Not for me.
Chapter Thirteen
Rebecca
I’ve been swooning since I woke up this morning. I’ve gone too far with this man. I think I love him. Fuck ! I can’t believe that thought went through my mind. It has weaved its way through my brain and all over my body, and now I crave Jonathan like no one else.
I get Kara on the phone after Jonathan leaves. I need her okay to fly to the Bahamas. She says it’s a good idea. She asks me if I feel conflicted in any way. I tell her I was conflicted the second I said yes to taking on this assignment. She tells me to enjoy my time away, and instructs me to go by the boutique again.
“Why?” I ask.
“You represent this firm, Rebecca. Working here is not just a job. It’s a way of life. Get used to it. Renée will take good care of you.”
She hangs up. I have no idea what she means about that way of life comment. The woman can be cryptic sometimes. I get ready and take a cab to the boutique. A few hours later, I’m packed and ready to fly. To be precise, the boutique did it all. Renée picked out my outfits, swimsuits, loungewear—she even picked out a luggage set for the trip. All I had to do was get my passport and work briefcase from home.
Jonathan picks me up in his limousine. It’s after five in the evening and we’re on our way.
“Do you have any idea how crazy this is?” I ask when I get in beside him.
“What?” he asks.
“Flying with you to the Bahamas.”
He turns to me, looking slightly amused. “Then why did you say yes?”
“Good point.”
“So, you still want to go?”
“Yes. I’m all packed. And this would be my first vacation in…in over four years.”
“That long, huh?”
“Yeah,” I answer leaning my head on the seat back. “Articling and getting ready for the bar has taken its toll on travel and leisure. I guess I should be thanking you.”
He lean over to me and whisper, “Only if you’re gracious.”
“I am,” I said, turning to look at the playful smile on his face.
“Then I’m glad you’re coming.”
We get to the airport and Jonathan informs me we’ll be flying in his dad’s private jet. We clear customs with relative ease, and are driven from the terminal buildings to one of the quieter waiting areas set aside for private charters.
“I've never even been on a private plane before today.”
“You get used to it pretty quickly,” he answers.
His phone buzzes. He looks at the number. “Excuse me,” he says to me, and takes the call.
“Yeah?” He answers. I can’t make out what the person on the other end is saying, but Jonathan looks like he’s been punched in the gut. “They did what?”
He jumps to his feet and starts pacing as he’s listening. “Shit. Did you call Matheson?” He listens again. “And where’s Youngman?” The person answers and he looks over at me. “Rebecca. The police stopped one of my dad’s staff on a routine traffic stop. Did a search and seizure. He’s been arrested. Morris Youngman from your firm is on retainer for this, but they can’t get hold of him. Can Kara put someone else to deal with this tonight?”
I reach into my purse, fish out my phone and call our twenty-four hour reception line. They can figure out where Morris is, and who to send. They tell me he’s in the emergency room with his wife. They’re having a baby. His backup is out of town. The other lawyer on standby has no criminal defense experience. I think of phoning Kara, but there’s no way I’m reaching out to her at this time in the evening. It sounds simple enough.
“I’ll help,” I tell him.
“There’s no one else?”
“Not tonight.”
“What about Kara?”
“No. I can handle it,” I tell him. “Do you mind if we hold off on…this?” Bahamas can wait. Shit, I can’t believe I’m putting this off. I need this. Fuck.
“Yes. If we can get him out by ten thirty, we can still travel tonight. Otherwise we can leave tomorrow afternoon.”
I stand up and head to the door we
A. Meredith Walters
Rebecca Cantrell
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Sophia Martin
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