Page 4 of Hooked on Mack (Hooked #7)

Larissa

Our second day in court and honestly, was I ready? Mack definitely lived up to his reputation and ego. The amount of times he smiled at me across the courtroom pissed me off.

“Your Honor, the evidence clearly shows that my client is entitled to a fair and equitable division of assets.” My voice was steady and firm as I locked eyes with the judge. “My client has already offered a more than generous settlement, which Mr. Harrington’s client stubbornly refuses to accept.”

Mack chimed in, flashing his million-dollar smile. “Generous? Your client is attempting to leave my client with next to nothing after twenty years of marriage. My client has dedicated her life to supporting her husband and raising their children. This isn't generosity; it's highway robbery.”

“Mr. Harrington,” Judge Phillips interjected, “please refrain from making inflammatory remarks.”

“Of course, Your Honor. I assure you that my client wants nothing more than to resolve this matter fairly and amicably so both parties can move on with their lives,” Mack said, his blue eyes practically twinkling as he spoke.

Ugh, those eyes . They were like pools of liquid charm, and they seemed to be working their magic on the judge.

“It's refreshing to see a lawyer who understands the importance of civility in these proceedings.”

“Your Honor, if I may,” I interjected. “I understand Mr. Harrington's desire for civility, but we must not lose sight of what's at stake here.”

“Ms. Montgomery, please,” Mack said in that infuriatingly condescending tone he'd mastered, “let's not resort to melodrama. We're all adults here.” My blood was boiling as his disarming smile returned, making it seem like I was the one being unreasonable.

“Your Honor,” I gritted out, trying to regain my composure, “I simply wish to remind the court that my client is seeking a fair and equitable division of assets, which is his legal right.”

“Very well, Ms. Montgomery,” Judge Phillips conceded, though I couldn't help but notice his gaze lingered on Mack for a moment longer than necessary. I had to find a way to outsmart him before he won over the judge completely.

As we continued our verbal sparring match, I tried to focus on the facts, but Mack's charm seemed to be clouding the judge's judgment.

His laughter filled the room as he shared an amusing anecdote about a previous case, and my grip on the situation continued slipping away. I needed a new strategy, and fast.

“Your Honor, if I may,” I began again, my voice wavering slightly as I tried to keep my nerves at bay. “Can we please return to the matter at hand?”

“Of course, Ms. Montgomery,” Judge Phillips replied, his attention finally returning to the case. “I assure you that this court takes its responsibilities very seriously. Let’s pick this up tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” I said, swallowing hard as I prepared to go toe to toe with Mack once more. No matter how charming he was, I refused to let his charisma distract from the truth. I owed it to my client—and to myself.

The moment I stepped out of the courtroom, my heart raced as if it were trying to escape my chest. All I wanted was to put some distance between Mack and me.

The heavy oak door closed behind me with a thud, and I leaned against the cold marble wall, pressing my eyes shut.

My thoughts swirled like a storm, each one more frustrating than the last.

“Rough day in there, huh?” Zoey's voice snapped me back to reality. She stood next to me, her dark curls bouncing around her face as she offered a sympathetic smile. No one knew what I was going through right now better than my fellow lawyer, Zoey Lofton.

“Mack Harrington is infuriating,” I growled, gripping my legal pad so tightly that my knuckles turned white. “He's all charm, but somehow, he still manages to win everyone over—even the judge.”

“Hey, don't be so hard on yourself, Larissa,” Zoey said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You're an amazing lawyer, and you've been preparing. You know every detail inside and out. No amount of charisma can change that.”

“Maybe, but it doesn't help when the judge keeps getting distracted by his witty comebacks.” I sighed and opened my eyes, meeting Zoey's concerned gaze. “I need to find a way to beat him at his own game.”

“Remember when we first started practicing law together? We lost a case to him because of that same charm. But we swore that we'd find a way to beat him someday, and now's your chance.”

