Secrets and Sins: Malachim (A Secrets and Sins Novel) (Entangled Ignite) by Naima Simone Page B

ground out. “Just because you and Richard were acquainted doesn’t make him any less of a pervert.”
    “And you would know the intimate details, wouldn’t you?” Venom laced Christopher’s silky murmur. “You were right in the middle of it, aiding and abetting a criminal. But again, I’m not surprised. After all, blood will tell.”
    Rage poured through him in a blistering torrent. It wasn’t the first time he’d heard that phrase; it wouldn’t be the last. The barb was one of Christopher’s classics. It was his way of twisting the proverbial knife in Malachim’s chest that he wasn’t—and never would be—a true Jerrod.
    For over thirty years ago, Pam had betrayed her marriage vows—the other act of defiance she’d spent Malachim’s entire life paying for—and her one indiscretion had produced fruit. And the blood that flowed in his veins didn’t belong to Christopher Jerrod.
    Blood will tell .
    Bad blood. Inferior blood. Tainted blood.
    Thank God.
    Bad, inferior, or tainted, he wasn’t his father’s son.
    “You’re right,” he said, studying Christopher with a calm that belied the fury churning inside him like a cauldron. “My blood does show the loyalty, love, and trustworthiness I must have inherited from my father.”
    A white ring formed around Christopher’s tightly compressed lips, his mouth all but disappearing into a grim, thin line.
    Malachim could play word games, too. He’d learned from the master.
    “I heard of the suspension letter issued by the Bar. Do you know how humiliating it was to have my name attached to this mess?” Christopher snapped. “Did you think of anyone else before dragging your mother, brother, and me in the dirt with you and your friends ?” Christopher sneered the last word, but at least he refrained from calling them his usual affectionate moniker: “the little band of bastards.” Even though technically, only Gabriel, Chay, and Malachim were truly illegitimate.
    “Frankly, twenty years ago, I was too busy trying to figure out how to hide the body of a perverted pedophile, and, a few weeks ago? Again, too preoccupied with preventing a deranged murderer and victim of said pedophile from killing any more people,” he said coolly.
    “Well, what are your plans now, Malachim? Hmm?” Christopher arched his dark blond brows. “No self-respecting client would look to you for representation now. Not with this mess hanging over your head. It’s only a matter of time before this half-rate firm fails, just as I predicted.” A satisfied smirk tilted the hard line of his mouth. “What? Do you think I’ll take you in? Give you a pity position in my office? Maybe let you assist the paralegals? That’s all you’ll be good for by the time this clears up.”
    “Wouldn’t you just love that?” Malachim murmured. “So that’s the real reason behind this visit, right? Not an invitation to a birthday dinner or even rehashing how all the bad press has impacted your life. You’re here to gloat. Well, you’ve done it. Mission accomplished. Are you done?”
    “Yes, you’re right,” Christopher said, satisfaction coating his voice. “I always said you were nothing and would contaminate everything you touched. I came here today to witness the fruition of my prediction. But, I also came bearing news.” The smile he wore was terrible, and Malachim’s gut clenched with a sense of foreboding. “I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone but me. The Tyler Association has decided to forgo your services and opted to hire my firm to represent them.” His grin widened. “Of course, I assured them we would carry less…baggage than your practice. That our reputation—unlike yours—was above reproach.”
    Anger, fear, and— damn it —hurt swelled in his chest, filled it until it seemed as if his heart pumped the nauseous emotions throughout his body. Damn. How did this man still maintain the power to get under his skin?
    “ Now are we through here?” Malachim