Page 105 of #Bossholes

But what if we were wrong?

I can't help the devil on my shoulder, whispering in my ear. If I can’t talk to her, really look into her eyes and see her for who she really is, how will I know for sure?

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, one that does nothing to calm the storm raging inside me, and for the hundredth time this morning, I stop outside Kinsley’s office.

There’s no trace of her anywhere; it’s completely generic right down to the white painted walls. All her ridiculous animal prints are gone. There’s nothing on her desk aside from a computer and keyboard. The only sign she ever worked here was a pen I found on the floor early this morning. It said Motherfucking Monday, and while it’s Friday, the sentiment is still the same.

This is a mess.

A huge fucking mess.

“Don’t know why you’re standing there like a lost puppy.” Brantley comes out of his office, his eyes narrowed; not on me, but on the desk behind me. “The temp agency agreed to send us someone on Monday, and everything should go back to normal.”

Normal? Does any of this really seem normal? Fuck. Of course it doesn’t, but this is what Brantley does. He ignores and deflects.

“I couldn’t give a flying fuck about a temp.” I take a few steps forward, getting right in his face. My voice is low, but my words are scathing. “What if we were wrong? What if we lost the best thing that ever happened to us? What if we never see her again?”

“Then good riddance.” His nostrils flare as he leans toward me. “We weren’t wrong. Everything points to her. Everything. She was working with Thomas to tear this firm apart. She tore us apart.”

I force myself to take a few seconds before responding, to try to rein in my anger, but it doesn’t work. “I know what the evidence says, but I heard her yesterday. That’s more than I can say for you. We won’t even know if Colin is okay. How can you live with that?”

“You think I don’t care?” He grips my tie and pulls me forward, but I stand my ground. “I’ve tried to call the hospital countless times, but they won’t tell me anything. I promised that kid I’d be there today, and I’m not. I’m here, trying to hold myself together because I know if I go there, if I show up at the hospital… I…I don’t think I can even look at her right now.” He sighs and lets go of me as he takes a step back.

“But what if someone else is behind everything? What if we were wrong?”

He hangs his head, his shoulders deflating with the rest of him. “Well, I guess I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.” He stays like that for a couple beats, but then his gaze raises to meet mine. “Come on; we have to meet with Ember. You need to get your head in the game.”

I snort a laugh. Yeah, right. I’m so distracted I don’t know which direction is up. But yeah, I’ll get it together.No problem.

When we get to the conference room, it’s just Ember and Daisy and surprisingly, Ember isn’t going through the cabinets looking for liquor. Her hands are resting on the table, folded on top of each other, and she looks more alert than she ever has. Great time to sober up.

“Mrs. Lynn, thank you so much for meeting with us on such short notice.” Brantley breezes in and takes a seat across from them.

I trudge in behind him, shut the door, and sit next to him. “We’re very sorry about the media circus that must be going on in your life right now. We believe the details of our case have been leaked from someone in the office.”

Ember nods, her nails clacking on the table as she looks between us. “I posted those videos in the first place. This isn’t all on you.”

Brantley inclines his head toward her. “While I appreciate you taking responsibility for the videos, this never should have happened. We are doing all we can to make sure something like this doesn’t occur again. We’re aware of the challenge this could cost us going forward, and while we understand if you want to find another attorney, we will work tirelessly to ensure we have the strongest case possible before we go to court.”

Daisy puts down her phone and flips her hair over her shoulder. “And the person responsible? Do you know who it was?”

“They’re been fired,” Brantley responds at the same time I say, “We’d rather keep their identity private for now.”

Although it won’t take long for Daisy to put two and two together. Brantley was in his office with Thomas at the end of our last meeting, but I remember how friendly she and Kinsley were with each other. They’re obviously friends, and if she doesn’t already know what went down, she soon will.

Ember continues clacking those nails, one then another in rapid succession. “I trust you, and I want to continue working together. Plus, I feel like we understand each other. I’m currently dating two men and the two of you and your brother are dating the same woman.” At our shocked expressions she tilts her head, examining us more closely. “No? Well, can’t believe everything you read, I guess.”

“I guess so,” I grumble, completely ignoring the curious looks Daisy is shooting my way.

Brantley gives her a tight smile and goes back to the case at hand. I’m sure they’re talking about some important shit, I’m sure I should be paying better attention, but I don’t have it in me.

My gaze keeps going back to Daisy, and I can’t help but wonder how long her and Kinsley have known each other. Are they good friends? Would she know how Colin is doing? Would she know if Kinsley had been double crossing us the entire time she’s been working here?

My gut says no, and it’s usually right.

Which means I need to do some more digging.

FIFTY-FOUR

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