Merry Christmas Darling

By Stone Richards

When Chase Harper and Trey Thomas opened their law firm, they never envisioned racketeering businessman, Markus Fitzgerald, being their client—or that Trey’s gambling addiction would land the firm in Fitzgerald’s debt.

Can Chase dig up enough dirt in Fitzgerald’s past to counter his blackmail scheme? Or is Trey destined to work off his losses in Fitzgerald’s secret club?

• Language: English
• Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc
• Release date: Dec 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781554877485

Book preview

Chapter 1

Chase Harper combed his fingers through his hair. It had been a long day. Pulling his gaze away from Markus Fitzgerald’s back, he strode to the elevator. Damn. He had stared at the man long enough before he left his office. He shook his head. Being an attorney had been his dream since he was a boy, but taking on Markus Fitzgerald and his business ventures made him wish he had chosen another profession.

Markus Fitzgerald had a sordid reputation in Montgomery Falls. Gambling and prostitution had been tied to one of his businesses and it was even rumored he had a few of the city policemen on his payroll. He lived in a mansion at the edge of the city with his third wife, a former beauty queen with a penchant for fast cars and big diamonds. In his early forties, strutting around town with a Cuban cigar clamped between his teeth, always ready to invest in city improvements.

Chase smiled. Fitzgerald’s investments with the city kept him abreast of everything going on. He knew when the police were investigating questionable businesses or delving into the backgrounds of the local big wigs. Avoiding being a target of the council was easy when you sat on the board.

The intercom on the corner of his desk buzzed and he pushed the flashing button. Yeah, Mary, what is it? Frowning, he realized his tone sounded a bit harsh. Maybe he needed a drink to get the meeting with Fitzgerald out of his head.

You’re ten o’clock cancelled, Chase. I thought you would want to know.

Well, hell yes. I want to know. He shook his head. What was wrong with Mary? Maybe he should invite her in for a drink. Then they both could get their heads on straight. Have you heard from McNeill?

No, sir, I suppose he plans to keep the appointment since he hasn’t called.

Chase released the call button and levered himself out of the desk chair. He had expected Rand Crawford to cancel on him. He was one of Trey’s clients and since Trey seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth, his regulars weren’t willing to trust the other partner in the firm.

Chase and Trey Thomas had started their law firm right out of college, begging every penny they could from lending institutions in town to rent office space and buy furnishings. One trip to the city council had garnered them the title of attorneys for the city. It was a small account, once the city realized they needed to know what they were investing in before plopping down the taxpayers’ money.

Trey disappeared about four months ago and Chase hadn’t heard one word from him since. Despite the pending cases on his desk and the rent being past due on his apartment, he hadn’t made any effort to set things right. He simply vanished. His car was in the parking spot at the high rise and his bank accounts hadn’t been touched.

Chase shook his head as he crossed the floor to the liquor cabinet in the corner of the office. It might be a little early to start drinking, but who was keeping track? He had spent the past months worrying about Trey, trying to find him, hoping he would come back to town. Sometimes he wondered why he bothered. Trey had a gambling problem and despite repeated attempts to help him kick the habit, he suspected his disappearance had something to do with a bad debt.

Splashing scotch into a glass, he raised it to his mouth. He should find someone to replace Trey. Damn. The business was suffering in his absence and financially, they couldn’t afford to lose many more clients to competitors. Lawyers were a dime a dozen in Montgomery Falls. At first, they considered opening their office in neighboring Randolph, a town about the same size as Montgomery Falls, but that area was overrun with drug dealers and small pot farms. Avoiding clients with drug affiliations had been high on their list. But then Markus Fitzgerald came into the office one day. Trey had accepted a retainer from him before either of them fully knew who he was. Pissing and moaning about the guy won’t help.

Chase returned to his desk and picked up the envelope Markus handed him when he arrived at the office. He had been reluctant to open it, afraid he would be unable to hide the expression on his face. He didn’t like accepting gifts from clients—especially Markus Fitzgerald. His gifts only led to other commitments and God knew they were indebted to him too much