Page 24 of Bonus Daddy
She fit perfectly against me. In her sky-high heels, she was just the right height to tuck her head under my chin.
Eyes closed, I relished this moment. The joy that overwhelmed me was more potent than I’d felt after any courtroom victory.
Now more than ever, I wanted to help her. To ensure she felt safe and protected. To give her and her kids anything they wanted.
“Thank you for getting him uninvited from the gala,” she said into my chest. “That’s going to bruise his ego so much.”
A rumble of a laugh worked its way out of me. “It was my absolute pleasure.”
She stepped away, eyes shining. “How did you do it so quickly?”
“My sister,” I said.
“Dylan?” She broke into a smile, the fear that had consumed her finally abating. “I remember her.”
“Yeah. She’s a Miller.” I smirked. “Her husband, Cortney, is the son of Craig and Evelyn Miller. The retired baseball player. There is nothing Dylan hates more than a bully, so I shot her a quick text. And now Kenneth is officially blacklisted from all Miller Foundation events.”
Jess’s jaw dropped. “That is diabolical, Brian Machon. But I appreciate it.”
“And now he can go to the concert.”
She shook her head. “He still won’t go.”
“For Kit’s sake, I hope he does.” I picked up my briefcase. “And if he doesn’t, it will only strengthen our case. So either way, it’s a win.”
“I don’t remember you having such a vindictive streak,” she said as I led her into the parking garage.
I didn’t. At least until recently. I’d always prided myself on being a cool, calm, strategic professional. I didn’t take things personally or get caught up in petty bullshit.
But apparently, that wasn’t the case when it came to her. For her, with her, I would burn shit down and enjoy every second of it.
I hummed, wishing I could hold her hand again. “Only once in a while, when it really counts.” As we turned down the aisle where I’d parked, another thought came to me, and a plan formed in my mind. “I overheard him talking to his lawyer about the Metros.”
“Yes.” She nodded once. “He has season tickets, a luxury box. He’s obsessed.”
A wicked excitement coursed through me. “Oh, really?”
“Yes. Greta is a huge fan and has begged him to take her to a game, but he won’t. His excuse is that it’s only for ‘business.’” She used air quotes on the last word.
Ooh, this would be fun. “Here, hold this.” I handed her my briefcase and pulled my phone out of my pocket.
She sucked in a breath. “What are you doing now?”
“Do you have any idea how long the wait list is for Metros season tickets?” I asked as I pulled up the contact I needed.
“I’ve heard it takes years.”
“Yup. And today is someone’s lucky day, because Kenneth Mosely is no longer a season-ticket holder.”
I typed furiously, wishing I could see her ex’s face when he found out.
Her responding laugh lit up my nerve endings. Damn. I would burn the world down just to hear that sound. “How is this possible? Do you have superpowers?”
“The Phillips family,” I explained. “I’ve worked for them for more than fifteen years. They are the best kind of people. There are hundreds of people who would take that luxury box in a heartbeat, and I’m just gonna let Cliff Phillips know that he should give it to more, ahem, deserving fans. And if Greta is a fan,” I continued, scratching at my beard, “I’d be happy to take her, and you. Let me know which games. I have an open invitation to the owner’s box.”
The way she beamed up at me, like I was her hero, made my heart stutter in my chest.
I averted my attention, taking my briefcase from her, and headed for the car. I could feel my stomach rumbling. A protein shake was definitely not going to cut it today.
