Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement intended. ©2025

A HUGE thank you to my pre-reader!

I apologize about the long gap between chapters. I was assigned to a project at work that was supposed to be only six weeks but turned into fourteen weeks. Anyway… enough of that. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 14

Carlisle

"Carlisle, you know I don't do things like this?" He cleared his throat. "Especially since this isn't Ms. Campbell's first offense." His baritone voice filled my office as he was on speakerphone.

"Yes, Judge Reed, I know," I massaged my temples. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate you doing this for me. You saved me from going through a lot of red tape."

"Well," he paused. "I owed you this and so much more for the way you helped my baby sister's business out a year ago. You saved me too." He chuckled. "I didn't have to loan her any of my money and her business is still doing extremely well with your guidance. So, I'll forever be in your debt."

Judge Reed's sister, Marianna, almost got herself involved in a sketchy business deal that would've robbed her blind. I had no idea… Johnson, whatever the hell his name was doing.

After I got them through that almost costly debacle, I was able to negotiate a new contract for them. Marianna has been one of my clients since then.

"No worries, Judge," raking my fingers through my hair, laughing lightly. "It's been a pleasure having Mari as a client." I glanced at the clock on the wall seeing I needed to leave within the next twenty minutes to meet Daniella.

"Alright Carlisle, I won't take up any more of your time. Everything has been taken care of. They should be just about done processing Talia out of the system." He paused. "Send my regards to your lovely wife and take care." Judge Reed said.

"Will do and once again, I appreciate it," I said before disconnecting the call.

I slumped back in my chair and exhaled. I'd been busier than normal all morning. Between talking to Judge Reed, doing my own research on Aaron, and some of my normal caseload I was exhausted.

There was a light knock on my door before it swung open. It was only one person that did that. I rolled my eyes looking at my computer screen. "What's up, James?"

"Shouldn't you be gone by now?" He asked strolling in, holding his phone up.

"Yeah, I'm about to leave now. I just hung up with Judge Reed," I said, as I pushed my chair out and stood up.

"You're going to have to drive like a bat out of hell to make it there on time," James smirked.

"Don't worry, I'll make it in plenty of time," I smirked back.

He didn't know I may have asked processing to detain them until I got there. I had every plan on talking to the two of them, getting all the information I needed.

Aaron was a damn good attorney, but his personal life, based on what I was able to have my private investigator dig up, was filthy. I wasn't sure I was ready to hear what these two young ladies would say.

"The moment you know everything, I don't care what time it is, call me." James stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I want to nail that motherfucker to the wall. Myles might go soft on him but he's getting the hell out of this firm. If I have my way," he pointed his index finger to his chest, "the sonofabitch will never practice law again." He sneered.

James tolerated Aaron. He didn't like him. Even before I partnered with them James always said there was something about Aaron that he didn't like but he appeased Myles.

Myles had been the one protecting Aaron but with this shit show and how it could reflect on the firm, Myles won't be able to defend him this time. Honestly, I believe this was the final nail in the coffin for Smith and I can't say I'll miss him.

There was nothing Myles could say or do to deter James. When he got like this, there was no stopping him.

"I tell you what, when the three of us sit down and talk, I'll call you and put you on speakerphone so you can hear the whole sordid story for yourself." I reasoned.

James had an important meeting in less than ten minutes and Myles was in his own meeting away from the office.

"That sounds perfect," he genuinely smiled, rubbing his palms together. "This appointment shouldn't be that long. I just have to make some final adjustments to Mrs. Crowder's contract and have her sign off on everything. I'll make sure it's short and sweet."

"All right," I walked toward the door, opening it. "I have to get out of here. We'll talk soon." I said stepping into the hallway as James followed behind me, closing the door.

TWP

"Okay, so, Silver—I mean Mr. Cullen," Daniella stumbled out.

I held my hand up, "Please call me Carlisle."

Daniella quickly glanced over at Talia. "All right Carlisle," she nodded. "I did my homework on you and I know you deal with corporate law. Do you mind explaining to me how in the hell were you able to get all the charges dropped for Talia so quickly?" Her perfect eyebrow arched.

