Page 92 of Hidden Ties

“I told you I would try. That’s a big difference.” Letting a smile hover on his lips, he showed his unconcern at the dissatisfaction on Garrett’s face. “Desmond will sign on when he needs me. Since his marriage, he’s been concentrating on spending time with his wife and child instead of his business needs. I don’t see him basking in blissful matrimony for long, do you?”

Garrett’s expression cleared. “If his wife is anything like mine, no, I don’t.”

He had met Garrett’s wife, and Desmond’s wife, Haley. There was no comparison between the two women. Haley had a soul.

Appeased, Garrett handed him a folder. “I need you to get Morgan Ross to sign off on this latest offer. He’s not going to get a better settlement.”

He opened the folder, and his eyes went to the figure being offered. “You’re shitting me, right? Morgan isn’t going to accept this offer.”

Garrett lost his amiable expression. “That’s why I pay you the big bucks, so you can talk these assholes into doing what’s in their best interests.”

“How is getting Morgan to accept a two-point-five-million settlement when he deserves twelve in his best interest?” Kent flipped the file closed. “This will barely cover your fee.”

“I only took his case for the PR. No one is hiring him. Out of sight, out of mind. I want to get out while the going is good. His fans could turn on him, and I don’t want to represent him when they move on to the next big star. Do both of us a favor and get him to sign.”

Tilting his head to the side, Kent stared at his boss indifferently. “How’s it a favor for me?”

“You need to make it up to me for not getting Desmond on board.”

When Garrett wanted something, he didn’t pull his punches. Neither did Kent.

“How about letting me take over Ross’ case? I can get a better settlement.”

His boss studied him consideringly. “I’m happy with the two point five.”

“I can make you happier.”

Garrett’s cell phone vibrated on his desk. He picked it up and texted whoever had messaged him before returning his attention to him, then gave him a sharp nod.

“Go ahead. Make it quick. I have my eye on a new townhome near here.”

Rising to his feet, Kent took in the sleek modern desk, which cost thousands, and the designer suit he was wearing. Both meant to give the impression of wealth, luring potential clients like a Venus flytrap.

“I’ll get it done. By the way, you can thank Livvy for Desmond not wanting to retain the firm. He doesn’t appreciate how Livvy treated one of your new hires. He’s smart. Desmond knows how employees are treated is a direct reflection of management. If you had read the dossier on him that I gave you, you would know he wouldn’t align himself with any business that got numerous complaints about how their former employees are treated.”

“If they’re former employees, they’re former for a reason,” Garrett snapped.

“Are you prepared to fight another lawsuit if one of them files? Get Cheryl to ask HR for recent terminations. I’m going to give you advice I usually charge for. There are three don’ts I tell my clients to be smart not to do. Don’t make an employee your mistress, don’t give her expensive jewelry that she’ll wear to work, and don’t make it obvious you’re banging her by giving her a promotion she doesn’t deserve.”

Garrett looked ready to fly across the desk at him. “I didn’t ask for your advice.”

“No, you didn’t,” he agreed. “That’s why I said it was free. I’m just paying you back for letting me take over Ross’ case. Take it or leave it. Just remember when Gail divorces you and you lose that brand-new townhouse that you plan to set up Livvy in that I told you so.”

Satisfied he had gotten his point across, Kent casually opened the door, motioning a waiting Livvy inside. After flashing Garrett an ironic glance, he shut the door behind him.

He winked at Cheryl as he passed her desk, then went to his office. At his desk, he called Morgan Ross to set up an appointment for him to come into the office. Afterward, he cleared his schedule for the rest of the day, locked his desk, and strolled out of his office.

“Have a good evening, Mrs. Boward,” he told his secretary as he passed her desk.

He left the office, took the elevator to the parking garage, then pressed a button on his key fob to unlock his Mercedes. As he got in, he noticed Livvy had a new BMW parked in her parking spot.

“Dumbass,” he muttered under his breath.

He drove out of the parking garage and merged into the busy traffic. Putting on his blinker, he pulled into another parking garage, speeding up the levels to the top of the sixth floor and parking in a darkened spot in a corner.

He turned his head as the passenger door opened and watched the president of the Predators slide inside.

“You’re late,” Ice said coldly.

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