Page 78 of EverGreene
Reflexively, I pulled away from Loche, sitting up straighter on the stool while debating whether to throw my empty drink glass across the room for good measure. Loche, on the other hand, rolled his eyes, grumbling, “Goddamnit” under his breath before he turned around to address his needy as fuck uncle.
“Yes, Conrad?”
“We’re in the middle of the trial of the firm’s history, and I find you down herecanoodling with Ever?”
“Well, Uncle, it’s very nearly midnight, and I didn’t realize I was still on the clock. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Not now. I have Kim working on it since you weren’t in your room or answering your phone. But keep in mind that, yes, you are always on the clock during trial. You’re getting paid to work, not fraternize with your coworkers.”
“Yes, Uncle. I apologize. I silenced my phone during trial and must have forgotten to turn the volume back up after court ended today.”
The audacity of that man enraged me, so I could only imagine what Loche must be thinking as Conrad nodded with vitriol still in his eyes, which moved from Loche to me as he stood, staring me down for several seconds before finally walking out of the bar.
“Your restraint is impressive.”
“So is yours.” Loche turned back to face me. As hard as he tried to hide the fury on his face from Conrad, I could still see it burning in his eyes. I’d hate to see him lose control.
“No, it’s not. Which is why I need to call it a night.” I threw down enough to cover my drink and leave a generous enough tip for the bartender and climbed off the stool. “Meet you downstairs tomorrow morning?”
Loche nodded. “You got it, Nevermore.”
Guilt-ridden, I opened my text messages on my way back to my room, opening up my messages to V and sending him a text.
Were you at my house today, by chance?
His quick response threw me off guard, even though I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised that a man who showed up in the middle of the night to change a headlight in my vehicle would still be up at nearly midnight.
No. Why do you ask?
My camera picked up someone walking on the sidewalk in front of my house.
I’ll check into it.
It’s no big deal. People have a right to walk on a sidewalk. It’s just never gone off like that before.
Still checking into it.
That was reassuring, I guess. Even though the person was long gone by now, trying to look for them would most likely be nothing more than a wild goose chase. Still, it was nice having someone who was literally watching my back, which did nothing to make me feel any less guilty for the feelings I had for Loche.
“Ever.”
Fuck my life.
“Yes, Mr. Harrison,” I answered the bellowing voice of Conrad, trying to keep a friendly, professional composure as I turned around and watched him walking down the hall in my direction, not unlike a mob boss without the entourage.
“I just wanted to tell you what a good job you’ve been doing during the trial so far.”
Had I died on my walk back to the room? If so, would that make this heaven or hell? I mean, it was hell-shaped, but the acoustics were all wrong.
“Thanks. It’s the first day, so hopefully I’ll keep it up.”
Brilliant, Ever. Just fucking brilliant.
“You and my nephew seemed to have gotten quite close.” Conrad took a couple of steps closer to me, and I found myselftaking a step backward closer to my door while digging in the pocket of my pants for my keycard.
“He is quite an extraordinary human being.” My fingers gripped the plastic card, discreetly removing it.
“You two used to hate each other, right? At least, that’s the impression Sylvia gave me.”
