Free Laws of Love by JT Schultz Page A

the fact she hadn’t.
    Leaning down, he kissed her cheek then quietly left the apartment, making sure the door locked behind him. He wasn’t out of the building and already sadness settled over him. Tomorrow was court and everything would be decided then. Jack had called for the first time in days for the limousine. The car was waiting as he left the apartment and the driver opened the door.
    Pausing, Jack turned and glanced up at the building.
    How can I keep her?
    Were the money and the project worth the emptiness in his heart?

Chapter 8
     
    Abby couldn’t believe she was doing this today. She should have an adjournment until she could get some sleep and think straight. When she had awoken during the night, Jack had been gone. She’d cried half the night, feeling like a horrible lawyer, and wondering what the hell she was doing caring about him the way she did.
    Once the tears had stopped , she pondered for hours if she was being fair to everyone involved. She was hurting, and he was hurting. Then there was the issue of representing her clients to the best of her capabilities with so many emotions riding on the case.
    Jack had been disgruntled since they had walked into the courtroom. Abby had purposely avoided looking at him. Instead, she focused on the good. The amazing thing she was about to do for the people that lived in her old neighborhood.
    The opposing attorney was another matter. Anthony Frost had been a first class jerk and still looked down his nose at her, and his greeting words had been low for her ears only.
    “Well , Abigail, apparently this is one time where big business is going to knock you on your ass.” Raking his eyes over her, he looked down his nose. “Then again, you just might like that. God knows you have it coming. I don’t know who you blew to get this bumped to today, but your sexy body does nothing for me.”
    She h ad remained a lady and smiled. “It didn’t do anything for your son either.”
    Now she was here and wishing the situation hadn’t come this far. People needed affordable housing, but part of her needed Jack—needed and wanted. She had thought him different, had thought he would care, but he was just another guy in a suit that put money before everything. Including her, and what she stood for.
    Both sides had given opening statements , and while she was moving forward, Jack had fidgeted in his seat and become more agitated by the moment. Her concentration faltered and she now stood facing the judge, feeling unsure of herself.
    “Your honor , that is why the people feel—”
    The legs of a chair shoved back and she glanced to Jack , who now stood and looked right at her. Her stomach flipped and her calm dissolved. “Tell me, Abby, is this more important to you than me?”
    The gavel ca me down hard against the block. “Mr. Hunter, I will not tolerate disorder in my court.”
    Shut up , Jack, and let this be business. I don’t want this personal.
    Her stomach tightened and she knew it was too late. This whole thing was personal. Anthony’s anger towards her, her protecting her roots, or the closest thing she had to roots, and most of all, Jack and his big business and…And what?
    “Are you okay?”
    Abby turned to the graying woman next to her. “Fine.” If she was fine then why could she barely hear her own voice?
    “You may continue , Ms. Crosby.” Judge O’Neil’s voice revealed she was not amused.
    “Hunter Industries is known for buying property and turning it into commercial monstrosities . However, the area that they have chosen to set their current project is in an area—”
    “So that’ s it!” Jack cut her off again. “It’s them!”
    Anthony stood and glared at Jack. “Be quiet and let me handle this.”
    “Shut the hell up!” he told the attorney with disgust.
    “Mr. Hunter!” Judge O’Neil slammed her gavel seve ral times. “One more outburst and I’ll be forced to hold you in contempt.”
    Blinking, she willed herself to stay