Page 35 of Dirty Judge

“No.” I shook my head. “Never.”

“And you would never lie about something like that, would you?”

“Not at this pay rate, no.”

“Good to know,” he said. “I’m into punishing criminals, not working with them.”

I tried to read his eyes, to see if he was insinuating something, but all I could see was intrigue. And something a bit darker I couldn’t quite place…

“I hope you’ll last here a long time,” he said. “I could really use the help.”

“I’m planning to, Your Honor.”

“You don’t need to call me that unless we’re in court,” he said. “Judge Ashton is fine. What do you like to be called?”

“You mean, like at work, right?”

“Yes.” His smile was truly lethal. “Where else would I ever see you?”

Right… “You can call me Olivia.”

“Would you mind if I kept it formal at Miss Spencer?”

“Not at all.”

“Good. I’ll do that.”

Silence.

Neither of us said a word for several minutes, and I could feel a palpable tension building between us. I could feel myself being drawn to him, like if he didn’t move soon, I would be tempted to close the gap between us.

“I take it that Mara instructed you to use today to go over my rulebook?” He finally spoke again.

“She did, yes.”

“Well, if I were you I’d make sure to finish it as quickly as you can,” he said, stepping back. “This will be the easiest day you ever have under me…”

“Okay.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. “Looking forward to working with you, Judge Ashton.”

“Me, too, Miss Spencer.” He smiled. “Me too…”

He looked me over one last time before returning to his office and slamming the door shut.

RETRIBUTION (N.):

A FORM OF PUNISHMENT INFLICTED ON A PERSON AS A DESERVED PENALTY FOR A CRIMINAL ACT OR WRONGDOING.

LIAM

She honestly thinks I don’t remember her?

The moment I saw her standing at that desk, I was torn between calling the police on her and tasting her mouth.

But after talking to her, I was convinced that she deserved an Academy Award for her stunning performance.

I paced my office, stunned at how easily she’d lied to my face.

Not a single shred of remorse crossed her face over her obvious crime of fucking up my cars weeks ago. And every half-truth that left her puffy pink lips would’ve been more than believable if I didn’t know any better.