Page 6 of Kane's Awakening
I looked at the photo of Izzy and Theo on my desk, and I couldn’t imagine someone hurting them in any way.
Finally feeling awake enough, I picked up the phone and called Michael’s office to see what he wanted.
“Kingston, Robertson, and Smith, this is Dawn. How can I help you?” A female voice greeted.
“Good morning, Dawn. This is Ryker Carson. Is Mr. Kingston available?”
“Let me check, hun,” she said in a thick, southern drawl. I’d met her a few times at the office Christmas parties the firm had and she was the ultimate southern belle—beautiful dark skin, curves, and a sweet but sassy personality. “Yes, he’s available. I’ll transfer you to him.”
As I waited, I took another drink of coffee and looked out the window beside my desk. The view of the bare trees against the white, overcast sky made it look cold outside. A breeze caused the leafless branches to sway a bit, and a Blue jay flew to several as if deciding which it preferred.
“Hey, Ryker, thanks for returning my call,” Michael said in his low, gravelly tone.
He was not only intimidating, but insanely attractive, too. And gay. It was the talk of the office—hell, the whole damn justice department—when he got married about a year and a half before to a beautician named Gabriel.
“No problem. What can I do for you?”
“It’s about the Walker case,” he answered with an edge to his voice. “Prosecution is willing to offer a plea deal.”
So that explains why he sounds pissed.
But it was excellent news for my case. The Daubert motion I’d filed might have had something to do with his change of mind. Proper procedure had not been taken when the police showed up at my client’s home, and for that reason, the evidence they’d recovered could be inadmissible in court.
“Let’s discuss,” I said.
The moment was bittersweet. Good for my client. Bad that he wouldn’t get what he really deserved. However, the law was the law and the rights of individuals were placed in the Constitution for a reason. But damn if I didn’t silently curse the officers for screwing up.
***
“I’m not sure, Anna.” I shook my head at my best friend. “It’s been a hell of a long week, and going out to some club sounds like more trouble than it’s worth.”
She had invited me to dinner that afternoon after work, so we were standing in the kitchen as I helped her clean up. Our relationship couldn’t have been better. No drama and she let me see the kids whenever I wanted, along with our joint-custody where I had them on designated weekends.
“Which is exactly why youshouldgo out, Rye,” she countered, putting a hand on her hip. “You act like an old man, but you’re only thirty-one. Honestly, when is the last time you went out? Live a little. It’s Friday night, and we’re going. Decision made.”
There was no arguing with her once she’d made up her mind. Isabella got that lovely trait from her.
“What about the kids?” I asked, trying to weasel my way out of the plans. “And your husband?”
I knew damn well Brian wouldn’t have a problem with it. He and I got along great, and he wasn’t the jealous type. Anna had met him a year or so after having our twins, and they’d dated a few years before getting married. He was a great stepfather to my kids and a wonderful husband to Anna.
“Hey, don’t bring me into this.” Brian walked in and kissed Anna’s cheek. “I can watch the kids. You guys go and have fun.”
“Thanks, man,” I said dryly. “Much appreciated.”
“Anything to help,” he responded with a smirk.
“Jerk.”
He snorted. “Asshole.”
“Ginger.”
Anna laughed. “Oh, you guys stop. Rye, I know you’ll have fun.”
Easy for her to say. She was outgoing and loved attention. I, on the other hand, was more introverted and didn’t favor the party scene. I’d gotten all the partying out of my system during college and left it all behind once I’d graduated.
“I think our definitions of fun are different.”
