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She pulled at her earring, obviously uncertain. “But why?”
“Because you need a lawyer. And I am one.”
“Yes. You have the letterhead to prove it,” she remarked with a wry shake of her head. “Surely you’re far too busy to take an interest in this.”
He shrugged, and Chloe’s attention drifted to his impressive torso. “I don’t like the idea of a beautiful woman being bullied by someone rich and powerful. I am, and always have been, a friend of the underdog.”
She dropped her hand to her side. “Is that what I am?”
“I’m afraid so. Your husband isn’t just rich. He’s got friends in high places.” He thought of the miraculous disappearing blood test – the one piece of evidence that would have proved William’s guilt in the death of his sister. His resolve hardened. The prospect of revenge being so neatly at his fingertips was glorious. “Fortunately for you, that doesn’t worry me.”
His smile was laced with arrogance. She found it oddly reassuring.
“So? Do we have a deal?”
Her breath was burning through her. For some reason she couldn’t comprehend, she was struggling to form a sentence. But she was capable of nodding, albeit jerkily.
“Excellent. Please take a seat, Chloe. I’ll have my assistant get your file sorted now.”
“And apologise to Mr Douglas?” She said with an enquiring lift of her brow.
He laughed softly as he left the office, moving across the palatial entrance. If his assistant was surprised by his request, she was too well-trained to show it. She simply nodded and turned her efficient attention back to her computer. But Hendrix needed a moment to compose himself before returning to Chloe.
He lingered just long enough to get a plan firmly in his mind, and then pushed back into the office.
* * *
“It’s not like that, Georgia,” she said with a small frown.
“Then what is it like? Why is he taking such an interest in you?”
Chloe focussed on running the mascara wand over her lashes. “He’s a friend of the underdog.”
“Mmm.” Georgia studied her friend with a knowing look. Chloe Ansell-Johns mightn’t see how men looked at her, but Georgia, short, slightly over-weight with fiery red-hair, had been the wall-flower that men ignored, partly because they were tripping all over themselves to catch Chloe’s eye. Was it possible that this high-powered lawyer wasn’t interested in her?
“He’s just coming over here because of Ellie. This is a meeting. Nothing more.”
Georgia’s scoffing noise was accompanied by a slow inspection of Chloe’s outfit. Jeans that hugged her slender legs like second skin and a lilac shirt that flattered the mauve shade of her eyes and rich tan of her skin.
“I can see that. What did you say you’re cooking?”
Chloe met Georgia’s eyes in the mirror, unable to keep the smile from her peach coloured lips. “I had the ingredients, Georgia.”
“For a bouillabaisse?” Her scepticism was obvious.
Chloe laughed. “Okay, fine. I wanted to make something nice, okay? He’s doing me a huge favour.” When Georgia didn’t say anything, Chloe spun around to face her. “It’s just dinner.”
“Sure it is.” Georgia shook her head, but she was grinning at her friend.
At Chloe’s scowl, Georgia raised her hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Come on, Chloe. When was the last time you were with a guy? It’s not a crime to be interested in someone.”
“It is when you’re married,” Chloe demurred, turning her attention back to her reflection. She fluffed her blonde hair, watching as it teased out a little, to give it volume.
“He cheated on you!” Georgia pointed out, slamming her hand onto her hip and glaring at her friend in frustration.
Chloe’s unflinching blue gaze settled on her friend. “I’m well aware of that fact. I found him in bed with her, remember?”
“Yes. Exactly. So why are you staying faithful to a guy you hate?”
