The Biker's Fate Chapter 553

Tate

Three weeks later, the reno was completely finished, Flash was home for good, and life was back to normal.

I'd managed to get in to see a new OB and she'd prescribed me some really great medication for nausea, but Mack had also been really awesome about giving me all the flexibility in the world if I was feeling like shit to stay home.

This particular Monday, however, I felt well enough to head into the office, and really needed to get some work done anyway, so I drove in early to get a head start on the week.

Erin had apparently beat me in. "Good morning," she said, brightly.

"Hi." I smiled, setting my purse in my drawer. "How was your weekend?"

"It was great, how about yours?"

"Uneventful, which was fantastic."

She chuckled, handing me a folder. "New client Logan has signed off on. His office is just around the corner, so figured you could swing by after lunch and meet with him. Just gather intel on what he needs. Deep pockets, so he's offering a large retainer."

"Isn't that something you handle?"

"He asked for you personally," she said.

I frowned. "He asked for me?"

"Yes. Lionel Grundy."

"Oh," I breathed out.

Shit.

"Do you know him?"

"We went to high school together a million years ago. We didn't really know each other."

Erin shrugged. "Well, you must have made an impression. All his information is in there. Let Logan know if you have any questions."

"Okay, Erin. Thanks."

I sat down and skimmed the file, but rather than calling Mack, I called Flash.

"I don't like this, Tate," he said.

"Oh, he's harmless, honey. If it brings Mack business, especially LRG level business, what's the harm? I'll be in his office with all of his employees. It's not like I'll be alone."

He sighed. "Still don't like it, Tate."

"Noted." I smiled. "But I'll be fine. The meeting will be a half-hour, tops, then I'll be on my way home to you, and we can curl up on the sofa and watch the boats."

"Where's Mack?"

"Don't know, honey. He's not here."

"I'm comin' down."

"Oh my god, Flash, don't overreact."

"Baby, I don't like the asshole."

I sighed. "Remember how pissed you were when your dad came rushing in to 'save' you when you had it all under control in California?"

"That's a little different."

"How?" I challenged.

"I'm a grown ass adult, not his pregnant woman."

"If you want to meet me here and take me to dinner at Chez Paul after, then I won't stop you, but what about your meeting with your dad and Booker?"

"Right."

"I'll be fine," I stressed. "Seriously. I'll probably even beat you home."

"Fine. But if anything feels weird, you get the fuck outta there."

"I will." I smiled. "Love you, honey."

"Love you too. I'll see you when you get home."

I hung up and got back to work. After lunch, I gathered my files and walked the short distance to Lionel's office. His receptionist called back to announce me, and I was surprised to see Lionel walk through the secured door to greet me.

"Hi, Tate, I'm so glad you could come." He shook my hand, holding it a little too long.

"Hi. It's good to see you again."

"Come on back."

I followed him through the locked door and found the rest of the office deserted. My blood suddenly ran cold. "Uh… where is everyone?"

"We work half days on Mondays."

"Oh. I can come back," I offered.

"No, it's fine. You're only in the office on Mondays, right?"

I swallowed. I was starting to side with Flash. This might not have been a good idea after all.

"Ah…"

"Sorry, Erin gave me your schedule," he said.

"I really don't know that I should be here alone with you, Lionel."

"Look, I promise I won't keep you but it's the only time I'm in town long enough to meet with you." We walked down to his office where he waved to a chair at a round table across from his desk.

"Don't you have a team of lawyers?" I asked, taking a seat. "Why do you need another one?"

"I don't have anyone local," he said. "I need someone who understands Portland and its idiosyncrasies. You know, things like the fact that it's technically still illegal here to walk down the street with your shoes untied."

"Well, I can't imagine you'd need an attorney to defend you for walking down the street with your shoes untied, Lionel," I pointed out.

"Can I get you a cup of tea?" he asked, stepping to a drink cart with a pot already sitting on it.

"Sure, tea would be great," I said. "Thanks."

He chuckled, pouring me cup, and setting it in front of me. "I would like to have a team on hand for anything that might come up in Oregon," he said. "I have my global team, and Idaho, of course, but I really need more focus here, as I intend to open offices closer to home as we expand."

"So, how do you think we can help you?" I asked, taking a sip of the tea.

"Well…"

Before he could utter another word, the room started to melt in front of me.