Page 47 of Jackpot Joker

Jasmine’s lip quivers briefly. If I had blinked, I would have missed it. But then her jaw goes taut, and her voice is filled with malice as she speaks through gritted teeth. “Why would you do that?”

I sigh. “In hindsight, it was a really stupid thing. And I’m afraid if I admit the truth to you, things will backfire for me.”

“Gee,” she says dryly, “I would hate for you to have a bad day.”

I realize it’s sarcasm, but I still appreciate the sentiment. “You made it very clear to me our relationship would never be anything other than professional so long as I was your client.”

She sits silently, so I continue, “I thought if I removed you from my legal counsel, we could break that barrier. Then, you might let me take you out to dinner. Or to Inferno. Or to bed.”

I smile at her, a smolder known to melt the panties off any other woman. I should have known it wouldn’t work on her. Jasmine, my beautiful anomaly, balls her hands into fists, and her cherub cheeks grow red.

“But you didn’t only have me removed from your counsel, Dario. You got me fired from the fucking firm. The firm that I read about and dreamed of working for. The firm I worked really fucking hard to land a position at. The firm I moved halfway across the country to work at. Now I have nothing. I’m going to have to go back home, humiliated and jobless.”

My head snaps up. “Why would you have to go back?”

She snorts derisively. “There’s no way Jorgensen will give me a recommendation after I’ve been let go for unprofessionalism and a violation of legal ethics. Not all of us are billionaires. I need this job to afford this place. To live.”

The fury coursing through me has me wanting to wrap my hands around her boss’s neck and squeeze the life out of him all over again. “You don’t have to worry about Jim Jorgensen. He won’t say anything.”

She rolls her eyes. “If he doesn’t, Todd sure will.”

I crack my knuckles at the thought of that weasel. I should have watched him struggle against me as I crushed his windpipe when I had him in my grip, but I was too concerned with murdering the man who put Jasmine out of a job. Though if I think about it, perhaps I should wrap my hand around my own neck.

Soft skin brushes my wrist, relaxing the fist I’ve formed. “Calm down, macho man.”

“What’s his fucking problem, anyway?”

She shrugs. “Take your pick. I’m a woman. I’m a woman who is more competent in our profession. I’m a woman who doesn’t worship the ground he walks on. I’m a woman who denied his advances. Then there’s the more obvious reason.”

My nose scrunches up. “What’s the more obvious reason?”

Jasmine sighs. “You.”

Chapter 24

Jasmine

Dario’s big, brown eyes stare down at me, and I let go of his wrist. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a turn-on as I watched the rage overtake him and he acted as though he was going to battle for my honor. I hold in the laugh as I try to picture it. I’m pretty sure the man couldn’t hurt a fly. His greatest weapon is being able to bring someone to their knees with his devilish grin.

Dario moves his wounded eyes to me and whispers his question. “Me?”

I sigh. “I’m not sure how, but Todd knew you were at my apartment this weekend. Not only that, but he knew you stayed that night. It bothered him.”

His nose scrunches up, causing adorable frown lines to form before his eyebrows. A part of me wants to kiss them, smoothing them out. A larger part of me remembers this man is the one responsible for me currently being jobless.

“How would he have known I was here?”

I blow out a breath, shaking my head. “No idea. Maybe he drove by and saw your car? It doesn’t exactly blend in with the others in the lot.”

He nods, seemingly contemplating my suggestion, though he doesn’t seem satisfied with it. “Jasmine, I really am sorry. I can speak with someone about getting your old job back. It really wasn’t my intention to get you fired.”

I smile softly, knowing he absolutely would barge into the building and demand they reinstate me, but if I’m being honest with myself, I don’t even know that I’d want to return. How would I hold my head up high knowing that my coworkers all think the worst of me?

“I appreciate it, but I don’t want you to do that.” I release a heavy sigh. “I’m sure my dad will love to have me back in his office. Lord knows he needs all the help he can get with only him and my brother there.”

Dario’s eyes grow large. “You can’t go back home.”

“I don’t really have any other options,” I say with a shrug.