Page 46 of Dissension

It’s none of your business, Kara thinks.

In a daze, Kara makes her way back to where Gale and Nick are still seated, working on various things. When she sits down with a sigh, Nick looks up from a document and gives her a stare. “Is your Client Boyfriend exhausting you?”

Gale’s mouth turns downward, hearing that, but she doesn’t interject.

Rubbing her fingertips into her closed eyes, Kara says, “Heisexhausting, but not my boyfriend. He’s unequivocally un-boyfriendable.”

Snorting, Nick flips a page. “That sounds accurate.” Regardless of his snippiness, the tension seems to leave his broad frame slightly. He’s more at ease with Dieternothanging off Kara like an amorous parasite.

Shifting in her seat, Gale looks between the two of them. “The pair of you never did tell meexactlyhow you two got off on the wrong foot.”

Kara feels her mind blank suddenly. It’s not like she can say,oh yes. I was drugged at a club ages ago and found myself wandering the streets on the bad side of town. He thought I was a hooker. Bad things happened. Did you know that Nick has a thing for nonconsent? It turns him on.No, she can’t say that.

Always one to be on his toes with his quick court reflexes, Nick answers. “We got after it in court once or twice. She has a temper. So do I. She madequitethe impression.”

“Pfft. A bad impression,” Kara replies with a smile. “On both fronts.”

It’s a comfort to see amusement warm his gaze. “Touché.”

“Hm,” Gale says, looking between the two of them. “When can she come work at your firm with me? I’d love to get her involved with some of my other, less overwhelming clients. Away from Dieter, if at all possible. They appear joined at the hip and it unnerves me.” She gives Kara an apologetic glance. “Sorry, it’s true.”

Kara gapes at her. She’s still trying to convince Nick to let her join his firm? To get herawayfrom Dieter? Good grief, Gale.

Leaning back in his seat, shirt pulling tight across his chest and biceps, Nick appraises Kara with a careful look. Yes, he’s definitely in a better disposition now that Dieter is otherwise occupied. “I’m more amenable to having her interview for a position than I was a few months ago.” A wry grin pulls at his mouth. “If she can handle the Spoiled King, she can handle anyone.”

“Really?” Kara splutters in shock. After all they’ve been through, good and bad, he’s considering taking her on? A flicker of anger boils low though, because perhaps it’s just another ploy of his to get her closer to him now that she’s been out of reach.

Besides, she did once say she’d never stoop to working at his slimy firm anyway, there is that.

He’s opening his mouth to answer her when Dieter emits of loud groan of exasperation, ending his phone call. After a few moments of glaring out at the water, Dieter returns to her side with some semblance of collection, irritation lingering in his green eyes.

No one says a word when he sits down, not wanting to set him off. Nick momentarily looks like hemightsay something problematic to stir the pot, but before he can, his phone begins to ring. Nick sighs, pulling it out. He glances at the name and curses a bit under his breath. He gets up and moves away from the group, seeking privacy.

“Is that Delphine?” Dieter asks with a voracious sort of energy. There’s predatory excitement on his face, but the reason for it is unknown. It overtakes the former ill mood that had been hovering about him. “TellThe JudgeI say hi.”

Delphine?Kara thinks, a bit green on the inside. Some new woman in Nick’s fucking lineup? The jealousy makes her think worse things. What has he been up to these months that he hasn’t seen her? Has he been out again, paying other women for what he can’t have? The thought hurts and sickens.

Nick answers the phone as he steps to the other side of the boat, giving Dieter a hateful look that sends chills down Kara’s spine. What on earth sparked that?

“The Judge?” Kara asks Gale in a hushed voice, confused. “One of those blasted friends on his damn payroll?” She’ll never be over how he screwed her on the Debra Mills case, getting the judge to dismiss the case after a private meeting.

Gale laughs and shakes her head. “No, not at all. Dieter is referring to Nick’s mother. She’s a big judge in the Northeast. Been that way for a while. She’s politically connected and worked her way up from her days as a top defense lawyer.”

Ah, that slightly explains the vicious look that crossed Nick’s face when Dieter said his piece. She can see Nick on the other side of the boat, talking on the phone, nodding, answering in what looks to be a curt and clipped manner. “I never got the impression that Nick got on with his mother.”

Gale presses her lips together momentarily. “I’ve never heard him talk about her, truth be told. But some men are like that.” She shrugs it off. “He’s not good with personal stuff, Nick.”

Hah. Kara has noticed that. He’s as good at emotions as rocks are good at floating on water.

Dieter makes the rounds around the different circles of people on the yacht, like a social butterfly. Eventually, he returns to Kara. He sits close, indecently so, and Gale once again presses her lips together, noticing. “I don’t pay you to make those faces at me,” Dieter says when he catches sight of the expression.

“You might not pay me for my expressions, but you will have them nonetheless,” Gale replies staunchly, pale eyes flashing.

Oh, jeez, Gale…

He rests his head on Kara’s shoulder briefly, making her face heat up. Why is he being this way in front ofeveryone? Is he trying to make a goddamn point? “Don’t be so prude. She and I arefriends, Gale.” He puts his arm around Kara’s shoulders, engulfing her in the scent of his airy cologne, drifting across the senses pleasantly. The faint hint of cigarette smoke clings to him now. “Kara and I get on famously. See?” He grins brightly, but that has no effect on Gale Clarke.

She’s used to his shit, obviously. “You are not behaving. You are being insufferable. Leave her be.”

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