Page 83 of Ren: Warlord Brides
Pashaal huffed. “Such threats. And who are you? Astudent. You are not qualified to practice the law. I am not impressed.”
“What? Thalia said—” Emry shut her mouth when Nakia made a slashing gesture across her neck.
This is what she got for trusting someone who knew a guy who knew a guy. Err, lawyer.
Shit, she was as bad as Gemma, going for a wacky scheme rather than just doing a basic search on the network for a lawyer. She was going to jail, and it would be all her fault.
“I am currently studying for my Sangrin qualifications to practice law, true,” Nakia said. “But let me assure you, I am a fully qualified attorney on Earth. I specialized in contract law, and interstellar contracts are a particular interest of mine. My client is a citizen of Earth and was a current resident when the contract was signed, which means that Earth has jurisdiction. And, fun fact, Sangrin recognizes my qualifications to practice law.”
Pashaal frowned but spread her hands wide in surrender. “I agree to your terms, but I am not happy.”
“Cry me a river,” Emry muttered.
“I’d like a few moments to speak with my client, please,” Nakia said.
The guard and Pashaal left. Soon Emry was alone with the flickering image. The overhead lights washed out the color of the projection, leaving Nakia pale and ghostly.
“That went as well as we could have expected,” Nakia said.
“I guess.”
“Don’t shower me with praise. No charges. You walk out of here a free woman.”
With a huge bill.
“How am I going to pay your fee? Sorry, not to complain, but I didn’t budget for legal fees.” Emry could hear the proverbial cash registers ringing.
“I’m charging the friends and family rate, but I see no reason why your mate can’t foot the bill.”
“He’s not here.” And Emry didn’t want to come to Ren with another problem. Apparently, she had her pride.
Yeah, she was as surprised as anyone.
“Hmm.” Nakia glanced down at something off-screen. “Why not use your allowance? I see it hasn’t been touched in four years, so you’ve got quite a nest egg.”
“My what now?”
“Your allowance.”
Emry blinked.
“That you get for petty spending and incidentals,” Nakia said, her tone implying this was common knowledge.
More silence.
“Because you’re a Mahdfel mate. We’ve all got one.” See? Common knowledge.
“I don’t have one of those,” Emry said.
“Yes, you do.”
“I think I’d know if I had a trust fund.”
“I’m looking at the account right now. You’ve got more than enough to buy your ex-boss the gaudiest fake stone in the system and hire a fleet of lawyers.”
Emry blinked.
She had a trust fund.
