Page 47 of Defend Me
“And you’ll be studying corporate law.”
It wasn’t a question. I had no doubt that my mom told her everything she needed to know. This wasn’t a chance for her to learn anything about me. It was a schmooze session. Win her over and she’d put in a good word for me anywhere I needed to go. I’d already get into law school easily, but apparently, I still needed connections.
Correction: I needed to earn the respect of my parents’ connections.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be pursuing corporate law.”
“Please, just Holly.”
Check.
“Holly,” I repeated with a smile, making sure to add some bass to my voice. “It suits you.”
She knew how the game worked, but she looked pleased by the compliment. Honestly, it wasn’t that much different than if the roles were reversed. A woman could play on a man’s ego, but it was effective the other way around too. Humans as a whole were always starving for validation. It was the easiest way to get what you wanted from someone. If all else fails, get the blood pumping between their legs.
It was disgusting when I thought about it. If this was just about law school, it wouldn’t be as big of a deal. My parents were important figures in their world, though. Getting in with the right people was of the utmost importance. I knew that if Holly insinuated that she wanted to fuck me, I’d do it to gain her favor.
In this world, all we did was sell parts of ourselves over and over again until we became powerful. It was all a game and the only acceptable outcome was to be the winner.
Not all attorneys were like this. Most of them weren’t, actually. Only some found their way into the most corrupt corners of the one percent. Even if given the opportunity, many were committed to justice and wouldn’t sell their metaphorical souls to gain something pointless like power.
My family and those I’d been around since birth were like this, though. I was used to the worst kinds of people, so this was easy for me. Natural. It barely fazed me. One might call me a spawn of fucking Satan. Or I was just a little dramatic.
Now, onto the next step, which was another thing people couldn’t get enough of: talking about themselves.
I leaned forward slightly. “My mom told me about a dinner you once had with Richard Montgomery. I’d do anything to hear that story.”
Her eyes lit up at the prospect of singing her praises.
I was already bored to tears.
*****
Working out my frustrations but not how I want to
“Hey, Tilian,” Sen greeted with a smile.
I didn’t miss the way Kai’s eyes narrowed slightly. As quickly as it appeared, the expression was gone, but he brought Sen a little closer.
“Glad you could make it,” Kai added sweetly.
I chuckled as I tugged Tilian over by the hand. He smiled at my friends, clearly trying to work through his nerves.
“Hey,” he said. “Thanks for letting me come.”
Sen grinned. “Of course. You’re cool. Don’t mind Kai. He’s being a bitch today.”
Kai scoffed. “That’s not true. I’m just tired.”
“Why?” I asked. “It’s Sen’s insatiable need for your body, huh?”
“If only. West hasn’t been sleeping, so he’s been a nightmare. If he can’t sleep, it becomes everybody else’s problem.”
“He got attacked by a roach,” Sen explained.
My nose wrinkled. “I’d set myself on fire. Is that why he’s not here?”
Kai nodded. “Yeah, he was at the gym last time I talked to him. He’s not answering now. Hopefully, he passed the fuck out.”