"That," I laughed without humor "is irrelevant and doesn't concern you. You asked, excuse me, you demanded that we get your friend out and I did that. And not only that but I got all the charges removed from her quite extensive record." I cocked my head to the side, looking at Talia, as she squirmed in her seat.

Talia cleared her throat. "Thank you." She whispered.

"You're welcome." I nodded, ready to get down to business. "Now that I've exceeded your expectations, Daniella, it's your turn." I gestured.

I was surprised to see what appeared to be nervousness across Daniella's face. In our first encounter with her, she carried herself with more confidence, like a boss but now it was a different woman in front of me.

It made me wonder if something had changed or if Aaron had threatened her?

Did she tell Talia that they both were going to have to come clean about their relationship with Aaron?

Talia's head snapped to Daniella. "What kind of promise did you make to him?"

"I did what I had to do." She replied calmly, still looking at me.

"That doesn't answer my question, Dani." Talia's voice slightly rose.

"Look," Daniella turned in her seat, facing Talia. "You were in that horrible place and I said and did what I had to do to get you out of there."

"What. Did. You. Promise." Talia spoke through gritted teeth.

"To tell them everything about Aaron," Daniella responded with a slack jaw.

Talia shook her head in what looked to be disbelief. "No, you can't do that, Dani. What about the contract?"

"Fuck the goddamn contract!" Daniella's chair flew back, as she stood up. "The low-down scum left you in there to rot while he was living his best life with his little wife that totally is oblivious to who he really is."

I wouldn't be a good attorney if I didn't do some investigating myself. Bella doesn't know everything Aaron has done but she wasn't completely clueless either.

"That motherfucker will come after you with everything he's got, Dani. It would've been better if you just left me in there. I don't want you to put yourself on the line like that, especially not for someone like me." Talia slowly shook her head, with unshed tears.

"What do you mean someone like you? You're my best-fucking-friend, my sister. I would rather die before I left you in that hell hole." Spit flew out of her mouth. "How could you say something so damn stupid?" Her face was red.

I felt like I was at a tennis match the way my head went back and forth but I also knew James was back at the office about to shit his pants if I didn't call him soon. I was surprised he hadn't called yet.

"Ladies," I stood from my seat. "As touching as this is, we have matters to discuss. Judge Reed was kind enough to let us use his office. Let's not waste any more time, all right?" I looked between the two of them.

They silently nodded.

"My partner, James, has been patiently waiting on me to call him so he can be a part of this meeting since he wasn't allowed to be here in person." I pulled my phone out of my pocket and clicked on his name, putting it on speakerphone.

"What in the hell took you so long?" Was James' greeting.

Daniella and Talia tucked their lips trying not to laugh.

I chuckled myself. "Calm down. The ladies were having a conversation of their own. But it's all good now. You haven't missed anything, we are about to begin now."

"Great!" James exhaled. "Now, Daniella how did you meet Aaron and how long have you known him?" He was straight to the point the way he'd always been.

Talia had a pleading expression on her face, as Daniella sat back down and began to speak. "I met him in his last year in undergrad."

"Undergrad?" I was a bit surprised. I knew we all did our dirt in college, but I didn't go that far. I never felt the need to.

"Yeah," she shook her head confidently. "Some little rich brick named Chip was celebrating his twenty-first birthday and of course his even bigger of a brick daddy, Richard, paid for our services."

"If you thought they were all dicks why did you do business with them?" James asked.

"I didn't have to touch any of them, and money is money." Danielle shrugged. "Plus, he paid me an extra twenty grand if I kept everything under wraps. You know his reputation and all." She rolled her eyes.

"So, you're saying you've known Aaron for twelve years?" I asked, thinking my math had to be off.

"That's right. He's been a pain in my ass for twelve long years." Daniella massaged her temples.

"I have to ask again, Ms. Medina. If he's such an inconvenience to you, why keep him as a client? I'm sure you have more clientele than just him, right?" James questioned.

