None of that matters now. What I need to do is put my head down today and figure out who the company is. I need to find out what connection I have to them to ensure I’m the one they ask for.
It’s been a day. Not only did Bradly figure out the company that is being sued, but he also got the intel that they are, in fact, speaking with us and one other firm. Stewart and Henry must be keeping this under wraps until they know for sure.
That gives me time to figure out how I’m going to convince them that I’m their guy. I’ve never represented a pharmaceutical company this large, but I have taken on class action lawsuits. Never on this scale before.
I walk down Park Avenue as the sun begins to set in the distance. I’m starving. I opted to skip dinner and work late, preparing for a case I’m trying to settle.
It’s nothing new. Working late is part of the job. I’m not paid millions to work forty hours a week.
I pull at the tension on the back of my neck. My body has been starting to hold a lot of stress—more than usual. I just need to run on the treadmill in my gym. It’ll help ease some of the muscles.
Whenever I get the time, I want to have a sauna installed in my bathroom. If I’m going to kill myself working, I might as well use some of the money to take the edge off.
I keep my head down as I walk through the lobby of my building. I hate running into some of the tenants. There are women who live in the apartments here that no doubt know I have the penthouse. They like to bat their lashes at me.
I love pussy, but not if they show signs of becoming clingy.
I ride the elevator up to the top floor and unlock my door without regarding my surroundings. Just as I’m about to close the door, I hear someone call my name.
“Walker.” The soft voice comes from the hallway.
At first, I think I’m hearing things, but then there’s the distinguishable sound of a baby starting to cry.
I open the door to the hall, and a woman I recall spending the night with a while back is bouncing a baby back and forth as tears run down her face.
“She just woke up,” she says to me as I try to figure out why on earth she is telling me this like I’m supposed to do something about it.
Her name finally dawns on me. Amelia. A model I fooled around with for a couple of weeks. A cold chill runs the length of my body as I stare at the baby in her arms.
“Amelia,” I say with a suddenly dry throat. “What is going on?”
“I can’t do this anymore,” she cries, barely able to speak. “I thought I was doing the right thing, keeping her, but it’s just … too much.”
She takes a step toward me, but instinct has me backing away.
“Amelia, what are you saying?”
Her shoulders fall like she can’t believe I’m going to make her say it. Whatever food is in my stomach from lunch begins to swirl around, threatening to come up.
“Walker … she’s yours.”
I grab the doorframe as my world flips upside down with two words.“She’s yours.”
“I’m sorry. It’s too much. I can’t work with her. She’s always crying,” she rambles on while I begin to sweat even though I feel cold. “Childcare is insane, and nobody wants a baby at a modeling shoot. She’s … she’s ruining my life. You have money. Family. She’s better off with you.”
Before I say a word, she places the baby in my arms. Instead of waiting for the elevator, she pushes the door open and takes off down the stairs.
“Everything you need is in the diaper bag.” She shouts her final words at me.
“Amelia,” I yell once I find the ability to speak again, but it’s too late.
She’s gone.
A loud shriek comes from the baby in my arms, and for the first time, I look down at my daughter. I don’t know what the hell to do. Instinct takes over, and I start to bounce her up and down like I see Eva do with my niece, but it only makes her cry harder.
“Shh,” I say as I look around the hallway.
There’s what appears to be a stroller and the diaper bag. I grab the bag, ditching the stroller as I walk back into my place.
