Breaking Her Defences: The Coopers, #1

By Bailie Hantam and Jasmine Bell

 Johannesburg… City of Gold. City of Love? 

Adam Cooper can't do relationships, and has two failed engagements to prove it. His work as a lawyer, a shark in the courtroom, brings out a side of him that women don't like or understand.
With his last breakup, he was left so disillusioned he not only swore off relationships but even took an extended break from the work he loves. 

And then Holly Monroe, arrives in Johannesburg.

She has been on her own since she was fifteen. With a past she's trying to forget and a future she's afraid to hope for, Adam and his big, loving family are exactly what she cannot allow herself to trust. She is determined to maintain her defences and rely only on herself. It's safer that way. 

The more Adam gets to know Holly, the more he wants to break his no relationship rule. But his killer instinct that's been honed for cross-examining witnesses in the courtroom rears its head in their romance. He can't shake the feeling she's keeping secrets from him. And Adam knows that secrets in a relationship lead only to one verdict.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bailie Hantam
• Release date: May 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393357780

Book preview

Adam pulled a bottle of water from the fridge and poured it into a glass. Now, remember, he said walking back into the living room handing the glass to his associate. Pour yourself a drink of water before the judge enters. You don’t want the distraction of the glass clinking. It makes you look nervous and the defence will play on that.

Taryn pushed her blonde hair from her face. Pour water, don’t shuffle papers, wear antiperspirant. Anything else?

Adam shook his head, smiling at her. Listen, smart-ass. Judges are easy. At least we don’t have to put up with a jury system. But a defence attorney who doesn’t need to impress a jury is a dangerous thing. And Roderick Sparks will try and unnerve you. You drink a sip of water before you start, if you need to, but not the whole glass. And do not break your momentum to drink more. Wait until you’re done.

Leaning his hips against the mantle over his mother’s fireplace, Adam nodded at Taryn. Go, again. He suppressed a smile as she took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. He’d been listening to her rehearse her opening statement for hours.

She was due in court on Monday and wanted to make sure she delivered it at just the right tempo. Taking two sips of water, as instructed, Taryn placed the glass on the polished tree-stump coffee table. Good Morning, Your Honour...

As she repeated herself, she steepled her hands in front of her as she spoke. It amused him how seriously she took all the tricks she’d learned. She’d read an article that some judges found it distracting when attorney moved their hands while they spoke. It wasn’t a deal breaker in his opinion, but she’d forced herself not to display the habit.

Adam had no doubt she was going to pull out every trick she had for this case. There was a part of him that wanted to be by her side when she went up against the high-powered media mogul, but she didn’t need him there. His job was to make sure she was well prepared when she walked into court. Of course, there comes a point when one is as prepared as they’re going to be. Taryn had more than reached that point— about two hours ago.

Indulging her obsessive need to be prepared wasn’t a chore. The stakes were high. It was the biggest case of her short career and he was damn proud of the argument and strategy she had put together. The idea was to not just get her prepared, but confident as well. Or at least appear that way.

He was tempted to run through the list of things he had to do while she was in court next week and their offices were closed for renovations. But as both Taryn’s boss and best friend, he would do whatever he could to make sure she was successful.

He mouthed the statement as she said it, knowing it by heart at this stage. He kept his gaze lowered, so as not distract her. Her long skirt swished along the floor as she paced along the living room. Once she was in heels however, the aimless walking would be minimised.

A small smile curved his lips as she paused and emphasized at the exact right spots. She was going to nail it and he couldn’t be more proud of her. As she finished and drank more water, he sent a big smile in her direction. He would’ve hugged her, but he could tell by her tense posture she wasn’t ready.

Instead she folded her tall frame onto the suede tan couch behind her and slumped her shoulders. He gave her a few minutes, watching as she regained her composure.

She wasn’t particularly curvy, but with those big blue eyes and welcoming smile, she was hardly lacking for male attention. He thought growing up close to her family that he and his brothers had immunity from her and her sister’s charms. At least, that’s how it felt to him. His youngest brother, Logan was a different story.

It was a no-brainer when he hired her. Very few firms were hiring constitutional law specialists, let alone anyone looking to go into gender equality. As a result she’d been with him when he originally started his own practice, nearly a year ago. Now, she was with him as he expanded it.

She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes at him. I am going to nail that douchebag’s ass. She shook out her hands that had been clenched the entire time she was rehearsing. And he’s not even going to see it coming. Should I run through it again?

Adam shook his head. You’ve got this. If you over rehearse, you run the risk of not being prepared for the unexpected. He pushed away from the mantle and gripped her upper arms. Just relax. The evidence will speak for itself.

