Crimson Desire (Hollow Hearts #2)

"Amari."

I looked up from the files on my desk, surprised to hear Thomas Barrett's voice on my phone. It's very surprising because the head attorney of the firm wasn't one to make casual calls!

"Thomas? What's up?"

"I need you in my office. Now." His tone was curt, urgent.

I could tell this wasn't a routine request. It is something...important.

I glanced at the clock. It's late, but nothing new. Still, the edge in his voice had me on alert. Without another word, I grabbed my things and made my way to his office.

When I entered, I saw Thomas sitting behind his desk. There is a folder open in front of him.

"Sup, boss?" I grinned, trying to be witty despite his serious face.

He didn't greet me with his usual smile. Instead, his eyes were focused, serious.

I shut my mouth. Yeah, he's not happy right now, Amari. You stupid!

"Sit down," he said, gesturing to the chair across from him. "We've been handed a major case, and I need you to take point on it."

I sat down, trying to mask the sudden tension in my body. "What's the case all about?"

He slid the folder across the desk before he spoke again.

"Grant Group. Sounds familiar?"

What?

"Grant Group. Corporate empire. Banks, tech, real estate. They're currently involved in a multi-million-dollar investigation-fraud, money laundering, insider trading. You name it. It's all here."

The what?

I blinked, processing the enormity of what he was saying. Grant Group? The Grant Group? The name alone made my pulse quicken, but...

Amari, you calm down!

"T...That's huge. Are we really taking them on?"

"This is the thing. You know Valerie knows a lot of cases like this but she's been handling serious cases in regards to the recent senator who's finally in jail. let's give her a break. And you also handled this kind of case before."

I sighed, feeling so problematic because I think I knew now what he would do.

"This is exactly the kind of case we've been preparing for you, Amari. The stakes are high. We need someone with sharp minds to handle this, someone who can go toe to toe with them." Thomas' gaze was intense, focused. "And that someone is you. You're the best we have, Amari."

I glanced down at the file, scanning through the documents. The more I read, the heavier the weight in my chest became. And then, it hit me. There, in black and white, was the name that made everything freeze.

Lucas Trail Grant. Chief Executive Officer.

I almost dropped the file.

I hadn't seen that name in years. The memories hit me like a storm.

I took a sharp breath, my voice trembling just slightly.

"Lucas Grant?" I repeated, my mind struggling to comprehend. "The CEO?"

"Yup. We need you to go after him, Amari. This is a chance to bring down one of the biggest players in the game."

"He's the current CEO?"

I felt my hands begin to sweat, my pulse hammering in my ears. This was no longer just a case. This was personal. Too personal.

"Yes, and I heard there's a lot of people resigned in that company after he became the CEO. He's ruthless, I heard. Wait, you went to the same university, right?"

"I-" I started, but the words choked in my throat. I was supposed to be professional, to take control. But my mind was a whirlwind, racing through a thousand thoughts I couldn't silence.

The case... it was everything I had worked for. But him? Lucas? Facing him again... could I really put myself in that position?

Could I really walk into this battle knowing everything it would cost me?

"Thomas, I don't think I'm the right person for this. I can't take this-"

Thomas furrowed his brow, clearly caught off guard. "Amari, you're the best we have. You've been handling cases like this for years now. You've got the legal mind for it, the tenacity. You're exactly who we need."

I shook my head, frustration building.

"You don't get it. I think this... this is too much. I can't go up against him or them. It's too dangerous for us. You said he's ruthless and I don't think I could-" I broke off, realizing how much I was giving away.

Thomas was watching me carefully now, trying to read between the lines.

"Amari, I understand that this might be a big ask, but you're the one who can do this. I could help you but you know I will be going abroad for another case as well."

I opened my mouth to protest again, but then I stopped. The reality of the situation was undeniable. I couldn't back down. Just...shit!

"Please, Amari... Our clients have valid reasons as well. Their lands were taken by the company without legal process with them. A lot of workers are unpaid and there are so many injustices inside. Even the company as a whole seems problematic. That's what our firm thrives on, right? Justice for those in need...and this is not just one, but many are victims of this company, Amari."

With a sigh, I closed the file and sat back, trying to steady my thoughts. "Okay...I'll check the case."

Thomas nodded, relief washing over his face. "Good. You start meeting the clients tomorrow."

When my work ended, I got into my car, the weight of my decision sinking in. I'd said yes to the case, but everything about it felt heavy.

I have never seen Lucas for I don't know how many years already. Maybe almost...ten years...

Accepting this meant Lucas would be back in my life, and I knew that meant trouble.

Trouble I wasn't sure I was ready for.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, my phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the silence. It was a message from Tali, my younger sister.

From: Tali:

Almost home, Ate? Can I call? I have to tell you something.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Tali always had a way of making me feel grounded, even when everything around me felt chaotic.

To: Tali

Yup. I'm driving now. I'll call you once I get home.

A few seconds passed before another message popped up.

From: Tali:

Everything okay?

I stared at the message for a few moments. How could I tell her what was really going on? How could I explain that I was about to take on the Grant Group-and him? I couldn't. Not yet. I quickly typed back.

To: Tali

Yeah, just a long day. I'll call you later.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and focused on the road. But my thoughts kept drifting back to the case. Then, as I turned a corner, I saw it. The GrantTech building. The sleek, shiny glass tower that was part of the Grant Group.

A chill ran down my spine. I'd known that building, known what it stood for. It was part of the empire that had taken everything. And now it was staring me in the face.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, trying to push my feelings down. I had a job to do, but as I kept driving, I could feel the weight of it all. The city seemed quieter, somehow, as I made my way home.

When I pulled to my apartment, I just wanted to get inside and shut the world out. I dropped my keys and bag by the door and kicked off my shoes, the silence swallowing me whole.

I needed a moment to breathe. I entered the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and sat by the window. I stared at the lights in the distance, trying to calm the storm inside me.

Tomorrow, I'll meet the clients. Tomorrow, the fight would begin. But tonight? I just had to make it through. I had to remind myself why I was doing this. It wasn't just for the clients.

It was for justice. Justice that I promised to offer.

But deep down, I knew the truth. The past was never as far behind as I wanted it to be.