Page 104 of One Little Kiss
I shrug sadly, not trusting myself to speak yet.
“When does this visit have to happen?” Colton asks.
“They’ve given him two hours per week. We negotiated that it would happen on Monday mornings, ten a.m. to noon.”
I don’t bother lifting my gaze to see which lawyer is speaking. I choose to keep my head down and concentrate on my breathing.
“For how long?” Preston hisses.
“Until our next court date, which is one month from today.”
“Four visits? That’s unacceptable, Marc. We’re not paying you six figures for this kind of fuck up.” Preston squeezes my hand once more before he lets it go to stand. “Eight hours is not acceptable. Figure this out, and now. Cut down the hours, and I suggest you do it soon before I find other representation.”
“I can assure you, Mr. Westbrook, we’re going to work around the clock until we find a loophole. Once we do, we’ll request an emergency intervention on your behalf.” This time the woman’s voice is strong, determined.
I think I would have been like that as a lawyer. I like to think I would have been, anyway.
“One week. You have one week to correct this. Do you understand?” Preston’s voice is deadly. I’m glad he’s on our side. With deliberate movements, he retakes the seat next to me.
“Yes, sir. Of course. We’ll make it happen.”
“You may go.” It’s no wonder Preston is CEO. All the brothers carry themselves with authority, but Preston has an aura that commands attention. I guess that’s what happens when you take over a billion-dollar company in your early twenties.
I’m speechless.
“Thank you, Pres.” Colton’s words sound forced. I can see him simmering just beneath the surface when I glance over.
Preston leans forward to see around me. “No one is going to fuck with our family. I don’t care who they are. I’m going to speak to Ashton now. When this asshole takes a shit, I want to know. There has to be something else we can nail him with. No offense, Win.”
My head snaps to the left so fast my hair falls into my face. “What?”
“Even though I think your father is a piece of shit, he’s still your father and I should have more restraint around you.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. Maybe I’m delirious, but it’s funny to me that he, Preston Westbrook, is worried about my feelings. My laughter doesn’t stop either, and Preston is wearing an expression of horror.
Colton stiffens at my side. “Sweetheart? Are you okay?”
Tears roll down my face. Tears of relief that they’re here for me. Tears of fear, anxiety, and yes, tears of happiness. “Y-Yes,” I choke out, trying to sober to the moment.
My gaze doesn’t leave Preston’s and a slow smirk crosses his face. “What’s so funny, future sister-in-law?”
“I don’t know. That you’re both here, helping me fight? That you’re worried about my feelings? All of it, I guess. But you should know, Jason Darling has never been my father. He walked away from me years ago and let me know every chance he got that I was a disappointment.”
“Fucking, fucker,” Colton curses behind me as Preston’s eyes turn lethal.
“That’s good to know, Winnie. Then I’ll take extra joy in bringing him to his knees. I’ll also be sure to let him know how far from a disappointment you are.” He softens his tone when he peers over my head at Colton, then back to me. I can only imagine what his expression is saying right now. “I’m sorry that we got off on the wrong foot. But I am honored to have you in our family.”
My laughter dies on the unexpected praise. “Th-Thank you, Preston. For everything.”
He nods once, then addresses Colton, “You’ll wear a wire and a camera when you meet with Darling. We’re going to need everything you can get from him.”
“The only thing that will keep me from ripping his face off is Weston. But I’ll do what I can to figure out what the hell he wants.”
“Good. I don’t need to tell you what attacking the fucker would do to this case.”
“No, Pres. You don’t.”
Preston holds his gaze steady as Colton stands. “GG has family dinner set up. Mom’s plane will arrive in about an hour. Let’s get home so you can prepare Winnie for the full Westbrook experience.”
