Power of Love (The Armstrongs Book 1)

  Copyright Notice and Disclaimer

  Power of Love – The Armstrongs Book 1

  By Jessica Gray

  Copyright © 2015 Jessica Gray

  Kindle Edition

  Cover Design by http://www.StunningBookCovers.com

  This book is copyrighted and protected by copyright laws.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from the author.

  All characters, names, and places in this book exist only within the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons or locations is purely coincidental.

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 1

  Sometimes Trevor Armstrong hated his job. It was a sentiment that made him question why he’d gone into law to begin with. The courtroom was slowly emptying out, the conversations fading away, leaving an unsettling quiet behind. He was beginning to hate this particular courtroom, as the only cases he ever mitigated inside it were marriage dissolutions!

  Tamping down his irritation, he gathered up his paperwork and tapped it on the wooden table a few times to align the edges of the papers together. He stuck them inside the manila folder with the name of his client emblazoned in red across the top tab, and put the folder inside his opened briefcase.

  Closing the brown leather case, he lifted his head up to see his latest client, the ex-Mrs. Cecilia Patton, watching him with a calculating gleam in her eyes. He smiled at her, trying to maintain his professional façade for a few moments longer. “Mrs. Patton, congratulations.” His voice lacked any enthusiasm, despite the fact that he’d just won a major commission for his firm.

  The blonde bombshell gushed her thanks a little more profusely, stepping close enough to lay an elegant hand with fire-engine red nails against the stark white of his dress shirt and bright yellow of his tie. “No, thank you! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate how well you handled Dennis. Without you, I’d probably be out on the street right now!”

  And looking for another sucker to marry and divorce! Trevor kept that observation to himself, backing up a step and making it look as if he’d been allowing her to precede him from the courtroom. “All in a day’s work. Can I walk you out?”

  Mrs. Patton batted her eyes at him and gave him a smile that was more enticement than it was appropriate. She was the worst type of client; the longer he stayed in her presence, the dirtier he felt.

  Making short work of the walk towards the exit of the justice center, he excused himself at the men’s restroom, in dire need of ending his association with Mrs. Patton and trying to salvage what was left of this day. He saw the opposing counsel as he exited the restroom, and schooled his features into a normal mien, not giving any indication whether or not he was happy he’d just won his client nearly $35 million of her ex-husband’s money. “Trevor, you realize the only reason you won was because of a technicality?” the man he’d just faced across the courtroom asked.

  Trevor inclined his head. He liked the opposing lawyer, but he wasn’t in the mood to talk to him today. And this was business. “I followed the letter of the law. Persons under the age of twenty-one in this state cannot enter into legally binding agreements of any kind without a parent’s or guardian’s signature. Mr. Patton should have been more diligent and allowed his legal team to more thoroughly research the woman he chose to marry.”

  At the time Cecilia Patton had signed the prenuptial agreement, she’d been three days away from her twenty-first birthday. This detail made her signature invalid on the prenuptial agreement, but perfectly legal on their marriage license. The only exception to the age restriction was for marriage, which allowed persons upon reaching the age of eighteen to marry whomever they wanted without a parent’s or guardian’s cooperation.

  The law was confusing, and not something that most people would even think to research, but it was on the books, and therefore, enforceable. Mrs. Patton had received half of her ex-husband’s money on a technicality, even though the prenuptial had said she’d get next to nothing if the marriage lasted less than five years or failed to produce a male heir.

  The marriage had lasted sixteen months, and Cecilia Patton took fertility shots, not wanting to chance losing her youthful figure by becoming pregnant!

  He had discovered the age discrepancy, shutting down the court case and winning for his client. The decision left no room for a counter-defense. He’d won, so why wasn’t he happy? It was a shallow victory at best. Another marriage flushed down the toilet.

  He headed towards the rear entrance and his vehicle. He knew that the front entrance would contain numerous reporters waiting to question and congratulate him on his latest win, and he simply didn’t have the heart for it today.

  They’d come to his office to pester him there, but his secretary would take care of it. She was very good at shielding him from unwanted intruders. She’d give a press release and soon the reporters would be bored waiting for him – off to the next sensation. If there was one thing he hated even more than awful clients, it was those reporters.

  He was disappointed with the idea of love, and after days like today, he wondered if it was anything more than a fantasy. In his work as a divorce lawyer, he saw failed marriages every day. His clients weren’t the happy couples one saw on television, or in advertisements, they were real people, hurting and hating the person they had once professed undying love for.

  Most of the time he did his best to find the good in them. He tried to see things from their perspective, and that strategy worked about half the time. The other half fell into the same category as today’s client. Cecilia Patton was not a nice person. She wasn’t even the injured party. She was an awful fortune-seeker who had used her ex-husband’s desire, to spend the rest of his life happily spending his fortune on his beautiful young wife, against him in the most heinous way.

