Linda Warren - Straight from the Heart

“Has it occurred to you that maybe this is just what it seems to be—a great offer for a great attorney?”

“If I was naive, I’d believe that,” he said. “But I haven’t been naive since I was fifteen years old.”

“What are you going to do?” Joan asked.

Lucas picked up the card on his desk. “I don’t know, but I’m thinking of showing up at the Logan house for dinner.”

“Oh,” Joan said quickly, handing him the piece of paper. “Jennifer called and said she has to work late. She said to meet her at her apartment at eight-thirty, and she wants you to pick up some wine from that little shop she likes. I wrote the address down and the type of wine.”

He took the paper with an exasperated sigh. Jennifer was giving him orders. Why did that upset him? Because he didn’t like bossy women who wanted to control him. Oh hell, was he having a bad day or what? He wasn’t usually this touchy. Jennifer was trying to take their relationship to another level and he could feel himself backing off—as always.

“Thanks, Joan,” he said offhandedly.

“Lucas…”

He stopped her. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know how it turns out.”

She bit her lip, then murmured, “You know, Lucas, I never thought I’d have to stroke your ego, but you’re an exceptional attorney. I’m sure Sam Logan recognizes that. So don’t do anything stupid.”

Lucas grinned. “Have I ever done anything stupid?”

Before she could answer, Lucas held up his hand. “Don’t answer that. I’d probably have to take the fifth.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “I’d better get home. I’ve got a family waiting.”

After Joan left, he sat thinking about this strange turn of events. He had to make a decision. Did he go to River Oaks or did he spend the evening with a beautiful woman—even if she was just a bit controlling? Blair flashed into his mind again, not the Blair in the courtroom but the seductive, dancing Blair. What was she like in her home, with her family?

He ran both hands through his dark hair. Why couldn’t he get her out of his head? She was just another woman, he told himself, but he had a hard time believing that.

Dammit, Blair, what are you doing to me?

He crumpled Sam’s card and threw it into the trash. He wasn’t going to get mixed up with the Logan family. He had enough problems of his own.

SAM LOGAN CHARGED into his office and sat in his high-tech office chair, lightly drumming his fingers on the padded arms.

Derek Johnson, Theodore Barker and Frank Mann followed him inside. Frank quietly closed the door. Frank was short, bald and stocky and always had a ready smile. “How’d it go?” he asked.

“What did Culver say?” Derek put in just as quickly. Derek was of medium height, with reddish-blond hair, and was known for both his temper and his finesse in a courtroom.

Sam shrugged. “Hard to tell with Lucas. He knows all the tricks—doesn’t let anything show on his face—but I have a feeling he’s not planning to accept the offer.”

“That bastard,” Derek growled. “Doesn’t he know when something’s being handed to him on a silver platter?”

“That’s just it,” Sam told him. “Lucas is doing very well where he is. He doesn’t need us, but we sure as hell need him.”

“That’s not true,” Derek answered. “I told you from the start that I could handle things. I—”

“Shut up, Derek.” Theo spoke up. Theo was tallest of the three men, with a thatch of curly brown hair and blue-green eyes. “You’re not Perry Mason, even though you think you are. If Sam doesn’t think you can handle it, then—”

Frank interrupted. “Okay, let’s just calm down and let Sam tell us what happened.”

Sam watched his three top attorneys, his gaze hooded. He folded his hands across his desk and began to speak in a slow forceful manner. “I am still head of Logan and Associates, and I make all hiring decisions without asking your permission. I’m only consulting you as a courtesy. If anyone has a problem with that, you’d better say so now so you can pack your things and get out.”

“Wait a minute, Sam.” Derek put up a hand. “I was only voicing my opinion…what I think is best for the firm.”

Sam’s mouth twisted wryly. “You know, Derek, I don’t remember ever asking you to take the responsibility for my firm.” He put a heavy emphasis on the word my.

Derek didn’t say another word.

“We either do this together, or I do it alone,” Sam added. “Your choice.”

“I’m with you, Sam,” Frank immediately said.

“Me, too,” Theo stated.

All eyes swung to Derek. “I was just questioning whether Culver’s the best choice, that’s all.”

Sam eyed Derek, his expression calculating. “If you have any problems with Lucas, we’d better get them out of the way now, because if we’re lucky enough to have him join us, I won’t tolerate any dissension among my staff.”

Derek glanced down at the desk, clearly struggling.

Sam got up and walked to the window, looking out at the glass skyscrapers of downtown Houston and the busy streets below.

Silence ensued.

Theo broke the stalemate. “Hell, Derek, why don’t you just admit it? You’re afraid Culver might outshine you in a courtroom. But this isn’t about you and your gigantic ego. It’s about the future of the firm.”

“I know,” Derek admitted grudgingly. “I’m behind Sam all the way.”

“That’s good to hear.” Sam turned from the window. “I just hope things don’t come to a head before I get Lucas on board.” There was a pause, then he added, “Damn bad luck to have Blake pay us this surprise visit.”

“You need to get him back to London, Sam,” Theo suggested quietly.

“I will, but first I’ll let him spend some time with his mother and sister.”

“We don’t have the valuable commodity of time,” Derek said.

“I’m well aware of that,” Sam muttered.

“Have you heard anything else?” Frank asked.

“Not a word,” Sam muttered. “Holt’s keeping a lid on everything until he’s ready to pounce.”

“Hell, Sam,” Frank said. “Your daughter works at the D.A.’s office. Surely you can get some information out of her.”

Sam’s eyes turned a steel blue. “I will not drag my daughter into this. Do you understand me?”

Frank’s brown eyes narrowed. “My God, you haven’t told her, have you?”

Sam looked away. “No. I need to have all my i’s dotted and my t’s crossed before I tell her. Besides, I won’t compromise her job.” His face was grim. “Everything depends on tonight.”

“What’s happening tonight?” Theo asked.

“I invited Lucas to the dinner party,” Sam answered. “If he shows, I know we have a chance of convincing him to accept the offer. If not…”

Sam let the words hang, and each knew exactly what he meant.

Finally Frank asked, “Will Blair be there?”

“Of course,” Sam snapped.

“I don’t think you’ve thought this through,” Frank said slowly. “After the day Lucas and Blair just had in court, do you think it’s wise to expect them to sit down to a friendly dinner? You know how she is about defense attorneys.”

“Dammit,” Sam clenched his fists. “This is all happening too fast. I haven’t had time to think about Blair and her feelings.”

The three men shared a secret glance.

“Well.” Sam slapped a hand on the desk. “Blair’s a mature adult woman and I know she can handle it.”

Theo gave a gruff laugh. “I don’t mean any disrespect, Sam. But do you actually know your daughter? She’s been trying to beat Culver for two years. It’s common knowledge around the courthouse—and so is her dislike of the man.”