Chapter 10

Ten

XAVIER

The great thing about narcissists? They think everyone else is stupid. Hence, his very big mistake:

Messing with my girl.

“So you want me to encourage him to confess, but then you’ll pay his bail?” Ms. Phelps’s tight pink pencil skirt stretches over her thick thighs as she crosses her legs. Her pointed satin Saint Laurent heel bounces like she’s nervous. She should be. Her client is very guilty.

“Yep. That’s the plan.”

“Is your father aware of this?” Her dark brown eyes scan my face. She’s not afraid of me, which is not a good position for her.

I take in a heavy breath and grit my teeth, allowing my lungs to stretch before replying. “No, and he doesn’t need to be. This is my plan. My personal plan.” Clearing my throat, I try a different tactic as she uses her long, manicured nails to scratch the back of her head. “You’ve been on the Northview University solicitor staff for quite some time. Ten years? Fifteen now? I would hate for Cardell Enterprises to remove the generous funding to your department. Besides…” Leaning over the small table sitting between us, my arms stretch across the surface. “I feel like a lawyer of your standing deserves a large raise. Like a two-million-dollar one.”

Her eyes sparkle at the number. Jada Phelps’s in a lot of debt. After her last husband impregnated half of her spin class and ran through all the credit cards, she left him, but still had her sick mother to care for. NU doesn’t pay her what she’s worth. So, I’ll make up the difference. She deserves it and she’ll keep quiet about who paid the bail.

When she nods, the wave of her natural black curls lets me know she’s bought it already. “You want what, exactly?”

Got her. Sliding back into my uncomfortable wooden chair at her dining table, I give her a little smile. “I want him humiliated. Marched across campus with police. I want the news there. I want him to confess every single woman he’s done it to. The video footage I’ll submit will solidify his guilt.”

Her lips form a solid line. “And you want me to…”

“Get the bail as low as you can. Make sure they understand he’s not a flight risk.” With a smirk, I add, “He’s an upstanding citizen of Northview, you know, other than raping some girls.”

Gliding her tongue around her teeth, she lifts her chin as she replies, “Sounds like you’ll need someone with my talents to work for Cardell Enterprises in a couple of years.”

Now, it’s an easy grin that forms along with a slight laugh. I always did like her. “Definitely. How about this year? My father will listen to me.”

“That will work out for the best, I think.” Her thick lips part into a wide smile matching mine.

“But no one can know who paid⁠—”

“Of course, of course. We’ll channel the money through something else. A university fund for professors or something. I’ll get the bail as low as possible. And after the case is over, I need about a three-month vacation.”

“You’ll get a vacation. Most definitely. Plan it now. Wherever you’d like to go. You and your mother. I think it’ll be an all-expenses paid trip.” The thing she doesn’t understand is…there’s not going to be any case. Not by the time I’m finished with Mr. Devon Hall. Standing, I lean over and shake her hand firmly as she waves her other toward her front door. “And again. Sorry to come over so late. I want this taken care of as soon as possible.”

“Yep. I’ll make the calls right now.”

With that settled, I head home. The entire drive I play back mine and my little kitten’s game, guilt scalding me like an ice bath. I said too much. But, if I analyze it, the reason why I revealed that part of myself is what bothers me so much.

Because I wanted her to know. Maybe I want her to know me.

And that’s a fucking terrifying thought.

This isn’t a game anymore. Instead of toying with her, she’s playing me with her perfect pussy and big green eyes. Her obedience and willingness to please me, with a little resistance. Putting up with my rages and making me feel things I haven’t in a long time. Possibly ever.

No, this is risky. The road to peril.

Gripping the gearshift, I round the final corner near the manor and floor the gas. The back tires squeal and hang on the curve with everything the car has. My jaw tightens as I set my resolve. Yes, this is dangerous for both of us.

But I live for danger.