“That’s very thoughtful of you.”
“Yes, well, you’ve been very kind to my sister and me. One good turn deserves another, right?”
I felt myself grinning like an idiot. “Right. Is that a Rocco’s special by any chance?”
“It is. I hope that’s okay. I had one myself, and it was delicious.”
“It’s perfect.”
A rosy flush painted her cheeks at the compliment, making her eyes sparkle even more behind those black rims. I glanced at the clock, dismayed to see that it was almost time for my conference call. Of course, she noticed.
She held out the bag for me. “I should be going.”
“I’m sorry,” I said with genuine regret. “I have a meeting.”
“No problem. Go. I’ll let myself out.”
“Thanks again.”
She nodded. I hurried back to my office, Rocco’s in hand, just in time to pick up the call.
When I hung up an hour later, I sighed in relief. Thankfully, I’d remembered enough of the highlights from the private investigator’s report to get my client’s ex to think twice about his threat to take the case to court.
I still needed to find that file though along with the others I’d need to reference in the next few days.
I wolfed down the lunch Allison had so thoughtfully brought for me, now cold but still delicious, once again appreciating her kindness. There were still several hours to go before I saw her again, but I was already looking forward to it.
AT SIX FORTY-FIVE, my phone went off with the alarm I’d set, but it wasn’t necessary. Even as busy as I’d been, I’d been keeping track of the time in the back of my mind.
I took a few minutes to visit the restroom and give myself a brief once-over. The long days and excessive workload I’d been carrying were visible in my face. My eyes were bloodshot. My hair was badly in need of a trim. I could probably use a shave, too, since I hadn’t had a chance to do so that morning, but that would also have to wait.
I splashed some cold water on my face, combed my hair, and made liberal use of the mouthwash I always kept on hand as well as a handful of breath mints. It would have to do.
Allison and her sister arrived five minutes before their appointment time, and I brought them back to my office.
Together, we reviewed the file Allison had brought with her, the same one she’d tried to give me the first time we met. I had to say, I was impressed. It was extremely organized. Color-coded with clear notes, dates, names. Allison’s meticulous attention to detail was refreshing, especially after dealing with Stella’s haphazard methods.
As we talked, both women filled in details, and by the end, I had a much better understanding of Allison’s concern—not only because Miriam’s ex was a piece-of-shit human being, but also because Miriam seemed, well, a little flighty, if I was being honest.
I didn’t mean that in a bad way. She was clearly intelligent and well-spoken when focused. However, her attention span also seemed to be rather limited, and several times during our meeting, she’d clearly been thinking of other things.
“It’s her creative mind,” Allison said on an exhale when Miriam excused herself to use the restroom. “Sometimes, she prefers to live in her own world rather than deal with reality.”
“It’s not uncommon among those who have experienced abuse.”
“For some,” she agreed. “Others decide to fight back and change the system that allowed it to happen in the first place.”
She spoke quietly, but her tone was laced with steel.
A sick feeling in the pit of my stomach suggested that Miriam hadn’t been the only one who’d faced abuse. My eyes met Allison’s, and I knew my hunch had been correct.
Allison had been protecting Miriam a lot longer than the last few years.
She must have sensed me connecting the dots because she met my gaze head-on and said, “Our father was a drunk. A mean one. And my mother was like Miriam. A dreamer who deserved better than what she got.”
I wanted to know more, but Miriam returned, and nothing more was said on the subject. We concluded our meeting, and I said I’d be glad to help in whatever legal capacity I could, if it came down to that. After reviewing the case, I was more inclined to share Allison’s concern than Miriam’s lack of it.
They both thanked me profusely even though I really hadn’t done anything than listen and accept a file. I said as much.
“You have,” Miriam insisted with a smile, her eyes sparkling as she clasped my hand in hers. “You have a good soul, Mr. Cerasino, and the heart of a protector, just like Ally. I can see why she said you were the right man.”
I glanced at Allison. Our eyes met for just a second before she lowered her gaze.
I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t think of myself as a protector. That was more my brothers’ thing than mine. Nick had been a Marine before becoming a best-selling author. Vinnie was a cop. Dom, a firefighter. They risked their lives to help others. What did I do? I put on a suit and waged the majority of my battles with words from the comfort and safety of my office.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel flattered she thought so.
“It’s my pleasure, and may I say, I sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that.” That was the truth, though the thought of not seeing Allison again wasn’t a pleasant one. Yeah, I knew she was only going to be around for a few more days, and I’d be better off saying good-bye now, but I didn’t want to.
“We should go.”
“I’ll walk you down.”
We rode the elevator down in silence, and I followed them to their car. Most people had already left for the day. Me? I was looking at another late night, a good part of which would be trying to find the information I needed in
