Page 2 of Guilty As Charged (Love and Lawyers #3)

Chapter Two

SPENCER

“Y ou know there was a time when you guys were focused on work.” I glare at Landon and Gideon, who seem to find this funny.

“We’re focused.” Landon doesn’t even look up from his phone as he says it. He reads something on the screen, and then I watch him grin slyly before typing. I’d be willing to bet the firm he’s sending dirty messages to his wife.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.” Gideon is on his computer, but instead of running numbers, he’s designing a new greenhouse to go in his back garden.

“If anything, I’m jealous you guys are taking the month off and I’m stuck here,” I huff as I lean back in the chair and glare out at the city.

We’re in our shared office space, but I don’t have much longer before I need to meet my new client.

I wasn’t planning on working during our break, but since these two clowns are taking their wives with them, it’s not like I can tag along.

I’m not in the mood for a pity invite or to be the fifth wheel.

As much as I don’t want to admit it, Gideon’s right. I am jealous.

“For the millionth time, come with us.” Landon puts his phone in his pocket and gives me his full attention. “There’s plenty of room on the yacht.”

“I get seasick,” I say, and Gideon snorts.

“No, you don’t.”

“I could get seasick. Sometimes it develops later in life.” I shrug, and Gideon looks over his laptop screen to raise an eyebrow at me. “And I’ve got a new client.”

“Which you agreed to take on after we told you the dates of the vacation,” Landon adds helpfully.

“It’s a favor to Scout.” It’s a lame excuse to my own ears, but at least they don’t call me on it.

“Suit yourself.” Landon gets up from his chair and grabs his stuff. “But if you change your mind, we’ll be skinny dipping in the Mediterranean while drinking margaritas.”

“Um, rethink that,” Gideon says as he gathers his things. “Number one, the water is freezing, and you don’t want to embarrass yourself. Number two, we roomed together in college, which means I’ve met my life quota of seeing your dong.”

“Skipping the group vacation doesn’t seem like such a bad idea,” I say to Landon, who comes over and gives me a hug.

“Take care of yourself and don’t burn the place down,” he tells me.

“No promises,” I say and hug Gideon too. “Keep an eye on that one.”

“If I come back without him, just know I made it as painless as possible.” Gideon winks at me, and I smile, despite my glum mood.

As soon as they are gone, my heart sinks.

Gideon and Landon are my brothers, not by blood but in every other sense.

When they’re not around, it feels like a piece of me is missing.

With both of them leaving for a few weeks, it’s going to be lonely.

They like to give me shit about always being busy and dragging them all over the place, but it’s because they’re my family.

Other than Scout, I don’t have anyone else, so as much as I don’t want to crash their couples' vacation, I’m already regretting not going.

Scout knocks on the open door and leans in. “Hey, I thought I’d find you here. I showed Abbie to your office when you’re ready.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll be there in a second.”

Scout leaves, and I take one last look at the shared office space. I doubt I’ll come in here for the next month, which is probably a good thing. The fewer reminders about Landon and Gideon, the better.

Once I’ve got my things, I make my way down the hall to my office.

On the way, I focus on what Scout told me about Abbie and her situation.

I recall her being harassed by someone who contracted her for illustrations, and it’s since turned into online harassment.

Scout didn’t have specific names, just a general idea, so I’m kind of going in blind.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Mann, I’m—” My words stop when I walk in my office, and I see the woman standing in front of my desk staring at me.

Her eyes are a soft brown. They're beautiful, but there’s something about them that’s familiar.

I can’t put my finger on it, but I know her. “Spencer. I’m Spencer.”

“Abbie,” she says quietly and holds her hand out.

It dawns on me that I’m frozen in place, and I blink a few times before I hold out my hand while walking closer.

In my daze, my shoe catches on the rug, and I stumble forward.

I barely manage to catch myself on the chair before I tumble down on top of her.

The threat of my almost seven-foot frame crashing down on her forces her to jump back and bump into my desk.

“Shit, I’m so sorry.” I grab on to her upper arms to keep her from going to the ground as I steady myself and straighten. “My feet are so far away from my brain that sometimes they don’t get the message to walk until I’m already in motion.”

She lets out a small laugh, and then her eyes widen like she hasn’t made that sound before. “It’s okay.”

I release her and step back, but the more I look at her, the more certain I am that I know her.

But I can tell by the way she pulls the sleeves of her hoodie over her hands and how her shoulders are around her ears that she’s trying to hide.

Deciding to take it slow, I walk around my desk and sit down.

“Can I get you something to drink?” She takes a seat in the chair across from me and shakes her head. “All right, then, let’s get started. Scout told me that you’ve had some problems with your previous employer.”

Her laugh this time doesn’t reach her eyes, and it sounds hollow. “You could say that.”

“Scout sent over a copy of the contract, but I wanted to wait and read it.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re my client, and I’m here to protect you.

” I don’t miss the way her shoulders relax at the reassurance.

“The only side of the story that matters to me is yours. Everything you say stays between us, and from here on out, I’m your shield.

It’s my job to keep you safe, and I’m going to do everything I can to give you back your power. ”

She’s silent for a long moment before a single tear streams down her cheek.

“Oh fuck.” I’m out of my chair and around my desk in two seconds. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“No, no, it’s actually wonderful to hear.” She’s wiping the tears away as I grab the box of tissues on my desk and hold it out to her. “It’s just that I’ve been really scared for a while now, and it’s just nice to hear that someone wants to help.”

“You’ve been scared?” Scout mentioned harassment from her boss and some stuff online, but Abbie is shaking as she uses the tissue to dry her eyes. “Are you hungry?”

“What?” Her eyes meet mine, and I realize they’re not just brown like I originally thought but have a little green in them too.

“I think we’re going to need some wings.” She looks at me with confusion as I reach over and grab my cell. “I’ve done the research, and it’s easier to talk about painful shit while eating chicken wings. Trust me.”

“Okay,” she says, and I see the barest hint of a smile turning up at the corner of her mouth.