Page 22 of Massive Size Mountain Man
“Marns, they do know that Stanley’s your dad, right?” I ask cautiously.
She shrugs.
“Probably not, because our last name is so common. Plus, there’s no reason to think that I’d be Stanley’s daughter when we live in Minnesota and he was executed in California. But anyways, I want to talk to his attorneys. There were two leads, and I need to talk to them to figure out what happened.”
I shake my head.
“But why? And for what? I thought you had access to them when this all went down, so why now?”
“No, I didn’t,” Marnie says. “When Stanley was in the throes of his clemency appeal, his attorneys were busy. I mean, they were trying to save a man from being executed, and I didn’t want to get in the way, or burden then with more questions when they were already overburdened.”
“Okay, so you didn’t have much contact with them then. But still, why now? And for what purpose? Your dad’s gone, girlfriend, and I know it’s sad, but is it a good idea to excavate what’s dead and buried? Sorry for the gruesome metaphors, Marns. You know I don’t mean it that way.”
My friend nods determinedly.
“No, it’s fine, and I definitely think it’s worth it to talk with his attorneys again. Gibson and Grant were the legal brainiacs behind the clemency petition, and I just want to re-evaluate this stuff for myself.”
I shake my head.
“I hope you’re not going all Erin Brockovich on me.”
“No, of course not!” Marnie proclaims. “This is my dad we’re talking about!”
I shake my head.
“But still, I remember seeing those two attorneys on TV with your dad. They looked like sharks.”
It’s true too because Stanley Williams’ two lawyers were gorgeous onscreen. They were older but insanely handsome with silver-streaked hair, square jaws, and penetrating blue eyes. And boy, but those men could fill out a suit! They definitely didn’t look like dudes who pored over legal treatises for hours every day. They looked like modern day Adonises who hit the gym regularly, and ate a strict diet.
Still, I don’t know if this is a good idea. My friend has now been hired by Gibson and Grant, but they don’t know who she really is, and they definitely don’t know that she has a connection to their most infamous client.
Mind your business first, Avalon, the voice in my head whispers. You have massive problems of your own, seeing that you’re about to be a single mom dealing with a ruthless trillionaire.
My conscience is right, and yet I care about my friend and smile tremulously at her through the camera.
“You’re an amazing paralegal, Marns, so I know you’re going to do great at your new job. But be careful, okay? Law firms are notorious as difficult places to work, and I don’t want you getting trampled somehow.”
“Oh, I won’t get trampled,” Marnie says with a sweet smile. “I’ll be totally fine! I’m happy to work overtime, and you know how lawyers are. They’re so handsome and charismatic in those expensive Armani suits.”
I nod because I’ve seen Mr. Gibson and Mr. Grant in the papers, and absolutely, yes. The two men look jaw-droppingly delicious in their perfectly-cut dark suits with their blazing blue eyes and silver-streaked hair. But still, I’m worried.
“Don’t go crazy,” I warn.
“What are you talking about?” Marnie says rolling her eyes. “I have no idea what you’re thinking, Avalon. Seriously.”
“Okay, okay, sorry,” I say with my hands up in a placating gesture. “It’s the pregnancy,” I fib in a light tone. “I think I already have mommy brain from all the junk food I’m consuming day and night.”
Marnie immediately brightens.
“Sounds like mommy brain could be fun then,” she giggles. “Tell me what you’re eating. Cheetos, right? Also, Doritos, Lay’s, and don’t forget Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels. Mmm, the honey mustard ones are sooo good. I’d also throw in pickles on pizza, an entire carton of ice cream, an entire loaf of sourdough?—”
“An entire loaf of sourdough?” I squeal with mirth. “I wish!”
“I would eat it,” Marnie says with a sly grin. “I got hooked on sourdough during the pandemic, and the addiction never let up. I eat at least a loaf a week, but because you’re pregnant, you have the perfect excuse to eat an entire loaf in one day!”
We laugh hilariously then as the conversation switches gears. Still, I’m worried about Marns because something just doesn’t seem right about her new job. Still, I need to focus on me, and my own insane situation. As if in reminder, I feel a flutter on my belly and go stock still. Was that the child kicking? Marnie’s jabbering on about peanut butter now, and I take a moment to quietly slip a hand across my belly, out of view of the camera. It’s far too early for the baby to be kicking, much less for me to feel anything, and yet excitement fills my heart because I want to be a mommy to Liam Carrington’s child … even if the billionaire’s forsaken us already.
10
