Author's Preface
[Cont.]
[Annie]
The double doors of Mr. Kapoor's corner office click open, breaking the silence in the conference room.
James doesn't say another word.
He gathers his files, slips them into his leather portfolio, gives us a brief nod, and heads out into the hallway.
I stay where I am, staring at the darkened screen of my tablet until a shadow falls across the table.
Kai stands a few feet away, silent for a moment.
He reaches out and pulls the heavy door shut, cutting off the noise of lawyers and paralegals passing through the hallway.
When he turns back, his face is neutral, but his jaw is tight.
"Annie." His voice is low and rough, still a little hoarse from the fever.
I finally look up and slip my iPad into my bag, putting the familiar distance between us back in place. "The PR summary for Senior Counsel Mehta is ready. We should head down to the cars before—"
"You look tired," Kai interrupts quietly.
He leans back against the edge of the table and crosses his arms, his eyes fixed on mine.
"It's just been a busy morning," I say, keeping my tone strictly professional as I straighten my papers. "The hearing is in less than two hours."
"I don't mean the hearing." He tilts his head slightly, watching my hands. "Your focus was off during the first half of the brief."
My fingers pause. "I caught the gap in the zonal filing."
"You did," Kai acknowledges softly. "That was sharp. But you hesitated. You've been on edge since we walked into this office."
He doesn't mention James or ask about our history either.
He's only looking at me, like he's trying to figure out what's had me on edge all morning.
"I'm managing a high-stakes legal injunction for SilverOak, Mr. Sterlings," I say, using the formal title like a shield. "A little tension comes with the job."
Something shifts at the corner of Kai's mouth, but he lets the title pass without comment.
He pushes away from the table and takes two steps in my direction, stopping right in front of me.
He leans slightly, resting one hand on the back of my seat.
"I need this team running without friction, Annie," he says, his voice low and steady. "If something—or someone—in this room is throwing you off, tell me. It gets handled."
My pulse quickens, but I keep my face blank as he makes it sound like a question about work.
"Everything is fine," I say, making sure my voice doesn't tremble. "The research is solid. We're going to get the stay order."
Kai searches my face for another second, as if waiting for me to give something away.
Then he taps his knuckles once against the seat back and straightens up, buttoning his suit jacket.
[ *** ]
The High Court looms over the crowded plaza, its stone pillars throwing long shadows across the steps.
Advocates in black robes sweep past in hurried clusters, their voices lost in the echo of footsteps against the marble steps.
John brings the car to a smooth stop near the entrance.
Kai steps out first, checking his wristwatch, and holds the door open for me.
He stays close as I step onto the pavement, his hand hovering near my waist to keep the bustling crowd from brushing past.
"Mr. Sterlings."
Mr. Kapoor is waiting near the security arches at the top of the stairs, with two junior clerks carrying thick briefs beside him.
James is standing right beside him.
In the daylight, James looks just as composed as he did in the office.
His advocate's robe hangs neatly over his broad shoulders, his collar band crisp against his dark suit.
"The bench is taking their seats in Courtroom Four," Mr. Kapoor says as he starts toward the main corridor with Kai. "Senior Counsel Mehta is already inside."
Kai falls into step beside Mr. Kapoor, his stride long and deliberate. "Is the opposing side attempting a settlement?"
"Not a chance. They're pushing hard for the interim stay."
I trail half a step behind them, my folders tucked securely against my chest.
James intentionally slows his pace, dropping back until he is walking right beside me in the wide corridor.
Our heels click in unison against the polished floor.
"The courtrooms here get pretty cold," James says quietly, keeping his eyes straight ahead.
His voice is low enough that only I can hear, with none of the professional distance from before. "You always used to freeze in such older buildings."
My jaw clenches, but I don't turn my head to look at him. "Focus on the bench, Advocate Merren."
A small smile tugs at the corner of James's mouth.
"I am focused, Annie. We've got a solid argument. And for what it's worth, I haven't lost one of these in three years. You don't need to be anxious about the motion."
"I'm not anxious about the motion," I say softly, my voice cold.
Before James can reply, Kai slows his stride, letting Mr. Kapoor move slightly ahead toward the entrance.
He steps between us and reaches for the document on top of my folder.
"Are the supplemental filings attached, Annie?" Kai asks, his voice calm and even.
"Right behind the main brief," I reply, handing him the top sheet.
James stops near the entrance, holding the heavy wooden door open for us.
As Kai walks past, he meets James's eyes for a moment and gives him a brief nod.
"After you, Mr. Sterlings," James says, keeping his tone perfectly restrained.
"Thank you, James," Kai says, not breaking his stride as he guides me into Courtroom Four.
[ *** ]
The heavy wooden gavel cracks against the bench, the sound echoing off the high, paneled walls.
The hearing begins with Senior Counsel Mehta opening our case.
The opposing counsel pushes for an immediate stay, arguing that there are still environmental concerns surrounding SilverOak's eastern sector.
James takes over when the argument turns to the zoning issue.
He goes through their claims one by one, pointing out the gaps in their filings and referring back to the precedent cases from our research.
By the time he finishes, the other side has little left to say.
Kai says nothing beside me.
He watches the bench, his attention fixed on the judge as Justice Edwin goes through the supplemental filings.
[ *** ]
Almost an hour has passed since the hearing began.
The courtroom settles into silence as Justice Edwin reviews the files in front of him.
After a long moment, he looks up.
"Application for interim stay is dismissed," Justice Edwin announces, his sharp, clipped tone cutting through the quiet room.
"The petitioner has failed to establish a prima facie case. Construction on the eastern site may proceed."
A quiet wave of relief washes through our side of the table.
Beside me, Mr. Kapoor lets out a soft exhale, a satisfied smile touching his lips as he gathers his files. "Clean victory, Mr. Sterlings. Well handled."
Kai doesn't celebrate, only exhaling as he reaches for his jacket.
His eyes briefly flick toward the front table, where James is calmly organizing his notes into his briefcase.
As much as I hate to admit it, James was good in there.
As the room empties, Senior Counsel Mehta steps out to speak with the clerk, leaving the four of us standing in the quiet atrium outside the oak doors.
"Solid work today, James," Mr. Kapoor says, patting James on the shoulder. "I'll pick up the certified order tomorrow morning. Go ahead and head back to the office to archive the filings."
"Will do, sir," James replies politely.
As Mr. Kapoor walks toward the main exit, James zips his portfolio and steps toward me.
"Annie," James says quietly, his gaze fixed on me. "Do you have a second? I wanted to quickly go over the final documentation for the city council records before—"
"We're on a tight schedule," Kai's voice cuts in, low and measured.
He moves to my side before James can finish.
"It's a long drive back, Advocate Merren, and the weather's turning. Annie and I should get on the road before it gets too late," Kai says, looking at his watch before glancing up to meet James's gaze.
He gives James a small nod. "And good work today. You handled the oral arguments well."
James hesitates, and a flash of frustration crosses his face before his composure smooths back out. "Thank you, Mr. Sterlings. Glad we got the result."
He looks past Kai's shoulder to me. "Have a safe drive back, Miss Annie."
"Thank you, Mr. Merren," I reply, keeping my hands folded over my folders. "Good work today."
Kai places his hand lightly at the small of my back and turns toward the main glass exit, where John is waiting with the car.
As we step outside, I look back once.
James is still standing near the archway, watching the doors close behind us.