s good to see you, too, Dad.” I walked over to where Jon sat and shook his hand. Then, I took the seat next to him. “Jon, how’s it going?”

“Hey, Leo. You look like you’re in a good mood. I’m not sure I want to know why.”

“I just wanted to announce that I’m officially representing Sabbath Sundae in the lawsuit and let you know that, as of this morning, I’ve filed for a hearing. I thought I’d give you a head’s up.”

“We don’t need your head’s up, Leonard,” said my father. “I’ve got Jon on the case now. He’s willing to do what it takes to get the job done, so you better watch your back. We’re going to clean the courtroom with you and that Kya Campbell.”

“Kya is doing great, by the way. She had a daughter, lives across town in a fine home. You know, in case you were wondering about our old friend.” I still couldn’t believe he was going against her. I turned my attention to Jon. “No hard feelings, man. I know what it is like for the old man to have you by the nuts. I wish you luck.”

Jon didn’t look pleased. He gave me a nod but otherwise didn’t have a lot to say. Which was fine with me.

My Dad, however, wasn’t finished. “I hope you know what you’re doing, son. Not only have you gone against your father, but the best lawyer, and people are going to see you as a traitor. Your entire reputation is on the line, and you’ll end up looking like a fool when we win this.”

“It’s a chance I’ll have to take. I have to worry about my integrity, a little something you know nothing about if you think it’s okay to try and spin this against Kya. And Jon, I know my father is probably suggested you do the same, but I warn you, friend, make sure you don’t.”

Jon’s expression turned grim, and he looked away from me, which told me all I needed to know. My father had already put the ball in motion to try and pin something on Kya or make her look bad.

“I’m prepared to offer a settlement, so when it comes down, I’d be prepared to take it. Deep down, you know you’re going to lose. Jon knows it, too, but your ego won’t let you admit I’m right.” I got up and straightened my cuffs and tie and walked over to the door.

“Have a good day down at the new office, son.”

I turned back with a grin so wide it might convince someone I was happy with the situation. “Son? I’ve never been a son. To you, I was nothing more than a mistake. You’ve made that painfully obvious through the years, and even clearer now with this case. If you cared anything about me, I’d still be down the hall.”

“Well, as it turns out, that’s Jon’s office now.” It didn’t surprise me that Jon had taken the opportunities as they came, and I couldn’t blame him. His record wasn’t as good as mine, and he couldn’t just walk away from my father as easily.

I walked over and offered him a hand. “Congratulations, man. You deserve it.” After he reluctantly took my hand, I squeezed his firmly and met his eyes. “Seriously, no hard feelings.”

I turned and left, unable to get out of there fast enough. My jaw was set so tight, my smile permanently locked on my face, at least until I got to the parking garage where I let out a growl like a feral dog. I couldn’t believe the audacity of my father or the way he was willing to try and pit my friends against me. By the looks on the faces of my former coworkers, he’d told them all about the way I’d left, but probably not the reason why. No, he’d never tell them anything to make himself look bad.

I shrugged it off as I got in my car. It didn’t matter. None of them did. The only people I had to be concerned about was Kya and her band and that sweet little girl of hers. If my father dragged Kya into this as a knowing accomplice, which they’d first have to prove, it could be horrible for not only her but her daughter. If her career was tainted with scandal, it could threaten her livelihood.

I sped out of the parking garage the very same way I had the last time I’d been to my father’s office, and while I didn’t regret the visit, I knew it would be a long time before I ever came back.

I checked the time and wondered if I should head back to the office or if I should take a detour and see if Kya was home. I took the next exit without much thought and hoped I’d find her alone.

I pulled up to her house, and when I opened the door to get out of the car, I saw a man in a car across the street who appeared to be pointing a camera in my direction. About the time I started to call out to him, Kya opened the door, and he put up his window.

“I see you met my new friend. I call him Snoop.”

I walked up to the house and looked back over my shoulder to see the man was looking straight ahead as if he hadn’t just been trying to take my picture seconds before. “How long has he been out there?”

She stepped aside and waved me in. “He was here Friday when we got home from the restaurant, and he came around for a few hours on Saturday and Sunday. I had to put a scarf over Addie’s face this morning to get her to school, and thank goodness the asshole didn’t follow us, but he’s been here ever since.”

“I’ll go out and talk to him.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? The press knows about the case, and they just want a glimpse at how I’m doing with everything going on. I’ve already explained things to Addie, and it’s not the first time we’ve had to hide from paparazzi. I have sold millions of songs, remember?”

It was hard to remember sometimes that she had a following. “I don’t want him stalking you. Besides, don’t you want to know who he is? It might not be case-related.” I turned and reached for the knob, and before she could stop me, I was halfway down the front walk.

The asshole was looking down at something, and when I tapped on the glass, he looked up, his brows raising over the sunglasses he wore, even though it was cloudy out. And then I saw it, the tattoo on his arm that told me exactly who he was. “Hey, Milton. I see the old man is already working his angle.”

“You know it’s the way the game is played. I was told to keep an eye on her.”

“And find dirt?”

“You being here in the middle of the day is very interesting, to say the least.”

“Yeah, well she called me up and told me there was some horrible asshole out front taking pictures of her and her minor daughter. So, unless you want me to call and report you for child stalking, I suggest you roll.”

“Fine, I will roll out today, but I’ll be back. I do have a job to do, whether you like it or not. And hey, I hear you’ve got your own place, so I don’t mind giving you the same deal as your old man if you ever need my services.”

“Leave her alone, and I’ll keep it in mind.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Now, Leo, you know I can’t do that. A deal is a deal, and I’m going to dig something up on that little lady friend of yours. Something really juicy.”

“Beat it, or I’m calling the police.” I stepped away as he started his car, and by the time I got to the door, he was gone.

My adrenaline was pumping even harder than before, and as I walked into the house, Kya met me at the door. She placed her hand on my arm. “What did he say?”

I hated to admit why the asshole had been stalking her, and it was just like my father to try and dig up dirt on Kya with no regard for me or my feelings on the matter. “I’m afraid it’s my fault he’s here.”

“What?” She narrowed her eyes.

“My father. I should have told you, Kya, but I’d really hoped that by my leaving, he wouldn’t go through with it.”

“Go through with what? What are you talking about?”

“My father wanted me to try and make it look like you were an accomplice in the embezzlement. He wanted me to try and build the case to look like even though Whit had done those things, you were the orchestrator.”

“What? How? It doesn’t even make any sense. I’m the one who filed the lawsuit against him.”

“Yes, and Dad wanted to make it look like you were jilted in some way, that you filed the suit to get back at Whit and falsely accuse him.”

She met my eyes and folded her arms in front of her. “How could your dad do that to me? I mean, I’ve known him all my life.”

I knew how she felt. “I’ve known him all my life, too, and it hasn’t stopped him from being a complete asshole to me. Or from trying to push me into shit I didn’t want to do. So that’s the main reason I quit the case, aside from not being able to go against you and the fact that you’re my oldest friend.”

She stepped closer as I took her in my arms. “Damn, I always knew your dad was a piece of work, but shit. What does he think he’s going to find?”

I kissed her forehead. “It wouldn’t matter if he finds something or not. Even if he invents something, it could cause enough doubt, and you’d lose the case.”

“That’s crazy.”

“I agree. Look, don’t worry, okay? I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her deeply.