Mia
I don't remember when I started watching them instead of listening. It happened gradually—like a habit that slowly crept in.
Marcus spoke with a confidence I was now accustomed to, voice smooth as butter, pacing in front of me like he was going through every court scene in his mind. But it was the man behind him who pulled at the edge of my attention.
Raph.
I'd heard Marcus call his name once, when they were alone. The "bodyguard". I was wrong about that. He wasn't private security...but I couldn't place what he was either.
He was always standing. Always silent.
He hadn't said a single word in any of our meetings. Not a hello, not a nod. Just those unreadable eyes. Every time I glanced his way, he was already looking at me. And not in a curious way. In a… measuring way.
I tried to ignore it. Tried to focus on Marcus's updates about the preliminary hearings—how "clean" they'd gone, how " compromising" the judge's attitude seemed. But something inside me was tugging loose. A quiet thread of doubt unraveling with every perfectly delivered reassurance.
It was too perfect, like he had rehearsed for this, but then again, who wouldn't want to be ready for court. We were winning though, that much was obvious, I'd managed to break down ever flimsy piece of evidence the police had against him, and now all that was basically left was for the jury to decide.
I should have just minded my business and wrapped it all up, but I was curiosity. And curiosity was my kryptonite.
"Can wait to be done with this trial already, Mum's already threatening to send me to..."
Then Marcus hesitated. Just a flicker. A pause between words that he quickly recovered from—but not quick enough to go unnoticed.
Because Raph had shifted.
Just slightly, but that was all he had to do. It wasn't necessarily threatening or commanding. It was more like a secret language only they understood.
I couldn't help but wonder, what exactly was the relationship between the two, because one thing was clear now. Raph was higher up on the food chain.
I waited until Marcus stepped out to take a call.
He always took his calls outside—claimed he hated bad reception, but I was starting to think he just didn't want me hearing any of them.
Raph remained by the window, eyes scanning something on his phone. I wasn't even sure why I did it, but I spoke.
"I've been meaning to ask you something, what's your relationship with my client."
He didn't move, didn't even acknowledge me. Just kept his eyes glued like I hadn't said anything.
One thing about me, I was as persistent as I was curious.
I rose from my seat at the desk and walked towards him, luckily he was standing right beside the water dispenser, so I walked to it and poured myself a cup.
I tried again. "Are you always this quiet, or is it just with me?"
This time he raised his head. Slowly. And looked me dead in the eyes.
I hadn't been this close to him before, his features were sharp, but not in a hostile way. High cheekbones, jawline cut like it was drawn in straight lines, lips I'd never seen do anything more than stay in a straight line. Everything about him was neat. Composed. Effortlessly intimidating
He wasn't attractive in the usual sense. He was striking. The kind of man you noticed before he even entered a room. The kind of man people didn't interrupt.
His voice, when it came, was quiet. Steady.
"I don't believe that's part of your job."
Charming.
But I'd handled worse.
"Well I'm just asking-"
"Just do your job," he said before I could finish talking.
No threat but it felt like one.
I walked back to my chair, pulse picking up, but not from fear. From clarity.
This man wasn't your average innocent victim's guardian. He reeked of power - and not good kind.
For weeks now I'd been doubting Marcus, it wasn't enough to tag him as a criminal but that day...the entry wound. I still couldn't wrap my head around how he knew about it then and now I was really starting to wonder if I had taken up the wrong case.
I let the conversation end there, Raph wasn't going to be of help and even though the case was almost over and I could go ahead with my life afterwards, I couldn't live with the uncertainty of not knowing the truth.
I was going to ask him, and if I got one more hint or feeling that there was something Marcus Luca was hiding I was dropping this case. I didn't care how far along we were, they'd have to find another lawyer.
******
I decided to try my luck and catch up with Marcus when he was heading out. Luckily, Mr "do your job" was out of sight.
"Back when we first met," I said carefully, "you mentioned the entry wound. Before we had the autopsy report."
Marcus didn't blink. "Did I?"
"You did." I said.
He smiled. Just a little. "Lucky guess?"
"Lucky?," I arched a brow.
"The cops must have mentioned it," he said.
"They hadn't questioned you then,"I retorted.
I waited a few minutes, watching him search for an answer.
"I don't know what to tell you, I could've sworn I heard it from someone," he said.
Maybe, there was also that possibility but...
"I talked to a waiter at that bar you mentioned..." I added.
"Yeah, and they confirmed that I was there...like I said," he said.
"They also confirmed that you left with your friends, there was no arguement. You all paid the bill and left smiling, You've been lying to me." I said.
That was the part that got me.
Why lie about his friends if they could be his alibis, unless....
His smile faded, turning into grim line that resembled Raph's expression.
"What exactly do you want?" He asked dryly.
"The truth, what are you hiding? I can't support a criminal or someone I have a reason to doubt. You want me in this, you tell me everything. Otherwise, find yourself another lawyer." I said.
The corner of his lips curled up again, but this time in a smirk.
A smug arrogant smirked, the kind that transformed his face for the almost naive little thing he always acted like, to someone...dark.
"Well I think it's too late for that sweetheart," he said.
That's when it hit me.
The truth had been staring in the face all this time, dressed in a suit and covered in lies.
"That's it," I said firmly, "You're on your own." I said and turned to leave when I almost bumped into Raph.
How long had he been standing there?
"Shit," I cursed nearly tripping.
"What is this about?" He asked, his eyes on Marcus.
"She says she quits, she's too good to defend a criminal," his tone was pure mockery. It was like he had completely changed in a matter of seconds.
How had I not noticed? No. I had noticed, I just lied to myself.
Raph's eyes lowered to mine, "You were paid."
"I'll return your money," I snapped.
I wasn't really sure I could actually do that. I had no idea how much they paid the firm but I had a feeling my salary wouldn't fully cover it.
He lifted his hand and for a second a flinched. What was I thinking? That he was going to hit me? He rubbed his eyes.
"I don't have the time or strength for this, just finish your job," he said.
Was that the point of his presence after all? To intimidate me?
Well, nice try. I wasn't bending my morals for them.
"I said I'm done. Find someone else to lie for you." I turned and walked past Marcus.
I was half expecting them to ask me to stay, or at least try to convince me. The implications of me leaving this close would mean they'd have to get another lawyer who had to catch up on all the details, and frankly it wasn't a good look with the jury.
"Your sister works late shifts at that pharmacy off Jane's right...what's it called again?" Raph's calm tone cut through the silence of the parking lot.
I froze. My breathe caught in my thoat.
What?!
I slowly turned to face him, he had his hands in his pocket, with Marcus by his side, an amused expression on his face.
"She takes the night bus back right...you know that's pretty dangerous... anything could happen," he added.
How did he...?
My heart skipped.
Now that was a threat.
There was a pause, I didn't know what to say. I couldn't think.
His eyes were enough confirmation, he meant it. Every hidden meaning. He meant it.
"I'm a busy man. I have no reason to deal with you—unless you waste my time. And if you do... you won't be the one who pays for it."