Page 110 of Impending Consent

“How the hell am I supposed to know that?"

"Let me refresh your memory." I produced another document. "According to the estimate from your own contractor, dated January seventeenth, the repair would have cost twelve hundred dollars if addressed immediately. After the ceiling collapsed, the same contractor estimated over eight thousand in repairs plus remediation for extensive mold damage. Does that sound accurate?"

"Approximately."

"No further questions, Your Honor."

The remainder of the trial proceeded as I anticipated, with me celebrating the win I knew I would secure. In his closing argument, Landry's attorney attempted to paint my client as difficult and the situation as exaggerated but the evidence was enough to prove my point. He was a slumlord.

Judge Hernandez ruled in our favor on all counts—release from the lease, return of security deposit, reimbursement for hotel stays and medical expenses, and punitive damages for the willful negligence. When the gavel came down, Ayana grabbed my hand with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you. I can finally get my son out of that place."

"You did the hard part. You stood up for yourself and your son. I just helped with the legal part."

After reviewing the judgment paperwork and explaining the next steps to Ayana, I packed up my briefcase and embraced thesatisfaction of doing something meaningful. When I turned to leave the courtroom, a familiar figure in the back caught my eye.

Rival was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, watching me with a look I knew would lead to noteworthy orgasms later. I hadn't noticed him during the proceedings because I was focused on the case but knowing he had been here had me grinning. I made my way toward him, unable to suppress my smile.

"How long have you been sitting there?"

"Since opening statements.” He pushed off the wall to meet me. "I stopped by your office to see if you wanted to grab lunch and TJ mentioned you were in court, so I thought I'd come watch."

"Stalking me?" I teased.

"Supporting my wife and I’m glad I did that was possibly the sexiest thing I've ever seen in my entire fucking life."

"Oh really?"

"Really. The way you cornered him with those text messages, brilliant."

"Just doing my job."

"Yeah but you look sexy as fuck doing it."

I glanced at my watch. "I'd love to continue this ego-stroking session, but I have another case in an hour."

"Dinner tonight? I'll cook."

"It's a date," I agreed, surprised by how natural it felt now to make plans with my husband and how good it felt to know he would be there at the end of my day.

He leaned down to kiss me goodbye. “Go do that shit, counselor. I'll see you at home."

I watched him walk away and smiled at the shift in my life over the past months. I had gone from a woman who avoided commitment at all costs to someone who found comfort in a man who forced me to trust him with every layer of my life. Itshould have felt constraining but instead it felt like peace. This was love…

Chapter 28

Rival

I pulled up to the Addison Estate not having a damn clue what I would say to Sailor’s father other than “stay the fuck out of our marriage and support your daughter” but I probably didn’t need it say it just like that.

Even though I felt like I would…

"Mr. Hassan. What can I do for you?” He narrowed his eyes, standing in the doorway like he was guarding it.

"We need to talk.”

He studied me for a minute then stepped back, motioning for me to enter. "My wife is out for the afternoon. We'll have privacy."

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