Page 71 of Resisting the Lawyer (Dirty Hot Resistance 3)

I’ve had a clear idea of how Elise is adamant about never leaning on others for help and it’s only recently that she’s started looking at me with trust, as someone she is willing to depend on, and I’ve broken that trust with a few words.

She looks agitated now.

I press on, “I love you. I’ve never hidden that from you. Aren’t I allowed one mistake?”

There is conflict on her face and I go in for the kill.

“You said you loved me.”

Her face crumples at this and I know I’ve won. Using underhanded tactics, perhaps, but the win is mine.

“I don’t want your money,” she hisses, angrily. “I don’t want a single penny from you. Ever.”

So not completely forgiven then.

She grabs me by the lapels of my shirt with her good hand and slams her mouth on mine almost desperately.

The kiss is angry and I let her punish me. But Elise has always had a soft heart and when she lets go of my shirt and wraps her arm around my neck to pull me closer, I go willingly.

I am putty in this woman’s hands.

“I’m not very happy with you,” she pants out after she pulls away. “But I do love you.” She’s frowning.

I do my best to look like a kicked dog.

It has the intended effect because she looks uncertain after a few seconds and then sighs.

“Let me make you a cup of coffee,” I offer.

She shakes her head. “I’m on pain meds. The doctor said to stay away from coffee.”

I brush her hair back and study the black eye, not bothering to hide the anger flaring inside of me. “You didn’t recognize anything about the attacker?”

“It wasn’t Darren,” she tells me. “I would know his voice.”

“You were scared out of your mind. Maybe you—?”

“It wasn’t him. This man’s voice was rougher, almost muffled. A-and he…” Her voice stutters before she finishes, “I just know it wasn’t him. But it definitely had something to do with him. I’m not going to risk my life for a man who seems to have this grudge against me for having his child.” Her chin is stiff. “I’ll find another job.”

I remember the way Darren smirked at me two days ago and I want to go break his face. However, I have something better. “You might not have to do that,” I tell her, reaching into my jacket and bringing out a large envelope.

“What’s this?”

“I found a loophole in the contract.”

She freezes. “You did?”

I nod, and pull the coffee table over to sit on it, facing her. “It’s enough to overthrow the contract in court. And once that’s done, you’ll be taking Darren to court over defamatory charges, character assassination charges, and a restraining order. He won’t be able to come within five feet of you and Sophie.”

Elise’s eyes widen, and then she thinks of something. “That sounds too good to be true, Lucas, but Darren is someone who holds a grudge. Maybe not today, but he will retaliate at some point.”

I’ve already thought of that. “But he’s going to keep harassing you in the meantime. And after the threats he made, do you think he’s going to leave you alone even if you leave your job?”

She leans into the couch. “I don’t know what he wants from me but…” Her eyes are a bit fierce now. “Now that my parents are involved, it doesn’t matter how much clout he has, he can’t take Sophie away from me!”

“Have you told them about him?”

Elise shakes her head. “Not yet. But I will.”

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