Chapter Two

CAYDEN

“I think you should reevaluate,” I tell my client over the phone. When I got back to my office, I read every word of the contract my predecessor wrote. I knew it had issues. It was sloppy and absolutely not how I would’ve done it, but it was what it was and I figured this would go smoothly when I agreed to take over.

As soon as I saw it was Hadley Arrowood as opposing counsel on the acquisition, I immediately realized we were screwed.

There are not many lawyers I’ve faced who are as smart and cunning when it comes to these types of cases. Her eye for detail tells me she already found the issues and it’s why she’s playing hardball.

“And what would you have us do? Put the two failing business owners on the board who can shut down what we want?”

I lean back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Legally, I’m advising you to do that or you’re going to have to pay what you offered, their legal fees, as well as damages.”

“No,” my client, Mike, says. “We offered them a fair deal.”

“Yes, and you also have issues with the contract you signed.”

“What other options do we have?”

I look out the window of my Manhattan office, watching the traffic below. “Let me think on it and I’ll call you back.” There’s a solution out there, I just need some time to think it through.

“Thanks, Cayden.”

“No problem, Mike. Give me a day or two and let me see what I come up with.”

“Sounds good.”

I start to pace because I think better on my feet, but each solution I debate, I remember who’s on the other side of the case. Hadley is very good at her job. When I’m opposing her, I have to be at my best.

“Cayden?” my assistant, Debra, calls through the intercom.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Tobias would like to see you.”

Great. Just what I need…

Don’t get me wrong, Paul Tobias is a great guy to work for. He’s easy going, and doesn’t micromanage—as long as you’re bringing in clients, billable hours, and results.

Today, I didn’t close the deal, which I promised I would have.

I head down the hall, straightening my tie before his secretary, Rachel, nods me through.

“Hennington, how goes it?” Paul asks as I enter.

“Good, how about yourself?”

He smiles, closing the folder he was reviewing. “Can’t complain. How did today’s negotiations go? I’m ready to have another one in the books.”

I take a seat and prepare myself for a possible ass-chewing. “It’s not done yet, but we’ll get there.”

“Not done, why?”

“The previous firm he used to draw up the tentative contract did a piss poor job. I’m working on getting things amended to better protect our clients. Opposing counsel is…difficult.”

Paul opens the file again, scanning the page. “Hadley Arrowood?”

“That’s the one.”

“You should be a pro at handling her by now.”

Does anyone really handle her? I don’t think so. She’s smart, strategic, and sexy as hell. Not that the last part has anything to do with her as a lawyer, it’s just the truth.

“Well, sir, I am already dealing with one strike against me. The contract is garbage and Hadley knows it. She’s not going to back down, and honestly, if it were me, I wouldn’t either.”

“Are you saying you can’t deal with the case?” he counters.

“No. I’m saying it’s going to take me a little bit of time and creative thinking to get around it.”

His mouth sets into a thin line. “Okay, I had another case I was hoping to add you to, but I want this wrapped up first.”

“Which case?” I ask, because if it’s the new merger I consulted on, I want it. I worked my ass off to get them in the door and I’m not about to let it go to Bob, who hasn’t brought anyone here in years, but is still making the most money while doing the least work .

“The publishing houses.”

Fuck. I knew it. “Paul, with all due respect, that case was mine. They weren’t even sure they should merge and I was the one who convinced them it was time.”

Paul shrugs one shoulder. “That may be, but you’re tied up and I am not going to give them time to change their mind. If you’re able to get the other case cleaned up, then this one is yours.”

I get to my feet, a fire in my veins that wasn’t there before. “I’ll get it done and then I want my client.”

Paul stands as well. “Then I suggest you get to it and remind me why hiring you and not Hadley Arrowood was the right move.”

I plan to do exactly that.