Legally Obligated (3 page)

Raisa paused to stare at smartly dressed attorneys sporting briefcases and clients of all description flowing in and out of massive doors manned by security checkpoints. The bustle of voices, footsteps and the general din of traffic seemed to grow louder in time with her growing panic. Gazing down at the folder containing her paperwork, she realized that she was grossly unprepared for her court appearance in just under half an hour.

She blinked against incipient tears and mentally cursed herself for not calling her family. Though she had trolled the web for legal sites that could provide advice, her budget even with a month’s pay of severance, would not accommodate the cost of an attorney. Raisa had studied the protocol for acting as her own defense, but staring at the daunting building and the faces of those buzzing around her, she felt little more than a salmon attempting to swim upstream.

Attempting to swallow her fear, Raisa mounted the steps and approached the entrance. Her legs started to feel like jelly, forcing her to lean against a column. It was no use. Her hands were already starting to shake and if her throat got any drier, she would choke.

Uncertain what to do, she retrieved her phone and was about to dial her family, but changed her mind and dialed Neil instead. He had always lent a sympathetic ear to anyone in the office that needed to talk or resolve an issue. Perhaps he could offer some assistance, even if belatedly.

Neil’s number rang once, twice ... and continued until the call went into voicemail. Raisa could barely articulate her words when as she left a message, her embarrassment rising as she tried to explain her situation. She was about to hang up when she noticed the charismatic man from the bar walking toward her. Dressed to kill in a designer navy suit, his ebony hair slicked back, he flashed her an electric smile that instantly snared her.

Shocked to see him, Raisa hung up and stared at him.

“
Hello,” he said, extending a well-groomed hand. “My name is Lance Vasilis.

We met the other day at The Dockyard.” 

Raisa gripped his hand and felt a sensation like an electrical current snake through her flesh. His grip was warm and firm, his fingers lightly caressing her skin as he withdrew his hand. But it was his rich baritone voice, touched with a slight accent that left her feeling as lightheaded as she had felt after downing her one too many Margaritas.

“
Mr. Vasilis ...”

“Lance, please.”

Raisa felt her face flush. Here was the epitome of masculinity staring her in the face. She felt the raw confidence oozing from his pores as surely as if she had been standing naked in a steam room. As far as Lance Vasilis was concerned, they had already met.

“I couldn’t help but overhear your call,” he said, his deep blue eyes burning into her. “Perhaps I can help, since you don’t appear to have an attorney.”

Raisa blushed even more deeply but there was no point pretending she wasn’t terrified. “I ... feel like such an idiot,” she finally said. “It was a stupid thing to do, and I ...”

“Can I take a look at your paperwork?” Lance said, motioning to the folder Raisa clutched in a death grip.

She handed it to him and discreetly checked the time on her phone while Lance quickly scanned the documents.

“I’d be willing to represent you, Raisa,” he said, rolling her name the same suggestive way he had rolled the olive in his mouth. “Such a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” He glanced at a watch that looked more expensive than some sports cars she had seen in dealer windows. “But decide quickly, as we need to go.”

“You’re an attorney?” she asked.

“The best there is,” he said without a trace of modesty.

Flustered by his unexpected offer, Raisa blurted, “but I can’t afford to pay you. I just got laid off. That’s why I’m in this situation. I was too scared to tell my family, and I ...”

Lance reached for Raisa’s hand and squeezed it. Again, she felt a powerful energy course through flesh to the point of sexual arousal. Her flesh felt warm, and once again, his fingers lingered on her skin as he withdrew his hand. He smiled as if sensing a response he was more than used to eliciting.

“Don’t worry about the money,” he said. “I’d like to help you. From what I see you have a strong case. We can figure something out later.”

Raisa felt the seconds ticking away. They still had to go through the checkpoints and find the courtroom. She had to make a decision and she had to make it now.

“Okay, thank you so much,” she said, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and relief. “I’d really appreciate it. As soon as I find another job, I’d be happy to pay whatever I owe you.”

Lance simply smiled and took her arm. “Let’s go,” he said. “I’ll just need a few moments of prep.”

Watching Lance address the judge in his suave yet assertive manner, Raisa realized that any attempt she might have made to represent herself would have resulted in complete failure. Judge Sobreski, a pale, bespectacled, stern-faced matron who could have been a Valkyrie in a past life, barely registered any emotion. Formidable in her black robe and cropped silver hair, the only time she moved was to review the documents Lance placed on the bench. Apart from a grim-faced bailiff, the oppressive courtroom was vacant.

The hearing had started promptly at ten, and even though only twenty minutes had passed, to Raisa, the seconds dragged into eternity. She tried not to fidget, but sitting still was impossible as her heart raced until she felt like it would explode from her chest. While Lance’s well-modulated voice resonated throughout the courtroom, she found it impossible to concentrate on anything other than the judge’s stony demeanor.

Silence.

Raisa started. She hadn’t even realized that Lance had finished his defense. He stood before the judge as casually as if he were about to order from a drive-thru menu.

