Page 19 of Savage in the Streets
“I’m going to do everything I can to get the charges dropped, and if I can’t, I’ll make a strong case for your innocence in front of the judge and jury. But that requires honesty and trust.”
I snicker. “There’s no way you’re ever going to trust me.”
“No, but you need to trust me. You need to tell me everything, regardless of how you feel about me. I’m the only friend you have right now.”
With no other alternative, I nod my head.
“Your bags are by the elevator. Get dressed, then meet me in the study.”
Chapter 6
Ashton
Bailey Savage is a ball buster.
And that’s an understatement.
Being a corporate attorney, I’m used to dealing with difficult people, but I bill them thousands of dollars an hour. Bailey can’t pay me jack shit. The case against her is pretty solid, and if I fail…
Can’t think about that.
I pour myself a scotch, then take a seat at my desk and log into my computer.
Ignoring Caleb’s text is stupid at best, dangerous at worst, but I need more time.
Bailey’s record starts with petty theft at fourteen, moving onto grand theft at sixteen, landing her a year in juvie. At nineteen, she was caught riding around on a stolen motorcycle, which got her into more trouble.
But that is the exact moment she seemed to turn her life around, opening Savage Beauty with two other co-investors.
The sound of Bailey clearing her throat draws my attention, and I look up to see her leaning against the doorframe in shorts and a black tank top. A giant steampunk tattoo fills the space of her right leg, artsy and well done. The left is all roses, but not the tacky ones you see girls get. They’re devastatingly beautiful, black with red accents that aren’t overdone, making the intricate elements pop.
Her art comes together in such a way that it makes me want to peel away her clothes and see the masterpiece beneath. But that just adds a layer of complication I don’t need.
“Take a seat,” I say, darting my eyes back to my computer screen.
I print out documents pertaining to her case and rifle through my drawer for color-coded folders so I can make order from chaos.
Bailey crosses one long leg over the other, making me do a double-take.
You are going to get yourself into trouble if you can’t get those eyeballs under control.
Bailey drums her nails on the wood of the chair. “So, what’s this talk you wanted to have?”
“While you’re here, I expect you to follow my rules, and answer all questions honestly. Is that okay with you?” I ask.
“Depends on the rules.”
Instead of laying them all out for her, I say, “We need to get you off.”
She arcs a brow. “Is that why you packed my sex toys?”
Does this woman have any shame?
You’re the one that packed them…
“The way I intend to get you off is a lot more difficult,” I say, ignoring her toy comment. “And quite frankly, you’re going to have to get real good at faking.”
Laughter escapes her lips, and I can’t stop a smile from forming on mine. Maybe this doesn’t have to be quite as unpleasant as I had originally thought.
