Page 6 of Hooked on Mack (Hooked #7)

Larissa

“Janai, are we missing anything?” I called out, tapping my foot.

“Relax,” she replied. “I've got our bases covered. You're just wound up because you want to show off your mad lawyering skills against Mack.”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Hardly. He may be charming, but I can hold my own against him. I just need to win this case and prove to everyone that I'm the best lawyer in town.”

“Alright then, Sherlock. Look what I found while digging into Mark's past.” Janai handed me a manila folder with a smirk on her face. “You won't believe what he did.”

My eyes widened as she flipped through the contents of the folder. The pages revealed a surprising secret.

“Janai, this could change everything,” I whispered, stunned by the revelation.

I sank into my chair, my mind racing with possibilities. It wasn't just about winning the case anymore.

Get it together. This is about Mark's case, not your feelings.

I began to strategize, my eyes flitting back and forth between the incriminating documents and my notes on Mark's case. I would find a way to use this secret to our advantage. After all, I was a lawyer first and foremost, and nothing was going to stand in my way.

Ugh, Mack Harrington . It would be so much easier to hate him if he weren't so infuriatingly attractive. I shook my head, snapping myself out of it. This was not the time for fantasies about my opponent. Time to focus. I rubbed my temples in frustration.

“This complicates things.”

“Complications can be fun,” Janai mused, winking at me. “Especially when they involve Mack Harrington.”

“Janai!” I scolded, feeling my cheeks flushed. “This is serious. And besides, I'm not—” I hesitated, unwilling to admit how much Mack had been on my mind lately. “It doesn't matter. I need to call him about this.”

“Ooh, do I sense a heated phone call in your future?” Janai asked. “I'll leave you to it, then. Good luck, tiger.”

“Thanks.” I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I dialed Mack's number.

“Hello?” His voice was smooth and confident, just like the man himself.

“We need to talk about Mark.”

“Ah, so you've discovered his little secret, then?” He sounded almost amused, which only served to stoke my growing anger.

“You knew about this, didn't you?”

“Perhaps,” he replied. “But what difference does it make now? You're still going to represent him, aren't you?”

“Of course I am,” I snapped. “But don't think for a second that your knowledge of this situation will give you any advantage in court. I will fight tooth and nail, Mack. And that includes bringing down anyone who tries to stand in my way.”

“Such passion. Just one of the many things I find so… intriguing about you.”

“Keep your flattery to yourself,” I warned, my stomach fluttering despite my annoyance. “This isn't about me. It's about the case.”

“Very well,” he conceded. “I look forward to seeing how you handle this newfound information, Larissa. Just remember—secrets have a way of coming back to haunt us. Both in and out of the courtroom.”

“Thanks for the warning,” I replied, my mind racing with strategies and counterarguments. “But I can take care of myself.”

“Of that, I have no doubt,” he said before hanging up.

As I stared at the phone, my heart hammered. My feelings for Mack would have to be set aside—at least until this case was over. For now, my focus had to remain on Mark and the battle ahead. And no matter what obstacles were thrown my way, I was determined to come out on top.