Dickson’s face was steely. “Define everything. Would you be referring to getting arrested for assault, making me drag my ass out of bed bright and early on a Sunday to come bail you out, or fucking a client who not too long ago was my girlfriend?”

I shut my eyes and shook my head. “It’s not what it looks like.”

“No? So you’re not fucking a client?”

“Technically Autumn isn’t a client. Storm is.”

I knew the minute the words left my mouth it was the absolute wrong thing to say, even if it was the truth.

Dickson’s eyes narrowed. “When I asked you to make sure you took good care of the client, I didn’t think I needed to explain that didn’t include sticking your dick in her.”

I raked a hand through my hair. “It’s not that simple. Autumn and I have a history. When you assigned me to help Storm, I had no idea she would be there. We hadn’t seen each other in a long time. There were a lot of unresolved feelings.”

Dickson stared at me for a solid minute in silence before pushing off the pillar he’d been resting against. “And to think I was actually leaning toward voting for you.”

He shook his head and started down the courthouse steps. Halfway, he turned. “Your arrest is something the partners need to be aware of, as it has an effect on the firm. It’s my responsibility to inform them, regardless of the personal breach of trust.”

“I understand.”

With only the look of disgust for a goodbye, he turned back around and kept walking. I stayed rooted in the same spot until he left, the weight of everything suddenly sinking in. My career, my license, my freedom, a probable civil lawsuit… I’d really fucked up this time. But the worst was what was missing as I stood here alone on the steps: Autumn.

***

“Hi. I was in room fifteen-ten. We checked in on Friday and were due to check out today. But something came up, and since it’s past checkout time, my key isn’t working. Would you happen to know if the other guest who was with me already left?”

The woman punched a few keys into the computer and smiled. “Mr. Decker?”

“That’s me.”

“It says there’s something in the back the other guest left for you. Hang on a second, and I’ll grab it.”

She came back wheeling my luggage, with an envelope in her hand. “Can I just see some ID, please?”

“Of course.” I dug my license out of my wallet and showed it to her before she brought my luggage out from behind the counter. The woman offered me the envelope. “Here you go. Anything else I can do for you?”

“I don’t think so. Thank you very much.”

I only made it a few steps from the counter before I ripped the envelope open. Inside was a note in Autumn’s handwriting.

Donovan,

I’m sorry about everything that happened. I promised I wouldn’t run away without saying anything ever again, but I need some time and space. I hope you understand.

—Autumn

CHAPTER 32

* * *

Donovan

The entire office was buzzing when I walked in on Monday morning. No one said anything to me, but voices quieted as I passed, and there was a sort of awkwardness to the smiles and greetings I received. So I assumed Dickson had opened his mouth to more than just the partners. I wasn’t surprised. To him, it wasn’t just a professional blow. It was personal, and I couldn’t say I blamed him.

Trent and Juliette marched into my office two minutes after I did, both carrying legal pads. They shut the door behind them.

I sighed and sat down behind my desk. “I take it you already heard.”

“What the fuck, man?” Trent shook his head as he took a seat in a guest chair.

“I knew this was going to blow up in your face.” Juliette frowned.

“How much do you know?”

“Dickson told his assistant you got picked up for felony assault and were also screwing a client. He also insinuated that you have a drug and alcohol problem.”

“Great.” I shook my head. Dickson’s assistant has a giant mouth. She was like the pipeline to all gossip. I rubbed my temples. “I guess the good news is I don’t have a drinking or drug problem. I was perfectly sober when I beat the crap out of the guy.”

“Who the hell was he?”

I slumped into my chair. “It’s a long story, and not mine to tell.” I held Trent’s eyes. “Just trust me when I say he’s had it coming for a long time, and he deserved every bit of it. He hurt Autumn, and I’m not talking about her feelings.”

Trent nodded. “Okay. Okay. So where do we go from here? I’m licensed in Connecticut. Did you use a court-appointed attorney at arraignment or represent yourself?”

“Neither. Autumn’s father came. He’s an attorney in Connecticut. I think it actually may have helped me. He was friendly with the judge.”

“Does he do criminal?”

I shook my head. “Estate planning, I think. He owns a decent-size firm. I’m sure they have a criminal section.”

“You want them involved?”

“Definitely not.”

“Alright. Well, I’ll file a notice of change of counsel today to get on record that I’ll be your attorney.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I can handle it.”

Trent frowned. “The assault is related to something that went down between the guy and Autumn, correct?”

I nodded.

“Was this incident the first time you came in contact with the guy?”

“Yeah.”

“Did he say or do anything to provoke you?”

“He smiled.”

Trent shook his head. “You beat the crap out of a guy for smiling. You don’t think maybe it’s not a good idea to represent yourself? Do I really need to remind you of the old adage? ‘A lawyer who represents himself in a criminal trial has a fool for a client.’ What are you going to do when the guy smiles at you from across the aisle in the courtroom? Even if you manage not to lunge over to his table, how good will your decisions be when they’re all emotional?”

I raked a hand through my hair and blew out a big breath. “Alright…yeah, you’re right. But you don’t do criminal.”

“It’s okay. You’ll teach me. There’s no better criminal attorney than you. You just need a mouthpiece with a calm demeanor to deliver your case.”

I nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

Juliette had been quiet until now. “Are you and Autumn okay?”

My chest tightened. The legal and criminal implications of what I’d done didn’t worry me half as much as what I might’ve done to my relationship with Autumn. She had some major trust issues, not to mention she hated violence, and I’d showed her firsthand that you can take the boy out of the rough neighborhood, but you can’t take the rough neighborhood out of the boy.

I shook my head. “I haven’t talked to her since Saturday. She was at my arraignment with her father and posted a bond for my bail, but she left town before I got released and asked me to give her some time and space. I figured I’d call her tonight.”