Broken Reign: Enemies-To-Lovers Romance

“How is that possible? Isn’t this a conflict of interest?” she demands. Not a good play on her part. There isn’t a non-compete amongst criminals.

“And why exactly would it be a conflict of interest?” I interject, stepping forward and lifting my brow. Both their heads snap back to me, her top teeth biting into her lower lip so hard I wait for it to bleed. “Is there something you want to say?” I tease, but my voice comes out more monotone. She shakes her head back and forth, realizing the error.

She just implied that her client, previous client, and myself have something in common. Which, as a lawyer with confidential privilege intact, is not something she can say anything about. Two seconds in the room with me, and I already have her fucking up. By the way her face pales, she realizes it, too.

God, fucking with her over the next few weeks will be so much fun.

“With all due respect, Ms. Matthews, we allocate our associates to the assignments most suited for them. This is for best.”

“The best? The best for whom? The best for you?” she says this to me, lifting an eyebrow. “Why would you want me?”

I look her up and down. My gaze basks at the way she squirms. Time draws out, and the longer it does, the more I’m enjoying myself. A million things want to come out of my mouth. I go with the answer that will piss her off the most.

No answer.

I give her no answer but watch as she grinds her teeth together. I can tell she’s not happy. Hell, it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to come to this conclusion, but it’s entertaining me, nonetheless.

“Skye, this is an amazing opportunity,” Seth says as he leans forward and places his elbows on the desk. “An opportunity to learn, expand, and get important insight in a field you haven’t had much experience with.”

She looks back and forth between us like she is realizing there’s not much she can do at this moment. Her boss has spoken. There’s no reason to tell her why I want her. I can’t tell her. Plus, I’ve already dealt with it in the currency that matters the most: money. The amount I am paying Williams to have her work with me . . . well, let’s just say he won’t be saying no.

“Now that that is settled, I will be getting out of here. Ms. Matthews, I expect you to be available to me starting tomorrow at nine o’clock.”

With that, I move to step out of the room. Behind me, I can hear her voice. She’s trying to keep it down, but I hear the hiss in her tone. Wanting to know what is going to happen with Bernard’s cases. She’s feisty, that’s for sure.

I don’t acknowledge anyone else as I make my way down the hall and through the glass doors. I pull my phone out of my pocket and fire off a text. By the time I pass the receptionist, everyone I employ knows I’m on the move.

The car should be in the back, and my security detail is beside me as the elevator doors open. I’m sick of this shit.

But Gideon informs me that, right now, I need the extra protection. I’m brokering a deal to step down from the dealing part of my business. To transfer all my business into a legit money source and retire. I only have one thing left before I can do that.

Take out my last enemy.

Which is another reason I need Skye on my side.

Not just for my own sick thrills but for revenge.

8

Skye

“You can’t be serious,” I say to my boss as I hear Tobias’s footsteps fading into the surrounding sounds of the office. He doesn’t blink as he responds, just drills me with a stare that dares me to object.

“I am nothing but serious, kiddo. Comes with the territory of doing what I do.”

Pacing the room, I try to think of a plausible response that would warrant him turning down his request. I can’t work with that man. I can’t breathe around him. It’s not just about the way he makes me forget my words when he looks at me with those piercing blue eyes. Nope, it’s more than that.

There are reasons. Multiple reasons.

I just need to come up with a good, valid point to tell Mr. Williams, and something tells me that if I mention how handsome he is, devastatingly so, it won’t sway him.

Reason one: Because he’s hot.

No, that won’t do.

Think, Skye.

Reasons?

You’re a goddamn lawyer. Arguing should be your forte.

Okay, reason two—

“I think you misunderstand.” He speaks, making my footsteps stop and putting an end to my poor attempt at a list.

“How?”

“You’ll still work occasionally with other clients, but you’re also taking on Tobias.”

I can still get close to Mr. Bernard. Not all is lost, but my mind still reels with confusion.