Page 1 of Hooked on Mack (Hooked #7)

Mack

The steam from the cup of coffee rose as I took my seat behind my mahogany desk, ready to face the day.

Ava Kennsington, my latest client, was due to arrive any minute now.

The high-stakes divorce case against her husband, Mark, promised to be an interesting one. My fingers drummed against the desk.

“Mack Harrington?” A sultry voice inquired from the doorway.

I looked up to find a woman with wavy chestnut hair and deep brown eyes. Her air of elegance screamed 'money,' even though she had none before marrying Mark.

“Mrs. Kennsington. Please, have a seat.”

“Are you going to win this for me, Mr. Harrington?” she asked, cutting straight to the point as she settled into the plush chair.

“Of course. We just need to prepare you for the preliminary appearance in front of the judge.”

“Good.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder. “Because I want everything.”

“Everything?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Absolutely everything. Mark's fortune is rightfully mine.”

“It's important to approach the case with realistic expectations. Divorce settlements can be complex, and demanding everything might not be…”

“Mack, darling,” she interrupted, leaning forward with a smirk. “I did not hire you because of your good looks and charm alone. I expect results.”

“Understood.” I sighed. “But we'll need solid evidence to support your claims and justify such demands.”

“Then find it,” she snapped, her impatience evident. “I didn't claw my way into this marriage for nothing.”

Her arrogance rubbed me the wrong way, but I had a job to do. Everyone deserves someone to fight for what’s fair, even the Ava Kennsingtons of the world.

“Very well,” I replied, forcing another smile. “We'll start by gathering all relevant financial records and any proof of misconduct on your husband's part. But remember, Mrs. Kennsington, we have to play by the rules.”

“Just make sure I get what's mine.”

As Ava left my office, the weight of her demands settled on my shoulders.

I knew the case would be challenging, but her entitlement added an extra layer of tension.

Nevertheless, I was Mack Harrington—undefeated, determined, and always ready for a challenge.

I just hoped that Ava Kennsington's case wouldn't be the one to break my winning streak.

“Mack, have you seen this?” my assistant, Ellen, burst into my office, brandishing a file folder like it was a weapon. “Larissa Montgomery is representing Mark Kennsington.”

“Ah, Larissa,” I mused, leaning back in my chair and steepling my fingers. “The courtroom pit bull herself. This should be interesting.”

“Interesting?” Ellen's eyes widened. “She's ruthless, Mack. We need to be prepared.”

“Ellen, my dear, when have I ever backed down from a challenge?” I grinned. “Besides, I've always been curious about what makes her tick.”

“Remember, we're doing this for Ava, not because you want to play cat and mouse with Larissa.”

“Of course, but it’s an added bonus, don’t you think?”

Later that day, I met with Ava to discuss our strategy against Larissa. As usual, Ava entered my office like she owned the place.

“Mack, darling,” she purred, taking a seat across from me. “I heard about our opponent. Should I be worried?”

“Mrs. Kennsington,” I reassured her, my charm working overtime. “There's no need to worry. I've faced many tough opponents before, and Larissa Montgomery won't be any different.”

“Good, because I expect nothing but the best from you.”

“Understood. Now, let's focus on the case at hand, shall we? We need to gather solid evidence to support your claims and make the best possible argument.”

“Very well. I trust you. Don't let me down.”

“Never,” I promised, my optimism shining through.

As Ava left my office, the realness of the challenge sunk on my shoulders. Not only did I have to contend with Ava's entitlement and demands, but I also had the opportunity to face off against the enigmatic Larissa Montgomery. The stakes were high, but I was more than ready to rise to the occasion.

“Alright, team,” I declared as Ellen and the rest of my staff gathered around. “It's time to show Larissa Montgomery what Mack Harrington is made of.” We dove headfirst into our preparations. “Let's start by digging into Mark's finances. I have a hunch there's something shady going on there.”

“Already on it,” Sam, our financial expert, said, tapping away at his laptop.

“Excellent. Now, we also need to gather proof of his infidelity and any abusive behavior toward Ava.”

“Consider it done,” Jill, our investigator, added, already dialing a number on her phone. “I've got some contacts who might be able to help us out.”

“Perfect. Now, let's talk strategy. How do we throw Larissa off her game from the get-go? We need something unexpected, something she won't see coming.”

“Like what?” Sam asked, looking up from his screen.

“Think outside the box,” I urged them. “We need something that will make her question her own tactics and give us the upper hand.”

“Maybe we could use some of her past cases against her? Show that she has a pattern of losing when faced with certain types of evidence or strategies?” Jill proposed.

“Interesting idea,” I acknowledged. “Look into it, but let's not rely solely on that. We need a multifaceted approach.”

“Got it, boss,” Ellen replied. “We'll come up with a plan that's foolproof and, more importantly, Larissa-proof.”

“Exactly.” I grinned at my team, the thrill of the challenge coursing through my veins. “This is our chance to show her what we're made of. Let's leave her speechless when we present our case in court.”

“Here's to victory,” Sam declared, raising an imaginary glass.

“Cheers to that,” I agreed, my optimism shining through. “Now let's get to work. We won't rest until we've done everything possible to win this for Ava.”

We dove into our tasks, each member of the team driven by the desire not just to win, but to outwit and outmaneuver the formidable Larissa Montgomery. The days ahead would be filled with long hours, but I knew that together, we were more than capable of rising to the occasion.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a gentle purple glow across the city as I stood in my office, surrounded by stacks of evidence.

My fingers traced the edge of a damning photograph with a surge of confidence.

We had more than enough to build a rock-solid case against Mark Kennsington; I just needed to piece it together perfectly.

“Alright, team, we've got infidelity, financial misconduct, and abusive behavior.”

“Exhibit A,” Ellen piped up, holding up a glossy photo of Mark cozying up with someone who was most definitely not Ava. “Caught in the act.”

“Excellent work, Ellen,” I commended her, before turning my attention to Sam. “What about his finances?”

He grinned, waving a stack of papers bound by a thick paperclip. “Found some questionable transactions in his business accounts. Looks like he's been siphoning off funds.”

“Nice catch, Sam! And Jill, what have you got on the abuse allegations?”

“Plenty of texts and emails from Mark to Ava that show a clear pattern of emotional abuse,” Jill revealed, scrolling through a digital folder on her tablet. “Enough to make your blood boil.”

I clapped my hands together. “We're going to present this evidence in court so masterfully that Larissa won't know what hit her.” My mind raced with strategies and tactics.

“We’ve got this. Larissa has no idea what she's up against.” Ellen smiled.

“We can't get cocky. We need to stay focused and be prepared for any curveballs she throws our way.”

“Absolutely, boss,” Sam chimed in, his eyes locked on the evidence before him. “We'll be ready for anything.”

We poured over the evidence. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear—we were a force to be reckoned with, and I couldn't wait to prove it in court.