"He was no different than the other entitled little boys that grew up with a platinum spoon in his mouth." She chuckled. "I'm sure the two of you can relate." She sucked her teeth.

I leaned forward, looking her directly in the eyes. "No, I cannot relate, Ms. Medina. I had my share of females like most did when they were younger, but I didn't have to acquire services to get a woman to sleep with me. I'm sure you don't want to sit here and sling insults between the two of us, as I am sure you will be the one with the shorter end of the stick, seeing as you're still practicing that lifestyle at your age." My tone had an edge to it.

Daniella put her hand on her chest and her eyes were as big as saucers.

"How dare—you—"

James cut her off. "That's some rude shit, Ms. Medina. Carlisle got your friend off and her record cleared, and this is the thanks he gets? You don't know any of us and it's not fair to make accusations like that, assuming every guy that grew up with money is like those Chip and Richard characters."

Daniella slouched down in her seat some. "I apologize," she raised her hand in surrender.

"Can we just stick to you and Aaron's relationship, please? This is the whole point of why we're all here, right?" The sting had left my tone. She had pissed me off for a few minutes, but I had to regain control of myself. We were here for a purpose, a common goal and that was to take Aaron Smith down.

"Apology accepted," James spoke up. "Have you been the only one servicing Aaron or have there been others?"

"There have been a few others when I couldn't make it for one reason or another, but it's mainly been me." She lifted her chin with confidence.

"How often did you meet and where?" I asked.

"Initially, it started out a few times a month but as his career grew, he wanted to see me more often. Before Bella, I saw him three to four times a week. But once he decided he wanted to marry her our encounters dwindled down to two times a week."

"Has he reached out to you lately?" James asked.

"Yes." She simply answered.

"Have you met with him recently?"

Daniella was about to respond when Talia interrupted. "Excuse me, gentlemen," she paused staring at me. "Why should Dani put her business and her life on the line for you all? Do you realize after this gets out all her clientele will immediately leave her? That's why she's been in business so long because she doesn't talk, no matter what." She slowly turned her head blinking at Daniella.

"Talia do you not understand that just as quickly as those charges were removed, they can be placed back on your record? We had a deal," I pointed my index finger down on the table. "And if she doesn't keep her word, I will personally make sure you all are cellmates. My partners and I will make sure she loses everything." I leaned back crossing one leg over the other. "This isn't a game sweetheart. We're more powerful than you think. Now, if you're willing to risk that, just let me know. I will bring Judge Reed back in here and have you escorted back to Cook County Corrections."

The fire she had was put out quickly, and a lonely tear ran down her face.

"Is that what you want, honey?" James asked.

She shook her head.

"Well, is it?" His voice rose with irritation.

"No," she cleared her throat.

"All right then. You all will answer whatever the hell we ask you. We've put our necks on the line for you and Goddamnit you will keep your word. We will not have this conversation again. Is that clear, Daniella and Talia? James demanded.

"Yes," they replied in unison.

"Oh, and by the way, don't even think about leaving the country or even the state until we're done with you. You've been added to the watchlist." James added.

"Have you lost your fucking mind? We're not wanted criminals." Daniella's nose flared.

"Like I said before, we don't know you, meaning we don't trust you. We're going to protect our investment."

"You sonofabitch, I want it in writing. I'm not saying another word until I have everything in writing. I want me and my business to be protected. You claim to have all these strings you can pull. All right then, big bad attorneys, you're going to make sure my business and my employees aren't touched. My list of clientele will not be released in any way and you will protect me from Aaron and his associates." Daniella lashed out.

For some reason, James knew how to push this woman's buttons. It was a good thing he was on the phone.

"Who are his associates?" I asked.

"Didn't you hear me? I'm not answering another question until I have a contract. You all aren't the only ones that can play hardball." She sneered.

"Ms. Medina, you have no idea what we're capable of." James threatened.

A/N: Do you think they will ever come to an agreement? What do you think about Talia and Dani? Who do you think will win?