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She looked every bit like the professional she was, and that helped calm me. Her long, brown hair was straight, and today she was wearing a finger-hugging emerald suit that showed the tiniest bit of cleavage. Her fingers, neck, and wrist were all splashed with gold jewelry.

She had on an extravagant pair of gold frames that I assumed were mostly for examining documents like the one in front of her.

I didn’t fully remember who had introduced me to Laura.

Likely Sloan, the same person who had recommended I go to Club Pétale.

Sloan was an associate I had done business with on more than one occasion.

She had owned quite a few companies at one point, and I used to contract some of her services and materials, but that was before she got arrested.

I refused to do business with her after that, and she didn't seem too upset about it. I mean, she still offered for me to come to the club where she worked.

Laura was as good as they came, and if she truly could help us with this, I might have to give her a large bonus. I haven't needed her for much and was sure I wasn’t nearly as big as some of her other clients, but I appreciated how fast she got to me nonetheless.

“I know,” I said, and took a swig of whiskey. The stronger stuff that I saved for exactly a moment like this.

I could hear Bella crying softly as Juliette tried to pack up her stuff. I hated all of it. I couldn't face seeing her like this, so I tried to push it out of my mind and focus on what was in front of me.

“I'm a criminal defense lawyer, but as my first time seeing the case like this… it’s bad.” She gave me a look.

“While no crime has been committed, you're right to be worried about this getting in front of a judge.

They don't typically see people in the BDSM world as innocent and…

well-meaning . Especially if it's an older judge.”

It looked all sorts of wrong, I knew that. Juliette and I met under circumstances that some people would not understand, and then instead of firing her when she came to my house, I let her stay on as the nanny. To top it off, I was now in a relationship with her.

My mother was planning to go in front of a judge and tell them how worried she was about Bella and what my lifestyle might mean for her safety and upbringing.

And while I knew that was bullshit and that no one would love Bella as much as Juliette and I did, I also knew how it would be perceived.

“What can I do?” I asked, lowering my voice. Even though the door was closed, I was afraid Bella might still hear me.

Laura set the papers down with a sigh and slowly took off her glasses and folded them. I knew that sigh. It was one I used too, especially when things were not about to go my way.

“Honestly? You need to get her to drop it. We could take this to court, but listen, your best shot is to handle it outside it if you want a chance at keeping her.”

I took a big swig of alcohol and placed the glass on the table a little harder than I meant to. Laura gave me a pitiful look.

“I know,” she said as she got up. Her phone had been buzzing for the last five minutes in her purse. “None of this is ideal. But… Off the record?”

I nodded.

“Dig up some shit on her and blackmail her back. I know people who can get you the things you need. Obviously, this is not my advice as a lawyer , but there is not one person in this world that is squeaky clean. And once you have that? It's in the bag.”

“You're willing to help me if I get it?”

“Willing?” She laughed. “I will be happy to. Let’s call it my specialty.”

A burst of confidence sprouted in me. “Perfect. But I don't need anyone. I have an information broker, and she’s dangerous enough as it is. I don't need more of them hanging around.”

Laura's lips twitched as if she wanted to smile, but instead, she just nodded and headed to the door, her heels clicking against the floor as she went.

Once the door was shut behind her, I let myself unravel. Groaning, I placed my head in my hands.

I didn't want things to go this far, but I would not allow Bella to spend time in my mother's house if I could help it. Not only did Bella obviously hate and fear her, but I knew what my mom would do to her behind closed doors.

She was never physical, but damn, was she able to inflict some emotional wounds.

I allowed myself a few minutes to breathe. To take in everything and make sure that what I wanted to do was get that crazy bitch involved.

There was only one possible answer.

I picked up my phone, clicking on her contact, and she picked up on the second ring.

“I need you to get me all the blackmail you can on my mother,” I said, not even wasting time on a hello. “The worse, the better, and I need it all within a day or two. As fast as you can get it. Hell, if you can get it today, I'll pay you triple.”

There was a little chuckle on the other end.

“What makes you think I haven't been preparing for this very moment since I met you?”

Her response struck me, and I sat up straight.

“Do you collect blackmail on all your clients’ families?”

“No.” Her voice sounded amused. “Only the crazy ones. But I'm busy today. I'll be over tomorrow morning.”

Before I could say anything else, she hung up, and I was stuck there trying to figure out if the can of worms I just opened would be worth it.