Page 123 of By Invitation Only

“So you go over there to have orgies?”

I laughed again and stood, clapping him on the shoulder. “I’m not the one married. What I do in my free time is my business.” I didn’t care if he thought I was having orgies. I was protecting my girl. He didn’t need to involve her in anything because he was upset he didn’t make partner. I went to move passed him to walk back to my office, but his words stopped me in my tracks.

“So when I saw you getting into a limo last month with Peyton, Randy, and some other woman, it was only a coincidence?”

I whirled on him and hissed, “Why do you care?”

“I don’t,” he retorted. “But the California State Bar will.”

Everything Peyton had feared was starting to come to a head, and it was because of me.

I was the selfish one who wanted a relationship with her.

I was the one who convinced her that no one would find out about us.

I was the one who thought no one would care.

And I was the one who was following my dreams and jeopardizing hers in the process.

“So you’re going to report me for something you aren’t one-hundred percent sure about all because you didn’t make partner and I did?”

It didn’t matter if he tried to report us. I was going to withdraw from the cases before he could file his paperwork.

“I worked hard to get the promotion—”

“I worked harder,” I returned.

He continued as though I didn’t speak. “And I have a family to take care of. It’s not my fault you’re breaking the rule of professional conduct.”

“Like I said, you know nothing. You’re only speculating. If you think you saw me with her, it wouldn’t be in a romantic sense. I do have cases against her.” I was running out of lies to tell him and ways to deflect him. He clearly had it out for me, and wouldn’t stop unless I gave in and told him he was right. Then he’d walk back to his office and file the complaint.

He chuckled and before he could respond, I did. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but if you want to file a complaint against me, then go ahead. I have nothing to hide because I’m not dating her.” I practically lived with her was the truth.

“I already filed a complaint against both of you.”

Fuck…

If I asked him when, he’d know that he was right. I thought we could get ahead of this, but maybe we couldn’t. If we withdrew from the cases, I wasn’t sure if that would be enough to ward off an investigation.

“Whatever, mate. I made partner fair and square. I’ll tell the bar exactly your motives, then I’ll tell Mitch and the other partners, and you’ll be without a job.”

“And so will you.”

I was done.

As I walked toward the door, I said, “If you want to start this fight, go ahead, but remember your family. If you try to take me down for something I’m not doing, then my wrath will be a million times worse.” I said those words in hopes he’d tell the bar he got it wrong about my relationship with Peyton. It was a lost cause though because he was out for blood.

As I walked back to my office, everyone that I saw stopped me to congratulate me. I had to put on a smile and thank them, when in reality I wanted to jump from the window. No, I wanted to push Clint out the window.Fucking arsehole.

When I finally made it to my office, I closed the door behind me, needing a break from everyone. I should have been over the moon jumping with joy. I pulled up my calendar on the computer and confirmed I didn’t have anything scheduled. I didn’t care that it was the second day of the year, or that most people were now back in the office after being off a week. I worked, and therefore, I decided to take the rest of the day off.

I needed to leave.

I needed Peyton.

I wanted to pick up the phone and call her to tell her my good news and to also see if she could take the day off. But I didn’t know if Clint had ears on me or what, so I decided to text her.

Me:Hey, can you meet me at my place?