Page 96 of Heist

Chapter Twenty-Five

Patrick paced the courthouse hallway waiting to be called into a conference room. He’d been called back to New York and was waiting on a meeting with the prosecutor trying his case.

Austin was meeting him after court with another client. The prosecutor was already inside waiting on them, but Patrick wasn’t allowed in without his attorney.

The doors to a nearby courtroom burst open and a group of people poured out. Austin was easy to spot since she was taller than most of the people in the crowd. She smiled when she spotted him, and Patrick felt his heart twist. Seeing her was everything good about his day, yet he couldn’t escape the sinking feeling this trial was going to break them.

When she approached, she brushed a hand down his shoulder and said, ‘You’re looking rather stern. Stressed about this meeting?”

Patrick did his best to relax his features and gave her a small smile. “A little. Any idea what they’re going to offer yet?”

Austin shook her head. “No clue but I’m sure you won’t like it.”

“Well, that’s not very reassuring. Let’s get in there then.”

Austin pulled open the door and motioned Patrick through.

The prosecutor looked up from a notebook and smiled. “Austin, lovely to see you again.”

He felt Austin stiffen next to him. “Greg,” she said politely. “I didn’t know you were trying this case.”

“I wasn’t, but Sandra got put on bedrest for the duration of her pregnancy, so here I am.”

Patrick didn’t know who Greg was, but he could tell the man was making Austin uncomfortable.

“Mr. Sutton, thanks for meeting with me today. I’m sure you want to put this trial behind you, so we’re prepared to offer you a deal.”

Patrick sat when Greg nodded to the chair across from him. He had no intention of accepting any kind of plea deal, but Austin had insisted it was best to hear what they were offering so they had a better idea of how much of a case the prosecution had.

“The diamonds that went missing are of substantial value as you’re aware. If you’re convicted, you could face up to twenty years in prison and I guarantee if we take this to trial, the D.A. is prepared to seek the maximum sentence.”

Patrick tried not to wince but the thought of spending the rest of his prime years behind bars made him sick. He had to force down the bile threatening to escape his throat.

“However,” Greg continued, “We’re prepared to lower the charges to something much less significant if you return the diamonds. You’ll spend just one year in prison and serve some community service. You could be out in less than eight months.”

Patrick was already shaking his head. “I don’t…”

Austin stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. “We respectfully decline your offer. I think we’ll have better odds in a trial, Greg,” she said.

“Not to mention I don’t fucking have the diamonds,” he bit out, his fists clenched beneath the table.

“Shut up, Patrick,” Austin said sharply. “You’re under no obligation to tell him anything.” Turning her attention back to Greg, she said, “If that’s all, I think you should apologize to my client for wasting his time and we’ll be on our way.” She stood and gathered her belongings. Patrick followed her out of the conference room, already plotting how he would make her wish she hadn’t told him to shut up.

“I have to file some paperwork at the clerk’s office,” Austin said when he caught up to her. “Then we can get out of here unless you have something else you need to do.”

Patrick put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. When he had her attention, his fingers wrapped around her upper arm and he led her to an alcove near a water fountain.

“I hope you know I have no intention of forgetting that you told me to shut up. You sure you’re ready to leave for the day? I plan on reminding you of our dynamic as soon as we’re alone.”

Her eyes became clouded with lust and sensuality and she dropped her head, biting her lip. “I was hoping you would say that.”

Oh, now she was in even more trouble. “Austin, were you purposefully rude to get a reaction out of me?”

Austin shrank away from his stern gaze.

“Not exactly. But I knew as soon as I told you to shut up, I would be in trouble and it turned me on,” she confessed.

Patrick had to fight the urge to pull her in for a kiss. “Go file your paperwork. I’ll be waiting in the car. I expect my submissive to get in the limo with me, not my attorney, understood?”

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