Mad About the Man Read Online Free PDF Page B

pulled his fingers away, resisting the urge to scowl, since that would just make it hurt more.
    Brie Grayson socked me good.
    But he’d had worse beatings over the years, and according to the doctors, there was no damage to either the cheekbone, the eye, the socket, or the surrounding bone, just a lot of swollen, contused flesh. He’d been offered painkillers, which he’d refused. Instead he’d applied warm and cold compresses, tossed back a small palmful of Motrin, and gone to bed. He’d also sent Lila on her way, since a man could stand only so much fussing before he lost his temper and said something he’d regret later.
    On Saturday, he’d traveled back to New York City rather than spend the rest of the weekend in the Hamptons as originally planned. Over the rest of Saturday and Sunday, he’d read through a few work reports, spent a couple of hours ridding the world of imaginary evildoers on his Xbox, and slept.
    When he’d awakened to the buzz of his Monday morning alarm, he felt almost himself again. As for how he looked, getting back to resembling an urbane businessman rather than roughed-up brawler was going to take a while longer.
    A shower and a cup of coffee later, he called down to the hotel kitchen for some breakfast. As owner, he could have anything he liked, anytime he liked—a genuine perk on mornings like this one.
    He’d just taken a seat on the sofa and opened a news app on his iPad to scan the day’s top stories when his cell phone rang. As he checked the caller ID, his hand tightened slightly. He hit “answer.”
    â€œMcNeal,” he said, not bothering with the niceties; he had too many other things to do today.
    â€œMr. Monroe, good morning. I hope this is a good time to talk. I know it’s early yet.” It was eight o’clock and apparently the McNeal part of Marshall, McNeal and Prescott didn’t know how to take a hint concerning conversational brevity.
    â€œThe time is fine,” Maddox said. “So, did you handle the matter we discussed?”
    â€œIndeed, I did. That is, Mr. Prescott, Mr. Burns, and I met with Ms. Grayson first thing and presented your offer to her, exactly as you asked.”
    â€œYes?” he said, trying to contain his impatience. “And?”
    â€œAnd she accepted, of course.”
    Maddox’s shoulder muscles abruptly relaxed. Even as juicy as the bait he’d told them to dangle in front of Brie might have been, he still hadn’t been entirely certain she would take it. There was a willful pride in Brie Grayson that had been part of her as a girl and was clearly still part of her as a woman. He’d half expected to hear that she’d turned them down and sent the message via grapevine that he could go fuck himself.
    But ambition had a way of convincing even the most principled of people to lay aside their scruples. Then again, there was the simple pragmatism of the situation. She was smart. Smart enough to know that if she turned down this opportunity over a distaste for him, she might likely find herself out of not just a lucrative client, but out of a job as well.
    And jobs like hers—especially partnerships in top New York City law firms—didn’t come along every day.
    She’d done the wise thing and he planned to make the most of it.
    He smiled, ignoring the stab of pain in his bruised cheek. “Excellent.”
    â€œYes, it is. And may I say that we’re extremely pleased that MMP will be representing you and your company?” McNeal said. “In fact, the partners and I would enjoy showing you around the offices, then taking you to lunch. If you have the time, we could even do it today.”
    â€œBrie Grayson can do that.”
    There was a slight pause. “Yes, she’ll be included, of course, but—”
    â€œNo, just Grayson. Tell her I’ll expect her. One o’clock here at the M Hotel. My chef will prepare lunch and we