  As he pushed through the glass door at the rear entrance of the courthouse, he shook himself, taking a breath of fresh air to rid himself of the last few hours. Cecilia Patton had gotten her divorce, and her money. She’d also attempted to lure him into becoming the next notch on her bedpost, but Trevor had absolutely no interest in her or her type of woman.

  Trevor had a hard and fast rule about sleeping with clients. He didn’t do it! Ever! It would only bring trouble.

  He knew his good looks were viewed as a challenge by some members of the female population, especially some of his clients like Cecilia Patton, but he detested being viewed like a piece of meat on the market of available men.

  Sure, he worked out – a lot. But not to impress women; no, it was because he liked being in shape. And as a
high-profile lawyer he always had to look impeccable. He kept his appearance neat, allowing his dark hair to grow just long enough to touch the top of his collar, but never any longer. His dark blue eyes were framed by thick dark lashes that more than one woman had lamented didn’t belong on a man. And at his core, he was a gentleman. A fact that many women tried to use against him.

  He wasn’t looking for love, or anything even close to resembling the emotion. He worked too much. He used the little free time he had to visit the gym or play squash with his buddies, and any remaining hours in his week were spent with his family.

  As he entered his vehicle, his thoughts drifted to his younger brother Dean. Dean had just recently found the love of his life, and Trevor found himself skeptical at first. After meeting Melissa, though, he’d changed his opinion. Dean and Melissa looked at each other with such affection; it was plain to see they were made for each other. They complimented each other perfectly, in every way!

  Trevor was happy for his brother, he really was. But he wasn’t expecting to ever find that kind of relationship for himself. He saw so many broken relationships in his everyday life; a love like Dean’s and Melissa’s only happened once in a blue moon.

  No! He was perfectly happy with the way his life was going. He had a small collection of women who would go out with him, knowing that nothing serious or exclusive was part of the deal. And given his current workload, the last thing on his mind was finding a woman to spend the rest of his life with. In fact, she didn’t exist, and he was fine with that.

  He activated the hands-free car kit with the words “Call Ryan.” He just loved that little technical toy. It allowed him to use the driving time in his car for work. Then he waited for his brother Ryan to pick up. Ryan was an artist who worked with precious metals – gold, to be specific. He made and sold his own jewelry, and together they were working on a special surprise for Dean’s engagement.

  “Hey, how’s it going?” he asked Ryan, not having to identify himself as he knew Ryan had a specific ring tone for each of his siblings. All seven of them!

  “Trevor, are you finished with court for the day?”

  “Yeah. I won.”

  “Do I congratulate you? Shouldn’t you sound a tad bit happier?”

  “No, it’s fine. Just a lousy client who worked the legal system to take her husband for a cool $35 million for sixteen months of so-so sex and no loyalty.”

  “Whoa there, bro! You’re sounding jaded. I never understood why you went in for law. And divorce law of all things!”

  They’d had this discussion many times. Ryan loved all things beautiful. Gold, precious metals, gemstones, diamonds. That was why he had chosen his career as goldsmith and jeweler, to make the world a more beautiful place. At least, that was his explanation. Trevor believed it was because it gave him the opportunity to hook up with many beautiful women.

  Anyhow, Trevor wasn’t up to discussing his career choice today and changed the topic. “I was calling to see when you wanted to get together and finish the design for Dean’s engagement present. You know Mom will not sit on this very long before she takes over and plans the entire thing.”

  Ryan laughed. “Well, planning was kind of her thing while we were growing up. I think she misses it, and Melissa and Dean are giving her the perfect opportunity to come out of retirement. She doesn’t get many opportunities to have us all gathered under the same roof these days, and knowing Mom, she won’t let this chance pass her by.

  “As far as schedules go, we could meet Thursday. I have to finish up a diamond necklace with matching earrings, but after that I’ve got plenty of time to get the piece for Dean designed and constructed.”

  “Great! How about Thursday morning before work? I’ve got a easy schedule for the rest of the week.”

  “That sounds good. How about I meet you at the gym and we play a few games of squash before we put our creative juices to work? I haven’t had a chance to best you in weeks.”

  “As if you can! Bring it on, bro. I’ll meet you at the gym and give you an opportunity to back up those words with your sweat and tears. When I beat your ass, you’re buying.”

  “Deal. See you Thursday.”

  Trevor disconnected the call, only to have it ring back immediately, “Yeah? Calling to call off the challenge?” he asked, assuming the caller was Ryan.

  “Uh, Trevor? It’s Blaine.”

  He laughed. “Sorry about that. I thought you were Ryan calling back. What’s up?”

  “I heard you won the Patton case and was just getting ready to head out. Want to meet at Charlie’s for a drink before you do?”

