Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 59287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Judge Ashton’s phone records and emails for the three years before and after the Grant Jenkins case.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” He snapped. “You want me to get into a sitting judge’s emails?”
“Are you saying you can’t do it?”
“I’m saying it’ll take me about two weeks.”
“Thank you.”
“Ohhhh no you don’t.” Mara looped her hand in mine the moment I stepped into chambers. Then she led me in the opposite direction of my desk.
“What did I do?”
“Nothing at all,” she said. “But Judge Ashton isn’t having a good morning, so I’ve initiated Code: Black.”
“What does that mean?”
“Everyone works on the third floor today whenever we’re not in court.”
“Okay…” I furrowed my brow as she walked me into the hallway. “Is he sick or something?”
I held back on saying “He seemed fine when I was texting him earlier.”
“He’s dealing with a lot on his plate today.” She pulled out her phone and showed me the screen.
My jaw dropped as I read the front page of my former paper.
The Ugliest Case in This City Returns This Month—Along with the Ugliest Judge and His Tainted Gavel
“It’s from an opinion editor,” I said, remembering the woman’s byline. “Why the hell is it on the front page?”
“Because they think if they can create the smoke, Judge Ashton will lead them to a fire.”
“Is there one?”
“No, never.” She glared at me. “He’s the best judge in the world and you know that.”
I nodded.
“Play deaf and dumb if any of the parasitic press come around.” She shook her head. “They’re the shittiest people alive. No offense.”
“None taken.”
“Great! Make your way to the third floor. I’ll get whatever you need from your desk.”
I walked away and headed to the elevator.
Hey…You alright?
Am I still taking you home tonight?
He never texted me back.
FAIR USE (N.):
THE NON-COMPETITIVE RIGHT TO USE OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL WITHOUT GIVING THE AUTHOR THE RIGHT TO COMPENSATION OR TO SUE FOR INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT.
LIAM
Istared at Olivia during my evening arraignments, wondering if she was wearing that sexy gray dress for me.
It was far too short for the office dress-code, and I could tell from the way she was crossing her legs that she wasn’t wearing panties under it.
A purple bra strap peeked out on her shoulder, and it was just begging me to take it off.
She definitely did that on purpose…
Unfortunately, she was the only bright spot in this sudden shitty day, and I wanted nothing more than to bring her back to chambers for the night, but there was too much at stake.
Her eyes met mine and she held up her phone for what had to be the umpteenth time.
Then she parted her sexy pink lips and mouthed, “Text me back.”
“Not right now.” I spoke into the mic, letting everyone hear what I intended for her.
She blushed and put down her phone, and I looked at the prosecutor.
“I’ve been waiting to hear your take on this case for five whole minutes, Miss Julia,” I said. “This isn’t a trial…”
“Sorry, Your Honor.” She cleared her throat. “May I approach the bench?”
“Again, this isn’t a trial.” I leaned back. “Bail or no bail for this alleged zoo monkey theft?”
“I didn’t steal that monkey!” The defendant yelled. “I was just borrowing him for my TikTok, and zoos should be illegal anyway!”
Please say no bail.
“I’m begging you, Your Honor…” Julia said. “Just one second.”
“Approach.” I motioned for her to step closer.
“I know this is highly inappropriate, but um…I consider you to be a pretty good associate of mine.” She handed me her phone. “I’m not sure if you’ll be on the bench much longer…”
Confused, I looked at her screen.
Grant Jenkins’ Father Pushing For Judge Ashton’s Removal from Bench
“You paused my court for a headline on a gossip blog, Miss Julia?”
“To tell you that my boss wants the same thing,” she whispered. “He just texted his code for putting together an investigation.”
“You’re not supposed to tell me things like that.”
“Are you mad that I did?”
“No,” I said. “Bail or no bail?”
“Bail.” She stepped back to her table, and my fantasies of spending time with Olivia anytime soon dissolved.
“Mr. Ward, I’m granting you a five-thousand-dollar bail, and you will delete TikTok from your phone until trial.”
“Give me jail!” His eyes widened. “They let us use TikTok in jail!”
“Court is in recess.” I banged my gavel and stole one long look at Olivia before slipping away to my chambers.
FUCK.
Later that night
“Here’s how you can make all this annoying attention go away, for the rest of your life.” Damien Carter, one of this city’s top lawyers and a man I hated to see in my courtroom, stood in front of my desk.
“Whatever you’re about to say to me, just make sure it’s ethical, Damien.”
“What else could it be?” He smiled. “I always play by the rules.”
“You’ve literally built your entire career off bending them.”