Chapter 1 - Taylor

There is nothing like the rush of winning a court case. I stand there as Marcus Dexter is found guilty of embezzling from my client, Helen Richards.

This has been an ongoing case, and it feels good to have it finally be over.

"Thank you, Ms. Montgomery." Helen throws her arms around my shoulders, and I tense.

I am used to winning court cases and to thanks, but physical touch is something that I have struggled with since I was fifteen.

Having someone touch me reminds me of how someone I trusted took advantage of that trust and betrayed me. Thinking about that devil of a boy—or, well, I guess he's a man now—makes my blood pump faster.

It has made it hard for me to trust men or even let them get close to me. I am much more confident in myself now, but still, anyone touching me makes me stiffen.

"Is something wrong?"

"Of course not, Helen," I tell my client as I shake out of her embrace. "Mr. Dexter will be going away for a long time. Remember to vet all your employees before hiring them. We don't need a repeat of this."

I wink at her, and she beams at me.

Helen hired a man named Felix four years ago, and he'd embezzled cash from her business since the day he started. It seemed like a straightforward case, but there ended up being complications when we found out Felix is actually Marcus Dexter, a known criminal. It made the case easier to win but it was much bigger and took a bit longer.

Putting Mr. Dexter away and getting him off the streets is one of the biggest moves of my career here in Washington, D.C.

Helen's daughter, Alanna, approaches and I take my leave.

I never like staying too long after a hearing is over—I don't need thanks and publicity to be successful. Just knowing I put a criminal away is enough for me.

I return to the partners' office.

I have been working for Adams, Downer, I want a legacy, and I can see that I'm building one.

"Well, that is true. I do my job the best I can."

"Which is exactly why I want to hire you. Ms. Montgomery."

I nod. "Please, call me Taylor."

"And you can call me Dylan," he winks at me.

Being on a first-name basis with a client is always a good sign of trust and respect. If Dylan is already comfortable with me, we're off to a great start.

"See, I work for KobiTech, an up-and-coming app startup. I'm the CEO, and we're based here in D.C.," Dylan starts to explain. "We recently worked with this company called Druk Technologies. They hired us to create a maps app for them. It is supposed to be a secure map that didn't track your location, but we found out that Druk Technologies was using it illegally. So, we're cutting ties with them and suing them for the rights to the app."

I refrain from letting my mouth hit the floor. I know very little about the technology that goes into creating something like that, but from what Dylan is saying, this seems like a huge case. If I can win this, it will be a huge win for my career and for the firm as well. It will show them they didn't make a mistake in taking me on as partner a few months ago.

Maybe they will even expedite the process of adding my name to the firm.

"We would like for you to handle this case, which will involve some travel to Druk Technologies headquarters based in New York City."

At the name of the location, my stomach drops to my feet, hoping I hadn't heard him correctly.

"Did you say New York City?"

Dylan nods, "That won't be a problem, will it?"

Shaking my head, I swallow but keep my face neutral. I can't let anyone see that I am shaken to the core.

I thought I escaped New York. I never planned on returning.

"No, no problem at all."

We spend the rest of the meeting going over logistics, and Dylan explains what evidence they have. He also introduces me to his coworker, Genevieve.

It seems like they have a really solid case, and with me working on it, I know that KobiTech has a good chance at winning.

While I am eager to take on this high-profile case, knowing I have to return to New York is a bummer.

I haven't seen my family in years. They've visited me in Washington D.C., but I haven't returned to the city. I know that I must reach out to them now and go back to my hometown.

Having only seen my family when they come to visit me it will be weird returning home. I can't go to New York and not stay with them.

***

New York is even busier than I remember, or at least the airport is.

JFK airport is thriving, and I physically run into at least three people after getting off my flight. They are also rude as hell. The last guy who bumped into me did not hold back his disdain, and I'm still reeling from that when I hear my name.

"Taylor. Taylor Montgomery!"

I turn towards the shouting and see my mother, father, and brother standing near the baggage claim, waiting for me with a sign that says ‘Welcome Home.'

Swallowing, I walk toward them, but am embraced by my mother before I can make it halfway there.

"Honey, it's been too long," my mother, Giselle Montgomery, whispers into my ear as she wraps her arms around my shoulders.

I try to hug her back, but my hands are pinned to my sides. My mother never did anything wrong, but she was friends with the Rubens and a reminder of TJ. I shake my head, not wanting to think about TJ Rubens, the boy who caused so much sadness within myself. I'm no longer that girl. I'm a strong woman who is not only confident but thriving.

"Hi, Mom," I manage to mutter out through my collapsing airways.

"Tay, how's it hanging?" Shane, my older brother, greets me with finger guns.

I think about how tasteless it is to shoot finger guns at his age, especially in an airport.

"I'm fine, Shane."

He looks exactly the same as me, but tall and lithe. We have the same dark hair and big green eyes. We take after our mother, whose hair is now graying and short, but whose eyes are just the same.

"Glad to be home?" My father, Anton, opens his arms once my mother releases me.

I can see in his brown eyes it's an insincere question. I can feel the resentment coming off him in waves.

Out of all my family, I was closest with my father when I was a child. When I decided to up and move to Washington D.C. to pursue a law degree, he was not happy. I know it's because he missed me, but I can still feel the cold shoulder he's giving me.

"Of course, I missed you guys," I lie through my teeth.

Part of me feels bad for not missing them or my old life, but I'm glad they're okay. They never treated me poorly, but they gave others the opportunity to do so.

"Let's get you home then," my mother squeals.

The four of us make our way out of the airport and towards my parents' SUV. I sit in the back with Shane, and he tells me all about his work.

He's been working as a psychologist since he graduated from university. He loves his job. I zone out as he tells me about how the ladies love how in tune with emotions he is.

Gross.

I watch as we drive toward my childhood home, right outside the city. The skyscrapers become fewer and fewer until I see our two-story home.

My mother is a nurse, and my father is an architect. They were middle class and gave us the best childhood that they could.

Seeing my childhood home brings up memories. Memories of my brother and his close friend, TJ. Just the thought of him causes me to shiver in the worst way possible.

Now that I'm back in New York, I hope to never run into him.

"You will be staying in your old bedroom, sweetie," Mother says as she opens the door to my old room.

It looks exactly the same. Pink paint and my light blue comforter on the bed. There are teddy bears lining the walls—I used to love stuffed animals. Seeing this room causes my stomach to flip. I am not the same little girl I once was.

I am a grown woman who can handle myself, which I showcase every time I am in court.

"What do you think? We haven't changed a thing since you left us," Father explains in a tight voice.

Since you left us.

His words hit me right in the gut.

"I left to pursue my dreams," I explain through gritted teeth.

Everyone is silent.

"We know, sis, and we're proud of you for becoming a badass lawyer." Shane bumps my shoulder playfully.

I smile at my brother as my parents' stony faces melt into smiles.

"He's right, dear, we are proud of you," my mother says before hugging me again.

I don't remember her being so touchy, but I allow her embrace.

It feels good knowing that my family doesn't hold too much resentment over me leaving—except maybe my father, who just nods, tight-lipped.

We spend the rest of the day catching up as I unpack and over dinner, before I head to my room to review my notes on the case.

Tomorrow I will be meeting with the heads of Druk Technologies, and I need to make sure I am prepared.