Judge Sobreski pondered the documents for a few moments before finally looking at Lance over her glasses.

“
Councillor,” she said in a deep, no-nonsense tone, “while I don’t normally make exceptions for DUI cases, I feel that your client presents a low risk for a repeat offense. However, I will discharge the offense only on the condition that the client completes the driver safety course.”

Feeling completely cowed by the judge’s sonorous voice, Raisa watched anxiously.

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Lance said. “The client accepts the judgment and agrees to all conditions.”

“Very well,” she said. “Defendant shall register for the course and pay the appropriate fee to the cashier.”  She struck the gavel on the bench. “Case dismissed. Court is adjourned.”

It took all of Raisa’s willpower to keep from fainting from relief. Lance approached her with a broad smile and shook her hand.

“Piece of cake,” he said, again transmitting an intense warmth through her flesh.

“I can’t believe you were able to get me off,” she said. “I didn’t think it was possible.” Raisa paused as she was overcome by emotion. “I don’t know how to thank you. You saved my life, my future ...”

Lance watched her with frank interest. “You made a mistake and now you’ve learned from it. Justice works best when it’s applied in the spirit it was intended. You’re not a dangerous criminal nor are you a threat to society. The classes are an alternative

to more punitive measures that are often unnecessary.”

Raisa looked at him with admiration. Lance was clearly a master of his craft, and he demonstrated a sense of command that she had never encountered with anyone else. He possessed a charisma as intoxicating as a drug, and without even realizing it, she was already becoming addicted.

Lance glanced at his watch. “Let’s get you registered and take care of the cashier. We still need to get your car out of impound as well.”

Raisa’s expression fell. She had forgotten about that expense.

Lance regarded her with an easy smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Like I said, we can figure something out.”

“It looks fine to me,” Lance said as Raisa inspected her car for the third time.

Concerned about damage to her car after it had been released from impound, she had more than listened to Lance’s advice about checking it, she had painstakingly inspected every inch until she was satisfied that it was in the pristine condition she had left it in.

“This yard is pretty good about preventing damage,” Lance said.

“Well, it’s my first new car so I want to make sure,” Raisa said. “I like to take care of my things.”

Lance regarded her with an appraising, if somewhat predatory gaze.

“I can definitely see that,” he said. “Sanchez ... May I ask what nationality you are?”

Raisa shifted uncomfortably in a simple but flattering black dress that more than showed off her curvaceous figure. Had it not been for her court hearing, she would have dressed more casually.

“Third generation Guatemalan,” she replied. “And you? Vasilis sounds like a Greek name.”

Lance smiled dazzlingly. “It is. Harika pu se gnorisa, Raisa. Pleased to meet you.”

“Encantada de conocerte, Lance,” Raisa replied.

She paused awkwardly, uncertain what else to say and hating herself for acting like a moonstruck teenager around Lance. She was usually more confident and outspoken, but somehow he caused her to feel like she was missing part of her wardrobe.

“Well, Lance,” she said. “Once again thank you so much for helping me but I really need to be going. I have to file for unemployment and email some resumes.”  She flashed an uncertain smile. “Hopefully it won’t take too long for me to find another job. I’d like to repay you as quickly as possible.”

“I already told you we can work something out,” Lance said, briefly glancing at his phone. “I can certainly help you with your job search. You’re a bright and talented young woman, but you’re wasted as someone’s underling. I knew what was happening with your group the other night the minute everyone walked in with their long faces. Seen it too many times before.”

Raisa felt a twinge of annoyance. Her colleagues were people with ambitions and hopes as well, but not everyone managed to ascend the heights of the corporate world.

“Why don’t we discuss this over lunch, Raisa?” he asked. “There’s a place nearby where we can talk.”

Raisa hesitated. Today opportunity had fallen literally out of the sky. If she walked away, who knew how long it would take her to find another good job. Someone like Lance Vasilis could open doors with a simple phone call that years of pounding the pavement would never achieve. He was one of those rare men that exuded the confidence only power and arrogance could bestow.

There was also the reality of her financial situation, which she couldn’t ignore. Unemployment wouldn’t cover her living expenses, she was damned if she was crawling to her family for help. Moving to the city and setting up a new life had been enough of a struggle, but to concede defeat would cost more than a lost job, it would mean the loss of her independence and self-esteem.

Yet, as Raisa looked at Lance, she sensed a predatory aura about him that both disturbed and intrigued her. She also couldn’t ignore the physical response he triggered in her that aroused her almost like a drug. She had not been in a relationship for a while, the task of moving to a new city and building a new life and career demanding all of her time and energy.

And in reality, she had yet to find someone that challenged her. Raisa had always been the leader in past relationships, if they could even be described as such, but never before had she felt so vulnerable and naked in the presence of a man.
Man ...
that was the key word.

“Okay,” she said. “Why not?”

Lance smiled and input something into his phone.

“I assume you have a GPS?”

“Yes, on my phone.”