Page 68 of Villain
“Someone has to. My dad had this case—I remember it so clearly. A guy was on trial for double murder. My dad was confident that he could at least get him a reduced sentence. There were a lot of other factors involved. But when his summer house was searched, they found the mutilated remains of animals: dogs, cats, rodents. Hundreds of them.”
“Oh my God. Tell me he went to prison.”
“He did. My dad dropped him. We had a dog at the time, same breed as one of the animals found.”
“So, you wouldn’t defend people who hurt animals.”
He holds two fingers up. “Anyone who harms animals or children.”
“A defence lawyer with a soul.”
“There are a few of us,” he replies with a grin. “I don’t need the money enough to represent someone I would happily put down myself.”
My shoulders lose their tension at his admission. It’s not what I expected him to say. I thought he’d represent the worst of the worst if the money was right.
Like I need to find him more attractive, though.
“But serial killers are okay?”
“Oh, I’ll defend those all day long.”
Don’t most of them start on animals? Or have I made that up? If I was a serial killer, I’d never hurt an animal, but people…
I roll my eyes. “Casper, do you plan on staying here until Freya and Imani get home?”
“Yes.”
“I would be okay, you know. I have the alarm now.”
“You weren’t able to sleep here at all last night.”
“It hadjusthappened.”
“Are you trying to talk me out of staying?”
“No. I don’t know.”
“Do you want me here?”
“Yes.”
The triumph in his expression almost makes me want to take that back. Half the time, I don’t know if he’s genuine or just looking for an ego boost. Not that it’s possible for his ego to get any bigger.
I yawn into the back of my hand and take another gulp of my coffee. The lack of sleep is starting to catch up with me now, but I don’t want to leave. I want to sit on this sofa and breathe him in until I pass out.
“Go to bed, Ainsley.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“I don’t need to be entertained. I know how the TV works and I brought a few books with me.”
“You read?”
“Your shock is quite insulting.”
“Sorry.”
He takes the mug out of my hand. “Go to bed.”