Page 18 of A Legal Affair

In a deceptively bored tone, he drawled, “You of all people should know that Thornes don’t respond to blackmail.”

“Don’t they? I beg to differ.” But the man was angry now, impatience lacing his next words. “Talk to your father, Caleb. Appeal to his common sense. This doesn’t have to get ugly, unless you want it to. Tell Crandall to take Lito’s case.”

“Even if I were to do that, what makes you so sure he’d agree?”

“Don’t insult my intelligence, Junior. We both know how much influence you have over your father. One word from you and the old man is on his knees, eager to make amends for his past sins. If anyone can make him see reason,youcan.”

Caleb had had enough. He wasn’t in the mood for this bullshit. He was tired and edgy, filled with a restlessness that had plagued him all afternoon, tracing back to the library encounter with Daniela Moreau.

Forbidden fruit had a way of making a man ravenous.

And reckless as fuck.

With an economy of motion, he reached beneath the counter and grabbed the Glock 34 tucked away for just such an occasion. Quick as a snake striking, he was on his feet, the pistol racked and aimed at the intruder’s chest with lethal precision.

“Get out,” he said, low and controlled.

The man faltered, visibly paling beneath his tan. His shock lasted about ten seconds before a slow, self-assured smile twisted his mouth. “You won’t shoot me, Thorne. Not with my men parked outside the building, waiting for my safe return.”

“I’d have a round of bullets between your eyes before they even suspected a thing. You know that.”

“Ah, but you’d never get out of here alive.”

One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I’ll take my chances. Now for the last time, leave before my finger starts to twitch.”

The man got slowly to his feet, one elegant hand smoothing a nonexistent crease from his expensively tailored suit jacket. Pale blue eyes assessed Caleb in shrewd silence. “I remember an idealistic kid fresh out of law school—bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to take on the world. Your father stole that innocence from you. Wouldn’t you give anything to get a little of it back?”

A solitary muscle ticked in Caleb’s jaw. He said nothing, calmly keeping his Glock trained on the intruder.

“You need something to live for, Junior. We’ll have to find it for you, before it’s too late.” He gave a thoughtful pause. “You should seriously consider returning to the courtroom. You were one helluva lawyer, a rare talent. I know Lito would be thrilled to have you represent him.”

“Not gonna happen,” Caleb said flatly.

“Never say never. I suggest you give it some thought.” The man offered a benevolent smile, then tipped his head. “I’ll be in touch.”

And then he was gone, leaving only a subtle scent of Dior as proof that he’d been there.

Slowly Caleb walked back to the bar and returned the Glock to its hiding place. Picking up his drink, he swallowed the rest of his whiskey and set the glass down with a thud. Suddenly his hand tightened around the base, then lifted and hurled the glass against the nearest wall. Shards of crystal exploded, showering across the floor in a violent storm.

Simmering with fury and something else—something he didn’t want to identify—he grabbed his car keys and slammed out of the apartment.

7

“Hey, look who’s early.”

Daniela glanced up from her laptop to find April Kwan sliding into the chair beside her on the third row.

“Yeah, I learned the hard way not to be late for this class,” Daniela admitted with a rueful smile. “Looks like we both made it before Professor Thorne.”

“Good. I love to watch him walk into a room.” The girl grinned lasciviously. “Who am I kidding? I love to watch himperiod.”

Daniela chuckled, turning her head to observe the students filing into the lecture hall, bleary-eyed from a long night of studying—or partying.

First-year law students were assigned to a section, which was a large group of students who had the same courses with the same professors at all the same times. After spending two days in the company of these kids, most of whom were fresh out of college, Daniela already had a pretty good idea which of her peers were the scholars and which were the boozers.

As if to prove her point, one scraggly blond guy staggered and fell into a seat near the back, drawing laughs from hisclassmates. He grinned sheepishly and let loose a loud burp, this time eliciting disgusted groans.

Watching him, April predicted, “Hewon’t be around much longer.”