Influence Read online

  “I don’t think you’re bullshitting me, and I understand everything you’re telling me. Trust me, we’ve pulled the records of all the young men,” he said.

  “So, what’s the problem?” I asked.

  ADA Brown leaned his arm against the wall and looked me in the eye. “We’re not talking about a simple marijuana charge, Miss Hudson. We’re talking about possession with intent to distribute. You want your client out of there, then tell him to tell me which one of his buddies that dope belongs to, because until we find out, the only place any one of them is going is Rikers.”

  This was not good. On one side, I had a brother who was determined to save his friends; on the other side, I was facing an ADA who was determined to make my brother rat out one of his friends—and neither one looked willing to budge. For a moment, I felt frozen, standing there speechless as I stared at the ADA with the cocky smirk on his face. What the hell was I going to do to convince either one of them?

  “Ms. Hudson?” he said when I failed to speak up.

  “Yes?”

  “When you finish with your client, we’re taking him down to central booking to be processed.”

  I slowly took a step back, then returned to the interrogation room. Langston gave me a look of anticipation. When I shook my head at him, his body deflated.

  “Langston, listen to me. This isn’t the time for you to prove your loyalty to your friends, your fraternity, or anything else. You’ve heard Daddy say time and time again that self-preservation is the first law of nature, and this is one of those situations where you need to look out for self,” I explained, hoping he would hear me. “That’s the only way you’re gonna have a chance in hell of getting out of here today.”

  “But the drugs don’t belong to me,” he said, his voice full of anger and frustration.

  “I know that; you know that; shit, even the cops know that, I think. But they belong to somebody.” I walked over and touched his shoulder, leaning down and whispering, “Langston, whose are they?”

  Langston pulled away from me, shaking his head. “I swear, I don’t know.”

  Lamont

  16

  “Lamont Hudson for Felicia Cooper.” I announced myself as I entered the reception area of Greene, Parker, and Cooper. The meeting at Klein’s office had taken much less time than I expected, and I was actually early for my lunch appointment at the boutique law firm.

  “I’ll let her know you’re here, Mr. Hudson. Can I get you some water or coffee while you wait?” The cute little Latin receptionist directed me to the waiting area.

  “No, thank you.” I was tempted to get my flirt on, but I was there on a more important mission, and I couldn’t afford to get sidetracked.

  I had taken a seat on the Italian leather sofa and was admiring the impressive skyline views when I heard the click-clacking of high heels, and then my name being called.

  “Mr. Hudson.”

  I looked up to see some of the finest, shapeliest long legs I’d seen in a long time. Attached to those legs was Felicia Cooper, the beautiful light-eyed, biracial senior partner I was there to meet. Felicia was one of those smart, conservative sisters who was about her business but was so afraid to let down her hair that she came across as arrogant and bitter. But she always looked damn good, no matter how bad her attitude could be.

  “Good morning, Ms. Cooper,” I said.

  “Mr. Hudson, why don’t you come on back.” Her footsteps clacked against the marble floor as she led me down the corridor into a large corner office. She closed the door behind us and motioned toward the large chairs in front of her mahogany desk. “Please, have a seat.”

  “Thank you.” I waited for her to walk around her desk and sit first. And yes, I was being polite, but I was also checking out her impressive, J Lo–looking ass that could not be hidden by her business-appropriate skirt. Once she took her seat, I sat down, glancing around the room at her office, taking note of the educational accomplishments and various accolades from other organizations and civic leagues hanging on the walls. I was more impressed by her superhero figurine collection and martial arts trophies, along with the 90-inch television hanging on her wall. The damn thing was bigger than the one I had in my media room at my home. Her office would put even some of the best man caves to shame.

  After a few moments of silence, I said, “I take it you’re a comic book fan?”

  “Yes, but I’m more of a super heroine fan. I like strong women. They motivate me,” she said in a voice that suddenly made me imagine her as someone’s dominatrix.

