Page 5 of Marcel

She went out of herway to avoid him, and whenever they were forced to work on a casetogether, she made some snide remarks that pissed him off. He had toadmit that she was very good at her job, but her attitude bordered onungracious.

She was not someonewho felt that she had to bow and scrape because he was the boss’sson. Her contempt was so apparent that several of the partnerscommented on it as a joke.

“Nikki is theonly woman who does not fall at your feet in a dead faint, Hadley,”one of the partners joked. “I wonder why that is.”

He wished he couldmarch in there and announce to his Dad that he would not follow hisasinine plan, but the old man held all the cards. The firm was hispride and joy, so he would do anything to maintain its stellarreputation.

*****

Nikki kicked off hershoes and padded toward the kitchen after sliding her bag off hershoulders and leaving it in the hallway. She was tired, and as partof the agreement she had made, she would have to attend a stupid balltomorrow.

Plunking the kettleon the stovetop, she went to get the box of tea and selected a cupfrom the cupboard. She had stopped at the nursing home to impart thegood news to her mother, who had listened with that space-outexpression, indicating that she was wasting her breath.

Norma Johnston waslocked into a world of her own. After the tragic death of her husbandfive years ago, she had shifted into a world where she had no ideawhat was happening to her or was able to identify her daughter.

Nikki had beentwenty-three and in law school when she received the news. At first,she thought about leaving and not finishing the course, but heradvisor had talked her out.

“You would bebetter positioned to care for your mother,” Professor Clearytold her. “You are here on scholarship, my dear. I would adviseyou to make the most of it.”

She had been giventhe necessary time off to help her mother care for the funeralarrangements. Terrence Johnston had left them provided for with hisgenerous insurance and personal savings, but that had been depletedafter a few years.

Her mother haddeveloped dementia and the inability to function after her husband’sdeath. Her condition had steadily worsened, and Nikki hadacknowledged that she would not be able to take care of her on herown.

The shrill whistle ofthe kettle coincided with the ringing of her cell phone. Turning theflame off, she picked up the phone and recognized the firm's number.

“Hello?”

“How did youpull it off?” The deep baritone was rife with sarcasm and lacedwith bitterness.

“Marcel.”Taking a deep breath, she held the phone to her ear, hunching hershoulder as she poured the water over the pouch.

“Why the hellwould you agree to something like that?”

“Why do youthink?” She asked casually.

“Money.”The bitterness in his voice had her wincing. “So, I guess youare human after all. Does it matter to you one bit that I wouldrather walk into the path of a speeding truck than be married toyou?”

Nikki closed her eyesas the sharp pain sliced through her heart. “The feeling ismutual.” She lied. “You should be thanking me.”

“Why isthat?”

“I am the onewho is going to restore your reputation and get your mistress offyour hands.”

“So, I amsupposed to be grateful?” He asked caustically.

“Something likethat.” She stirred honey into the tea slowly, watching thesteam rise.

“Forgive me ifI am not bowing down and kissing your feet.”

“That’sfine. I am certain you are not accustomed to it.”

“Go to hell,”he told her coldly before hanging up.

Putting the phonedown, Nikki took a shaky breath and realized she was already there.

Chapter 2

Nikki stepped backfrom the mirror and critically examined her image. The dress was aslinky burnt orange with thin lace straps at the shoulders andcrisscrossing at her lower back, leaving her smooth caramelcomplexion bare.

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