“What did he do?”
“He proved he was willing to lie, cheat, steal... and marry if it meant making partner. Andrea and Eden’s father used to be the firm’s biggest client. His marriage to Andrea ensured that he was untouchable and garnered him an early partnership.”
No wonder they were getting divorced. “That poor woman.”
“Trust me, there’s no poor Andrea in this situation. She had just as much to gain from their arrangement as he did, including a trust her grandfather settled on her that paid out in its entirety on the day of her marriage. A fact Warren learned when he was working on their family files, and one he had no qualms about using to his advantage.”
It sounded like a soap opera, not a respected law firm. “How have I never heard about any of this before?”
“Smith and Yates were in too deep with Warren once they’d realized the kind of man he really was. There was no way he’d let them buy him out of his newly minted partnership, so they’ve done what they could to protect him and the firm by keeping it all a secret.”
“Which sucks for me because if I’d known all of this, I never would have taken a job with them in the first place,” I groaned. “But at least I don’t have to worry about being fired on Monday morning, not when I really should just quit instead.”
“Do it,” he urged. “Screw going into the office on Monday at all. Send them an email now. Tell them you’ve received a better offer. Come work with me.”
“I can’t work for the guy who knocked me up!” I exclaimed.
“Why not? I think Harvey, Croix, and Croix has a nice ring to it.”
Chapter 10
Jax
Natalie recoiled at my statement and my heart cracked.
“You can’t make me a partner!” she gasped.
I felt marginally better when I realized her reaction wasn’t about what it would take to make her the second Croix from my comment. Except . . . I was also a little annoyed that she seemed to skip right over the fact that I’d practically asked her to marry me.
“I’m a junior associate, Jax. I’m not ready, and besides that, I would be doing exactly what I left Chicago to get away from. People won’t respect me if I’m given my position, I have to earn it.”
“Of course, sweetheart,” I agreed. “You’ll work with Isaac until the day you make partner.”
“Oh”—she paused thoughtfully—“Okay. That could work.” Then she poked me in the chest with a finger. “But, no interfering. You have to let Isaac manage me.”
I frowned, unhappy with the thought of all the time he’d get to spend with my girl, but logically, I knew she was right. So, I let it go with a simple nod.
She smiled and started to move off my lap. I held her tight around her hips, keeping her firmly in place. “I think you missed the whole point of what I was saying, sweetheart,” I growled. I fought the desire to pout. You’re a fucking man, asshole. Act like it.
A look of confusion crossed her face and she was obviously replaying our conversation in her head. “What do you—wait...”
There it is.
“Did you say Croix and”—she swallowed hard—“Croix?” Her voice came out in an adorable squeak.
Leaning in, I placed a tender kiss on her lips before affirming, “That’s right, sweetheart.”
“Bu—but, we can’t get married. Are you fucking crazy?”
My brow furrowed as my mood darkened, immediately. “The fuck we can’t. I love you, you love me, and you’re carrying my baby. We sure as hell are getting married. As soon as fucking possible!” I gripped her chin hard and glowered at her. “And, watch your language.”
“You love me?” she breathed, her green eyes lit with hope.
I smiled softly. “How could I not, sweetheart?”
A smug grin lifted my lips when she visibly melted, sinking into my embrace.
She tucked her head under my chin and sighed. “I love you too,” she murmured, her tone almost shy.
“I know.”
She snorted and muttered something unintelligible.
With a finger under her chin, I lifted her face so I could look into her eyes. “What was that?”
Rolling her eyes, she huffed, “I said you were being presumptuous.”
I raised a sardonic eyebrow. “It’s not arrogance to presume you love me when it’s a fact, sweetheart.”
“That’s not what I was talking about.” She folded her arms under her breasts, lifting them higher and distracting me. I licked my lips, mentally tasting each sweet bud in anticipation of the real thing.
“Eyes up here, Jax,” she demanded. Her breathing picked up a little, making her tits bounce slightly. My cock always seemed to be in a state of alert around Natalie, but now it was screaming code red as it grew long and hard under her sweet bottom.