“Right,” I agreed. “This time, I won't let his charm get the best of me. I'll focus on the facts and make sure that the judge sees the truth.”

“Exactly!” Zoey grinned. “You've got this, Larissa. You're fierce, intelligent, and a force to be reckoned with. Mack doesn't stand a chance.”

“Thanks,” I said, my lips curving into a small smile. “With you in my corner, I feel like I can take on the world—or at least, Mack Harrington.”

“Darn straight!” Zoey agreed, punching the air. “Now, let's grab a coffee sometime soon.”

“Of course, good luck on your case,” I said before she disappeared through the door.

I pushed open the heavy courthouse doors. Bring it on, Mack . No matter how charming he was, I refused to let him win.

“Ms. Montgomery,” came that all-too-familiar voice, smooth as silk and rich as dark chocolate. Mack Harrington leaned against the courthouse wall, his arms folded across his chest and a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “I must say, I didn't expect you to put up such a fight today.”

“Is that so?” I retorted, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Well, Mr. Harrington, you should know by now that I'm not one to back down easily.”

“Clearly,” he replied, raising an eyebrow as he straightened up and closed the distance between us. “But tell me, do you always resort to personal attacks when you can't win a case fair and square?”

I bristled at the insinuation, my hands balling into fists at my sides. “Whatever it takes for my clients. You might try it sometime instead of relying on your pretty face.”

“Ouch,” he said, feigning hurt as he placed a hand over his heart. “You know, charm isn't everything. Sometimes you have to rely on your actual legal skills to make your case.”

The condescending tone in his voice set fire to my anger. “Are you suggesting that I don't have legal skills? That's rich coming from the poster boy for 'style over substance'!”

“See, that's the problem with you,” Mack shot back. “You're so busy trying to prove yourself that you can't even see when someone's giving you a compliment.”

“Compliment?” I snorted, my rage bubbling over. “You have a twisted way of showing it, Mister 'I-Can-Win-Any-Case-With-My-Good-Looks'!”

“Is that what you think of me?” Mack asked, his voice dangerously low. “Just some shallow pretty boy who doesn't take his job seriously?”

“Isn't that the image you project?”

“Maybe, but you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, Ms. Montgomery. There's more to me than meets the eye.”

“Likewise,” I hissed, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks. “And don't ever underestimate me again.”

“Wouldn't dream of it,” Mack replied, his blue eyes flashing with an intensity that made my heart race. “Good luck, Larissa. You're going to need it.”

My vision blurred as the red-hot rage surged through me. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, and for a moment, I was completely out of control.

“Fine. Just remember, you started this.”

“Started what?” Mack asked, infuriating me even more. “A friendly rivalry between colleagues? I thought that's what you wanted.”

“Rivalry?” I scoffed. “This is not a game. This is my career, my life. And I won't stand here and let you belittle me.”

“Belittle you? Larissa, all I ever did was try to keep up with you,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “You're the one who made this personal.”

“Keep up with me?” I echoed, my cheeks burning. What had I done? Ugh, I was acting like a petulant child, not a respected lawyer.

Mack sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had taken. “Look, Larissa, I didn't mean to upset you. But we can't keep going at each other's throats like this. It's not good for either of us.”

“Maybe not,” I admitted, lowering my gaze to the pavement. “But don't expect me to go easy on you in court.”

“Wouldn't dream of it,” he repeated, the corners of his mouth twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. “Just promise me you'll keep it professional from now on.”

“Fine,” I muttered, my heart aching with the weight of my shame. “Professional.”

“Good,” Mack said, his voice softening as he extended his hand. “Truce?”

“Truce,” I replied, hesitantly taking his hand.

As I walked away, my thoughts raced with uncertainty about how to proceed.

The last thing I wanted was to be Mack's enemy, but if we kept going down this path, we'd tear each other apart.

I needed to find a way to win without losing myself in the process.

And maybe, just maybe, I could do it without sacrificing the fragile truce we'd just established.