Page 18 of Theirs to Take

“Because I ran into him last night. I stopped by to see you and security told me that you were out to dinner and where to find you. I didn’t want to bother you, but Simon was adamant about finding you. He said that you were working on the same case and that he had new information to disclose. Said it was urgent, so I told him where to find you,” Rod admitted.

“Yeah, he caught up with me. I was out to dinner with Nova,” Alex said.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Had I known what was going on, I wouldn’t have told him where you were,” Rod promised.

“No, it’s not your fault,” Alex said. “He showed up and made a scene with lots of witnesses around. Actually, it was good because he was drunk and out of control. He threatened Nova and I got the names of everyone who saw him do it, so I can call them to testify if it comes to that.”

“Wait—you said that it was good that he threatened Nova,” Rod said.

“Yeah—now we have a leg up in the case and she’s moved into my place, and that’s where I plan on keeping her,” Alex admitted.

“Man, you do have it bad for this woman,” Rod said.

“I do,” Alex agreed. “So, will you help me?”

“Do you think that the case will end up in court again?” Rod asked. He knew that his brother was dying to get into court, buthe’d learn that not all cases ended up there. Alex was hoping that would be the case in this instance. Nova didn’t need to be put through all of that again. He saw how upset she was when Simon burst into the restaurant last night. Alex would do just about anything not to have her look like that ever again.

“I’m hoping that it won’t,” Alex admitted. “I think that if I can prove that Simon is paying off judges, especially the one on his custody case, I’ll be able to have him disbarred and put in prison for a long time.”

Rod sighed, “I’m in,” he said. “I’ll swing by later today to pick up the files and meet my future sister-in-law,” he teased.

“Ha, ha,” Alex barked. “Just don’t call her that until I actually get up the nerve to ask her to marry me, asshole.”

“I’ll try, but no promises, big brother. Talk soon,” Rod said, ending the call. Alex tossed his cell onto his desk and looked out the wall of glass window that separated him from Nova. God, she was beautiful, sitting at her desk, studying the HR handbook like she was going to be tested. Yeah—he’d find the nerve to ask her to marry him, but it was going to take him some time. First, he’d need to get her kid back for her, then, he’d find a way to pop the question and convince her that it didn’t matter that they had only known each other a few short days. He was falling in love with her and that wasn’t going to change for him.

Alex noticed the blond sitting on the corner of Nova’s desk before he heard their giggling. He walked out of his office and the blond stood and straightened her dress, smoothing her hands down her body.

“You must be Evie,” he said, holding his hand out for her. “I’m Alex McTavish, it’s good to meet you.”

“You too, Alex,” she said. “I’ve brought the evidence that I’ve been able to collect on Simon’s activities paying off judges but I’m afraid that I won’t be able to get you anything else. Hopefully, that will be enough to bring Simon down,” Evie said, nodding to the thumb drive that she had handed him. “I’ve been fired,” she said.

“Why didn’t you tell me that when you got here?” Nova asked. “I wouldn’t have been sitting here joking around and being stupid. I’m so sorry, Evie.”

“It’s not your fault,” she insisted.

“What happened?” Alex asked. “What reason did they give for termination?”

“They said that I violated my NDA,” Evie said. “My boss said that he had evidence that I was talking about the firm’s cases to outside parties and that I was fired. He told me that I was lucky that they weren’t going to press charges, but I’m guessing that’s because they don’t have the evidence that they claimed to have on me. If they only knew what I just smuggled out of their building, they’d really have grounds to fire me.”

“How did you get the thumb drive out of the building?” Nova asked.

“Well, let’s just say that I put it someplace that the security guards would either need a search warrant to find it or be dating me and have permission to go to second base.”

“You put it in your bra?” Nova asked.

“Yep,” Evie said. “Right in the crater,” she teased.

“Can I see that thumb drive, Alex?” Nova asked. He handed it to her, and she grabbed a tissue and wiped it down, handing it back to him.

Alex chuckled, “Feel better, honey?” he asked.

“Yep,” Nova said. “I don’t want you touching my best friend’s boobs; even if it’s secondhand touching.”

“You’re insane,” Evie said. “Well, I better get going. I’m going to have to update my resume and hit the job market. I’ve got a job to find. Let me know if I got what you need, Nova. I’m hoping that you can get Jack back and Simon gets thrown in prison.”

“I’d love the same to happen,” Alex said. “I’ll go through this now and will have Nova let you know. Thanks for all of your help, Evie.”

“No problem,” Evie said. “I told you that I’d do anything for my girl. That includes kicking any man’s ass who hurts her.”

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