Page 33 of Client Privilege

“He’s still presiding,” Damian confirmed, his jaw tightening. “Our motion for recusal was denied.”

I leaned against the building behind me, suddenly needing thesupport. “So that’s it? Marcus wins again?”

“No,” Damian said firmly, stepping closer. “This isn’t over. Patterson may be biased, but we’ll present our case so compellingly that he can’t ignore it without making his prejudice obvious to everyone.”

“You really believe that?” I asked, searching his face for any sign he was just trying to make me feel better.

“I do,” he replied, no hesitation in his voice. “We have the truth on our side, Alex. And I’m not backing down.”

Something in his unwavering determination sparked a small flame of hope inside me. It wasn’t much—just enough to keep me standing, to help me face what was coming.

“Then I guess we’d better get ready,” I said, straightening my shoulders. “We have a trial to prepare for.”

CHAPTER NINE

Alex

THE CONFERENCEroom felt like a war room. Documents covered the massive table, stacks of legal precedents towered in corners, and three laptops displayed different aspects of our case. My stomach knotted as I reviewed my testimony for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Remember, Alex, you don’t need to memorize answers,” Damian said, his voice steady as he sorted through evidence folders. “Just tell the truth exactly as you remember it.”

I nodded, but my throat tightened. The truth. The truth was that I’d spent three years being dismantled by a man who’d convinced me I was worthless. The truth was humiliating.

“What if I freeze?” I whispered, the fear that had been building all morning finally spilling out. “What if I can’t—”

The door swung open, and Sandra bustled in with a tray of coffees and pastries. “Fuel for the troops,” she announced, setting everything down with military precision. Her eyes softened when she looked at me. “And I brought you that tea you liked yesterday.”

“Thanks,” I murmured, grateful for the interruption.

Mitchell Burnett followed behind her, arms loaded with more documents. The junior associate had been helping Damian prepare ourcase, his enthusiasm a stark contrast to my dread.

“Alex! I found those precedents we were looking for,” he said, grinning as he dropped the stack on the table. “Three cases where the judge recognized psychological manipulation as part of the abuse pattern. Two of them even involved same-sex couples.”

“That’s… good?” I wasn’t sure how to respond to his excitement.

“It’s brilliant,” Damian confirmed, scanning the top document. “Well done, Mitchell.”

Mitchell beamed like he’d just won the lottery. “I also prepared those visual aids for the testimony sequence. Want to see them?”

“Let’s give Alex a breather first,” Sandra interjected, handing me the steaming cup of tea. “You’ve been at this since seven this morning.”

I took a grateful sip, letting the warmth spread through my chest. Sandra had an uncanny ability to sense when I was reaching my limit. Over the past few days, she’d become something of a guardian angel, appearing with food or tea whenever my anxiety peaked.

“How are you holding up?” she asked quietly while Damian and Mitchell discussed strategy across the room.

I shrugged. “I’m terrified.”

“That’s normal,” she said matter-of-factly. “But you know what? In fifteen years working with Damian Richards, I’ve never seen him this committed to a case.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “And I’ve never seen him lose when he’s like this.”

“But Marcus has—”

“Money? Connections?” She waved dismissively. “Damian has something better. He has you.”

I blinked. “Me?”

“The truth,” she clarified, but there was something knowing in her eyes that made heat rise to my cheeks. “And that’s what wins in the end, no matter what the Marcus Delaneys of the world think.”

She stirred her coffee, studying me over the rim of her cup. “You know, I’ve worked with Damian through countless cases, seen him with all sorts of clients. He’s always professional, always focused.” Her lips curved into a small smile. “But there’s something different about how he is with you.”

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