The Veiled Cage (Lady Lawyer Series Romantic Suspense Novels Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

motive ? ”
    Colin turned to his screen and averted his gaze .“ Oh, look here. You have a prospective intern arriving shortly . ”
    “ Real smooth. I’ ll be in my office . ”
    “ Ther e’ s hot coffee waiting on your desk. I t’ s as strong as our coffeemaker would brew. We could really us e —”
    “ An espresso machine? W e’ ll upgrade soon. And yo u’ ll get that vacation. I t’ s been a hectic three years . ”
    “ A lucrative three years . ”
    “ Yes, but you know me . ”
    “ Investing before splurging. Yes, yes. I’ m not asking for a prime machine . ”
    “ And I’ m not saying no. I’ m simply saying not yet . ”
    “ Yo u’ re the boss ,” he said to his screen, and sighed.
    “ Are you in for lunch ? ”
    “ Yeah, and I feel like Thai, if that makes any difference to you . ”
    “ How about the international buffet on Third? They always have Thai, Mexican, and Indian. I think i t’ s Moroccan week on the rotation . ”
    “ I suppose that would work . ”
    “ Yo u’ re the best, Colin. Better than any prime automaton in development ,” she teased.
    “ Damn right. You may think tha t’ s a big joke, but I follow tech. I t’ s only a matter of time .” He gave her a sidelong glance, caught her grin, and lost the battle to keep his dimple hidden.
    Satisfied, she strode to her office and tossed her briefcase on her sleek black desk before continuing down the hall. Stopping in front of the engraved plaque reading Cassandra S. Dayton , Ruby gave it a tilt. Knocking on the doorframe as she entered, she said ,“I’ m interviewing another eager law student today. I have a good feeling about this one . ”
    Cassandra pushed back from her desk, scooped her long copper hair up in one hand, grabbed a clip from a drawer with the other, and twisted it into a bun before securing it. She spun in her chair to give Ruby her full attention as a few tendrils fell free to frame her oval face .“ Think i t’ ll go better than your interview yesterday? What was his name? Jason ?” Her clever azure eyes danced with humor.
    “ Jerome. Je-Romeo, more like. A stereotypical defense lawyer in the making .” Ruby lowered her voice and wiggled her brows over eyes that flashed bright green .“ Direct quot e — ‘ A good looking lady such as yourself could use a man like me around .’ I asked him if he was after a job or a date. He did n’ t think it was rhetorical .‘I’ m well-qualified for both . ’ ” Ruby imitated his smarmy smile, and had Cassandra clutching her stomach .“ I have hope for this one, Cass . ”
    “ You are ever the optimist . ”
    “ Positive visualization, Cass. Fresh eyes, eager to learn and work hard. Wha t’ s not to like about an intern? You decide if yo u’ re getting one yet ? ”
    “I’ ll hold off for now .” She turned to her screen to hide her smile .“ Maybe your intern will take a special interest in family law with the proper encouragement . ”
    “ Clever. I do the grunt work, secure an all-star intern, and you snatch up my resource. Give my intern varied experienc e— tha t’ s great. But when I have work, you keep your grubby hands off. Got it ? ”
    “ Hey, I object. My hands are lovely. I treated myself to a manicure to celebrate .” She turned back to face Ruby, and fluttered her fingers .“ Eggplant. Is n’ t it fabulous ? ”
    “ I t’ s purple. I’ m surprised you did n’ t go with your brand color . ”
    “ Citrus-orange nails ?” Cassandra held her manicured hands to her heart and clucked her tongue .“ You seriously know nothing about fashion . ”
    “ Guilty as charged . ”
    “ Now your brand color, on the other hand, would look truly mag . ”
    “ Teal nails ? ”
    “ I was thinking a touch more green than blue. Seafoam green rather than turquoise .”              
    “ I think I’ ll stick to this shade .” Ruby pretended to study her nails.
    “ What shade ? ”
    “ I believe the fancy French term is