"Deal." I smile at him, my first genuine smile since I was served.
* * *
Jude Despora’s office is fancy. Then again, so is the man. He has a killer fashion sense and gorgeous blue eyes that are far more soulful than I expected. I like him instantly.
“Autumn,” he says, inclining his head in a polite nod. “It’s good to see you again, sweetheart.”
I tilt my head, studying him. “We’ve met before?”
“Briefly.” He grimaces. “At your father’s funeral.”
“Oh.” My stomach flutters uncomfortably. “Of course.” I give him a weak smile. “I’d forgotten.” In truth, I’d blocked out the whole ordeal. It’s hard to grieve a man you don’t know. One who never really loved you. I was a pawn to him, someone for him to marry off to one of his rich friends to create an alliance. Nothing more.
That’s how my father saw most people. They were pawns for him to move around the board, pieces of a game for him to manipulate. How many people did he destroy? How many lives did he ruin? I think I’d rather stick my head in the sand like one of those birds instead of answering that question.
“Andreas says you need a lawyer,” Jude says. “Let’s move to the conference room and we’ll talk.”
I hesitate. “Um… please don’t take this the wrong way because I’m sure you’re a fantastic lawyer, but I’d really like to be able to choose my own lawyer.”
“Andreas mentioned that,” Jude says, his lips twitching. “I’ve got a few I’d like you to meet, but the choice is yours.”
I relax slightly, allowing him to lead me deeper into his posh office. The tile floors gleam beneath our feet. Jeez. This place is nice. “What kind of law do you guys do here?”
“Criminal law and civil litigation, mostly.”
“Where were you three years ago?” I mumble.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” I hesitate and then frown. “Actually, I asked where you were three years ago, which is the last time I went to jail.” I glance up at him. “I figure you should probably know I’ve been there, um, a few times now.”
“Unlawful assembly, failure to comply, disturbing the peace.” Jude’s lips twitch. “I believe you were even criminally trespassed from Romano Shipping’s property once, weren’t you?”
“Twice.” I shrug. “It was an eventful week.”
Jude chuckles, rounding the corner to lead me down a hall.
I turn the corner behind him and run right into a giant coming the opposite direction.
“Oof,” I whisper, bouncing off his stupid-hard chest.
“Shit,” he growls, reaching out to grab me before I land on my ass on the floor. His big hands sink into my waist, dragging me up against his chest. My nose presses against his silk tie, and his scent swirls around me, clouding my mind.
Jeez. He smells good.
“Fuck,” Jude says. “Are you all right, Autumn?”
“Fine,” I whisper, desperately trying not to sniff the giant still holding me tight. I struggle in his arms, accidentally elbowing him in the ribcage. And then I stomp on his foot.
“Fucking hell, woman,” he growls. “Would you stay still?”
“Would you let me go?” I snap right back at him, accidentally kneeing him in the thigh. Okay, so maybe it’s not so much an accident as intentional. But he did call mewoman. Rude.
He releases me suddenly, and I stumble back four steps, nearly falling on my butt again. I regain my balance and lift my head to shoot him a dirty glare, but my eyes tangle with his and all the oxygen gets sucked from the world.
He’s freaking gorgeous. Like should-have-been-a-model gorgeous. His messy dark hair is just an inch too long, perfect for running my fingers through. Dark brows slash over obsidian eyes currently narrowed on me like he’s trying to decide if he wants to spank me to teach me manners. His full lips are pulled down into a frown, his brawny body rigid as he stares me down. Every inch of him is thick and muscular.
He’s the epitome of an insufferable, uptight man in a suit. And yet, something about this man makes my blood sing in my veins as I glare at him. Something makes me want to rattle him and his perfectly ordered little world. I don’t understand the desire. I don’t even know where it comes from, but it’s powerful.