Page 11 of The Lawyer
And calling me by my name?
Another half chuckle comes out of me as I scrawl another line through the entire paragraph I’m reading. I can’t remember the last time anyone in this building called me by my name apart from my father. It’s rather absorbing that I actually agreed to it. Still, she does seem to have organised my house move well enough, if the emails are to be believed. Efficient, effective. It’s enough to have piqued my interest past simply observing her. I won’t do a thing with that interest, obviously. The professional services of a PA should not extend to me fucking them over my desk.
The door barges open as I’m moving on to the next file, enough power in the move that I part consider fucking her up against that too.
“Landon? Are you ready for Ms Watkinson now?”
I don’t look up, rather sigh, and pull a corresponding contract closer. “Yes, bring her in if you must."
A woman in herfifties, perhaps,eventually storms in, all flair and bright colours. She sits without asking and dumps her bag on the floor.
“Would you like a coffee or tea, Ms Watkinson?” Willow asks.
“No, dear. We’re not here to socialise.”
My lips quirk at the attitude as I sign off another document, at least acknowledging the forthright tone. If there’s one thing I do like in this world, it’s a testy woman to play with.
And now I appear to have two in my office.
My most charming smile performs to its usual effect as I eventually raise my head and look up at the woman. She gawps for a few seconds before looking away and digging into her bag. “There’s no point in that, Sonny Jim. I’m here for facts, not flirtation.”
“You don’t enjoy flirtation, Ms Watkinson? I was looking forward to playing with an older woman.” She shushes me and waves her hand around, finally finding whatever pad and pen she was looking for. “Are you quite ready? I'm happy to stare a while longer."
“Stop it, young man.”
“We haven’t started yet, have we?”
“Mr Broderick—”
“Landon, please.”
Her eyes flutter, shoulders straightening regardless. “Right then, Landon, I’d like some information regarding your thoughts on your sister first. Persephone.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, this ongoing feud with the Foxton’s must be trifling with your sister now living with Scott Foxton in Paris. How does that affect the current family dynamic?”
If there was a question to piss me off, that’s it.
“I don’t believe that’s pertinent to The Broderick legacy, or what’s been built over the generations. Which is what you’re here to discuss, if memory serves me correctly.”
“I’m bloody sure it would affect me if the situation were reversed. Surely your sister’s love for a man whose family has been tantamount to a mortal enemy for years must make you feel consideration towards some sense of harmony?”
“I’m not in the business of harmony, Ms Watkinson. What Persephone does with her time is at her own discretion. And your point, if there is one, is rather moot considering the fact that I am the controlling shareowner of The Herald.”
“You or your father?”
My elbows prop on the arms of my chair, fingers clutched under my chin. “Legally? Me.”
“And how does he feel about that? Giving away his legacy must be tough on him.”
“It wasn’t his legacy to give. It was my great grandfather's. It will be my son or daughter's after me. That’s what inheritance is.”
“Well, yes, quite, I suppose." She pulls her glasses down her nose and looks at me over them. “On that note, do we have any plans for marriage in the near future at all?”
“Really, Ms Watkinson, Geraldine, if you’re interested in a date you should just ask. I'm not surewe'reready for marriage at all before dates.” I glance over at Willow, watching as she smiles privately to herself. “However, if you'd like to discuss my sex life, I'm quite accomplished at it and relatively romantic on occasion. Sadly, what I don't do is perform in the office. Not even for a book.” A crimson blush attacks her cheeks, which only serves to increase my smile. “Miss Etherington?” Willow's head shoots up from the corner, an equally telling blush on her face. “I believe it’s time for coffee.”
She checks her watch. “In the middle of a meeting?” I keep staring until she puts her tablet down and stands. “Yes, of course.”