  “Sure. I was just sitting in my vehicle before heading out. I’ll meet you on the north side of the building. There’s no way I’m going back into the building. I don’t have it in me to deal with reporters today.”

  Blaine chuckled. “Copy that. Okay, see you in a few.”

  Trevor disconnected the phone once again and then slid back out of his vehicle. A drink would be welcome, and then he could head home and hopefully get a good night’s sleep.

  Chapter 2

  “Nicole, I don’t care what you have to do, but you need a divorce lawyer as the guest on your next show.”

  “I agree, but surely there are several divorce attorneys in this town that wouldn’t mind coming on…”

  Cynthia shook her head vehemently. “We’ve been over this before. I don’t want just any divorce lawyer coming on your show. I want the divorce lawyer.”

  Nicole sighed, “I know, but …”

  “Nicole, get Trevor Armstrong, or no one.”

  “Cynthia, I’ve tried. His secretary won’t even put me through to his voicemail. She keeps telling me he doesn’t do public speaking engagements, and today she asked me to stop calling.”

  “And you’re just going to give up?”

  Nicole looked offended as she struggled to defend herself. “Well…no! I mean…”

  “Then go change his mind. You’re a bright, beautiful young woman. Turn on the charm if you need to.”

  “You’re assuming I can even get close to him. He has a bulldog for a secretary. She won’t even give him the message that I’ve called.”

  Cynthia shook her head. “Listen, I hired you to do this show. That means you need to secure the participation of the guest speakers. Not me. Figure it out!”

  Nicole had been hired several weeks ago as a radio moderator for one of the larger radio stations in Chicago. Her current assignment was a live talk show where she and her guest discussed “love, marriage, and divorce.” The idea had been her immediate supervisor’s, but Nicole had been fully on board with the idea. Until now!

  Her boss was nice, but very demanding of her employees. Nicole had wondered what drove the woman; if the gossip around the water cooler was to be believed, Cynthia was one of the top contenders for the vacant station manager position.

  She was trying to prove herself to the upper management, and increase their listeners in the process. She was pushing her entire team for results, and it went without saying that failure was not an option. At least, not without severe consequences. Cynthia had never been shy to say that anyone who performed below her standards had left the radio station rather quickly. And Nicole needed her job. Badly!

  “Get Trevor Armstrong. End of discussion.” Cynthia turned away. The conversation was over. As Nicole left her office, she tried not to let her attitude take a nosedive.

  So far, the series of talk shows had been successful beyond their expectations. Her first guest had been a wedding planner, and the conversations had surrounded planning, how far in advance to reserve popular venues, and the latest trends in wedding ceremonies these days. When the one-hour show had ended, the phone lines had still been busy for hours. Nicole had been exhilarated. So had Cynthia.

  Her second guest had been a marriage counselor, and the calls had been just as numerous. Nicole had been amazed at how many people blindly entered into a marriage contract without discussing thing
s like finances, kids, or holidays.

  The upper management of the radio station had noticed the success and even mentioned it in the weekly staff meeting. This was nice – on one side. But it also increased the pressure to deliver fantastic results with the next episode of the show.

  Cynthia had called a team meeting to brainstorm ideas on how to up the stakes for the third episode of the show. They’d chosen to focus on ways both men and women could protect themselves from the inevitable end of their marriage. Cynthia was a skeptic, and while Nicole didn’t share her viewpoint on marriage, she liked the idea of introducing a provocative show that forced her listeners to think out of the box.

  There was just one problem. Her boss wanted Trevor Armstrong. And he wasn’t available. When she’d first been turned down by his secretary, she’d suggested finding another divorce lawyer to come on the show. Cynthia had adamantly shot down every suggestion she’d made. He was the most famous divorce lawyer in the city, and with all of the media attention he’d been getting surrounding the Patton divorce, his name alone would have people tuning in.

  Nicole wasn’t one to give up easily, especially when Cynthia had told her that the show, and her job, were on the line. She’d called his office every day for the last two weeks; she’d even attempted to visit his office, but the response had been the same. No!

  Desperation crept up her spine. She needed to keep this job. She couldn’t lose this one like the last. That wasn’t even on the table!

  Nicole headed home, her mind busy trying to come up with a plan that would at least let her talk to the man. She’d seen pictures of him in the tabloids, and scattered across the Internet news feeds, and she knew from the most recent posts that he’d won the Patton case today.

  She had rolled her eyes as she read the account. Dennis Patton was a spoiled, rich sports superstar who was rumored to have earned a large portion of his remaining fortune in illegal betting. He’d married a woman twenty years younger than himself – a trophy wife. Only, she’d been the one to come out on top. The prenup she’d signed had been thrown out and now he was minus half of his fortune. Nicole didn’t feel any sympathy for him or his ex-wife.