Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Ariana
Shit. What did I do to make him shout like that? I took in a deep breath as I got up from my chair and stepped inside his office.
“Shut the door and have a seat,” he commanded harshly.
The look on his face was pure anger, and I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what I’d done.
“What’s up?” I bit down on my bottom lip.
“What’s up?” He cocked his head. “Let me tell you what’s up.” His eyes darted to his computer screen. “Ariana Grace Williams, born October 1, 1991. Graduated from Harvard Law 2016 at the top of her class and delivered the valedictorian speech. Interned at Young, Johns, & Pettyfer. Daughter of Emma and John Williams. Sibling of Julia Brooks. Who are all still very much alive and living in Boston.” He glared at me.
Shit. Shit. Shit. I should have told him about Harvard.
I gulped as his eyes burned into mine, and not in a seductive way.
“You’re a fucking lawyer?” His voice was stern and somewhat frightening.
“Not yet. I still have to take the bar exam.”
“This is unbelievable. Harvard? Really? Top of your class? Valedictorian speech? Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” He got up from his chair and paced around his office.
“You said you didn’t need to know what skills I had. You said it didn’t matter.”
“I don’t give a shit what I said!” he shouted as he walked over to me and placed his hands on each arm of my chair, his angry face mere inches from mine. “This is important information that you should have told me. You led me to believe you knew nothing about the law. You deceived me, Ariana,” he spoke as his angry eyes stared at me.
“I didn’t deceive you at all. You assumed, and I played on your assumption. Not a good feeling, is it, Mr. Russo?”
“So, this was payback for me not telling you I wasn’t the secretary?”
“No. This was just me trying to get my life back together.”
“Why did you lie about your family?”
“Am I on trial?” I asked.
His eyes narrowed at me as he stood up and sat behind his desk.
“No. But I am your boss, and I think I have the right to know.”
“My family isn’t your concern, Luca.” I probably just got fired. “They’re dead to me.”
“And you won’t tell me why?”
“No,” I adamantly spoke as I got up from my chair. “I’ll get my things and go.” I began to walk towards the door.
“Do you really think that I’d fire you?” he asked. “Sit down, please.” His voice calmed.
Taking in a deep breath, I sat back down. He folded his hands on his desk and stared at me momentarily. His eyes displayed a bit of warmth, and the anger seemed to have dissipated.
“You’re right. Your personal life isn’t any of my concern. But what is my concern is that you haven’t taken your bar exam yet, and I want to know why.”
“I was scheduled to take it back in Boston, but then things happened, and I had to leave and relocate quickly. I wanted to take the bar here, but it’s in less than two weeks and way past the deadline for registration, so I’ll be taking it in November.”
“Are you ready to take the bar exam, Ariana?”
“Yes. I’m ready. I just wish?—”
“I have a very good friend whom I’m certain can get you in to take it this month.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But you must make sure you’re ready for it. It’s extremely hard, and usually only about sixty percent of the people who take it for the first time actually pass.”
“I’m not worried.” I looked down at my hands.
“Harvard, eh?” He smiled.
“Yes. And you?”
“Cornell. Top of my class. Delivered the Valedictorian speech.”
“Impressive. And this firm?”
“My grandfather was the founding partner. He had a stroke a couple of years ago, which forced him to retire from the law. He brought me in as a partner right after law school. I became a lawyer because of him.”
“I’m sorry.”
“And I’m sorry about your family.”
“Don’t be.” I lightly shook my head.
“Are you one hundred percent sure you’re going to stay in New York permanently?” he asked.
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“Then this is what I’m going to do for you. I’ll make the call to my friend, get you registered for the bar, pay all your exam fees, and once you pass, you will work here at the firm as a junior associate. Deal?” He grinned.
“How do you know I’ll be a good enough attorney for your firm?”
“I already told you that you’d make a damn good lawyer. Do you accept?”
“It takes about three months for the results to come back. What do I do if Lisa returns before then?”
“You’ll get the results quickly. That I can guarantee.”
“You have that kind of pull, Mr. Russo?”
“I do.” He smirked. “I can do many things. Never underestimate me.”
“Why would you do this for me?”
“Because, Ariana, you’re broken and trying to put the pieces of your life back together. We’ve all been there. You were set to take the bar and become a lawyer until something happened with your family, leading you off your path. I can put you back on that path.”
Excitement soared through my body. This was really happening, and my life was already starting to change for the better.
“I accept.” I grinned. “But what about the other partners? Don’t they have to agree to bring me on as a junior associate?”
“I’m the majority holder and partner in this firm. I make whatever decisions I feel are in the best interest of this company.”
“Thank you, Luca. You have no idea how much I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
The corners of his mouth curved up into a smile. “Then show me. Have dinner with me tonight. Not a business dinner, but a personal one. A date.”
How could I tell him no after what he was doing for me? He was jumpstarting my career, and I knew in the back of my mind that I’d have to somehow pay the price for it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go out with him. He was sexy, successful, and intelligent. But there wasn’t any room in my life right now for any relationship. Plus, I had an overwhelming feeling that he’d break my heart and hurt me if things got out of control. I’d already been hurt enough for a lifetime.
“I was supposed to go apartment hunting, remember?”
“You can go tomorrow. In fact, I’ll call my realtor to help you find something.”
“I guess dinner would be nice.” I smiled.
“Nice?” His brow arched. “I’ll pick you up at seven, and we’ll go back to the same restaurant as last night since we didn’t get to enjoy their fine food.”
“I’ll be ready.” I got up from my chair.
“You know what?” He slyly smiled. “We’ll have dinner at my place tonight instead.”
I stood there and narrowed my eye suspiciously at him. If he thought he would get me to sleep with him, he was crazy because it wasn’t happening.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I spoke.
“Why?” He smirked. “Are you afraid you won’t be able to resist me in the privacy of my own home? That you won’t be able to keep your panties intact? Or is it that you don’t trust me?”
“I can resist you, Mr. Russo. I’m not worried about that. As far as trust goes, I’m not sure yet. From what I hear, you’re quite the woman player.”
“True.” He shrugged. “And I’m sure Olivia has warned you about me. But I assure you I will be on my best behavior tonight.”
“Text me your address, and I’ll see you at seven.” I smiled as I walked out of his office.
Once I reached my desk, I let out a deep breath. In my head, I knew having dinner with him at his place was a bad idea.