Page 19 of The Monster and the Masochist

Though I suspected he liked it when I bullied him.

Why else would he keep coming around?

Nolan just chuckled, shaking his head as he let himself out of my office as quietly as he’d let himself in.

When he was safely out of earshot, I calmly stood up from my desk and sat down on the couch he’d just vacated. I grabbed the closest throw pillow, buried my face in it, and screamed.

Alyssa had done her job and cleared my calendar like I’d asked, but the press interview had still put me behind, so it was nearly eight by the time I pulled up to the restaurant for my celebratory dinner.

Chez Guillaume was the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Silent Hollow. Edmund and Vivian had bought out the space, and the entire firm had shown up to take advantage of the luxury dining experience.

The restaurant had polished concrete floors, and the ceiling was adorned with massive chandeliers that were a modern take on fixtures prominent in the Victorian era.

Lawyers, paralegals, and administrative staff were mingling throughout. Groups of well-dressed people stood with crystal wine glasses before a large moss wall on the far side of the room, and there was an open-concept kitchen where patrons could watch the chefs prepare meals.

I forced myself to smile as I strode into the dimly lit space.

The moment I entered, everyone stopped talking, and the entire restaurant erupted into applause.

“There she is! The woman of the hour!” Edmund said loudly, stepping away from where he had been conversing with Vivian at the industrial-style stone wine bar.

“Hey, Edmund,” I grinned, reaching out to take his hand for a firm, but friendly shake.

Edmund Sinclair was in his late fifties. He was fit for his age, with salt-and-pepper hair and a kind face.

A surprisingly kind face, for someone who had ruthlessly clawed his way to the top and built a law firm from scratch.

I liked Edmund, and I wanted to impress him for more reasons than just my own growth. I’d never had any real parents, but if I’d ever had a father, I imagined he would be like Edmund.

“Cassandra, so glad you could make it.”

I laughed. “Would be pretty arrogant of me not to show up to my own victory dinner.”

His eyes flashed, and his smile widened.

“I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“Cassandra.” Vivian approached, her own lips tilted in a proud smile.

“Hey, Viv.” I grinned at her, and she handed me a glass of wine. “Excellent work with the Steele case. You’ve successfully turned some heads.”

I winked at her. “I don’t turn heads, Viv. I break necks.”

Vivian laughed, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “Such a quick tongue on you.”

“You have no idea,” Nolan purred, coming up to join us. My mood immediately darkened.

I shot him a glare, but he just smirked and shrugged.

Ew. The audacity of him making a sex joke when the only time we’d ever fucked he’d failed to get me off?

What an absolute spoon.

Edmund chuckled softly, but he gave Nolan a stern look.

“Let’s keep it respectful, we have a very important prospect here, and being that he’s a reverend, I’m not sure such salacious jokes will be well received.”

Nolan had the decency to look appropriately chastised, just as Vivian waved someone over.