You’re telling me to relax? She shook her head. I’m preparing for the biggest case of my career so far. I’m entitled to be a little wound up. You have two weeks out of the office, and you’re not taking advantage if it.

Adam narrowed his eyes. You know it’s not a holiday, right? There’s a ton of shit I need to do.

His top priority was hiring a new assistant. He also needed to start interviewing more attorneys. He’d employed two more associates, but he was still carrying the bulk of the caseload.

He looked forward to two weeks alone house-sitting his mother’s place to sort all those things out and he would run the interviews from a hotel conference room. He had meetings with clients as well. But none of those cases excited him. What did excite him was taking some time out to watch Taryn in court. He especially wanted to watch her cross-examine the defendant.

Taryn sat on the couch and rested her feet on the coffee table. The living room could hardly be described as cozy. It was larger than most, and nearly empty. His mother was in the process of redecorating as she converted his childhood home into a Bed & Breakfast.

Get an assistant. Taryn folded her arms, her voice relaxing as she was coming out of her court haze. And then let her do the rest. You could use some time off. Or you could come watch me in court. I’m hoping Pamela will be able to take the stand on Monday.

You know he’s going to tear her apart on cross examination, right? Adam paced across the living room She’s claiming a hostile work environment. She wasn’t fired or even demoted or transferred. He didn’t taint her performance appraisals or impact her career in any way. Their argument is going to be, ‘Where’s the harm?’

Taryn flopped back, resting her hands behind her head. She knows what to expect. I have a strategy. This is not about the money for her. And I will make sure it reflects well on the firm.

He wasn’t worried about that. Sexual harassment was Taryn’s wheel-house. She had ensured hefty settlements for her clients who were fired after they refused to perform sexual favours. But this case was different. The media coverage would ensure it would be tried in more than just a court of law. You want to set a precedent. I know. You are prepared for the media onslaught, right?

A heavy sigh escaped her lips. I plan on using it. I told you, I have it all planned out.

Adam smiled. Taryn was the ultimate strategist. If the media was part of her plan, she was looking to influence public opinion. She wanted to ruin that douchebag. He smiled at the beauty of it— if she pulled it off. How can I help?

Twisting her lip, she narrowed her eyes at him. You can take the next two weeks away from the office to relax. Maybe sit at my side on occasion. But when I need your help, I’ll ask. Besides, you haven’t been court-ready for quite a while.

Adam let out an exasperated breath. He should’ve known she’d bring that up. What makes you think I’m not court-ready? Just because I’ve been able to settle cases before they get adversarial, doesn’t mean I can’t.

Taryn took a deep breath, not taking her gaze off him. He shifted from one foot to the other. Here it comes. She’d been circling around this conversation for weeks. He knew what she wanted to talk about. He just didn’t want to discuss it.

She braced her elbows on her knees. So we’re not going to address the fact that you haven’t set foot in a courtroom in six months. You’ve basically settled every case since your breakup with Trish. That’s not normal for someone who thrives on the kill.

Adam smiled. He may be off his game, but he could still fight back. He looked over to the kitchen to make sure his mother wasn’t around. I’d rather we address the fact that you had unprotected sex with my baby brother.

The way she ground her jaw told him she was not going to be put off by his deflection. You are my boss and my mentor. Anything affecting that is my business. My one-night stand with Logan is none of yours. Besides, I’m not ready to talk about that. She puffed out a deep breath. I’m worried about you. Your instincts are honed for the fight. Take the next two weeks and get your head right. Hire an assistant. Get laid, if you must. Anything to get back that killer instinct.

He would go stir-crazy with nothing to do. Besides, he’d just spend the time obsessing over how he fucked up with Trish. Or worse, dwell on the secret he was keeping from his family. Are you implying that I’m gun-shy? Because, not all cases need to go to court. I assure you, none of my clients have been left with anything less than what they’re entitled to and what they deserve.

Her face softened. I’m not saying you haven’t been doing your job. But you get a certain kind of pleasure from tearing dick-heads apart? And the only place you get to do that is in court, making sure some asshole husband gets what he deserves.

He narrowed his eyes, but couldn’t help the smile that formed. And you think getting laid will help with that? I’m not sure that’s how it works.

Smiling, she tilted her head. It’s worth a try. Hey, at the very least, it might actually mellow your cranky ass out.

Adam laughed. She was suggesting the exact opposite of what he planned. But he supposed casual hookups were a more pleasant way of keeping his mind off Trish, his ex-fiancée. Sure, she’d cheated on him. But he wasn’t exactly innocent. Maybe if he’d invested more in the relationship and spent more time at home, she wouldn’t have gone looking somewhere else. Which was precisely why he was staying away from women until things at work calmed down.