  “I like a strong woman myself. They motivate me as well,” I replied with a smile, which she returned. If I wasn’t mistaken, we shared a moment, although it didn’t last long. She opened the manila folder sitting in front of her and took out a piece of paper.

  “I have to admit, I’m surprised. I didn’t think you’d take me up on my offer,” she said. It would appear she was getting right down to business.

  Felicia and I had met about two years ago in a courtroom where I, quite honestly, whipped her ass. She didn’t like that, but was impressed by my skills nonetheless, so two days later, she called and offered me a job. I declined, of course, but she’d been pursuing me ever since. We’d bumped into each other a few nights ago at a legal function, and she’d decided that she had to have me, so here we were.

  “Well, I haven’t decided yet, but I also don’t see any harm in taking a meeting and hearing you out.”

  “You call it a meeting. I like to think of it as an interview.” She stared at me as if we were playing poker and she was looking for tells.

  “I guess that all depends on who’s interviewing who?” I cracked a slight smile, leaning back comfortably in my chair.

  “You’re an interesting man, Mr. Hudson.” She put down the paper, stood up, and slipped her blazer off her shoulders, placing it on the back of the chair. Underneath, she wore a silk camisole, and her lace bra was noticeable. Her eyes met mine, and she gave me a slight smile. “I’ve often wondered why you’ve stayed in your father’s shadow for so long.”

  I stared at her intensely as I answered. “You’re only in someone’s shadow if you don’t know your own self-worth, Ms. Cooper. My father’s a great lawyer, and so am I, as you well know. He has his strengths, and so do I. Why should we compete with each other, when together we are damn near invincible?”

  I think my reply shocked her a little bit. As good as she looked, she probably wasn’t used to a man who could contain himself once she’d bared those beautiful, smooth shoulders.

  “I can see you’re the ultimate team player,” she said, not giving up on her pitch just yet. “You definitely have a lot to offer that would be beneficial to me, and I have a lot to offer as well. I’m a strong believer in reciprocity.”

  She picked up the folder again, then walked to the front of the desk and leaned against it. Her shapely legs crossed at the ankles, and my gaze made its way up her incredible body. She was athletic and toned. I had no doubt she hit the gym on the regular.

  “I’m really big on giving and receiving as well. Don’t you feel that’s important, Ms. Cooper?” I said suggestively as I let my gaze settle around her midsection, where I would have loved to bury my face.

  “I do.” She removed her glasses and asked, “So, what makes you feel as if you’re qualified for the position I’m looking to fill?”

  “You’ve seen my body of work, and I know that I not only have the qualifications needed, but I have the experience. If anything, I’m overqualified,” I said with confidence. It might have come across as arrogant, but with a woman like Felicia, you don’t back down if you want her to respect you as an equal.

  “Well, Mr. Hudson, I would like to stress the importance of... flexibility in your job duties. Will that be a problem?” She placed the folder on the desk and then slid up so she was sitting on top of the desk. Her skirt slid up to reveal the sexy black garter that was holding up the sheer black stockings she wore. I allowed my eyes to l
inger there for a second before I looked back up into her eyes.

  “No problem whatsoever, except you keep referring to this job as if it’s a forgone conclusion that I’m taking it.” I’m not sure if she realized I could see the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. She could play it cool all she wanted, but I was getting a rise out of this sexy woman. “You have yet to put an offer on the table.”

  “Well then, Mr. Hudson, when you put it that way, I guess there is no reason to beat around the bush any longer.” She raised her skirt all the way, showing off her freshly Brazilian-waxed kitty. “I’d like to officially offer you the position of fuck buddy with full benefits, but I must stress that you take it now, or I’ll have to fill the job immediately with someone less qualified.”

  I admired the view for a second, enjoying the tension I created by making her wait for my answer. “You’re rushing me, Ms. Cooper,” I teased. “Under normal circumstances, I don’t do anything under duress; however, I can see that you are in dire need of my expertise in this area. I accept your offer.”

