Free Object Me: A Bad Boy Lawyer Romance by Roxy Sinclaire Page A

I never thought he would willingly ever speak. My father is a winner. He taught me to be a winner.
    The first words that my father ever taught me were “never lose”. When I played little league, learned the piano, took a test, or went to college, his message was consistent: life is a competition, never lose. Standing in my office, wearing the same expression that he had worn my entire life, in the same rumbling voice that he always used, he was now telling me the opposite—we were going to lose.
    I was shaken. I took a step back and looked at him.
    “What do you mean, ‘we lose’? There has to be some way around this that we haven’t thought of.”
    I moved over to my desk and pulled out information about the case.
    “Yvette and I figured out—”
    Pete cut through my words before I could even complete the sentence.
    “You consulted with a first year associate about such an important case?”
    Although posed as a question, his words sliced across my confidence. My father could cut away at me like no other person could, but not even he could erase his training that quickly. I don’t lose, not even to him.
    I gathered up the remainder of my bravado and looked him straight in the eye.
    “The point is that Menory may be trying to hide something.” I explained. “All of the patients treated used both Menory medical supplies and had at least one type of medication that was manufactured by Menory as well.”
    My father walked forward and I passed him the file.
    He quickly scanned the notes I had written outlining patient medication given and medical supplies provided.
    I waited eagerly for any sign of his acknowledgment that I’d saved his ass and the company.
    My wait was in vain.
    He looked at me with his steely gaze.
    “The Menory company makes a multitude of items.” he countered. “The likelihood of the patients using both the medical supplies and a medication manufactured by the company is just as likely as all of the patients going to the same grocery store at the same time.
    The conviction that I was wrong was reflected on his face as I turned away.
    He closed the folder and sighed.
    “It’s over , ” he said as he dropped the folder on my desk.
    “Who are you?” I exclaimed. I moved from my desk to stare into my father’s face. “You’re definitely not Pete Hanson today, not the Pete Hanson who built a company from nothing, who won every case that he’s ever touched . You’re not the Pete Hanson who taught me to never back down from a challenge.”
    A cynical laugh ripped out from his throat. His eyes narrowed as he moved so we were practically nose to nose.
    “I’m your fucking father, boy. Self-made , ” he bit out in a harsh whisper. “Who the fuck are you without me?”
    Although his words sent chill through my bones, I didn’t back down. I didn’t flinch a muscle.
    “A man who doesn’t give up.” I replied with resolve.
    My father stepped back as he straightened his tie, and smiled at me.
    “We’ll see.” He said lightly before leaving my office.
    I fell back into my high backed chair feeling somewhat defeated.
    However, I had never been on the losing end before, never been the underdog, at risk of losing it all. The air around me suddenly felt thick and dense. I found it hard to draw a breath.
    We had bet the entire firm on this case, pooled all of our resources and best manpower into what seemed like a sure fire money maker. We had other clients, top firms, but none that could counteract the financial hit that losing this case would make.
    “Fuck!” I bellowed as I threw my wooden nameplate across the room. It hit the wall with a resounding thud.
    “Mr. Hanson?” James called from the other side of the door.
    He knocked once before he called out again.
    “Mr. Hanson, is everything all right? Is there something that I can do for you?”
    “Find out everything that there is to know about Sharon Hunter.” I barked after he opened the door.
    “Yes sir. Right away.” he