Page 27 of Forced By the Bratva Beast

Don’t stuff this up. It’s the only good thing you have going for you right now.

Drumming up a stiff smile, I hold out my hand to Chris. “Hi, sorry if I’m late. I’m coming from another appointment.”

“Oh, no problem. And don’t apologize, you’re not late. You look great by the way,” he chips in, boosting my self-esteem.

“Thanks. You too,” I reply, not sure of the polite compliment, but excited by the possibility of what he’s offering.

“Take a seat. Take a seat. We can order and chat about things,” he offers, the light from the window shining on his face. So far, he seems more excited than I am. “I’m glad that ourschedules could finally match up. I know it’s been a few weeks since we talked about getting together,” he mentions.

I was taken aback when he approached me at the car after seeing Dr. Perri. She’d given me a lot to think about that day. “I know. I’m glad to be here.” Settling in, I feel flutters in my stomach.

“Great. Should we order?”

“Sounds good.” I order a burger and fries, careful to remember what foods I should and shouldn’t be eating. Even if I haven’t planned anything, I still have to look after the baby in my own way.

We make small talk until our food comes out. “I wanted to talk to you about the internship program for the summer. I know I mentioned it a few weeks back, but I am looking for a couple of them.”

“Wow. It would be amazing to be considered,” I tell him, a glimmer of hope shining through.

“Well, you don’t have to be amazed. I am considering you already. Especially since you’re working with my sister. Elena told me you’re a bright student, so I trust her judgment.”

“Thank you. It’s been such an honor to work with her. I’ve been following her papers for years, and the strides she’s made are incredible. She had a hand in getting laws changed in the state. She’s my hero,” I gush, truly meaning it. And working with her brother would be another feather in my cap.

Christopher grins with a nod. “I have to hand it to her. She’s almost as good as me,” he adds with a cocky laugh.

“So anyway, let me tell you more about the internship program.” I stuff a fry in my mouth and listen intently. “This isa real opportunity to see the inner workings of the legal system in Chicago. We deal with some of the most high-profile criminal cases in the country. You really have a chance to bolster your resume and your reputation by working with us.” Chris smiles, the promise making my heart skip a beat.

“Wow. Do you have high-profile cases on the table right now?” I ask him, the next fry in my hand drooping as I listen in awe.

He nods his head. “We sure do. I’m not sure if you’ve seen the McAllister case in the news lately?”

“Oh my God! Your firm has that case? The two kids and the mother in the lake?” I am floored by what he just told me.

He nods. “Yep. There you go, you’ve got a peek at inside information. I trust you to keep that to yourself. So, if you were selected to come on board, then you would be reviewing tapes, paperwork, phone logs, matching up credit card statements, all the hands-on type of stuff we do for criminal cases. We are known for being sticklers, and we have a 99 percent record in gaining justice for our clients,” Chris advises proudly.

“Yes, I know,” I say quickly as he grins, tucking into his burger.

“Oh, so you’ve studied our work?”

“Yep. I sure have. Sorry, I just mean, I know that you have a great program and reputation for being a defense law firm.”

“Again, don’t be sorry. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, and you’ve done your research. I like that, and the initiative you showed in approaching my sister to be her research assistant shows how hungry you are, and that’s the type of hunger that puts the right people behind bars where they belong.”

The more Chris mentions, the more I’m torn about what to do with the baby. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I can’t stuff it up. “I love it. Always have,” I confess.

“Perfect. The internship will last for the summer, but with all going well, it can lead to an invite back for the next summer and beyond. Many of my internship graduates have gone on to become great defense lawyers, making a ton of money and winning their cases. That could be you.”

His sales pitch is getting loftier and loftier, but I’m buying into most of it. Although my reason for pursuing law has changed moralistically since the death of my parents. “Wow. So cool. What other cases are on the board?” I ask, excited about it all. Chomping on my fries, Chris smirks, his dimples on display. He’s a good-looking guy, I must admit.

“You’ll have to apply to find out. Do you have any other recommendations for students who might fit what I’m looking for?”

“Ava Knight,” I blurt out. “She’s amazing and has brilliant grades.” An internship at a top defense law firm with my best friend? Hell yeah. Sounds like a great summer plan.

Chris’s eyes twinkle, holding my gaze a little too tightly. I’ve seen this look before, and I’m not stupid. He’s got the hots for me, and this opportunity is one I’m going to have to play very carefully because, if I don’t, it might come back to bite me.

What if I reject him? Will he offer it to someone else?

“Ava Knight. I’ll have a look into speaking to her.” Chris takes another bite of his burger, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Are you enjoying Chicago Law School? I went to school in Boston and the vibe is a lot different.”

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