  I swear I saw a ripple of anticipation pass over her body, and her thighs trembled ever so slightly. I leaned forward and lowered my head between Felicia’s legs, running my tongue along her lips until I found her clit.

  “Fuck! I knew you were the man for the job!” Felicia moaned, picking up the remote and turning on the TV so that the rest of her office wouldn’t hear her moans.

  I licked and sucked her clit until she couldn’t take it anymore. She pushed me away after a very intense orgasm.

  “Fuck me,” she demanded, reaching for her purse to hand me a condom. “I’ve been waiting to feel you inside me for two years.”

  I dropped my pants and slipped on the condom. Felicia positioned herself over her desk, ass up. I couldn’t wait to get up inside her—until I noticed the picture of my father on the television with the words Breaking News flashing beneath it. I stepped away from her, my eyes glued to the screen.

  “What are you waiting for, Lamont? Put it in,” Felicia snapped at me.

  “Hold on a second.” I reached for the remote lying on the desk and turned the volume up even higher.

  “Are you serious?” She stood up, staring at me—not that I cared.

  “This just in: the youngest son of renowned attorney Bradley Hudson, best known for getting actor TJ Winter off for the murder of his wife and in-laws, was arrested today, along with three other men, in one of the largest drug seizures in Staten Island history.”

  “Oh my God. Is that true, Lamont? Is that your brother?” Felicia came to stand next to me as we watched video of Langston being perp-walked out of a police precinct, handcuffed, for the world to see.

  “Looks like him.” I felt a giant knot developing in the pit of my stomach because I knew it was, in fact, my little brother. Then I felt my insides lurch, like I might throw up, when I saw my sister on the screen, standing to the side. Desiree was trying to stay in the shadows, but she couldn’t hide from me. “Dammit!”

  “Is there anything I can do?” Felicia asked.

  “You can give me a rain check,” I said, reaching for my pants to get my phone. I scrolled through my contacts and dialed.

  “Hello,” Desiree answered.

  “What the fuck is going on? You and Langston are all over the news!” I shouted angrily.

  “Oh God,” she said. “I was just going to call you.”

  “Just going to call me? Our little brother just got perp-walked for all of New York to see. You should have called me when you first found out about this, Des! And you should have made them cover his hands to hide the handcuffs, and you should have made him wear his hoodie.”

  “I didn’t think about that,” she said. I could hear in her voice she was on the verge of hysteria, and I knew I needed to dial my anger back or she would lose it.

  “I can imagine,” I said calmly. “That’s why you should have called me. Have you spoken to Dad?”

  “No, I was hoping you would call him. He’s already mad at me.”

  He hasn’t begun to be mad at you, I thought as I stepped into my pants. Felicia zipped me up and buckled my belt.

  “Okay, I’ll deal with the old man, but you need to hustle down to the Staten Island Courthouse and slow things down until I get there.”

  “How do I do that?” she asked quietly.

  I kept forgetting that she was only one year out of law school. Desiree had a good legal mind, but she was still green when it came to the inner workings of a criminal case. Shit, a criminal case. I couldn’t believe I was even thinking those words in relation to my brother, the straight-laced college student. I had no idea what the details were, but this was a code red emergency, and Langston was going to need all the help he could get.

  “Register with the clerk as Lang’s counsel; then leave the courthouse until I get there. They can’t arraign him without counsel being present. But whatever you do, Des, don’t let him be arraigned. Okay? If you do, he’ll get lost in the system for two days.”

  “Okay. Uh, Lamont?”

  “Yeah, sis.”

  “Is Langston going to be all right?” she whispered.

  “Langston is going to be fine. Me and Dad will figure this out. We always do.” I said the words, but I wasn’t quite sure I believed them myself.

