CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Ruben
“Mr. Posada,” Michelle, my assistant, says, stepping into my office. Her tone is calm and professional, but there’s an edge to it. “Mr. Langley is expecting you for a meeting this afternoon.”
I glance up from the mountain of papers on Bacci’s case. “Isn’t he in Reno with the other partners?” I ask, already feeling the weight of what’s to come.
“He is,” Michelle confirms. “Your reservations have been made. He’s expecting you at five.”
The clock on my desk reads 10:15 AM. A four-hour drive. Tight but manageable.
“Do you want me to find a flight?”
The thought of waiting in a cramped airport to endure turbulence doesn’t sit right. “No,” I say, already standing and straightening my tie. “I’ll drive.”
Michelle nods, her face betraying none of her thoughts. I appreciate her professionalism. “I’ll let Mr. Langley’s office know you’re on your way.”
I shoot Lennon a quick text explaining the situation as I head out of the office.
Ruben: Can’t be home tonight. Emergency meeting in Reno.
She replies just as I’m pulling a fresh shirt from the closet at home.
Lennon: I’ll head to my place. Girls’ night. Miss you already.
Her words make me pause. I feel the same, of course. Our lives have merged easily, and I’ve come to rely on her presence. Without even trying, she’s made my space ours.
I reply telling her to have fun while tucking the shirt into my bag along with other essentials for the trip. But the truth is, I’ll miss her tonight. Every night, she’s in my bed, her lean body tucked against mine. She grounds me in a way nothing else can.
I couldn’t be happier. Or I will be… once this shit has been sorted out.
The drive to Reno is uneventful, save for the ticking clock in the back of my mind. By the time I’m pulling into the hotel, the sun is beginning its slow descent, casting the Sierra Nevada in hues of gold and orange. I step out, rolling my shoulders to shake off the fatigue of the road.
The meeting is being held in a private dining room. As I approach the door, I’m already bracing myself for war, gripping the handle of my messenger bag like a lifeline. I’m sure Aiden will give his top moves. The man’s talent for manipulation is only matched by his hubris.
I knock once and push the door open.
“Ah, Ruben,” Langley greets, his voice carefully neutral, but his eyes betray unease. He rises from his chair, extending a hand I don’t bother to shake. Around the polished mahogany table, the other partners sit in silence, their expressions guarded. At the head, Aiden leans back, his hands clasped in a gesture of mock relaxation, a predator surveying his territory.
“Good evening,” I say, my tone crisp, controlled. I walk in and take the seat directly across from him, locking eyes as I do. There’s no hesitation in my movements, no deference.
Langley clears his throat. “We’ve convened to discuss some… issues regarding your recent decisions.”
“Is that so?” My gaze sweeps the room, pausing briefly on each face. I see discomfort, suspicion, but most importantly, doubt.
Aiden leans forward, his predatory smile sharp enough to cut glass. “Your recent actions have raised concerns about your loyalty to the firm,” he begins, his voice dripping with feigned disappointment. “Your decision to withdraw from the theater case has complicated matters for us. It’s unprofessional, Ruben. Unreliable.”
“Unreliable?” I echo, letting the word hang in the air. I lean back in my chair, crossing one leg over the other. “Or unwilling to play dirty?”
His smile falters, just a flicker, but I catch it.
“This is about loyalty,” he counters smoothly. “To this firm. To the people who’ve invested in you. Something I thought you understood.”
“I understand loyalty,” I respond, my voice cutting through the room like a blade. “And I understand integrity. Something you clearly don’t.”
The tension is palpable, the air thick with unspoken accusations. Langley shifts uncomfortably, his hand tightening around his whiskey glass. “Ruben, these are serious allegations. If you have anything to say in your defense, now would be the time.”
“Oh, I have plenty to say,” I answer, pulling out my phone and setting it on the table. “But I think this will speak louder.”
I press play.
The room is filled with Aiden’s voice—his threats, his boasts about pulling strings at City Hall, his callous dismissal of the owners’ rights. There is arrogance in his tone, the kind of hubris that blinds men to their own downfall.
When the recording ends, silence descends. The partners are staring at him, their disbelief turning to anger.
“You recorded me?” Aiden’s voice is low, venomous.
“It’s standard practice,” I say, my tone steady. “To protect myself. You taught me that, didn’t you?”
He recovers quickly, letting out a bitter laugh. “So what? That’s just business. Aggressive tactics are how we win cases. Anyone in my position would do the same.”
“Perhaps,” I say, reaching into my bag and pulling out a thick folder. I toss it onto the table, the weight of it landing with a satisfying thud. “But not everyone in your position would do this.”
Langley opens the folder, his brow furrowing as he scans the contents. Page after page, his expression darkens with each turn. The other partners lean in, their faces a mix of shock and fury.
“What is this?” Langley demands, his voice sharp.
“Proof,” I answer, my gaze fixed on Aiden. “Of his fraudulent activities. He’s been pocketing commissions, leaking information to opposing counsel, and sabotaging cases. Particularly the Meditech case.”
The name lands like a grenade. Langley’s face drains of color. That was an acquisition our firm was managing a couple of years ago, and suddenly, the whole thing fell like a house of cards. Our client lost billions and several contracts the company led came to an end. Let’s just say it. We had a complicated time then.
“The Meditech case?” he repeats, his voice barely above a whisper. “We lost that because—”
“Because Aiden sabotaged it,” I cut in. “Missing proofs, leaked evaluations—it’s all there. He sold out the plaintiffs we were representing, people who trusted this firm to fight for them.”
The room erupts. Partners are speaking over one another, their voices filled with outrage. Aiden tries to defend himself, but the evidence is overwhelming.
“This is ridiculous,” he snaps, his voice rising. “You’re blowing this out of proportion. Every firm uses aggressive strategies. This is nothing but—”
“Enough,” Langley says, his voice cold, authoritative. He stands, fixing Aiden with a glare that could freeze fire. “This is beyond aggressive strategies, Aiden. This is fraud. It’s unethical. And it’s unacceptable.”
Aiden’s face twists in fury, but he doesn’t argue. He knows he’s cornered.
Langley turns to me, his expression softening. “Ruben, on behalf of the firm, I owe you an apology. We should have seen this sooner.”
I incline my head, accepting the gesture but offering no warmth in return.
“We’ll handle this,” Langley continues, his tone grim. “Aiden will face the consequences. You have my word.”
The meeting concludes with the partners offering conciliatory words and invitations to dinner and drinks.
“Thank you, but I’ll pass,” I say, standing. “It’s been a long day.”
Langley clasps my shoulder briefly. “We’ll see you Tuesday. Take a long weekend to recharge.”
As I step out of the hotel, the cool night air greets me like an old friend. The city hums around me, the distant sound of traffic blending with the faint murmur of voices.
I stand there for a moment, breathing in the crisp air. Some of the weight that’s been pressing down on me begins to lift.
The battle isn’t over, but tonight, the tide has turned. As I step out of the hotel into the cool night air, I feel a weight lift of This is far from over, but I know what I need to do next. And no one will be able to stop me.