Page 35 of Beginning at the End
She nodded.“Yes, sir.”
He paused and smiled.“Why?”
“Oh.Because he has been stalking me, spying on me, and last night he grabbed me and tried to haul me somewhere.”
“Somewhere?”
“I didn’t let him continue.When the shock wore off, I was able to deter him, but I don’t want to have to do the heavy lifting all the time.”
He looked at her and then at Sern.“I thought you were married to Likon.”
“It was a marriage of convenience, and the convenience ended with a third party.So I went for a divorce, but Nelson had apparently never filed for the marriage license, and Mr.Copperwell has been helping me unravel it.The only thing real was the name change I unnecessarily made.So that is going to go right back to Calloway as soon as I get paid.”
He raised his brows.“Paid?”
Sern said, “Judge Hall, Nelson used the legal mess to freeze her accounts and insist on a forensic audit.I am guessing he was going to offer to sweep in and rescue her, as it seems to fit with some of his commentary.”
The judge read the file.“Ah.There it is.Right.I am going to grant the temporary order.I want you back here in eight weeks, and we will see about issuing the permanent order.”
She nodded.“Thank you.I do have one question that is probably stupid.”
“Go ahead.”
“How much am I able to defend myself with my bare hands?What is reasonable damage to him if he’s not very bright?”
Judge Hall looked at her.“Whatever it takes to get you safe, Eudora.”
She nodded.“Thank you, Judge Hall.”
“Right.Order is granted.Have a good day.”He rapped the gavel down, got up, and went out the back.
The secretary smiled.“The order will be at your firm in two hours.The email will be with you in an hour, Mr.Copperwell.”
“Thank you, Suzanne.It is much appreciated.”
She smiled, and the blush happened again.
Eudora smiled and walked out with him.“That’s it?”
“It’s starting, but can you check your bank balance?”
She nodded.“When we get to the car.”
She went through the process of installing the app, opened the account with her thumbprint, then laughed weakly.“It’s there.I can get at it again.Thank you.”Tears in her eyes, she leaned toward him and pulled him in, kissing him.At the electric contact, her eyes opened wide, and as she leaned back, he raised a brow.
“Not how I imagined our first kiss, but still sweet.”
“That wasn’t a kiss, that was a sudden sentiment of enthusiasm.”
“An ejaculation?”
She felt her cheeks flare crimson.“Your word.”
He nodded.“It has been much on my mind this week.”
She looked at him and huffed.“Right.I guess I have to grab lunch and get back to work.I am nearly finished with a small project.”
He nodded.“I know just the place.”He took out his phone and texted someone.A moment later, he got an answer and grinned.“Fast lunch here we come.”
