"Today?"
I can’t even comprehend what’s going on at the moment; it’s as if someone’s playing a sick joke. Mr. Williams seems perplexed and asks, "Did I say something wrong?"
I stand up and say, "Oh no, it's not that. As usual, you’ve looked out for my family’s interests since I was young and that’s never changed. I need to speak to Daniel and find out what’s going on."
He nods, "I think that’s the best thing to do. It seems that there’s some confusion. I know there is a big decision as to what to do – the State of California will only freeze funds for so long. If your mother truly has abandoned you, the State wants you to decide what to do with the trust money. Besides, as I said, you could fight the ruling. Technically Mr. Morgan and your mother - they’re married, but there is a way around it all. The money’s yours. All you have to do is take it. I can do the rest."
As he walks up to the door with me, I’m still trying to take in everything that he’s said, but I find it difficult. I can't process it. I feel as if I’ve been betrayed. I've completely open myself up to Daniel—even slept with him—and not once did he mention coming to see Mr. Williams.
"I’ll be in touch soon. I just need to figure out my next moves. The whole thing’s caught me by surprise." He does an odd thing and takes off his glasses. Something that I’ve never seen him do, even as a child.
"Let me walk you to the elevator."
I nod, because it’s obvious that he’s not going to take no for an answer.
"Sure."
We walk in silence and he presses the button once we reach the elevator. He says the one thing that he’s apparently been dying to say, "I’m your family lawyer. Not Daniel’s. If you need anything or have something that needs doing, I’m by your side."
His sincerity takes me by surprise. So much so that even as the elevat
or doors open, I can’t take my eyes off of him. There’s something about seeing someone without glasses that makes them look completely different. It’s as if they’re revealing their true self to you. This is how I feel right now as I look at him. He no longer sounds like a lawyer, but more like a friend.
I smile to him and say, "I can handle myself." I don’t shake his hand. Instead, I give him a kiss on the cheek. Maybe it’s crossing a line, but I don’t care. I walk into the elevator and say, "If there is an issue. I won’t hesitate to call. Thank you, Mr. Williams."
As the elevator door closes he says, "You don’t need to book an appointment, you can just walk right in."
Once he disappears out of sight, I pull out my phone and start typing a message to Colt. I need to speak to him first. Something’s completely wrong about this setup, and I feel that Daniel thinks that we’re complete idiots. No one takes me for a ride. To think that I was the one that told Colt that he was harsh on Daniel.
I hate being taken for a ride, particularly by a man who I gave my body to the previous night.
Colt
I drive back from the gym and pull into the driveway. Working out did nothing to alleviate the non-stop desire coursing through my body; my head's still in the fucking gutter. I feel a thin line of sweat zigzag its way down the chiseled ridges of my chest and I imagine it's Karen's tongue.
What? Don't look at me like that. I'm not as savage as you think. Sure, I'd like to fuck Karen for 24-hours straight if I could, but I also give a shit about her. There's a feeling that I have for her now that I swear I've never fucking had for any other woman, period.
"Where’ve you been? I’ve been calling you like crazy!"
Speak of the devil, I think, a smile washing over my lips as I nearly walk into her. I'll admit, I'm already thinking about bending her over the couch.
"Hey, babe. I was at the gym and I haven't checked my phone. I thought that you were doing your nails?"
I secretly love it when she’s flustered; she starts talking too fast and her hands become animated. Her words fly past me and I'm mesmerized by her lips. The way the sun catches the thin coat of gloss.
"I went to see Mr. Williams."
"You did what?" I ask. So much for being mesmerized. Now I'm just confused.
"I'm sorry I lied, but I had to see him. Things between the three of us are so good—better than I ever thought possible—so it made sense for me to make sure that everything was sorted out properly."
"What do you mean by everything?"
"The money," she says, her hands dancing around her face. "And he’s been with my family for so long that I had to see him … alone. Before you guys saw him."
She can see the confusion on my face. "Who are you even talking about? Who is Mr. Williams?"
"Oh … the lawyer. You don't remember him? He came to the house a couple of times."