Heads Will Roll

"Forgive me first love, but I'm tired. I need to get away to feel again."

Tired was an understatement for Duncan.

After spending the last year binge-drinking, sleeping around and partying, his friends, family and liver were all giving him a wake-up call.

Well, that and the pending lawsuit he had against him for Dare.

Two months ago, the club had been accused of providing alcohol to minors. He knew that he ran a pretty loose ship in regard to his managerial style, but he didn't realize his employees' standards were lax in terms of carding patrons.

For weeks, Duncan and his business partner (and older brother) Driver searched high and low for the most credible legal representation. The last thing the punk needed was to lose the pride and joy he called a business. While Duncan spent his nights revamping Dare, Driver met with various law firms trying to secure the best representation for their case.

So, when Duncan finally got the call from his brother about a top legal representative, he immediately jumped for a meeting with the firm.

That morning, Duncan woke up earlier than normal with a heavy weight in his chest. As a teen, he was familiar with the feeling of first meetings with lawyers, but this time things felt different.

As he got out of bed and paced around his penthouse, he couldn't shake the eerie feeling that was looming over him. He strolled over to his closet where he pulled out a pair of black cigarette pants and a blue button down. He decided to strip himself of any jewelry to make a good impression but opted to wear his onyx skull watch for good luck. He promised to meet Driver at the location and decided that he needed to look his best for the occasion, paying extra special attention to his hair and being sure his frightening tattoos were covered (although he couldn't necessarily hide the tattoos he had on the back of his hands).

Pulling out of the complex's parking garage, Duncan paid special attention to the time. He had a tendency of running late, but he knew that he didn't have much room to continue being irresponsible. Growing up he didn't give much thought to lawyers. He knew that they would take one look at him and write him off. Especially considering that a majority of them were court-appointed, he knew he didn't have a chance at getting off for his petty crimes.

But this time, things were different. Duncan had worked hard for all that he had, and he wasn't going to let his lifelong dream come crashing down. He had already lost everything closest to him and wouldn't stand to allow more injustices occur in his life. As his GPS system alerted him of his impending destination, Duncan suddenly received a call from Driver. Nervously checking the time to make sure he was still punctual, Duncan speedily answered.

"Driver, what's up bro?" he said, questioningly.

"Dunc, the lawyer's going to be a little late. The receptionist said her doctor's appointment ran late and she's going to be in about twenty minutes late." Driver replied.

"Pffft, as if. What kind of fluke did you set us up with Driver? I don't have time for bullshit." Duncan said aggressively.

"Stop worrying. This chick is legit. She has like a million fucking awards in her lobby. Plus, she charges an arm and a leg, so she better be worth it."

"Yeah, we'll see. Be there in five" Duncan said, hanging up.

Shortly after, Duncan pulled into the parking garage of the large skyscraper complex. Heading inside the building and onto the elevator, Duncan shrugged as he heard the gasps and felt the stares from the women nearby. Had it been any other day, he would've acknowledged them and attempted to get into the pants of the one he found the sexiest, but today was about business.

Pressing the button for the 10th floor, Duncan let out a deep sigh as he prepared himself for what was to come. He ran a hand through his nicely quaffed hair and cracked his knuckles out of nervousness. Suddenly, the doors opened to a lavishly decorated lobby area with the wall engraved with the title "Hollingsworth and Associates". He glanced around the lobby looking for Driver but couldn't seem to find him, so cleared his throat as he addressed the receptionist.

"Hi ma'am, I have a meeting with Mrs. Hollingsworth at 11AM. I believe she was running late, but I can't seem to find my business partner who arrived before I did."

"Oh, yes, hi Mr. West," she began. "Ms. Furtado just called and said she's on her way upstairs now. Your brother is in her office if you'd like to join him. It's the last door on the right."

"Wait. Furtado? I thought her name was Hollingsworth?" Duncan replied confusedly.

Nervously, the receptionist answered "It's a misprint on our website that we've needed to change. Ms. Furtado got a divorce and hadn't gotten around to changing to company name."

"Great. A lazy lawyer." Duncan said as he walked off and into the office.

As he entered, he found Driver sitting with his back to the door in one of the office chairs, texting away. The room was the largest office on the entire floor with a killer view of the city. The decorations, which were all a variation of white, cream and gray, read elegant yet simple. The smell of vanilla flooded the room. Duncan noted the hundreds of awards and medals hanging around the room. Against the wall next to a framed painting hung a flat screen tv, which was showing the news, but the channel was on mute.

The desk, which was neatly decorated with piles of paper and files, had a double computer monitor and picture frames, although Duncan couldn't actually see the photos. In the corner sat a coat rack with designer jackets neatly draped.

"Nice shit, huh?" said Driver, absently.

"Oh yeah. I'm still skeptical about this chick" he replied, taking a seat next to his brother.

Suddenly, the sound of fast clicking high heels flooded the air. A deep sigh was let out as the woman said "I'm sorry I'm late. Please forgive me."

Duncan and Driver had their eyes locked on the office desk, too scared to turn around. Duncan noticed the woman had headed to the area where the coat rack was, taking off her outerwear. She then walked over to her desk and plopped down her purse.

Duncan noticed the baby bump first. Although it was small, it was extremely obvious. Clad against a fitting cream-colored dress, the women had to have been at least four months pregnant.

Suddenly, Driver gasped. It took him no time to realize who their lawyer was, but he assumed his brother was taking is all in.

The second thing Duncan noticed was the hair. A shade of honey-blonde and mid-back length, her hair was neatly decorated with loose body curls.

Duncan knew it was Courtney. He had recognized her voice as soon as she had spoken, but he was in awe at the woman that stood before him. Courtney had always spoke of being successful, but to actually see her live her dreams was monumental to him. He had so many questions but didn't want to seem intrusive.

When Courtney finally sat down and looked up at her clients, she slightly jumped from realization. She hadn't received any specifics regarding who she would be representing for the case and the only name she had been given was 'Driver". It didn't help that she was suffering from severe morning sickness throughout her pregnancy and had recently learned that she was having a daughter.

Needless to say, Courtney had a lot going on.

Unsure on how to break the silence, Duncan took the lead, asking

"So, princess, who's the baby daddy?"

Courtney's eyes widened as Driver placed his hands on his face.

It was going to be a long meeting.