Trusting Danger (Danger, #2)(54)

“He didn’t do it?”

“No, but he’d started a lot of fights in the past. It was why the teacher had assumed it was him.”

“What happened?”

“The teacher finally believed him.”

Understanding what she didn’t say, Grayson smiled. “Because the senator’s daughter got involved.”

Claire stared out the windshield, not meeting his gaze. “I was the mayor’s daughter back then.”

“Is it strange being in the public eye?”

She nodded. “It’s not like we’re the highest-profile family or anything, but everything my parents say or do is scrutinized by the press, so they’re really into outward appearances.”

“You feel the pressure too.”

“For my parents’ sake? I guess I do.”

“They must be proud of you.”

Claire gave him a wry smile that made Grayson’s heart thump. Reluctantly, he broke his gaze away and accelerated through the intersection.

Speaking with Claire was enjoyable. More than enjoyable. It felt natural.

And there were very few people he could say that about.





Chapter Forty-Two





Claire and Grayson walked into the entrance of the DC Jail at the same time Leah was entering from another door. She rushed over and Claire gave her a hug.

Grayson’s eyes widened slightly as he took in Leah’s bright green hair and multiple piercings, but he extended his hand politely after Claire introduced him as a federal agent. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Leah gave Claire a puzzled look before she shook Grayson’s hand, blinking fast as she locked eyes with him, an uncharacteristically nervous gesture.

Claire raised a brow at her. “Ready to go upstairs?”

“Huh?” Leah’s gaze was still focused on Grayson.

Claire looked toward Grayson to find he was staring at her, not Leah. His focus on her sent tingles of awareness down her spine.

She cleared her throat. “Our meeting’s in the visiting hall on the second floor.”

Leah tore her gaze away from Grayson and gave Claire a distracted nod. The three went through security before taking the elevator upstairs.

“It’s probably better if you don’t come in,” Claire said to Grayson as they reached the visiting hall. It looked as if he was about to argue, so she held up a hand. “It’s a secure building, obviously, since we just went through security. Don’t worry.”

“At least let me have a look inside,” he said, and without waiting for a response, brushed past her.

Once he’d disappeared through the door, Leah turned toward Claire and fanned at her own face. “Oh my God. He’s so hot! Why do you have an agent with you?”

Claire ignored the comment, partly because it was annoying and partly because Grayson was coming back out. To Leah’s question, she responded simply, “I’ll have to tell you later.”

“I’ll wait for you out here,” Grayson said.

Once she and Leah were inside the room, Claire asked, “Is there anything I should know about the past two meetings?”

Leah lost the starry-eyed look, turning serious in a heartbeat. “Yes, but it’s nothing about the case. It’s what Professor Moore said in class.”

Claire took in a slow breath. “She said something about me?”

“She didn’t use your name specifically, but she talked about being incommunicado when a client needs you most. It was a lecture of what not to do once we’re in practice.”

Wonderful. Each day since she’d been back, she’d been leaving Professor Moore messages. None had been returned. Leah was the one who’d let her know of today’s meeting.

Claire had been planning to let Professor Moore know what had happened to her, but now she wouldn’t be able to. Nick had texted her while she’d been packing to leave her parents’ house, and asked her to stay silent until after the interview they were arranging.

The door opened and a guard entered the room with Chris.

Professor Moore followed on their heels, looking chic and professional in her cardinal-red suit and black-framed glasses. “Ladies. Mr. Jones.”

Claire straightened her spine, trying to ignore the disdain in her professor’s tone.

After everyone was seated, Leah gave a summary of where the case stood. In essence, the prosecutor was still awaiting an answer from Chris on the deal he’d offered.

Professor Moore gave their client a sharp look. “This decision has dragged on long enough, Mr. Jones. Please tell us you’ve decided to do the right thing.”

Chris’s eyes widened. “I already told you I won’t take the deal. I won’t rat anyone out.”

“We need to come up with another solution for Chris,” Claire said. Although Professor Moore gave her a look that could melt steel, Claire didn’t back down. “What about witness protection?”

“That’s not on the table, Miss Parker.” The professor’s voice was as chastising as her expression.

Chris slumped in his seat. “I wouldn’t do that, anyway.”

Claire pressed her lips together as she looked at Chris. All they’d be able to do at this point was beg the prosecutor for a lesser sentence based on Chris’s status as a first-time offender. And that would be no easy task—the US attorney for the district had a tough reputation, especially when drugs were involved.