Before he could get lost in that train of thought or listen to more of Taryn’s conversation, her phone buzzed from the coffee table.

Picking it up, she rolled her eyes. Janine wants to know what time they’re all supposed to be here.

Wyatt just started the fire. Adam pushed away from the mantle. He looked at his watch. Still only ten in the morning. One o’clock should be plenty of time.

Taryn grabbed her keys off the table and headed for the door when the outside gate buzzer rang through the house. I’ll get that on my way out.

His mother came bustling in from the patio, Caulson, her border collie, hot on her heels. She pulled garden gloves from her hands and smoothed her blonde hair. No need, sweetheart. She gave Taryn a quick kiss on the cheek. That’s probably the new tenant.

Adam froze and frowned at his mother. Tenant?

His mother looked at him and sent him a sideways glance. Yes. Remember I said I was going to rent out the flat?

He vaguely remembered her mentioning it weeks ago. I thought that was only happening next month When you get back from your cruise?

His mother pushed back another strand of hair, a clear sign that she was nervous. Yes. Well, she had some sort of emergency and I said she could move in earlier. Instead of questioning me, why don’t you move the furniture and bring in the trestle tables. I’ll get her settled in.

Her? As far as Adam could remember his mother, and before her, his grandmother, were the only women to live on the property. He didn’t have a problem with it, but he worried about his mother alone in the big house. With a man, she’d at least be a little safer. You’re leasing to a woman?

His mother frowned at him. After spending my whole adult life with you boys, I thought it was time for female company.

His mother turned on her heels and headed for the door, with Caulson leading the way. Taryn unsuccessfully smothered a smile. Come, I’ll help you with those tables before I leave.

Unable to restrain his curiosity, Adam picked up the keys to the garage from the hook by the door and headed in the same direction as his mother. Let’s go through the front.

He stopped short in the doorway. Caulson was bounding towards their new visitor. Adam slipped on his sunglasses. At the very least he wouldn’t get caught staring.

The woman pushed back a strand of long dark hair, revealing a small smile as she crouched down to meet the beloved collie. She didn’t look like she was there to take advantage of anyone. Still, looks could be deceiving. Besides, it was impossible to make any kind of rational analysis when all his focus was on the impossibly tight jeans she was wearing.

Maybe he would consider Taryn’s suggestion. The woman would be staying on the property, which would be helluva convenient. If she was up for it, of course. She petted the dog behind the ear. Lucky dog.

It was easy to see why Johannesburg was considered the largest man-made forest in the world. From the backseat of her Uber, Holly Monroe tried to count the different types of trees lining the streets as she drove through the northern suburbs on her way to her new home. Focusing on the scenery only partly alleviated the knot in her stomach that had been growing steadily since she’d made the decision to relocate. Not that she had much choice. This was where she was needed. A new home, hopefully a new job. And definitely a new purpose.

Thinking about the responsibility she planned to take on thickened the unsettled feeling in her stomach. No matter how many jacaranda or willow trees she spotted, she still couldn’t shake the need to vomit. She swallowed hard, looking at the driver in the rear-view mirror. How much longer?

All she could see in the mirror were his dark eyes. We’re just over a kilometer away. It’s probably a good idea to let your people know you’ll be there in a few minutes.

Holly unlocked her phone and texted Mrs. Cooper, her new landlady. Drumming her fingers on her leg she willed the two grey ticks to turn blue. Would the driver get there before Mrs. Cooper read the message? Would she need to call the landline number?

The driver pulled to a stop in front of a three meter high white wall with a black palisade gate across a red-bricked driveway. Her phone dinged a response from Mrs. Cooper, allowing Holly to exhale the shaky breath she’d been holding.

She thanked the driver as she stepped out of the silver sedan. With a satisfied smile she walked to the back of the car and waited for the driver to open the trunk.

She slung her black leather handbag over her shoulder. Wearing no makeup and her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, Holly hoped to make a good first impression with her new landlady. The driver handed her the suitcase and she wheeled it to the gate. Pressing the buzzer, she swallowed the hint of bile rising in her throat.

While she waited, she rated the driver a five on the app. He’d been kind and even shared some anecdotes about her new city. Listening to him talk about his city had helped to abate her fears that moving there was a big mistake.

The ground was bone dry despite the heavy rain when she left the airport. She could still catch the smell of damp concrete mixed with the florals of the suburb. Something about it gave her the feeling of home. Strange really, since it smelled nothing like Cape Town. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment.

She wiped sweaty palms on her jeans as she waited for Mrs. Cooper. The black denim and fuzzy boots were a mistake. Who knew autumn meant something totally different in the north to what it meant in Cape Town? She’d dressed for the