Page 11 of Cause and Effect

“No way.” He shook his head. “Kids are great.” He smiled. “I love my daughter more than anything in the world.”

“Well, your brother has his opinions about children.” My brow arched as a smirk crossed my lips.

Roman inhaled a sharp breath. “He said something to you about that?”

“He did. He told me he no longer wants to sleep with me and that it wasn’t me personally. It’s because I have kids.”

“Jesus Christ.” He ran his hand down his face. “Just ignore him, Laurel. He has issues. He puts on this tough guy act, but the reality is he’s only tough in the courtroom.”

“I didn’t take offense to what he said, nor do I care.”

“Good. Call your parents and ask if they can babysit so you can join us.” He stood from his seat and buttoned his suit coat.

“I will. Thanks, Roman.”

“You’re welcome.” He winked before leaving my office.

I picked up my phone and dialed my mom.

“Hi, honey. How’s work?”

“It’s good, Mom. Do you think you and Dad can watch the girls tonight? Roman invited me to their father’s bar tonight. I want to make it look like I’m a team player, so I really should go.”

“Of course we can. You know we’re here for you.”

“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it. Tell the girls I love them.”

“I will, honey. See you later.”

“Bye, Mom.”

Chapter Five

Julian

“I’d take the deal if I were you, Trey.”

“It’s five years in prison, Julian.”

“You robbed a store clerk at gunpoint. You committed a felony, and you’re looking at ten years plus if we take this to trial. You’re lucky I could convince the DA to give you this deal. Be on your best behavior, take some classes, and keep to yourself. You’ll be out in three. It’s better than the alternative, Trey.”

“I can’t go to prison.” He shook his head.

“Fine. We’ll go to trial, the jury will find you guilty of first-degree robbery, and you’ll spend the next ten years or more in prison. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I pointed at him.

“You’re my lawyer, Julian. You’re supposed to get me off!”

“I got the best deal I could for you. I’m not God. As much as I’d like to snap my fingers and you’d get no time at all, it isn’t how this works. You were caught red-handed by an officer in the store. And you’re on video.”

“But I have no priors,” he said.

“And that is why I was able to get the deal for you. Take the next twelve hours and think it over. That’s all the DA is giving us.”

“Yeah. I’ll let you know.” He stood up.

“I hope you’re going straight home after you leave here,” I said.

He pulled up his pant leg, revealing the monitor attached to his ankle. “Do I have a choice?”

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