Page 55 of Hap

“Got it!” she says excitedly, pulling on the blazer. Becky takes her through to the meeting room to set up ready while I read over the file. The elevator pings, and I turn to see my client walking towards me, giving them a grin.

“Good afternoon, Hillary,” I greet, stretching my hand out to shake hers. She lifts her designer glasses off her face, and I immediately see the shadow of a bruise under her eye. My smile falters.

She gives me a wavering smile. “It’s wonderful to meet you. The sooner we can get this divorce done, the better,” she states.

“Hillary, I have to ask, did he do this?” I press. “Because I could shut this down in minutes with a police report of violence.”

She shakes her head. “No police, no report. He has endless money and will drag it out. I just want him cut out from my life permanently,” she sighs.

I place my hand on her shoulder. “I will make sure this gets done today,” I promise her.

I lead her into the meeting room and introduce her to Star and Becky. Star gives her a tight nod, and I fight the urge to smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Star so restrained before.

Soon Hillary’s ex-husband Phillip shows up with his lawyer Steven, who I knew, and he was an absolute dickhead. Today I would enjoy tearing them both apart.

Thirty minutes later, Phillip is still refusing to pay Hillary a penny. Even his lawyer is getting exasperated with him.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Mr. Truman, we have been over this. We have read your terms, and they are unacceptable. You broke the marriage vows. You were unfaithful. Hillary gave up fifteen years of her life, and she gave up her career as a doctor to raise your children. She has suffered at your hands and fromyour choices. If I were to take this to court, I can assure you that I would delve through all your employee records, and I’m sure I would find many, many women wanting to come forward with their story. I would even go so far as to say there may be a few who would sue you for sexual misconduct in the workplace,” I state firmly.

“Phillip, I urge you to consider this,” his lawyer adds.

“No!” Phillip snarls.

Star elbows me, and I lean in. “Leave him alone with me,” she whispers in my ear. I eye her. “I’m not going to stab him. Trust me.” She nods.

I nod. “Steven, if you don’t mind a word in private? My client would like to put forward a new offer,” I lie. Hillary eyes me, but I give her and Becky a look that gestures for them to follow my lead. They get up, and so does Steven, but as we walk out of the room, I leave the door open, not trusting Mr. fucking Truman. Plus, if Star even goes back with a mark, it will be my head on a stick.

“So, what’s the new offer?” Steven asks.

“What?” I ask. “Oh, right. I think I left it in my other notebook,” I bluff. Suddenly, we hear Star scream, and as we rush back into the meeting room, we see Star pinned on the table under Mr. Truman, his hands holding her breasts. Star gives me a wink, and I suppress the urge to laugh. Instead, I fold my arms across my chest. “Mr. Truman, my client would like to increase her demand,” I state firmly. Mr. Truman leaps off Star like she pinned him down, and as he adjusts his crotch, I nearly gag.

“Don’t be ridiculous. She came on to me,” he protests. “It’s just some slut’s word over mine,” he spits.

Star sits up smiling. “I don’t think so.” She grins, pointing to her phone propped up by her notepad. “Smile, you’re on camera,” she beams as she jumps off the table.

Mr. Truman’s face pales as he turns to Hillary. “Name your price,” he utters through gritted teeth.

I could fucking kiss Star.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

HAP

We ride for an hour,following a lead Ghost got this morning. Apparently, Eugene was staying at a small farmhouse owned by one of his friends. We ride our bikes as close as we can before we leave them by some trees and bushes to keep them out of sight. We then make the rest of the way by foot. Beast, Hawk, and Acid take the back, with Ghost, Spider, Cash, Scar, and me taking the front. It’s quiet, and there are no cars parked outside.

I pull my gun out as we make our way up the porch steps, pausing to look through the dirty windows. “You really think Eugene would stay here?” I ask.

“Depends how desperate he is, I guess.” Ghost shrugs. Scar places his hand on the handle, ready to open the door. We are all poised to go in when Ghost’s cell rings. He holds up his hand to pause us. “It’s Acid.” He frowns, answering. “Why are—” Ghost starts, but Acids yell down the phone, cutting him off.

“It’s a fucking trap! It’s a fucking bomb! Run!” he bellows down the phone.

“Fuck!” Ghost curses. We all bolt as quick as our legs will take us.

My heart thumps widely in my chest as fear and adrenaline course through my veins when suddenly an enormous BANG!sounds from behind us. We had barely made it even ten feet from the house when the enormous blast erupted, propelling my body forward, hurtling it across the gravel drive. Rocks and stone cut and scrape at the skin on my arms and face. My ears ring at a piercing high pitch. I blink, trying to focus, feeling like the world is swaying beneath me as I try to look around for my brothers. I force myself to move, groaning as my body protests in agony at seeing the farmhouse engulfed in flames. I spot a body to my left, and I quickly crawl to it on my hands and knees, rolling it over with all my strength.

“Scar!” I yell, but he’s unconscious. “Scar!” I yell again. Placing my finger to his neck to check for a pulse, I exhale a breath when I feel a strong beat. I tap his face, calling his name again. “Scar!” I yell. The ringing in my ears distorts the sound of my own voice and the noises around me. He blinks a few times, frowning, and I sigh with relief. “You’re okay,” I assure him before I look around.

Spotting Ghost slowly getting to his feet, his arms are covered in blood, much like mine. He looks at me, fear and pure fury piercing his gaze. I stand, steadying myself on my feet before I reach a hand out to Scar. He grabs it, and I help him up, both of us wobbling.

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