  Bradley

  17

  I texted my driver to bring my car around to the front of the Manhattan Supreme Court the second I got off the phone with Lamont. My son was innocent. Langston might have been capable of many things, but distribution of drugs wasn’t one of them. Of this, I was absolutely sure.

  There was one thing I had to do before I left the courthouse and headed to Staten Island. It was something I had to do in person, face to face. Of course, I hated the idea of possibly missing Langston’s arraignment, but Lamont was more than capable of handling it. Besides, the real lawyering wasn’t going to begin until I found out who was prosecuting the case.

  “Your Honor, my client had a non-disclosure agreement that forbade him from coming forward with any personal details observed while employed,” Richard Engel, the counsel for the defense, stated as I walked into the courtroom of the Honorable Jacqueline Robinson. I’d known Richard for years. He wasn’t a great lawyer, but he was a hell of a golfer.

  “And your client’s sexual harassment of my client makes that agreement null and void,” argued Barry Engel, Richard’s cousin and the attorney for the other side. I also knew Barry. He wasn’t the greatest lawyer either, but he was an even better golfer.

  These two particular lawyers had been in a continuous pissing contest ever since they split up their partnership five years ago and went out on their own. I guess Grandma had given more hugs and kisses to one of them. To this day, they acted like they were still competing for good ol’ Granny’s love.

  Barry started, “Your Honor, according to Article—”

  “Enough!” Judge Robinson slammed her gavel down.

  “But, Your Honor.” Richard insisted on getting the last word. “My client is a celebrity. This will have every money-grubbing sycophant filing a lawsuit.”

  “Especially the ones with three years of evidence,” Barry said sarcastically.

  “I don’t know, gentlemen. This seems like a perfect time to settle,” Judge Robinson said in a calm, authoritative voice. She made eye contact with me for the first time since I’d entered the back of her courtroom.

  I watched as Barry and Richard shot daggers at one another. My courtroom sixth sense told me that Richard was considering her suggestion. Barry, on the other hand, wasn’t convinced a settlement was the right way to go. Just when a flicker of hope sparkled in the Richards’s eyes, Barry frowned at him and blew it out.

  “We’re not settling.” Barry could hardly keep the wicked grin from lifting the corners of his mouth.

  Richard just about sprang across the aisle, but he caught himself. He cleared his throat and then straightened his tie. I hate to admit it, but I would have lo
ved to see that fight. He shook his head as if clearing it, then looked dead into Barry’s eyes. “Then prepare for the first video to go viral on TMZ.”

  The judge slammed her gavel down again. “No, it won’t, Mr. Engel. And if I hear that video is played at so much as a kid’s birthday party, I’ll lock you up for thirty days and hold you in contempt. Now, I’m sending this case to mediation.”

  Judge Robinson slammed her gavel down. With business before the court concluded, she locked her eyes on me. It was a cold, hard stare—one I was quite familiar with. She wasn’t my biggest fan; but then again, I wasn’t exactly in love with her either.

  I walked down the center aisle toward the bench. Judge Robinson looked beautiful and youthful despite her fifty-plus years. She seemed ruffled by my appearance in her courtroom, but not intimidated. Unlike most people, she’d never been intimated by me. We continued our stare-down until court officers intercepted me at the little gate that separated her bench and the lawyers’ tables from the public seating.

  “Can I help you, Mr. Hudson?” she asked me in a no-nonsense tone.

  I chuckled. “May I approach, Your Honor?”

  She hesitated, releasing a sigh as she glanced at the small crowd of people sitting in her courtroom. Then, finally relenting, she waved me in. The court officer stepped aside, and I made my way to the judge’s bench with him lurking behind me.

  “Bradley,” she whispered between clenched teeth while covering the microphone that sat in front of her. “What are you doing in my courtroom?”

  “We need to talk, Jacqueline. It’s important.”

  “You ever heard of a phone?” She could barely contain her disdain for me.

  “Of course I have, but you take five days to return my calls. This isn’t something that can wait,” I replied sternly.