Chapter 11

JASPER

" M ax, is everything set for the meeting with those big wigs from Atlanta today?" I called from my office. I spent hours just sitting there, trying to figure out how to reply to Harper's email.

I typed it at least four times. If I were to get to know her through email it would have to be perfect.

She didn't trust me in person, hopefully, this would help her open up. I resorted to using an old email account because using my work email would have made my intentions too transparent.

"Yes sir, they should be in at 3:00 pm we are meeting them at that lobster joint you like. Probably the best spot for a Monday afternoon it won't be so crowded," he answered as he stepped into my office, sat in the chair he always did, and then propped his feet on my desk. One of these days I'm going to figure out a way to keep his dirty shoes off my desk, but I'm still trying to figure out this email. So, I ignore him, for now.

"Great. Now tell me again why they need representation here in Miami, I'm sure they could find someone closer." Jasper questioned.

He looked at me with a mischievous grin. The only other time I saw that grin was in college right before we egged the dean's car one Halloween.

"Damn it, Max, what the fuck did you get us into?"

"Well, these gentlemen participate in some shady shit that they would like to keep hidden, here in Miami, if we can keep their legitimate businesses out of trouble. While they are distracted with their shit, we get paid, and we never have to dip our fingers in anything Illegal." he said with certainty behind a smirk, "Plus they are paying us well over our retainer costs. It's a win-win."

" My retainer costs you asshole." I snapped, jerking my chin towards the door telling him to get lost. I needed to send the email once and for all so I could focus on my job.

"Yeah, yeah you say that, but you need me, you know you do," he retorted before blowing me an air kiss and walking to his desk, just outside my office door.

I typed a message and re-read it twice before I nervously pressed send.

D amn, when did I become a pussy? Why in the fuck am I so needy for this woman's approval?

"Ms. Williams,

No need to thank me, it's what any decent human being would do, I'd like to think so anyway. Your response earlier has me a little wary though, from my experience when someone says, "Scouts honor" it's usually because they are up to no good… :/ I mean, I did see you at a bar, or was it a lounge? Whatever you want to call it, fuck sake, it's a bar just because it has a fancier name like lounge doesn't make it any classier it just makes the drinks more expensive if you ask me. Anyway, I'm rambling. How are you holding up after everything that happened that night? Did you get hurt? Do you go out to places like that often?

Well, talk to you later. Try to stay outta trouble.

-J.W."

I was extremely anxious, but as soon as I mustered the courage to send that first message, my nerves calmed, and I felt more at ease. Either she takes the bait, or she doesn't. Whichever, at least I gave it a shot. Taking the shot did nothing for me Saturday when asking her out but with her past, I wouldn't dare hold it against her. I'll just wait and see what happens. Until then I have a fuck ton of work to do.

"Max, where is the file for the three o'clock? I need to brief, get your ass in here." I insisted trying to clear my head of Harper.

"Well, if you look dumb fuck, the file is sitting right here." He reached over and handed me the purple file that said. ‘Petrov' across the tab.

"Thanks, numb nuts, what do we have here?" I questioned no one in particular. When I opened the file, I saw that the clients were brothers, who own several bars and a casino nearby.

These must be their legitimate businesses.

"What exactly have you all discussed?" I needed to know what I was potentially agreeing to. I don't do any underhanded shit. If it's not legal I'm not putting my hands in it. Just because the Petrov brothers were more open about their dealings outside their legitimate businesses doesn't mean I have to turn them down as clients. If these guys like how we do business, it may lead to more clients.

The idea of representing common criminals was my first choice, but from what Max told me it's no more than illegal fight clubs and gambling. If I had to choose a crime to turn a blind eye to, it would be those two. That kind of shit just brings me back to being a little boy watching my father run his empire

Fuck I hate this shit. I didn't go to law school to represent the bad guys. I've worked too hard trying not to turn out like my crooked piece of shit father to lower my standards and forget my morals and values or why I even started this firm to begin with.

"Just the normal shit, Jas. nothing out of the norm of any other client we've worked with." He answered. Then he anxiously waited for my response. He knew how I felt about this move. I've hidden nothing about my feelings toward people taking advantage of the law.

"Alright, fuck. Let's do this then," I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. This isn't something I am looking forward to.

* * *

When we walked into the restaurant it wasn't hard to spot the Petrov brothers. They were sitting at a booth in a dimly lit corner of the restaurant, making the rather large booth look overcrowded due to their size.

Each brother was covered in more tattoos than I could count. One man was bald and had tattoos covering his hairline, along with a couple of facial piercings. The other man held back nothing when using the skin on his face as a canvas. He had a distinctive snake tattoo running from his ear to his nose and the rattler was somehow incorporated on the opposite cheek, making it appear as if the snake was wrapped around his head. It was so fucking ridiculous it was hard not to stare at it.

As we walked toward the table, both men watched our every move. They stared, with no facial expression whatsoever. I could feel their eyes under my skin, but if they thought they were here to intimidate me they had another thing coming. I'm not a small man, and though I may wear fancy suits to cover my tattoos, my father trained me well. It's probably the only thing he ever did for me, but my hands are my greatest weapons.

"Mr. Petrov and Mr. Petrov, pleasure meeting you. I'm Jasper Whitlock with Whitlock and Associates and this is my assistant, Maxwell Reynolds, I believe you all have been in contact." I stuck my hand out for a proper handshake before sitting on the opposite side of the booth. They took turns shaking my hand with hesitation, indicating that a formal meeting like this was somewhat beyond their comfort zone.

"I'm Malice, and this is my brother Havoc."

The man with the snake tattoo said.

"No need to drag this out, let's get straight to the point, shall we?" I said, making it known I was not in the mood to linger.

"What are you two looking for as far as representation goes?" I finished my question and waited for the two of them to answer, but they swapped looks as if they weren't sure who should speak.

"Look Malice, can I call you Malice?" He nodded in agreement.

"What I can offer, is all the works when it comes to your legal , legitimate businesses and their holdings," I stated accentuating the legal and legitimate parts. "Anything that isn't I will not dip my hands in," I said making it clear that I would not be brought into any of their shit. They swap looks with each other.

After a long pause, Malice leaned in whispering to Havoc, they nodded and looked at me like they were sizing me up.

"You will be on a strictly need-to-know basis, however, if one of our guys needs to be represented…" He paused almost like he wanted me to fill in the blanks.

"I will review the case, and as long as I see fit to represent them and if I feel they aren't guilty of the crime, I will do my best to see justice is served. However, for this to work, you two," I said quietly, "you cannot be so verbal about your dealings even if you're with me. I still have integrity to withhold, I will not bend for anyone." I stated sternly.

A look of shock passed their faces momentarily. I'd guess they aren't used to having anyone tell them how it is. They both nodded simultaneously.

"Great, we will be in touch for the legalities and paperwork," I announced as I raised to leave.

"Pleasure doing business with you both. Enjoy dinner is on us." I extended my hand to shake theirs again and then signaled the waitress to come over. "Anything these gentlemen order put it on my tab."

I nodded toward the two of them as Max and I walked away.

"Damn Jas, that went better than I expected," Max spoke, his voice tinged with shock. I'm not sure why, considering he's witnessed me deal with far more intimidating individuals; Albeit typically on the other side of the law, which usually ends poorly for them.

"Yeah well, I had to make my point and get the hell out of there." I snapped.

"Make sure you get the contracts to them ASAP." I didn't want to deal with them more than I had to.

We got into the car just as my phone alerted me of a new email. I glanced at my phone just as Harper's name flashed across the screen.