Page 21 of Broken Halo
I bite her head off when I interrupt. “I said no.”
She pins me with her eyes before turning to the food to load up a plate as she ignores my wishes and my fears. “Anyway, I spoke to your attorney while you were in the shower. He found out your court date, and after learning what he could since you didn’t give him any details, he doesn’t think you’ll have a problem getting all of this dismissed. Just because it was in this house doesn’t mean it’s yours. Up until four months ago, you shared this space with someone else and it easily could have been his. Also, you don’t have any priors when it comes to drugs, thank God.” She plops a spoonful of beans on my plate with grilled veggies and macaroni and cheese. When she hands it to me, she raises a brow. “At least no drug use on record.”
I ignore that comment. Marijuana is now legal in a handful of states and it’s not like I was an addict. So I smoked some pot while I was at Juilliard. It wasn’t the worst thing going on there, that’s for sure.
I take the plate, sit at the bar, but don’t look at my food. “I don’t know how you manage to get through a day, let alone run a multimillion-dollar corporation when you don’t actually listen. I’m hiring a new attorney and that will happen tomorrow.”
She and Eli exchange a secret look that has nothing to do with their newfound lust for each other.
Well, screw them. I’ve spent years being told what to do and how to act. No more.
Eli digs into his brisket he just smothered with sauce. “I also looked into your in-laws.”
This does get my attention. “And?”
He chews, swallows, and takes a swig of his beer before he answers. “She’s a piece of work. He’s no better.”
I pick up my fork and push the veggies around my plate. “I hope you didn’t spend any money to get that information. I could’ve told you that.”
“I’m still digging. But I will say, they’ve been making a lot of phone calls to the Dallas area lately. More than normal—even more than they did right after their son died.”
He doesn’t miss a beat or show any remorse that he pulled the trigger. It was Robert or Jen and me. I’m more grateful for my brother-in-law-to-be than he’ll ever know.
I set down my fork and turn to him. “Who are they calling?”
“I should have more information tomorrow. I was working your case while another one blew up today. I’m still trying to hire some bodies to help me with the workload. I’ll let you know when I find out.”
“Thank you. And send me a bill.”
He shakes his head as he forks more food into his mouth. “Don’t worry about it.”
I drop my fork. I wouldn’t be able to eat if I tried. “I’ll take it off your rent.”
I hear a clink on my granite and look up to find Jen setting her glass down on the island, smiling.
I roll my eyes and push away from the bar. “I’m going to go check on Griffin.”
“Do you want us to stay with you tonight so you’re not by yourself?”
I pause and turn back before shaking my head. “I’ll be fine. Go home. Just keep your phone close for when my next calamity strikes.”
“Promise me you’ll eat,” Jen insists. “I’ll box all this up and leave it here for you.”
Knowing I can’t stomach anything right now, I give her a small nod. “Thanks, I’ll try.”
I walk up the stairs toward my son and the daybed I’ve made my own for the past few months.
I really need to move.
6
He’ll Get Glad in the Same Pants He Got Mad In
It takes a strong person to control their anger. If you can’t, be prepared to look like the fool you are.
Trig
It’s late and she won’t take my calls or return any of my texts. When I talked to Jen a little bit ago, she told me that the youngest Montgomery was planning on getting another attorney.
