Page 21 of Just for Her
“For some,” she agreed. “Others decide to fight back and change the system that allowed it to happen in the first place.”
She spoke quietly, but her tone was laced with steel.
A sick feeling in the pit of my stomach suggested that Miriam hadn’t been the only one who’d faced abuse. My eyes met Allison’s, and Iknewmy hunch had been correct.
Allison had been protecting Miriam a lot longer than the last few years.
She must have sensed me connecting the dots because she met my gaze head-on and said, “Our father was a drunk. A mean one. And my mother was like Miriam. A dreamer who deserved better than what she got.”
I wanted to know more, but Miriam returned, and nothing more was said on the subject. We concluded our meeting, and I said I’d be glad to help in whatever legal capacity I could, if it came down to that. After reviewing the case, I was more inclined to share Allison’s concern than Miriam’s lack of it.
They both thanked me profusely even though I really hadn’t done anything than listen and accept a file. I said as much.
“You have,” Miriam insisted with a smile, her eyes sparkling as she clasped my hand in hers. “You have a good soul, Mr. Cerasino, and the heart of a protector, just like Ally. I can see why she said you were the right man.”
I glanced at Allison. Our eyes met for just a second before she lowered her gaze.
I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t think of myself as a protector. That was more my brothers’ thing than mine. Nick had been a Marine before becoming a best-selling author. Vinnie was a cop. Dom, a firefighter. They risked their lives to help others. What did I do? I put on a suit and waged the majority of my battles with words from the comfort and safety of my office.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel flattered she thought so.
“It’s my pleasure, and may I say, I sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that.” That was the truth, though the thought of not seeing Allison again wasn’t a pleasant one. Yeah, I knew she was only going to be around for a few more days, and I’d be better off saying good-bye now, but I didn’twantto.
“We should go.”
“I’ll walk you down.”
We rode the elevator down in silence, and I followed them to their car. Most people had already left for the day. Me? I was looking at another late night, a good part of which would be trying to find the information I needed in the mess Stella had left in her wake. All I could think of was how useful Allison’s organizational skills would be.
Also, how much I’d enjoy spending more time with her.
“Do you have plans for tomorrow?” I asked Allison suddenly as I opened the passenger door and Miriam climbed in.
She seemed surprised by my question. I was kind of surprised myself. “Not really. Why?”
I hurried around to the driver’s side and opened that door as well. “I was wondering if you’d be willing to come by and help me out for a few hours.”
“Me? What can I do?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. It wasn’t easy for me to ask for help, but with Irene being out until Monday, I didn’t have much choice. I could postpone and reschedule some things, but that would put me even further behind.
“You’re extremely organized.”
“She is,” Miriam said, peeking at us from within the vehicle. “Some might even say anal.”
Allison scowled at her sister while I had to keep my lips from curling into a smile. My siblings often said the same thing about me.
“I could really use those skills. My former assistant left me with a bit of a mess, and as a paralegal, you understand the importance of proper documentation.”
Yeah, that sounded good. Not sophomoric at all.
