Page 81 of Broken Boss

When she turns, her eyes are like daggers, her words like claws.

“You know why. We both know.”

“You’re more worried about your reputation than whether or not my brother really committed that crime, or if the murderer is right in the other room, about to go free!” Autumn scoffs, arms tightening around herself protectively.

“It’s not like that. Without my reputation, I can’t keep doing what I’m doing. I can’t put the bad guys away. You’ve been keeping something from me, Autumn.”

“I have no idea what he’s talking about!” Her tone is half pleading and a part of me believes her. But I lock that part away, needing to focus on facts.

“You had to know I’d wonder eventually. It’s all too convenient—you start working for me twelve years after I put your brother away. Your ex comes looking for you, threatening your life. I’m roped into it now and I need to know why this is all happening.”

“I don’t know. If I did, don’t you think I’d be able to get Stephen out myself? I don’t know what Kieran thinks I know or what he thinks I told you. I don’t know why he showed up.”

“But why did you show up, Autumn? Why did you suddenly insert yourself into my life?”

I close the gap between us in two long strides, bearing down on her—wanting the truth and wanting to forget about it all in the same moment. Wanting nothing more than to take her away from this, to keep my promise that she’ll be safe. To give her a life she deserves.

As much as I hate his words, there was something to what Kieran said. Autumn Cavendish is a capable, strong, competent woman. A lawyer to be reckoned with. Not that Autumn Cooper isn’t, but there’s something wild about Autumn Cooper. She’s a fighter determined to survive, something most people don’t ever have to become.

She’s been through so much.

So how did she end up at Sharpe Law?

Her eyes search my face, almost begging, but then she sneers.

Steps back.

“You want to know why I showed up here? Why I applied for a senior position at your firm? Fine. I wanted to make you pay for what you did to Stephen.”

It’s like a slap in the face.

I stare at her in shock. She watches me defiantly, waiting for my reaction. For what, though? Anger, like her ex? Closing down, like her brother?

“I don’t understand. You wanted to make me pay? How?”

Her eyes sweep away. “I don’t know. I wanted…I thought…I was sure you were doing something wrong. Defending the wrong people, putting more innocent people in prison. I thought if I could just get on the inside and see?—”

“What? You thought you’d find some hidden secret? That I’m taking advantage of my clients, or pouring the firm’s money into my own bank account?”

It hurts, even though it’s not like those accusations haven’t been hinted at before. None of it is true. I’m a billionaire, yes, but that’s secondary. It just so happens I’m very, very good at what I do.

“Something like that,” she mutters, unable to meet my eyes.

My heart, beating in my chest, aches painfully. For a second, I think I might have a heart attack right here in the precinct. It wouldn’t be the worst thing, because I can’t imagine how to move forward from this.

The woman I love thinks I’m a liar, a cheat, and a stuck-up asshole.

She only came into my life to destroy it.

“Come on.”

I can’t get the stiffness out of my tone. Autumn looks at me in surprise, like she expected a fight.

“What?”

“Come on. We’re going back. I’m going to drop you off at the firm and then I’m going home.”

“I…okay.”

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