Mad About the Man Read Online Free PDF

personally handle all his legal work. What’s more, he instructed me to make you a partner, since he doesn’t deal with associates.”
    Her mouth fell open. Quickly, she shut it.
    â€œSo, what do you think, Brie?” Prescott said, his eyes, which had looked so hard before, gleaming with a shrewd twinkle. “Shall we accept Mr. Monroe’s terms and make you a partner?”
    She looked at the three men, who were all watching her expectantly. Her thoughts were in a whirl; she was barely able to believe she’d heard right. Not only was she
not
being fired, but apparently a promotion was hers for the taking. And not just any promotion, a move up to partner. It was everything she’d been working so hard to achieve, everything she had dreamed of, and happening only months after her return to the legal big leagues.
    She opened her mouth, wanting to say yes, but she hesitated, remembering that she would have one person to thank and that was Maddox Monroe. If she accepted, she would be forever in his debt.
    Clearly, he was up to something. What was his game? What did he really want, since he had plenty of excellent legal representation without hiring her?
    Talk about a devil’s bargain. She’d always suspected Monroe must actually be an alias for his real name—Mephistopheles. And yet how could she pass this up? It was the opportunity of a lifetime, one that might not come her way again for years, or maybe never. Still, a woman had her pride. . . .
    â€œMs. Grayson?” It was Brice Burns who spoke this time, a frown on his long, square face.
    So what would it be? Tell Monroe to stuff it and turn down the job—and possibly risk losing her current position? Or accept, even if it meant having to work with a man she’d hated since junior high?
    Personal integrity or pragmatism? It was a lawyer’s perennial dilemma. Then again, everyone was entitled to fair legal representation, even Lucifer himself. When it came to pride vs. profit, billable hours won every time.
    She straightened her shoulders and looked each man square in the eye. “Whether you make me a partner is up to you, gentlemen. But MJM Enterprises is a big fish that you’ve been trying to reel in for years. Do you really want to toss him and all his millions back now that he’s almost in the net?”
    A significant silence fell. Then Prescott grinned. The other two men quickly followed suit.
    â€œNo, Ms. Grayson,” Prescott said. “No, we most certainly do not.”
    â€œWe knew there must be a reason Monroe would go to all this trouble just to work with you,” McNeal said.
    â€œOther than the fact that you’re damned easy on the eyes. No offense,” Burns added.
    â€œNone taken,” she said.
    â€œMy nephew thought Monroe would want you fired after what happened on the tennis court.” Prescott’s eyes twinkled again. “But apparently he must like your go-for-the-jugular style.”
    â€œA quality every good lawyer needs,” Burns agreed.
    McNeal nodded. “Exactly.”
    â€œI can assure you, gentlemen, that I won’t let you down,” she said.
    â€œFrom now on, it’s Monroe you don’t want to let down. Just consider us very interested bystanders.” Burns gave her a look that was part amusement, part warning.
    She swallowed, understanding that accepting this partnership meant her entire career now hinged on keeping Maddox Monroe and his millions of dollars happy.
    Prescott stood and extended his hand. “Welcome, Brie, and congratulations on becoming our newest equity partner.”
    Standing, Brie shook hands and sealed the deal.
    Holy shit, what in the hell have I just gotten myself into?

C
HAPTER FOUR
    M addox Monroe peeled off the bandage and stared at himself in the bathroom mirror. Reaching up, he gave the bruised, swollen area around his eye and cheekbone a tentative poke.
    Fuck, that’s sore.
    Hastily, he