Page 51 of Queen of Ruin

Alistair leans forward, all playfulness wiped from his face.

“I want you to put the money in an account for her.” I walk across the room.

He looks a little too excited at the prospect. “I can do that.”

“And give her access to it now.”

Alistair raises his eyebrows. “Are you sure you want to do that?”

“Very much.” I stop in front of the bookcase.

My father has an extensive library, ranging from history to poetry. I pluck one off the shelf and inspect it.

“Darren, as your friend, I would advise against this. You give her access to the money, she’ll take it and leave.”

“You don’t know her!” I argue.

“You think because she looks at you like you’re her savior she’s gonna become a D.C. socialite?” Alistair protest.

“I’m nobody’s savior, Alistair!” I run a hand through my hair. “I should have never got her fired in the first place. At least this way I can make up for it.”

“I get that you feel guilty, but just giving her five million dollars?” Alistair snuffs out the cigar and stands.

“It was the agreement, and it’s always been the agreement. What does it matter if she has it now or at the end of the year?” I raise my voice.

“The difference is you.” He points at me. “You’re different.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” I place the book back on the shelf. “It’s because of her that I’m different. It’s because of her that I don’t want to waste my life anymore.”

“And I get that, but are your expectations the same as hers?” Alistair raises the question.

In my head my expectations are exactly where they should be – that this is a good thing, this will make sense in the long run because I’m creating a future for myself. But what will that future look like and with who, I don’t know. Does anybody know that for certain?

“I’m not delusional, but I also don’t have crystal ball, Alistair. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I only know what I don’t want to happen, and I’m making steps to ensure that,” I rebuke. “I cannot live in my parents shadow any longer.”

“That’s all very inspirational, but I don’t want you to get taken advantage of.” His expression softens and he adds in a quiet tone, “I don’t want you to see you get hurt.”

I grab him by the shoulders. “I appreciate it, more than you know, but it’s what I want. Can you just do that for me?”

Alistair nods. “Anything, Dare. You know that.”

I nod, letting him go and turning back to the desk.

“And no offense, Alistair, but you're the last person I’d take advice from, especially coming from someone who’s trying to bed his boss,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

“None taken, but you know I’ve always had a fondness for older women,” Alistair concedes, making his way over to the desk and looking at the pile of law books and journals. “Do you think Judge Hoskins will take you back as his clerk?”

“I think that ship sailed when you defiled his only daughter and got me fired,” I emphasize.

“She was worth it,” Alistair winks.

“For who?” I laugh. “Besides, I don’t want to be a trial lawyer anyway.” Getting fired from Hoskins clerkship was a blessing. I’d only done it to appease my father, but I had no interest in the court system.

“Then I did you a favor and that means you owe me.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I don’t think it works like that.”

“What kind of lawyer are you going to be?”

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