Page 21 of Cause and Effect

“Oh, please. Are you that much of a wimp?”

Parker chuckled.

“Shut up, bro.” The elevator doors opened.

“Try not to kill each other before the day ends,” he said, walking ahead of us.

We climbed into the back of the Escalade, headed to the courthouse, and spoke to Georgina before court began.

“Georgina, there’s footage of you entering the hotel with your husband the night of his murder.” I pulled up the footage and showed her.

“That’s impossible. That is not me.”

“Georgina—”

“No, Julian. I swear to you. That is not me. I haven’t worn heels in over ten years. I can’t.”

“Why is that?” Laurel asked.

“Because ten years ago, I shattered my ankle, and after multiple surgeries, it still didn’t heal right. I can only wear flat shoes. Heels kill my ankle. That is not me! Someone is setting me up!”

“Okay. Calm down,” I said.

As the hearing was about to start, we ran into Liza, theAssistant District Attorney prosecuting the case, on our way into the courtroom.

“Liza.” I nodded.

“Julian. Who’s this?”

“This is Laurel Evans. She’s a new attorney at the firm. I thought Corbin was handling the case.”

“He and his wife were in an accident last night.”

“Are they okay?” I asked.

“They’re pretty banged up. He’ll be back in a few days. I’m taking over. I hope you’re prepared to send your client back to jail because there’s no way the judge will grant her bail,” she leaned in and whispered in my ear.

“We’ll see.” I walked into the courtroom.

Chapter Nine

Laurel

His scent. His intoxicating scent. He wore cologne that hits your nose before you even see him—musky, with hints of sandalwood and citrus. A sophisticated aroma that enticed the senses and made you want to get closer. I still couldn’t believe he answered my call last night in his boxer briefs. The way the fabric clung to his athletic frame, emphasizing every inch of his sculpted physique, lingered with me the entire night. The girls were very observant when they said he was hot. But I already knew that the night he sat next to me at the bar. Between his looks and his scent, I knew I would be in trouble if I took him up on his offer.

“I’ll be right back,” I said to Julian.

“Where are you going? Court is about to start.”

“I have to make a quick phone call.” I stepped out of the courtroom.

When we were talking to Georgina earlier in the room, I asked her for the doctor’s name that she saw ten yearsago for her shattered ankle. She told me, and I made a mental note.

Once I finished my call, I walked back into the courtroom as the judge entered.

“Oh shit,” I mumbled.What the fuck was he doing here in Los Angeles?

“Where were you?” Julian leaned over and asked.

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