Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
Roman
God, she was sexy as hell and didn’t know what she was talking about. I would play along with her “no sex” rule for now. But in time, she’d be in my bed, where I’d explore that beautiful body of hers again and bury my cock deep inside her.
Ollie pulled up to the building. Climbing out, I extended my hand. She graciously accepted as I helped her out of the SUV. Letting go of her hand, we entered the building.
“This entire building is The Hamilton Group?” she asked.
“Yes, it is. What do you think?”
“It’s nice.”
We took the elevator to the sixth floor. When the doors opened, Parker stood there smiling.
“Morgan, it’s good to see you again. Welcome to our firm.”
“Thank you, Parker.” I smiled. “It’s nice to see you too.”
“I have court. I’ll see you two later.” He patted Roman’s back.
Walking down the long hallway, Roman stopped at the desk, where an older woman with sun-kissed skin and dark curly hair sat.
“Olivia, this is Morgan Ashley. Morgan, this is Olivia, my legal secretary.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Morgan.” She extended her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Olivia.”
“I have your temporary office set up in conference room two. Please, have a seat.” I gestured. “These are the case files for Theodore Williamson, a twenty-eight-year-old man who was convicted of killing his girlfriend and her unborn baby three years ago by strangulation. She cheated on him, got pregnant, and when he found out, he murdered her, supposedly.”
She picked up one of the files from the table and opened it.
“Wait a second. He’s serving twenty-five to life?” she asked. “Is this a pro-bono case?”
“It is.”
“I would never have guessed this firm would take on such cases,” she said.
“We take a few cases a year to fulfill our social responsibility. Besides, it boosts the reputation of the firm.”
“And the reputation of the attorney?” Her brow arched.
“Of course.” A smirk crossed my lips.
“You flew me all the way out here to help you with a case you’re not even getting paid for? Why?”
“Because I never lose.” I tucked my hand into my pants pocket. “And I don’t have the time to devote to this case. I’m a very busy man.”
“But you have a building full of associates who can handle this case for you. Unless you already think there’s no way you can prove this guy didn’t do it. ”
“I’m confident that if anyone can find something to cause reasonable doubt, it’s you.”
The conference room door opened, and Olivia stuck her head inside.
“Roman, your client is waiting for you in your office.”
“Thanks, Olivia. Tell him I’ll be right there. I have to get to my meeting,” I said, staring at Morgan. “If you need anything, Olivia will get it for you.”
“Okay,” she said. “I better get to looking over these files.”
I walked over to the door, placed my hand on the handle, turned, and looked at her. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
The corners of her mouth curved upward. “No.”
“A drink?” I asked.
“No.”
Shaking my head, I opened the door and left the conference room.
A couple of hours later, as I was sitting in my office, looking over a case, my door opened, and Morgan stepped in.
“Were you not going to tell me that Theodore Williamson’s father is a real estate mogul?”
“It’s all in the files,” I said, leaning back in my chair.
“He can afford to pay the best attorneys in this state. Why is this pro bono?”
“Because his father disowned and cut him off after he was found guilty. Even his attorney couldn’t get him off.”
“I get it now. You took this one because it was a high-profile case.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. Listen, Morgan. I met with Theodore at the prison. Even though it looks bleak that he’s innocent, something in his voice made me believe he might not be guilty. That’s why I took on this case.”
“Or he’s a very good liar,” she said .
“Maybe he is, or he isn’t. We can discuss this more at dinner tonight.”
“We aren’t having dinner together tonight.” Her head cocked.
“Are you sure about that?” A smirk crossed my lips.
“One hundred percent sure, Roman.” She turned and walked out of my office.
Sighing, I ran my hand down my face.
“Hey, bro.” Julian walked in. “I just saw Morgan in the hallway. She’s looking really hot.” He grinned. “Did you get lucky when you went to her hotel suite?”
“No. She won’t even have dinner with me. And stop looking at her.” I pointed at him.
“Who are you?” His brows furrowed. “You’re not my brother.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Julian?” I sighed.
“My brother doesn’t take no for an answer. Throw her your overwhelming charm like you do to the jurors. Make her have dinner with you. Unless you’re scared of her.”
“Fuck off, bro.”
My office door opened, and my father walked in.
“There’s two of my boys.” He smiled.
“What are you doing here, Dad?” I asked.
“I just stopped by to see how my sons and firm are doing. I didn’t see Parker in his office.”
“He’s in court,” Julian said.
I want the three of you to come over for dinner Saturday night. I’m not taking no for an answer. There’s someone I would like for you to meet.”
“Roman will be there because he doesn’t have a social life. As for me, I have plans,” Julian said.
“Cancel them. I mean it. I expect the three of you over at seven o’clock.” He walked out .
“First dinner with him on Saturday and then family dinner on Sunday? Our whole weekend is fucked now,” Julian said. “I could care less who he’s dating.”
“I don’t care either, but you know when he summons us, we have to go.”
When I left the office, it was eight p.m. Morgan had left an hour earlier and said she was heading to the hotel. Julian was right. I never took no for an answer, at least where dinner was concerned. I’d called the hotel earlier and arranged private dining for us in her suite since she refused to have dinner with me in a restaurant.
When I arrived at the hotel, the restaurant had just finished preparing our dinner. Wheeling the cart into the elevator, I took it to the seventh floor and lightly knocked on her door.
“Room service.” I tried to disguise my voice.
The door opened. “I didn’t—Roman, what is going on?” She cocked her head.
“I’ll be in court all day tomorrow and need to discuss the case with you. Now, move out of the way.” I wheeled the cart inside. “Since you refused to have dinner with me at a restaurant, I figured I’d bring dinner to you.”
“I already ate.”
“Okay. Then you can watch me eat while we talk.” I smiled. “I’ll just set your plate on the table if you change your mind.”
“I won’t,” she said.
“You might.” I winked, walking over to the bar and pouring a scotch.
I lifted the lid from my plate and stared at the juicy, stacked burger with crisp-looking French fries that shared the same plate. Morgan walked over to the table, lifted her lid, and narrowed her eyes at me .
“It’s a great burger.” I took a bite.
She pulled out her chair and sat down.
“Did you find out anything?” I asked.
“Not really. I’ll go to the prison tomorrow and speak with him. He has no alibi, his girlfriend’s DNA was under his fingernails, and he had a motive for wanting her dead. I’m pretty sure he’s guilty, Roman.”
“Well, I don’t think that.”
I smiled when she picked up her burger and bit into it.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t. All the evidence points to him. Plus, he has a history of anger and violence.”
“I’m aware of his violent tendencies, but it doesn’t mean he’s a killer. I need you to find me something that proves that. Something was missed during the investigation. I can feel it. Good burger, right?”
“Yeah. It is. Thanks. But after you eat, you’re out of here.”