The Law is Hard

Chapter 13 Part 1

Magnus' POV

"That was really nice of you to connect her to an art collector," Alexander compliments as he holds the door open for me.

I shrug and look up at Alexander. "It's no trouble for me, besides, she seems really talented. I wonder if she would consider selling that sketch to me."

We begin to walk slowly down the sidewalk, almost as if Alexander is also trying to hold on to these moments together.

"Which one? The one of us?" Alexander asks surprised.

"Yes, I love the way she captured your eyes."

I look up at him with pure seriousness. When our eyes meet, I feel like my heart is going to pound out of my chest and my systems are malfunctioning from overheating.

I am worried about what Clary mentioned about Alexander's family being terrible to him, especially considering his interaction with the homeless man earlier. I know better than to ask outright. At least not this soon in our relationship. My heart warms remembering the kindness he showed a stranger and that he has shown to me.

His bright blue eyes flicker briefly to my mouth. We have stopped walking. I inch my way forward tentatively, watching his reactions.

"Magnus Bane! Where have you been?"

"Magnus Bane! Where is Camille?"

"Magnus Bane! Who is that man?"

Suddenly we are being swarmed with paparazzi, flashing cameras and the squeals of fangirls in between. I think they would have seriously trampled us if Alexander didn't put himself physically in front of me and the crowd.

He stands, imposing as a statue, with his arms out front his side and one hand still holding his briefcase. He does not flinch when the camera flashes continue.

I put my hand on his lower back to tell him that it is okay, I can handle the press.

Before I can speak up, his commanding voice rings out, "I am Mr. Bane's legal representative. We were here discussing business. Mr. Bane is not taking questions or pictures at this time, you can get in contact with his team or myself at Gray and Carstairs Law."

He pauses to take a breath and there is another furious onslaught of questions. The crowd attempts to surge forward, but Alexander does not budge, even when a reporter trips into his chest. While he attends to that, I decide I am not being entirely useful hiding behind Alexander.

I quietly sneak around the crowd of reporters and fans with a small group of people walking down the sidewalk. Their expressions of confusion at the scene in front of them are priceless.

I slip out from the group and hail a taxi.

I can feel Alexander's eyes on me briefly as I wave into the busy street.

"Hey! Wait!"

"Where did he go?"

The reporter-swarm realizes I have escaped. I fill with anxiety as I hear them start making their way towards me. Thankfully, a yellow taxi is pulling to side of the road.

I turn to yell for Alexander in time to see him running full tilt in my direction. He bobs and weaves between the reporters effortlessly.

I open the door and slide in the back. The best place for me is out of his way at this point.

"Please hold on another second," I tell the driver over the cacophony of shouts from the swarm.

The driver grunts in response.