Page 107

I could be thrown into most situations and adapt, making it so I come out on top. Reading people and shmoozing them is what makes me one of the most sought-after brokers in the city, but even I know when I’m out of my depth.

Darcy Brink is part of Celine’s law team and one of the worst people I’ve had the misfortune of meeting. When Celine and I first filed for separation, she’d hired William Brink, Darcy’sfather, but as the years wore on, his daughter came onto the scene and proved to be just as much of a viper. My old lawyer had been eaten alive by them, which is why I’ve forked out so much cash hiring Halston.

I pace the empty office back and forth, biding my time. This one belongs to Alonso, one of my three business partners here at RARE Realty. He is currently in Barbados for his ten-year wedding anniversary, but even if that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t be here. We all rarely come into the office. Most of our work happens in the field, on property sites or at client’s homes, but because of my new routine with Verity, I’ve been stopping by here more often—a fact Brink must have learned.

I just have to pray that that is the only thing she learned.

“Mr. Hughes is here.” Amy nods to where the front door of our office opens, revealing the man of the hour.

“Thank God.”

I rush from Alonso’s office to meet with him in the reception area, keeping my voice low as I approach him.

“Darcy’s here.”

“I heard.” Halston adjusts his cufflinks, seeming unbothered.

“Do you know why?”

“They’re probably hoping to bypass me by going directly to you. Weakest link and all.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“You are the one who made the blunder that landed us here in the first place.”

“I was twenty-five and just wanted to be rid of her.”

“Even a fourteen-year-old would’ve known that you signed a shit deal. They’re hoping to exploit that softness once again; they just know they can’t do that if I’m involved.”

“I won’t give in again, Hughes. I want my life back, completely.”

“Then we need her—”

“I thought I heard some noise.” Darcy rests against the glass doorframe to my office. “I see you called in the guard dog.”

Halston steps between us. “Care to explain why you showed up at my client’s office, Ms. Brink?”

“I had a message to pass on, Mr. Hughes.”

“Didn’t your daddy tell you that you can’t communicate with him directly?”

Darcy’s brow twitches. Every word Halston utters seems to dig under her skin. I’d heard once they attended the same law school and wondered if there was more to their animosity than working competing cases.

“My client has a request of Mr. Ross.”

“Really? And what are her demands this time? Does she want him to agree not to step over Seventy-first Street and remain only on the Upper East Side?”

“We were going to say Fifty-seventh Street, but we’re happy to give him less.”

“Hilarious.”

“Generous is the word you’re looking for. Might I remind you that we allowed Mr. Ross to come back for business meetings over the years.”

“And might I remind you that the contract he signed said he wouldn’t reside in the city for ten years, not that he wouldn’t visit.” Halston crosses his arms. “Now, cut the crap, Brink. Your client was supposed to sign the revised documents three weeks ago. You’re well aware she’s in violation of the prior signed decree.”

“If you want her to sign them, you need to hear me out.”

“Fine, what does she want?”