Free Scandalous by Donna Hill

into his spot. He looked across the lanes and saw that Sean and Khendra’s Lexus LS was also parked in their usual spot. Good, he needed to talk to Sean.
    Retrieving his briefcase and his black leather trenchcoat from the backseat, he automatically activated the alarm system and locked the doors. In long, brisk strides, hecrossed the gray and white concrete and entered the elevator that would take him to his offices on the sixteenth floor.
    Justin pushed through the heavy, ornately carved wood doors that led to the immense reception area. Although he’d been coming through those same doors for nearly three years, he still had sudden flashes that it was all fantasy. Yet, this was his. He’d worked for it and everything, including every detail in the wood, had his markings. It was all a tribute to his enormous success, both in the courtroom and out. It was as a result of his success that he now had the time and opportunity to pursue other avenues, such as public speaking, advocacy, and writing that book that had been gnawing at him for years. And now, he finally had time for a woman in his life. He smiled unconsciously as visions of Vaughn bloomed ripe. He had the time to devote himself to making this relationship work and not have his work destroy the relationship—as it had between him and Janice.
    Years later, it still hurt. Janice had been his first love, and his young heart had been fired with romance and ambition. He’d wanted Janice along for the ride. They’d married, had a child almost immediately, and before Justin had realized what had happened, they were divorced and Janice was gone, along with their infant daughter.
    He’d expended his savings, his skills, and all the resources available to him trying to locate his ex-wife and child. They’d virtually disappeared off the face of the earth. Finally, after years of frustration, he’d given up and dove into his work with an incomparable intensity.
    For that reason he’d become a devout advocate of children’s rights. He truly believed that he could somehow make an impact on legislatures to repeal the laws governing the sealing of adoption and foster care placement records and allow those children to lawfully find their naturalparents. He had been a catalyst in helping to establish several organizations across the country who assisted parents and children in finding each other. It was his hope that although Janice saw no need to have him involved in their daughter’s life, his child would somehow find him through the channels now available. That hope was like an eternal flame that burned in his heart. If and when his dream of reuniting with his daughter was realized, he wanted Vaughn to be a part of that ultimate joy.
    â€œGood morning, Mr. Montgomery,” Barbara Crenshaw, his executive assistant, greeted him cheerily. Her soft gray-green eyes warmed at the sight of him.
    â€œMorning, Barb. Any messages?”
    â€œThey’re on your desk. Do you want coffee or should I send out for breakfast?”
    â€œCoffee will be fine. I want to get my notes together for the staff meeting.”
    â€œI’ll be right in.”
    Justin waved and nodded acknowledgment to the bevy of staff members that made up his team as he wound his way through the maze of offices that led to his own. Once inside the soundproof room, he hung up his coat, rounded his desk, and punched in the extension for Sean’s line.
    â€œGood morning, Phillips here,” came the distinctly feminine voice.
    Justin smiled broadly. “How can that man of yours ever get any work done if you’re in his office doing who knows what when I’m not looking?”
    Khendra’s husky laughter filtered through the phone. “Who says we’re here to work? We just come in to get a change of atmosphere,” she teased, enjoying the bantering that went on between them. “I presume you want to speak to my handsome, brilliant