Prologue (ish)
MADISON
New York City, the so-called “city of answered dreams,” owes me three-and-a-half million dollars for years of pain and suffering. I’m honestly willing to settle for two, but only if it can confess to breaking all its pretty and overblown promises…
“Dream big, work hard, and let me show you the best in life.” It pulled me against its chest, slipped a ticket to Uptown into my hand, and then abandoned me with a glittering smile.
Why didn’t it just slap me across the face with a “Ha! Just joking. You’re on your own now, kid”? I’ll never know.
Anyway, I’m standing outside one of its biggest law firms right now, clutching an umbrella and a carton of eggs, in hopes of collecting the damages before midnight.
Before the tattered threads of my life completely unravel.
I’ve knocked on the main door at least fifty times, and no one has come to my rescue.
The only signs of life are the flickering hallway lights and a janitor who keeps giving me the middle finger.
The next time he passes by, I swear I’m going to—nothing…
But if he actually opens the door and takes the time to listen, I guarantee he’d lead me straight to the settlement office. Or wherever it is that lawyers take their clients to pick up money they’re owed.
“Hey, lady!” my cab driver calls out to me from behind. “Hey!”
“Yeah?” I turn to find him eating a croissant on the steps.
“How many more stops do you plan on making tonight?”
“Huh?” I arch my brow. “This is the only one we’ve done.”
“Yeah, right.” He rolls his eyes. “You expect me to discount the stops at the bodega and that West Side brownstone?”
Those shouldn’t count. They were totally on the way here.
“I don’t recall those at all,” I say. “I think you’re making things up.”
“I got you on video throwing eggs at some guy’s front door.” He holds up his phone. “You threw some condoms, too.”
“I would never do something like that.” I feel my cheeks heating. “That sounds insane.”
“Oh, okay.” He holds out his hand. “You’re already past three hundred bucks, and I need at least half of it. Now.”
“Three hundred dollars?” I step back. “Are you sure?”
“Three hundred and eight if you don’t hurry up,” he says. “Company policy.”
Shit…
“Uh, let me check one last thing around the back!” I call out. “Give me five more minutes, and I’ll pay you!”
“I need the money now, miss.” He narrows his eyes. “Don’t make me call the cops.”
“There’s no need for that.” I serve him my best poker face. “I’ll be right back, and I’ll pay you.”
I walk toward the side entrance, and the moment I’m out of his sight, I pick up my pace.
My heels slide against the concrete with every step, and the rain is attacking me like I hurt its feelings.
I grip the egg carton tightly, just in case I need to use what’s left on that guy’s cab, although I suspect they’re all cracked by now.
The stone walls offer no windows or doors along the side of the building, and by the time I reach the back, I’m greeted by nothing.
Except an empty parking lot.
“Oh God, oh God, oh God…” I press a hand against my heart to prevent it from jumping out of my chest.
Panicking, I move under an awning and hold back tears this city doesn’t deserve to see.
Maybe it’s my fault for falling in love with my college sweetheart and following him across the country, foolishly believing we were building a future together.
Or maybe I’m to blame for walking in on him fucking another woman against our breakfast bar while saying, “Tell Daddy you like this dick…”
I can still see him trying to force a tear down his face as he apologized for falling in love with someone else…on our four-year anniversary.
He even had the audacity to take a bite of our “Together Forever” cupcake.
Alas, if only my mother could see me now.
“I told you to stop thinking with your emotions, Madison. They get you in trouble every single time…”
“I know, Mom,” I mutter. “I freakin’ know.”
Heavy footsteps and labored breathing interrupt my pity party, and I look over to find the cab driver glaring at me.
“Are you really trying to get away without paying me tonight?” he hisses.
“No, never that, sir.”
“Then give me my money. Now.”
“Okay, yeah, sure.” I glance at the distance between us and realize I have a decent head start, but only if I make a run for it right now.
I turn around and do exactly that.
“You’re going to jail, bitch!” he yells, immediately giving chase. “I swear to God!”
Somewhere between his furious grunting and his threats to call the police, I realize he’s gaining ground.
Ugh, come on!
I rush into traffic, abandoning my umbrella in the middle of the street as horns blare and drivers scream at me, and somehow manage to make it another two blocks without getting caught.
Soaking wet, I slip inside a twenty-four-hour dumpling café.
I glance up at the “All You Can Eat for $15” sign and let out a breath.
I can totally afford that.
Pulling out my drenched purse, I pay at the counter and settle into a booth near the back. Then I retrieve the ad that led me to that building in the first place.
It’s damp and wrinkled, but its promises are still there in black and white.
The Wolf Firm.
Let us devour all of life’s problems for you.
Free nightly consults for cases regarding heartbreak, pain & suffering
There’s a suited guy smiling next to a statue, and although I can’t see his face, the diamond watch on his wrist tells me he can afford to pay me every last cent I’m after all by himself.
As the waitress sets down a tray of sauces, I realize I’ve been going about this all wrong.
I shouldn’t waste my time waiting for some lawyer to honor a free evening consult. I should confront him in broad daylight for making me believe any of this was possible.
Tomorrow.
This “Wolf Firm” is going to pay me what I’m owed tomorrow.
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Ahhhh! Can’t wait for you to read the rest!
