Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 108531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
For a career that ended so easily?
“What did happen, Jayna?”
It was far easier to talk about this than her marriage. “We had a client who I believe blatantly used insider information to make money on the stock market.”
“Then you had to turn him in. You informed the partners of your firm, right?”
“Of course.” She’d followed all the rules and still gotten burned. “I presented them the evidence of the crime and my father-in-law told me it was a gray area and I should step down as his counsel. I still had the duty and obligation to report the crime, so I did.”
Quaid whistled. “That took some guts.”
“He was a horrible human being, and I’m absolutely certain there were other, more unsavory crimes the man committed. I couldn’t prove those, but I could prove he committed this crime.” She hated the fact that she could feel tears forming in her eyes. It wasn’t because of sorrow. It was anger. She’d felt so helpless. She’d done the right thing and it cost her a life she’d . . . She hadn’t loved it, but she’d worked hard for it. “I could stop some of the things he did by putting him in jail for insider trading. So I did it. I knew it was likely the end of my time at the firm. I knew it would be the end of my marriage.”
“He was hurting people?”
“I couldn’t prove it, but my every instinct told me the man was a predator, and now every eye is on him because unlike my father-in-law, the federal prosecutors didn’t see any gray area at all.” Getting eyes on the man she’d been certain was involved with the Mafia was the whole point of the endeavor. “They arrested him, and he’ll go on trial next year.”
“Then you did the right thing.”
She sniffled and nodded, wishing those stupid tears away. “I did, and I would do it again. And that is probably why no law firm wants me. I didn’t play ball. I’m also being investigated for misconduct. It’s just a nuisance because there’s nothing for them to find, but it’s going to cost me a whole lot of time and a bunch of money I no longer have.”
“Who’s your attorney?”
“I haven’t decided. I have a couple of weeks. I’m hoping to get together enough money to be able to hire someone. I’ll do all the work, of course, but it doesn’t look good to have me represent myself.” She probably shouldn’t admit she didn’t have the money for a lawyer, but the man already knew she was working for gasoline and chips, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise.
“Todd Shale is very wealthy. Did he wrap you up in a prenup?”
“Yes, though I should have been able to take half our assets.” She’d been a moron to sign that paper, but she’d thought their marriage could work. “The house was still in his father’s name, so that was covered.”
“What about your accounts? Investments?”
She chuckled, but the sound wasn’t a humorous one. “He protected those as well. Mostly by spending everything we had. I didn’t realize how much debt we were in. I got half of that. I basically sold everything I had to pay it off and be able to keep my baby.”
His eyes went wide. “You have a kid?”
She bit back a smile because he looked like he was ready to run. Scaredy-cat man. “Luna is the love of my life. The only good thing Todd and I ever did together.”
She watched as he seemed to consider the issue. It wasn’t lost on her that the man was flirting. He was definitely attracted to her, but it would be a bad idea to give in. Still, having Quaid’s attention was nice, but she would be fine with losing it if he was the kind of guy who couldn’t handle a woman with some baggage.
He rallied, losing the confused look and bringing back the smooth, earnest expression he’d been using on her before. “Luna’s a nice name. How old is she?”
Ah, so he’d decided to pursue her despite the perceived child. “She’s three.”
“A toddler. That must be hard on you.” He frowned suddenly. “Is she with your mom right now?”
“Probably.” Luna was having a hard time adjusting to trailer park life. There was a tiny chihuahua who lived two doors down that scared the holy crap out of her big baby every time they went for a walk.
“Probably?”
“Mom had some shopping to do and Luna doesn’t love cars, so she stayed behind.” It was fun to tease this man. He looked mortified.
“Jayna, are you telling me . . .” He stopped, and a rueful smile lit up his features. “Are we talking about a dog or a cat?”
Sitting here with him was legitimately the most fun she’d had in forever. “She’s a Great Pyrenees. She was a Christmas present a few years ago. I told my father-in-law I’d never had a dog as a kid and I’d always wanted one. When I got her, she was this tiny ball of fluff, and I had all these visions of keeping her in my handbag. I didn’t know how big she’d get.”