Page 9 of Dissension

Kara’s jaw drops open. The absolute nerve of this man, to insinuate that she would play both sides. “That’s a bald-faced lie, you slimy two-timing sleazebag! Besides, if we’re in the game of pointing fingers, you’re friends with that same financier, too!”

The District Attorney’s eyes go wide in shock at Kara’s outburst. Derrick looks at her apologetically.

The sneer on Nick’s face grows wider, seeing the way that Kara’s face has already heated with emotion. This is it; he goaded her into acting the way he wanted. She stepped right into his game, but it’s too late to stop now. He knows how hot her blood runs.

He loves the fight in her.

She snarls at him, hating his stupid, handsome face. Hating that she still dreams of him at night. Hating herself for wanting him, even though he’s no good for her whatsoever. Despising the fact that she still wants a man who took advantage of her in a limo, so many months ago, without her consent. It’s a dark, bizarro world she’s found herself in. “What benefit could I possibly get from Paxton Brooker going free? Absolutely no benefit! Dietrich-”

“Wait.” The DA looks lost. “Dietrich? As in DietrichBittinger? What does this have to do with him?”

Before anyone can answer, Nicholas gestures to Kara and drawls, “She’s fucking him.”

Everything melts into a vision of red. It feels as though there are fire ants, crawling under Kara’s flesh, biting her, gnawing her to bits. “How dare you!?”

Chapter 5

If Derrick hadn’t been present, Kara is more than certain that she would have flown across the room and scratched Nick’s eyes right out of his skull like a banshee. Snatched his devious snake tongue right out of his mouth and shoved it down his throat-

Becausereally.The nerve of this man.

Her face is hot and she refrains from covering it with her shaking hands. Derrick is giving her a strange look; he likely doesn’t believe the wild accusation. Despite that, Kara knows the whole point of the statement is to cause a sliver of doubt in her capabilities.

Along with her loyalties.

“That’s a rather inappropriate accusation, Nicholas.” Melanie’s eyes are wide, a mortified twist to her mouth. She gives a fleeting glance towards Kara, then away again.

Havenwood-Calais scoffs, shifting in a way that causes his suit coat to tighten around his shoulders enticingly. He makes a casual gesture with his hand again. “She’s not denying it, is she?”

This is Nick airing some seriously dirty laundry. This is what he thinks she’s been up to because she hasn’t been seeinghim.Kara can read between the ugly lines.

Inhaling sharply, trying to keep herself in check, Kara snaps in a tight voice, “It’s hard to deny something that isn’t eventrue, you spiteful snake!” Oh, the blue tie at his throat looks like a fabulous noose right about now. She wants to yank on it, watch him struggle underneath her for once.

Is this his way of getting back at her? For the fact that she won’t see him anymore? Humiliate her and attempt to ruin her professional standing? The horrid man. Kara seethes, feeling her jaw begin to ache as she stares him down.

She never meant anything to him anyway, but the idea of her no longer being at his beck and call must be driving him up the wall. That has to be what it is. He holds a grudge like a motherfucker, clearly. He should have forgotten about her and moved on by now. That’s his way, right? To use, abuse, and leave?

He flashes his teeth at her in a deceptively pleasant grin, eyes cool. “That sounds like denial to me. What do you think, Derrick? You know what denial sounds like, I gather. You’ve haunted the courtroom long enough.”

Derrick grimaces in what must be age-old agitation. “I think we’re done here. I’m not going to listen to malicious sabotage of one of my associates.”

Melanie looks pained, but she turns to seriously stare at Kara once more. “Malicious or not, what is the nature of your relationship with Dietrich Bittinger? He is, after all, Paxton Brooker’s main financier. His money has backed the purchase ofmultipleproperties and investments for Brooker over the years. This is not a small issue, regardless of the nature.”

This can’t be happening. Kara feels her nerves come alive. Is she actually getting inspected here? Is this the day? “I’m his…I don’t know what to call it. The help? I’m a minor cog in his legal team. Gale Clarke handles his main estate, litigations, most legal contracts, etc. and Tate Reggison handles…other stuff I’m not involved in. I’m literally his third-string lawyer. I pick up the things the other two can’t get to.” Pinning Nick with a venomous glare, Kara continues, “I’m not in a romantic relationship with him. I’ve not touched anything relating to his contracts with Paxton Brooker. I’m not evenawareof what they entail at this time.”

“Soyousay,” Nick replies. “At this time.” Clever man and his wicked way of unraveling words.

“It’s the truth!” Murder is in her eyes. Turning to Derrick, she says, “If that’s all you need from me here, I think I’m going to return to the office and die of embarrassment.”

Nick snorts. “You do that, Kara.”

Derrick gives her a look but agrees that she should leave.

As she makes her way to the door, the DA stops her. There’s an odd sort of shadow in her gaze now, as if uncertain of something. As if suddenly on her guard. “I hate to have to inform you of this, but you may be hearing from me again in regards to your client. The detectives involved would like to speak with Dietrich Bittinger at the precinct at his earliest convenience. Formalities, you understand. You will want to be present.”

Dammit, Dieter! Foreshadowing terrible police meetings over breakfast…

“I’m aware. We intend to schedule the interview. My client has nothing to hide.” Muscles tense, Kara feels her stomach drop. Her mouth has transformed into the Sahara Desert. Staring up at the taller woman, she asks carefully, “Are you charging him with something?”

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