Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Julian
“Jesus Christ,” I mumbled, climbing into the back of the Escalade.
“What’s wrong?” Sam, my driver, asked.
“Those girls are freaking monsters. You should have heard them. God, now I have a headache.” I placed my hand on my forehead. “I’m never going over to Laurel’s house again.”
He chuckled. “We’ll see.”
When I arrived home, I put my briefcase down, went upstairs, and changed into my swim trunks. After pouring a scotch, I took it to the patio, set it on the table, and dove into the pool. When I reached the surface, I saw my two brothers sitting in the lounge chairs.
“It’s about time you got home. Where were you?” Roman asked.
“Yeah. Shaun’s plane got in hours ago,” Parker said.
“I had to stop by Laurel’s house.” I climbed out of the pool and grabbed a towel.
“For what?” Parker’s brows furrowed .
“To discuss Georgina’s case. Her bail hearing is tomorrow, and it’s not looking good.”
“What’s going on?” Roman asked.
“The cops found CC footage of her walking into the hotel with her husband. Also, several hotel workers confirmed she was with him. So, between the murder weapon, blood-stained dress, and footage, I have to come up with a clever way to prove she’s not a flight risk.”
“You’ll do it.” Parker patted my shoulder as I sat down.
“Since you went to Laurel’s, did you meet her daughters?” Roman asked.
“I did. Those little girls are monsters.”
“Why?” Parker chuckled.
“They were fighting and yelling.” I shook my head as I tipped the glass to my lips.
“That’s what kids do,” Roman said. “We did the same thing. Are we monsters?”
Parker bopped his head back and forth as if contemplating that we were.
“You’re such a douchebag.” I stared at him.
He grabbed my glass from my hand and finished the scotch inside it.
“Hey!”
“I have to go. I’ll see you two tomorrow,” he said.
Roman stayed for a few moments and then left. I went inside and slipped out of my swim trunks and into my boxer briefs. My phone rang when I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. Why the hell was Laurel Facetiming me?
“What’s up?” I answered.
“Do you always walk around in your underwear?” A smirk crossed her lips.
“Yes. All men do.” I leaned the phone against the counter while grabbing my toothbrush and the toothpaste. “ Do you always Facetime people when you’re lying in bed?”
God, she was so fucking beautiful.
“If it’s something important, yes. I know I’m second chair, but I ask that you let me argue bail tomorrow.”
“No. No way.” I shook my head as I squirted some toothpaste on the toothbrush.
“Oh, come on, Julian.”
“No, Laurel. I’ve known Georgina for a long time, and she can’t stay in jail. She’s too fragile.”
“So, you don’t trust me or my abilities as an attorney?” Her brow arched.
“I don’t know you or your abilities, and this isn’t the case to test it out.”
“And you call me a mean-spirited person?” she said. “Sweet dreams, Julian. Or more like, I hope you have nightmares.” A sinister smile crossed her lips, and my brows furrowed. “Good night.” She ended the call.
Wow. Just wow. I brushed my teeth, switched off the bathroom light, and climbed into bed. Staring at the ceiling, I placed my hands behind my head and thought about Laurel. I thought about what her ex-boss said. I should have given her a chance to prove herself, but Georgina’s case wasn’t the one that let her do that.
Closing my eyes, I saw her smile, a ray of sunshine I didn’t want to think about but couldn’t be helped.
“Are you ready?” I stepped into Laurel’s office.
“Well, good morning to you too, Mr. Hamilton.” She stood from her chair and grabbed her purse.
“Sorry. Good morning, Laurel. ”
“Did you sleep well?” She glanced at me as we headed toward the elevator.
“Just like a baby.” I smiled. “And no nightmares like you wished upon me, at least not when I sleep. I can’t speak for when I’m awake.”
She inhaled a breath and rolled her eyes. The elevator doors opened, and Parker stood there.
“Are you getting out?” I asked him.
“No. I’m heading down to the lobby,” he said.
“Are you saying that I’m a nightmare?” Laurel asked.
I didn’t answer her, and she reached over and smacked my arm.
“Ouch. Really?” My brows furrowed.
“Oh, please. Are you that much of a wimp?”
Parker chuckled.
“Shut up, bro.” The elevator doors opened.
“Try not to kill each other before the day ends,” he said, walking ahead of us.
We climbed into the back of the Escalade, headed to the courthouse, and spoke to Georgina before court began.
“Georgina, there’s footage of you entering the hotel with your husband the night of his murder.” I pulled up the footage and showed her.
“That’s impossible. That is not me.”
“Georgina—”
“No, Julian. I swear to you. That is not me. I haven’t worn heels in over ten years. I can’t.”
“Why is that?” Laurel asked.
“Because ten years ago, I shattered my ankle, and after multiple surgeries, it still didn’t heal right. I can only wear flat shoes. Heels kill my ankle. That is not me! Someone is setting me up!”
“Okay. Calm down,” I said.
As the hearing was about to start, we ran into Liza, the Assistant District Attorney prosecuting the case, on our way into the courtroom.
“Liza.” I nodded.
“Julian. Who’s this?”
“This is Laurel Evans. She’s a new attorney at the firm. I thought Corbin was handling the case.”
“He and his wife were in an accident last night.”
“Are they okay?” I asked.
“They’re pretty banged up. He’ll be back in a few days. I’m taking over. I hope you’re prepared to send your client back to jail because there’s no way the judge will grant her bail,” she leaned in and whispered in my ear.
“We’ll see.” I walked into the courtroom.