Page 69 of Defend Me

I shift in my seat. “Maybe you’re right,” I admit, trying to make light of it. “But it’s kind of nice to feel like the good guy for once.”

Kent chuckles. “The good guy—that’s cute. And what does your father think about this foray into pro bono work?”

I give him a look. “Well, seeing as I’m not a little kid anymore, it really doesn’t matter what my dad thinks.”

“Sure,” Kent says with a wink. I feel a pinch in my stomach—I did look for my father’s approval before agreeing to take this case.

But I like representing Noah. I’ve enjoyed fighting to prove his innocence, using the law for good—certainly more than I’ve ever enjoyed representing executives who stole their employees’ pensions. Maybe I can convince Harold to let me take more pro bono cases going forward.

I don’t say that to Kent though. Instead, I rest a hand on hisarm, caressing the hard muscle of his bicep. “Let’s not talk about work.”

Kent’s smile widens. “Sounds good to me.”

“How’s your family?”

“My sister is getting married next year.”

“Oh really? Congratulations. Who’s the lucky man?”

“Bradley Adams. Dad’s thrilled. His family is Boston Brahmin. Old money. Dad’s dream.”

“How nice,” I say.

“You wouldn’t say that if you knew Bradley.” Kent launches into a story about his future brother-in-law coming to visit the family ranch and bringing a pair of cowboy boots that I guess everyone found offensive, though I’m not one for ranches so the story is a bit lost on me.

When Kent asks about my family, I politely tell him about Caden bringing on a new winemaker.

“Oh right, he’s going sustainable.” Kent shudders. “I didn’t have your brother pegged as one of those tree-hugging environmentalists. Dad deals with them all the time. They’d gladly crash our economy in order to save some random bird.”

“Sustainability is good for the environmentandbusiness,” I point out. I know Caden did his research on that, and no way Dad would have signed off on this change if it wasn’t profitable.

“Of course,” he says dismissively, then he chuckles. “I hear he’s dating some local chick from your town.”

My back stiffens. “Her name is Isla. She’s nice.”

Kent snorts. “I’m sure she is. They’re all nice at first.”

At first? I can’t imagine a situation in which Isla wouldn’t be nice. She’s like Noah that way. Built for kindness.

“Just tell Caden to get an iron-clad prenup if she tries to lock him down,” Kent adds.

“What?”

“You know how those women are,” he says.

“I don’t,” I say tightly. “You’ll have to enlighten me.”

Kent looks exasperated. “Oh come on, Von. Those people always have their eyes on the prize.”

My jaw tics. “Isla isn’t with Caden for his money.”

“Right.” Kent smirks as he takes another drink.

“You don’t even know her,” I point out.

“I’ve known a lot of women like her,” he says. “My father always says, money should marry money. Don’t let any women try and steal your heart if she’s not from your class. Because you can bet she’s after one thing, and one thing only.”

I slam my wineglass down harder than I meant to. “My mother always said love can grow in the most unlikely of places. Like a flower breaking through a crack in cement. It is a force to be reckoned with.”

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