Page 102 of Heist

Patrick sighed. “I don’t like seeing you so down on yourself. You’re an amazing human being and I’m lucky to have you in my life.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I’m pretty lucky myself.”

Patrick snorted. “I’m looking at prison time. Not sure how lucky you are.”

Austin stuck a finger in his chest. “If I can’t be down on myself neither can you.”

Patrick chuckled and grabbed her finger, bringing it to his lips. “OK, baby girl. I’ll go along with that.”

They stepped into the waiting car and Austin snuggled close to him. “Thorley isn’t giving me any grief about leaving the way I thought he would. I’m taking two clients other than you with me and I’m interviewing associates tomorrow.” Austin said in the quiet of the car.

Patrick pulled away from her enough to look into her eyes. “Have I mentioned how proud of you I am? You’re going to do so amazing.”

“I’m fucking terrified. I’m in charge in the courtroom or at a client meeting. I’ve never been the boss before.”

Patrick kissed her forehead. “Just don’t get used to it. I’ll always be the boss in the bedroom,” he said with a teasing lilt to his tone.

Austin giggled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Her giggles were interrupted by Patrick’s ringing cell phone. He frowned and pulled it from his pocket.

“It’s Tim,” he said as he lifted it to his ear.

“Tim, what’s up?” he asked when the call connected.

“Hey, boss. I wanted to let you know I’m getting on a flight back to California first thing in the morning. My daughter is back in the hospital.”

Patrick felt his heart constrict. “I’m so sorry. Absolutely. Do you need to get on a flight tonight? I’m sure we can arrange something?”

“No. It’s fine. There isn’t a lot to do there tonight. I just wanted to let you know. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Tell Miss Yates we’ll have to arrange an interview some other time.”

Patrick assured the man it would all be OK once more before ending the call. When he relayed the information to Austin, she shook her head. “Poor guy. I hope you’re paying him well. Sick kids are expensive.”

“I am. I know he was in a mountain of debt just from three months without work because of all the medical bills. I wish I’d acted faster when it came to giving him a job.”

Austin squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself. There are a lot of moving parts.”

Patrick pulled her close to him and pressed his lips to hers, trying to put his employee’s troubles out of his mind and focus on the sexy submissive in the backseat with him.

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