Free Conviction (A Stand-alone Novel): A Bad Boy Romance by Ellie Danes

*
    "And here I thought the party would be by the pool," Jace said. He strolled into the home office in flip-flops. "What's going on, party people?"
    "We were just discussing Ayden's responsibilities. Can you please tell him he is not in charge of invoicing," David said. "I think it’s time we created an actual job description for your VP of Business Development because he seems to get confused easily."
    Autumn caught my eye, and I heard her silent question loud and clear.
    "David, for the last time, I can scan and file the mail on the computer. Go ahead and go to your meeting. I'll take care of these," I said.
    Autumn nodded. We would talk about the strange invoices later on our own. There was no use interrupting Jace's pleasant morning until we had done a little more digging.
    "See? You should appreciate the help, David. He's not trying to take your job. He's trying to help you. Speaking of help," Jace turned to Autumn, "did you cancel my meetings?"
    David jumped in before Autumn could speak. "You have a new contract signing tonight. You can't cancel."
    Autumn looked at Jace. "I didn't know about that meeting so I guess it’s still on?"
    "David set it up so David can handle it. I've got plans by the pool and hopefully dinner for two tonight," Jace said. He rubbed his hands together.
    I could not help but smile as I remembered the new woman who’s name I had heard at least one hundred times in the last few hours. Jace had just met her and it was fun to see him so thunderstruck. "Patrice? You're making your moves, huh?"
    Jace laughed. "I like to keep it simple. An easy pool party for her and her friends. Then if it goes well, it ends with candlelight dinner, just her and I."
    "I hate to interrupt this locker room talk," David snapped, "but you cannot miss this meeting tonight."
    "I'll go as his proxy," I offered. "You know I can handle more than scanning and sorting mail. You trust me to read your new business partners, don't you?"
    "Ayden is the best judge of character," Jace agreed. "I think it’s a great idea. See, David, he's gonna earn his keep."
    David crossed his arms across his chest. "I appreciate that you have a new love interest and congratulations. But if you want to cancel this meeting tonight, then you have to deliver the message yourself."
    There was an awkward pause as Jace digested his business manager's rude tone. "I'd like Ayden to be able to do his job. A new contract sounds like business development to me. Autumn? How about you and I sit down and hammer out a job description for Ayden before the ladies arrive?"
    "No problem," Autumn said.
    Jace turned to David. "I'd like Ayden to go to the meeting tonight as my proxy."
    The matter should have been settled. It shouldn't have been a discussion at all. Still, David kept his arms crossed tight and refused to back down. There was a sheen of sweat under his receding hairline, but he faced Jace anyway.
    "You know as well as I do that the Mertz brothers are very private businessmen. They won't appreciate being faced with someone new at this crucial juncture. Plus, we all know they will not like this deal being left in the hands of an ex-con fresh out of federal prison," David said.
    I clenched my fists in my pockets. "He's right, Jace. I'm not hiding my status, but I don't want it to screw anything up for you. I'm sorry if I let you down."
    "Christ. What a mess. Fine, David, I'll go to your damn meeting but by tomorrow, we are going to have Ayden's job description and duties all hammered out. There will be no more little catfights like this. Do you hear me?" Jace asked.
    He marched out the office door and David chased after him. I immediately ripped open the mail and began studying the invoices. Autumn appeared at my shoulder. The smell of her honeyed hair distracted me, and I held the paper uselessly in front of me.
    "I'm glad you said something to David."
    I turned to face her as she stepped in front of me, and we collided against the corner of the desk. I