Page 63 of Dare (Fighting Fate)

My smile grew a little bigger. “They are. That’s the field Eli’s decided he wants to focus on. I think after listening to the guys talking about all the troubles they’ve had with Leighton, and the crap Josh’s had to go through with the media, it kind of sparked something inside him. It’s something he feels really passionate about.”

Emmy nodded, her eyes wide with understanding. “All I know is the guys need a good freaking lawyer to protect them once they’re out of this contract with Leighton. There has seriously been no way for them to get out of the contract they signed when they first started. It’s been a nightmare. None of them want anything close to what happened there to happen again.”

“Exactly,” I said, feeling their pain on a personal level. They were my friends, and I hated to see them being fucked over. “The shit Craig Leighton dragged them into was what made Eli consider going in that direction.” I smiled. “And now he’s got them as one of four aces up his sleeve.”

Confusion creased Emmy’s brow. “What do you mean?”

“Apparently, Eli’s been talking to them about it for a while now, and they said if he can source the best firm in the business, they’ll agree to let him represent them.”

Her gaze flickered between mine, her mind visibly working. “That’s such an amazing idea, Jess. On so many levels.”

“I know. I’m so proud of Eli. He’s been working on this for a long time. I mean, it helps him get his foot in the door with a good firm, it ensures he’s working and learning from the best lawyers in the business—because the band won’t agree to work with anyone unless Eli’s working with them—and when he’s the best in the business, the guys will know someone they can trust has their back. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

She nodded, excitement shining in her eyes. “But you said the guys were one of four aces. What are the other three?”

One side of my mouth curled up knowingly. “It’s who, Emmy. Who are the other three. And they would be The Dark Hybrid, Joshua Emerson, and Lucas Cantrell.”

Emmy’s eyes bugged. “Seriously?”

“Yep. Josh called Eli after talking with Dean and said the same thing. If he can find the best, he’d be on board for sure. And it kind of snowballed from there. Josh and Lucas are really close, and apparently, Lucas has been having a whole heap of drama with one of the studios and is ready to give it to them, and The Dark Hybrid are desperate to get out of their contract with Leighton too, so now Eli has four very attractive aces.”

“Oh my God, I’ll say. That’s crazy,” she said, shaking her head in awe.

“I know,” I said in definite agreement. “I mean, not that Eli wouldn’t be a good asset without the aces. He definitely is. He’s one of the top students in his class. But this just gives him more of an edge.”

“Hell yeah it does. I mean, I’m super excited he’s got this amazing opportunity, but I’m way more excited to know the guys are finally going to have someone they know and trust in their corner. It’s perfect.”

I beamed as I watched her excitement. I was so happy for Eli. If anyone deserved this to work out, it was him. I just hoped the firm saw the opportunity for the amazing one it was too.

Glancing at the clock, I started. “Crap. I need to get moving. I’m supposed to be meeting Amber in, like, ten minutes.”

Emmy just laughed at me as I tossed my coffee back and ran for the stairs. I would’ve yelled at her, but I laughed at her for running late more than the other way around. Quickly brushing my teeth, I grabbed my bag and jogged back down the stairs. “Later, bitch,” I said, sweeping out the door with a cheesy smile.

I tried to school my features as I made my way toward the park, but the happiness that pulsed in my veins was like a damned disease. The smile was barely containable. Eli had been like a completely different person last night. Not different from what I knew o

f him, but different with how he was toward me. I’d been so worried after the first time we’d had sex yesterday. When I’d gone to the bathroom, I wasn’t sure what I was going to come back to. Even though he hadn’t said anything, I was half expecting to find him already dressed, ready to run.

A thrill swept through my body as I thought back over the last day of my life. Eli and I had spent the majority of it in my bed, either taking advantage of each other, sleeping, eating, or just talking and laughing. It seriously was the best day I’d ever lived. But I needed to be careful. As much as I told Eli I was ready to kick his ass out of my bed if he had work to do, I also knew I was weak when it came to him. If he told me he had work but didn’t want to leave, I was almost positive I wouldn’t argue with him. And I knew that could easily be my downfall.

If this job opportunity worked out like Eli wanted it to—and I had no doubt that it would—he needed to finish his degree with the highest grades he could manage, and he’d need to ace his bar exam in July. And that was going to take some serious studying.

Following the path, I raised my face to the sun and felt the warmth kiss my skin. Good things were finally coming my way, and I’d never been readier. As my cell phone started ringing in my bag, I scooped it out and smiled at the picture of Eli flashing on the screen. I wanted to roll my eyes at the little tingle of giddiness that leapt in my chest, but I didn’t care. I liked it. Sliding my finger across the screen, I raised it to say hi, but was stopped by a voice calling my name across the path from me.

Glancing up, I felt the air around me still. Oh no. “Zac—”

Chapter 46

Eli

Sunlight flickered in through the window, the shadows of the trees casting shapes along the plush gray carpet and textured cream walls. Sitting back in my chair, I ran the tips of my fingers over the heel of my palm, watching the sharp gaze of the man sitting across from me as he tapped his pen on his desk.

Maxwell Schofield was an intimidating man of fifty-six years. With his salt-and-pepper hair, sharp suit, and shiny new Rolex, he was sure to demand respect wherever he went, but I was sure it was his sharp, assessing gaze that made him a force to be reckoned with.

“So,” he said, pushing back in his chair and resting his elbows on the armrests. Steepling his fingers in front of him, he assessed me for a long moment. “Your credentials are very promising, Mr. Murphy, but can you tell me why you’re choosing the entertainment industry as your field of interest?”

Working to keep my shoulders relaxed, I drew in a deep, invisible breath. “I have a few friends that have had interests in working in the entertainment industry, and I’ve seen some of the things they’ve been forced to sign. I want to be able to work to protect people like those friends and help them achieve success without being screwed over.”

His head cocked to the side a little as he watched me. “Admirable.” Picking up my credentials off his desk, he dropped them again. “Other than this, what do you think you have to offer our firm?”

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