k wood paneling. Mismatched chairs. The kind of place that didn't have a website and didn't wan

spent some time cursing Brendon,

"Barrett's been running due diligence on the Jimenez Group. Quiet inquiries. Financial

r w

structured like a house of cards. Interlocking holding companies. Generational wealth passed through trusts designed in the 1970s. If som

wants me for

lling to give him." Aisling leaned back. "You're a Columbia-trained lawyer who

a. It was getting cold. "

s land. Constance will bury you in the press. You need money, you need resources, and you ne

bove the d

ell over the front of the shop. The particular pause in conversation that

Cra

ed up. Her f

same stillness she remembered from the bar. He moved through the room l

. Nodded at Aisling. Then

You still ha

't a qu

e it feel smaller. Christen could smell him again. That same sharp, green scent under wool and

tting bolder. Usually she hires

ou know a

eport. Workplace incident. Potential liability." Kile took the coffee from the w

d around her tea. "Why ar

st vulnerabilities that's still cited in corporate law reviews. Three years of sitting in board meetings and charity

't answer m

an, Ms. Craft. When I find something valuable,

target, Barrett. She's my client. And she's in the middle

al department. Six-figure salary. Resources. Protection. The kind of protection that

knew about the tea house. Of c

ou get out

o watch the Jimenez family realize they spent three years

ling's phone buzzed. She glanced

ave Kile a look that could have stripped paint. Then she was gone, p

o. Then his eyes r

nd doesn't

trust you

mption that the other person has your interests at heart. I don't. I have

t's my l

You're the only person who can testify to Brendon's infidelity with firsthand evidence. And you

jazz piano played on. The

er pho

n lit up.