Page 23 of Objection

Serenity

Early August

“ O h my God. I can’t believe this!” Taylor squealed as we finished the tour of the firm.

I could understand her excitement because I was the same way the first time I toured it.

Each partner had their own floor, and there was also the first floor where reception was along with a café.

The sixth floor had conference rooms, and the seventh floor had two large rooms devoted to play and rest. I loved that they’d mimicked some Chinese tech companies by incorporating a space for rest with showers, beds, and recliners.

The other room had games, card tables, and pool tables for those who felt recharged by recreation.

“Believe it, Sis. You are officially a paid intern for Montgomery, Pierce, Walker, and Gough.”

Pride consumed me as she did a little dance.

“I literally owe all of this to you, big sis. I feel so bad for the way I resented you after you left.” Her smile faded slightly.

“A part of me was so angry at you for leaving me. I just . . . didn’t know how to express that.

I felt silly feeling like that. You were doing what was best for you and I should have been happy for you not jealous. ”

“Aww, Taylor.” I couldn’t stop myself from pulling her into my arms for a hug. “That doesn’t even matter anymore. You’re here with me now, and we’re going to make sure you live life on your own terms.”

“This is so amazing! Most freshmen can’t get an internship like this until their senior year, and it’s paid?

Like damn. I know I have to work my way up and it’s just secretarial work for now, but just being in this building during my first year of college is a blessing.

Thank you, Serenity, seriously. I got a great job, I’m enrolled to start school in the spring, you set me up with an amazing apartment, and my brother upgraded the Purple Passion. Life cannot get any better than this.”

I laughed as we walked toward the elevators to head back down to the first floor where she’d be working.

“I’m glad you’re happy. Me and Kaos are on the fifth floor, so you come up there if you ever need anything.”

“I won’t unless I absolutely have to. I don’t want to take advantage of having you here. I feel like I’ve already used the privilege of having you as my sister enough.”

“What’s the point of having privilege if it can’t be used?” At the sound of my man’s sexy ass voice, we both turned to face him.

Happiness and desire floated through me at the sight of him.

Kaos looked impeccable in a dark gray suit with platinum and silver jewelry.

There was a time I craved a man in the streetwear aesthetic.

Now, nothing turned me on more than my man in a suit—and if it was a white, black, or burgundy suit . . . that was a plus.

“You guys have done more than enough for me as it is.” Her eyes watered, and I gave her hand a squeeze. “There’s no way I can pay y’all back for this.”

“You don’t have to,” he made clear.

“Yeah,” I confirmed. “I know you feel like you have to because we’re used to Daddy’s conditional love, but that’s not what we’re on here.

There are so many genuine people here who love networking and giving back.

Even if we weren’t in the position to help you, we’d know someone else who could.

If you want to thank us or pay us back . . . thrive, boo.”

She nodded and fought her tears before giving me a hug.

We talked a little longer before Kaos and I headed up to our floor.

I thanked him for all he’d done for us though he promised me it wasn’t necessary.

When I made it to my office and saw the bright red roses waiting for me, I gushed.

His arms wrapped around me, and I was too in love with my man to even care about anyone seeing us.

“These are beautiful, baby. Thank you.”

“They are beautiful, but not as beautiful as you.”

Turning in his arms, I wrapped mine around him and gave him a quick, sweet kiss. “Your latte will be here soon. I’ll share your schedule for the day. There’s nothing pressing for this morning, but you do have that brief this afternoon to prepare for.”

“The Hamilton case?” I nodded my agreement. “When does that trial start?”

“On the fifteenth.”

“Good, that gives me a little time to try and get a deal done before litigation. I need this handled at the table. It’s not worth my time to go to trial.”

“Okay, I can schedule a meeting between you and the ADA and see if they’d be willing to offer a deal. She’s been super busy lately, though, so you might have to pull up on her at her office.”

“That works. Get Hamilton on for a call before he comes in for the briefing. I want to see if he’d be willing to plead no contest for the criminal case. He’s going to lose that civil case, and if we go to trial for this and lose, he’s going to have to pay more.”

“Alright, baby.”

As he walked toward his office, I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Kaos had a high win rate, but he cared more about getting the best outcome for his clients.

Sometimes a not guilty verdict just wasn’t possible, and I loved that he didn’t give them false hope.

That’s why those who were both guilty and innocent wanted to be defended by Kaos Montgomery.

They knew regardless of the outcome that he would fight for what was best for them.

And now that things had taken a romantic turn between us, I realized that wasn’t just his character as a lawyer; that was his character as a man too.