Retribution Read Online Free PDF Page A

big happy family after all.”
    “What do you mean?” I asked, fighting not to turn and run. I always ran when Cooper was around. I wouldn’t let him get to me anymore. I held my ground.
    “You just walked out of your old room instead of my father’s.” He moved past me and pushed my door open. “And the bed has been slept in. Don’t tell me that your marriage is already on the rocks.”
    “My marriage is no concern of yours,” I said as I turned to face him.
    “It’s not. You made that abundantly clear when you slapped me the last time we were in the same room together. You ran to him instead of me. Your love life is absolutely none of my concern. I am a bit curious as to where you’re going dressed like that though. You’re usually in shorts and a tank top.”
    I hated that Cooper knew even that much about me. He always noticed little things concerning me that no one else seemed to pay any attention to. He paid more attention to me than I was comfortable with. At times, it was like Cooper knew me better than I knew myself.
    “I’m going to work,” I said stiffly.
    He raised an eyebrow. “Work? You mean, my dad actually let you get a job? Wow, I’m impressed. What did you have to do to get this little piece of freedom?” He paused. “On second thought, I don’t think I want to know.”
    “I’m working at his firm.” I glanced at my phone. “And if I don’t leave now, I’m going to be late. I’ll see you later, Cooper.”
    “I’ll be here,” he said lightly.
    I hated that the simple words unnerved me. Whenever Cooper was around, things always seemed to spin out of control.
    Without a word, I walked down the hall to the stairs.
    Just as my hand landed on the banister, he spoke again, “You didn’t tell him. Why?”
    I looked back at him. “What?”
    “You didn’t tell him what I’d told you that day. I thought for sure you’d run right to him and spill all my dirty little secrets. Why didn’t you?”
    We stared at each other as I fought to find the right answer to his question.
    “I don’t know.”
    I didn’t give him time to question me further. I darted down the stairs and toward the garage with my heart racing in my chest. I hated that Cooper could still do that. He got to me like no one else could.

I clutched my file full of paperwork to my chest as I walked across the parking lot toward the law firm. It was located in a two-story brick building with Law Office of Robert Evans written across the top of it. I’d been here only once before. It seemed like a lifetime had passed since I last walked into this building.
    I pulled open the door and walked inside. The reception area was as gorgeous as I remembered. The walls were a light-cream color with artwork hanging every few feet. There were two leather couches with a television mounted on the wall across from them. A glass table covered in magazines was set in the middle of the room.
    The same receptionist from before sat behind her desk. She smiled warmly when she saw me. “You must be Claire.”
    I nodded. “How did you guess?”
    She grinned. “I remember you from before. Plus, you look absolutely terrified. That’s always a dead giveaway for new employees.” She paused. “And clients who are in a heap of trouble. Anyway, I’m Gina. If you will follow me, I’ll take you up to Becky. She’ll handle your training.”
    She stood and walked around her desk. I followed her as she walked down a hallway to an elevator. I looked further down the hall. Robert’s office was only a few doors down from the elevator. I hoped that I wouldn’t see him today. I was nervous enough without him popping in to check on me. Besides, I was still angry with him.
    We rode the elevator up to the second floor. When the doors opened, she led me down another hallway. We walked to the very last door. It was open, and we stepped inside without knocking.
    “Becky, I have your new employee.”
    A woman, who looked to be in her mid-twenties, sat