Page 6 of Monster

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Charlotte

Niles barked with laughter.“I still can’t believe you put that man away. Didn’t he have a team of lawyers for his first case?”

Mom nodded. “Oh, yes, he did. But he didn’t understand the full force of what my law firm provides. My daughter was instrumental in putting that man away, too. Weren’t you, sweetheart?”

My head whipped toward her at the sound of her voice. “Hmm? Oh, yes. That Cleaver Case was an absolute open and shut. I’m still not sure why they had such struggles during his first trial.”

Mom plastered on a smile. “We’re talking about the Hollander Case.”

I blinked. “Ah, that one.”

Raymond grinned at me. “Seems you have confidence in your abilities.”

I nodded. “Of course. I can’t work beside the best prosecuting attorney in the state without holding my own.”

He nodded. “I like that in a woman. A bit of strength. A bit of stubbornness.”

Mom smiled brightly. “Well, my daughter is single.”

“Mom,” I hissed.

“Well, you are! And for far too long, if I might add.”

Raymond faced me completely. “If that’s the case, then it’s a shame. You’re a beautiful, vibrant, intelligent woman. You should have every man who even looks at you falling at your feet.”

I nodded politely. “Your words are kind, thank you.”

“Say, would you be willing to go get—.”

I handed Mom my wine glass. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I’m really not feeling well.”

Mom furrowed her brow. “Charlotte. That was rude. You interrupted the poor man.”

I looked at Raymond. “Can I catch you another time? I just really need to go lay down.”

He nodded. “Of course. I’m sure I’ll catch you around soon enough. Feel better, all right? And if there’s anything you need—.”

I drew in a quick breath. “I’ll be sure to ask, yes. Thank you. Mom, if you’ll excuse me.”

I heard her balk behind me, but I didn't care. All I wanted to do was get out of that situation and find my way back to my place. After all, I had a two-week date with a vacation I needed to keep. And the last thing I needed was for my mother to rope me into some bullshit dinner with some stuck-up rich guy who was related to a client my mother had to bail out of jail herself.

Some days, I wasn’t sure why in the world my mother worked for some of these people.

Besides, I was upset that my mother’s apparent reputation had cockblocked me from what would have been a wonderful night with a very dashing man. I was still mourning that loss, and the beach always soothed my tears whenever I needed a good cry. Sure, I wasn’t the kind of woman to cry over some man whose name I didn’t even know. But I was still incredibly upset that Mom had bailed on this vacation.

So, I found myself on the shoreline of one of New York City’s name beaches with my heels in my hands.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered to myself.

With the waves lapping softly at my ankles and the stars twinkling high in the sky, I looked out over the crescent moon shimmering in the undulating waves. The smell of saltwater filled my nostrils, easing my tears of disappointment down my cheek while I tried my best to cope. No matter how old I got and no matter how much favor I garnered with my mother, it seemed her work would always come first. Her clients would always come first. Before family, or vacations, or promises she’d made to me.

I was beginning to see why Dad left in the first place.

I felt my phone vibrating in my purse and I quickly dug it out. I wiped the tears off my face and cleared my throat, figuring I’d have to pick up some sort of client phone call. But instead, I found a text from Mom flashing at me.

So, I opened it.

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