Charmed By A Steel City Hustler
Chapter 44 — Services Cancelled

Adonis:

I stared at the bulletin board in my office while throwing back shot number three of Whiskey. The evidence in front of me was detrimental to my case. Yasmine Tate had been withholding information from me. She was guilty of way more crimes than what she was being accused of. I saw no way of getting her completely acquitted.

This loss could ruin my career just as it was starting to take off. The kidnapping mess was still water cooler gossip. No one knew anything about Lois sleeping with Bash, and that was a plus. I could not be embarrassed in my professional and personal life simultaneously. The other partners were insisting I take time off to get my mind right.

Work was exactly where I needed to be right now. Zeus was on my ass about every little infraction and how bad I screwed up. I was finishing a job he neglected to do so many years ago and got no thanks for it. My wife was not only a whore but a pregnant one now.

There was a slim chance that she was carrying my child. That small glimmer of hope could turn things around. I needed to speak with her in private again. Lois was more gullible when we were alone. Bash would no doubt be hounding her now that a baby was in the mix.

The intercom on my desk buzzed and I walked over to answer it. My secretary stated there was an unknown gentleman awaiting to see me. I couldn't recall any meetings scheduled for today. While trying to figure it out, I heard a raised voice outside my door. I hurried to open it and came face to face with the man.

"Adonis Paul, so nice to finally meet you in person. I am Magnus Tate we need to talk."

The color probably drained from my face. I think a small trickle of urine left the tip of my penis. I took two steps back. The large man walked into my office and made himself comfortable in my chair. I cleared my throat and shut the door. This man was everything and more of his reputation. Magnus was a known street thug with ties to nearly everything. Yet was a ghost to the authorities. No one has ever made anything stick to him ever.

Magnus had paid my upfront retainer fee in Yasmine's case several months ago via cashier's check. I had never thought that we would meet in person. She stated that he was rarely in town.

"Donnie, you seem surprised to see me. May I call you Donnie counselor?"

"Yes, that is fine. I am a bit bewildered Mr. Tate. I know that Sterling Bosh is your current legal counsel, and they do excellent work."

"Don't flatter yourself, I am not here to purchase your services. You seem to need legal counsel yourself these days. I can't trust a man with my freedom who can't even keep his own wife in line. I mean come on would a doctor ask a dentist to remove a liver for him?"

Insult coursed through my veins as he spit out that terrible analogy. What the hell did he know about my marriage? Yasmine! That pillow talking broad was ruining my personal business to her husband. You just could not trust anyone these days. What else had she told him about me?

"I am not exactly sure what you are implying. My personal life has nothing to do with business. Now if you are here to discuss Mrs. Tate's case, I cannot divulge anything without her consent."

I slipped over to completely cover the bulletin board with the projector. He chuckled, a condescending one that again rubbed me the wrong way. Who the hell did this guy think he was? I may not be street smart, but I was highly educated with connections of my own.

Magnus helped himself to my liquor and held up two glasses. I waved my hand as consent, turned my back to him and sent a text to my secretary. She needed to call the authorities pronto. This man could do serious harm to me, and no one would ever be able to pin it on him. The incident with him and my secretary was recorded on the hidden cameras in the hallway.

"That is rude to not give your undivided attention to a man who has put stacks in your pocket. Let's make a toast to shared pussy shall we. How was my wife by the way?"

Magnus threw his shot back and grunted a bit. I swallowed hard and felt every burn of the aged liquid. He poured us another glass and we threw those back, then sat at my desk to talk. What the hell was I going to say? Nearly a year ago I was the husband confronting a man about infidelity with my wife.

The situation was very different in so many ways. Never thought that Bash and I would wear the same shoes. The anger and betrayal I felt when he made that statement and how Lois pleased him, I wanted to kill him repeatedly. Magnus probably felt a thousand times worse, and his imagination was beyond anything I could fathom.

"You know what I hate about lawyers Donnie? They have all the mouth in a court room. Parade around like a dog looking for high scoring marks in a show. The moment they are in private their throat is bone dry. Do you agree with that assessment?"

Again, I was at a loss for words. This man reminded me of my father on so many levels.

"Magnus, I cannot attest to every lawyer on the planet but-"

"Ah there it is, that round-about way lawyers attempt to explain shit when they have no comeback. Forget about it. You are clearly one of the more desperate attempts that Yasmine has bedded recently. Do you know that my wife cheats when she is having a tantrum? Women are so strong and yet so fragile. They want to be independent and fierce, but deep down all crave a take charge man. I am sure Yasmine didn't tell you that I have killed every man that was stupid enough to put his dick in my pussy."

I felt my body temperature rise as he issued that not-so-subtle threat. I licked at my lips as they had become dry as a desert. This office building was in the middle of downtown with a few hundred people in it. There was no way that he would kill me right now.

The ramifications of an affair have a ripple effect that stretches farther than one would think. I have been so wrapped up in this family drama and teaching Lois a lesson that I never looked at my own shit.

Magnus was watching me like a hawk, and I had nowhere to run. I was far from a punk and would throw the hands with him if need be. I had been to the gun range a few times. I was a far cry from a life-long criminal. He began to laugh out loud and slap at his knee. What part of the game was this?

"The sheer shock and horror on your face gets me fired up. Hoo shit, if we were in a secluded place, I would blow your brains out. Your services will no longer be needed for Yasmine's case. I took the liberty of speaking with one of the partners about your behavior prior to coming here. I am sure they will be contacting you sometime this week. I must go pay a surprise visit to my wife now. Oh, Donnie, one more thing. As an officer of the court, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Shit happens when you least expect it."

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Magnus got up and exited my office without not another word. I was sweating bullets and could feel the fluid gathering at my arm pits. I hit the speed dial to ring my father and got a bit dizzy as well. I had to have been having a panic attack because my heart had leapt to my chest.

"Hello. Hello? Adonis?"

I was gasping for air as my father yelled out to me. I felt as if I was suffocating within my clothing. I loosened my tie and unbuttoned my shirt. That did nothing to ease my weary mind. I struggled to get up and go grab some water. The phone had hung up and seconds later my office door flew open with my secretary standing in it.

"Mr. Paul, your father...Sir are you okay? What on earth?"

My vision began to blur, and I dropped to my knees. What the hell was happening to me?

The liquor! I turned my back for a few seconds on Magnus. That small lapse in judgement may have just cost me everything.

My body hit the floor and I could hear footsteps and other voices as I slowly drifted off. This is not how I was supposed to go out at all. I had plans to see come to fruition. Bash needed to pay for what he had done to my wife. Leo needed to suffer for his misgivings. I was going to fight this poison and come back stronger than ever. "Were losing him, get the AED charged!"