Page 113 of Bad Situation

I shake my head. “I also looked into your background while you worked in corporate law and your success rate as a white-collar defense attorney. I basically know all the things. I am sleeping with an FBI agent, remember?”

“How could I forget?” He puts his hands behind his head. “Your secret affair with the special agent made me feel like I was representing a reality TV show personality, not someone who usually graces the pages of The Wall Street Journal.”

I ignore that. “I have an offer.”

He hikes a brow. “An offer?”

I open my clutch, pull out the thick blank envelope, and slide it across his desk. “For you.”

He frowns but sits up and unfolds the ten-page document. I watch his frown deepen as he flips through the pages. When his icy blue eyes hit me again, the words come at me as an accusation. “This is a job offer.”

“I know. I wrote it myself.”

“No fucking way will I ever work for Kipp Montgomery.”

I give him a little shrug. “That’s good because you’ll be working for me. As of last week, my father is officially retired and I’m CEO.”

He leans back in his chair. “That’s news.”

“No, it’s not. At least not yet. We’re getting things in order and a formal announcement will be made next week. With,” I pause because there’s no way I’d mention Robert’s name in Trig’s presence, “certain people now out of the picture, I’m doing a slight reorg, not to mention, I still haven’t replaced Patrick. It weighs on my conscience that I have to, but I suspect it always will.”

“What made Kipp put himself out to pasture now?”

“My mother,” I answer. “And me. It was time. If he wanted me to take over, he needed to let me do it. I won’t be any more ready in five years. He knows this—even though giving up control is hard for him—and stepped aside.”

Trig sighs. “I have a job.”

“I’m offering you a better one. Don’t miss the bonus structure I threw in.”

“I also have a non-compete.”

“Which is null and void when it comes to Montgomery Industries. I spoke with Scott Lehman yesterday. Apparently, our retainer means more to them than you do. Scott assured me if you felt like making a shift back into corporate law, they’d buy the going-away cake, throw in some ice cream, and wish you well.”

Trig runs a big hand down his face and shakes his head. “What are you doing, Jen?”

I stand. “I need a lead attorney and I want you.”

“No,” he goes on. “I mean, what are you doing?”

I look down at him and tell him the truth. From the soles of my Manolo Blahniked feet, I mean it when I say, “I’m righting wrongs and getting business done at the same time.”

“Not everyone is going to be happy about this.”

We both know who he’s talking about and I don’t give a shit. “Read the offer. Consider it.” I pick up his plastic water bottle. “MI just bought a business that manufactures countertops and carpet from recycled plastics. As of last week, MI is a plastic free zone. I’ll buy you a Yeti. Pencil it into your contract.”

“Jen,” he calls but I’m already on my way out. When I stop and turn, he lifts his chin. “Noticed the ring. Congratulations.”

I look down at my left hand at the ring Eli put there two days ago. The diamond is small and the band is thin. It was also his grandmother’s and I wouldn’t want anything else. He slid it onto my finger after he made love to me and told me I was his forever and I’d just have to get used to it.

That will not be a hardship.

He’s yet to accept my job offer to take over global security for my company, but he hasn’t turned me down yet, either. He’s still thinking on it.

I’m his and he’s mine. That’s all that matters. He can take all the time he wants.

But, Trig, on the other hand, cannot. “Think it over. I needed a lead counsel last month. You’ve got the weekend. I look forward to talking to you on Monday.”

He says nothing.

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