Free Deception (Tamia Luke) by Naomi Chase Page A

ranks of partner like you did.”
    Brandon didn’t rise to the bait. He knew that many of his colleagues resented him for achieving the coveted brass ring of partnership. Some even believed that his wealthy, powerful parents had pulled strings for him. But Brandon knew better. Over the past eight years, he’d worked his ass off to reach his goal of making partner. He’d endured the long hours at the expense of a social life, had won the tough court cases, and had generated more business for the firm than any of his peers, bar none. He’d more than earned his promotion, and anyone who thought differently could go fuck themselves.
    Which brought him back to the matter at hand.
    “Why do people think Cynthia has lost her edge?” he asked, keeping his tone carefully neutral.
    Addison sighed, as if it pained her to be the bearer of bad news pertaining to her rival. “Well, for starters, she hasn’t been logging as many billable hours as she used to. And over the past month, we’ve all noticed her leaving the office earlier than usual.”
    “Not that it’s anyone’s business,” Brandon calmly interjected, “but she’s been helping with the preparations for her cousin’s wedding.”
    “That may be so,” Addison countered, “but the perception is that ever since she started dating you, she’s gotten comfortable. She seems more interested in having lunch with you than scheduling meetings with her clients. It’s almost as if she assumes that she’s got it made because you’re her boyfriend, and now that you’re an equity partner, your vote will sway the others into making her partner next summer.”
    Brandon laughed, shaking his head at Addison. “So that’s the meme that’s going around.”
    She frowned at him. “What are you talking about? What meme?”
    “The talking points everyone will recite to discredit Cynthia when she makes partner. You guys will say she was chosen because she’s dating me. Just like I supposedly benefited from who my parents are.”
    Addison stared at him, a slow flush crawling up her neck to spread over her face. “Are you pulling the race card, Brandon?”
    He met her gaze directly. “Are you ?”
    She looked affronted. “First of all, no one in their right mind would say you didn’t deserve to be made partner. If you hadn’t been chosen, I would have started a riot. Not only are you a kick-ass trial attorney, but you bring more revenue and prestige to this firm than most of the senior partners! You know how to network and schmooze with clients like nobody’s business. And, like it or not, it doesn’t hurt that your father will probably be the next governor, and Beyoncé— BEYONCÉ! —personally calls you up to have lunch whenever she’s in town. Are you kidding me, Brandon? The partners would have been crazy not to promote you, and whether they admit it or not, everyone knows that!”
    By the time Addison had finished speaking, her face was beet red.
    Brandon gave her a long, assessing look.
    After a prolonged silence, a small, crooked smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “I guess you told me.”
    Addison gaped at him for a moment, then burst out laughing.
    Brandon chuckled. Addison might be Cynthia’s worst enemy, but one thing he’d always appreciated about her was that she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. He always knew where he stood with her, which was more than he could say about most of the other sharks he worked with.
    As her laughter subsided, Addison sighed and shook her head at Brandon. “Seriously though, Chambers. I know you may think your girlfriend is being unfairly persecuted, but I’ve heard grumblings even from people who happen to be huge fans of hers. If my colleagues believed I was slacking, I’d want to know. So at the very least, I think you should give Cynthia a heads-up.”
    Brandon inclined his head. “Maybe I will. Thanks.”
    “Any time.” Addison grinned. “You know, Kessler was wrong about you.”
    “What do you