Page 10 of Unlocked

Bunny’s eyes narrowed.

"I thought that was all sorted," Joshua said with a slight frown.

"It is most certainly not all sorted," Tatum said.

Joshua Kent was tall with dark blond hair and soft brown eyes. He cut a fine figure in his tuxedo, and as her mother's executive assistant, he hung on her every word. Tatum loathed his smug nature and condescending attitude. She found him repulsive and avoided him at all costs, which was difficult because he always seemed to be attached to Bunny's hip.

Bunny's smile never wavered. "Of course." She turned slightly. "Robert, Tatum did a magnificent job on her last case, the Wilson case. They were so confident going into court. Absolutely certain they would win." She looked back at Tatum. "It was almost cruel, really, the way you pulled the rug out from under them." She offered a cold smile. "Her father and I can't wait to see what she does next."

"Yes, you were a star on that one, Tate," Josh chimed in.

She hated being called Tate, especially by Josh. It was too intimate, and it made her skin crawl. He knew it, of course, and did it anyway. Purposely. She'd made the mistake of complaining to her mother about it once, and Bunny had admonished her for being jealous of Josh.

Whatever.

"Thank you," Tatum said, her jaw tightening. She dipped her head politely, then met her mother's gaze. Enough.

"Well," Bunny continued smoothly, "we're only as good as our last case. You need to find a new one."

"I am working on something, Mother," Tatum replied.

"Yes, most impressive, Tatum," Robert Fullerton agreed. "You are the talk of the town, winning the Wilson case. Makes me especially glad that my company has engaged your firm for years. I certainly want you in my corner."

"Thank you, Robert," she said, giving him a nod. "I appreciate that."

"I do think you should listen to your mother about the Granite case, though. That one is a loser for sure. There's no way anyone is getting their money back."

Tatum gritted her teeth. Two minutes ago, they were marveling at how she'd pulled a rabbit out of a hat on the last unwinnable case, and now they were ganging up on her for doing something she actually believed in.

"Yes, sweetheart, you should listen to Robert." Her father appeared at her side and kissed her cheek. "You were exactly the right lawyer for the Wilson case. You can't waste your time for too long. I've got another one in mind. It's going to be intense, and you've proven you're ready."

Tatum smiled at him but didn't answer. She had no intention of taking another case. She was exhausted beyond belief. Her nerves were frayed to the point where she didn't entirely trust her own judgment anymore. She'd actually thought someone had been following her earlier in the evening. She'd spent the first half of the gala looking over her shoulder. Ridiculous, she'd told herself. Except the feeling hadn't gone away.

"I must run," Josh said. "Bunny, I will check in with you later and see if there's anything else you need."

"Thank you, darling," her mother said and then resumed staring a hole through Tatum.

Tatum ground her teeth. Bunny thought the Granite case was a waste of time. She was certain it would damage Tatum's reputation. In truth, Tatum didn't care. She was pretty much done with the law. Too many people got away with too many things, and not enough people were spared any pain or found any justice. It was exhausting and disheartening.

"I think I'm going to head out," Tatum said quietly.

"So soon?" Bunny asked, her voice softening just enough to make it dangerous. "It's early. And there are several people here who were very much looking forward to speaking with you."

"Mother, I have a headache."

Bunny stepped in, taking Tatum's arm and guiding her away from the group. Her grip was not gentle. Proprietary was a more apt description. But to anyone looking, they’d see a solicitous Bunny, concerned for her only daughter. God, how looks could be deceiving.

"You must stop doing this," Bunny said under her breath. "Drifting in and out like you don't understand how this works."

"I understand perfectly," Tatum replied.

"Then act like it." Bunny's smile never faltered as guests passed nearby. "You've had a big success. Now is the time to capitalize on it. These people matter. They will carry our firm for years to come. This is where your future is decided, Tatum. Your father and I built this firm. We carried it. But it's your responsibility now to prove you're worthy of inheriting it."

She could have argued that her grandfather had built the firm, but Bunny’s word of choice landed like it always did. Like a boulder. Worthy.

"I'm exhausted," Tatum said evenly. "I need a break."

Bunny's eyes cooled. "Exhaustion is not an excuse. It's a luxury. One you can afford only because of the name you carry."