Page 84 of Passionate Defense

“Does she have a defense?”

“Not yet, but Beth and I are behind her.”

“Lanie, your skills are impressive, but you’re going to need more than gut instinct to win a judgement against the biggest law firm in Boston.”

“We’ll find the evidence. Then I’ll take extreme pleasure in bringing Walt Simons to his knees.”

“I hope you’re thinking with your head, not your temper.”

“I’m in full control. And you’re forgetting our new secret weapon—Sarah Masterson. She’s a freakin’ genius, Ethan, and Walt is a cocky bastard. He thinks he’s above the law, but that plays into our hands. I guarantee he made a mistake and if it’s there, Sarah will find it.”

He paused briefly, taken aback by her ruthless words, until he realized he was speaking to Lanie in Ice Queen mode. “This is more up Beth and Sarah’s alley, isn’t it? Where do you or I come in?”

“If it goes to trial, Beth wants me to take first chair.”

“What happened to taking lower profile cases and reducing your stress?”

“I can’t let them do this to Trudy, Ethan.”

“And...”

“This case will make a name for our fledgling firm when we win.”

“Tell me the real reason.” His request was greeted with silence. But Ethan wouldn’t allow her to evade the truth, and pierced her avoidance with a single word, “Lanie.”

“Fine. I want to make Walt Simons pay for messing with my career because I wouldn’t sleep with him. When we prove Trudy didn’t do it, I’m going after everything he’s got. We’ll counter sue for perjury, defamation, libel, or whatever we can come up with after the trial. Then we’ll file the harassment suit. There are two other women at the firm that have come forward. He’s going down, Ethan, and I’m going after every dime he’s got.”

“And there it is... You have my full support.”

“I knew I could count on you, Professor, but could you invite cutthroat Ethan Fischer, trial attorney extraordinaire, to join the team as well?”

“It would be my pleasure. I’d like to see that bastard finally get what’s coming to him. But, Lanie, remember that badass cutthroat Ethan Fischer is also your husband. He is going to be watching for the first sign of stress, be it insomnia, stomach pain, weight loss—”

“I understand, Ethan.” Her voice trailed off and there was another long silence at her end.

“What aren’t you saying, Lanie?”

“That last part... well, that’s the real reason I want you on retainer. I’m counting on you to rein me in if I go a little nutso.”

“I’m up for that job. And, Lanie, one more thing.”

“Anything, honey.”

“Forget about dinner.”

“Okay, but why?”

“Because speaking as cutthroat Ethan Fischer, trial attorney extraordinaire, my dick is like iron thinking about you wreaking vengeance on that prick. I want to see the look on his smug face when a woman, once a junior associate at his firm, bleeds him dry. And when I think of Melanie Fischer, the Ice Queen, nailing his ass to the wall, it’s all I can do to keep from coming in my pants. I don’t want food, baby. I want you naked, ass up over the back of the couch and waiting for me. Because as soon as I get there, I’ve got to have you.”

Silence greeted him on the other end.

“Lanie?”

“Still here. I got distracted picturing all you just said in my head, especially your iron cock. See you in twenty, honey.”

“I adore you, baby. Make it fifteen.”

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