Trusting Danger (Danger, #2)(55)

The meeting wrapped up several minutes later with the guard escorting Chris from the room.

“That went well,” Leah muttered, then added under her breath, “What a waste of time.”

Professor Moore finished writing a note on her legal pad and then looked up. “What’s your plan now, ladies?”

“Play it straight with the prosecutor,” Claire said. “Emphasize that Chris has never been in trouble before and that he’s scared.”

“I agree,” Leah said. “There’s too much evidence for us to plead ‘not guilty.’ Maybe the prosecutor will have a heart.”

Noticing a touch of sarcasm in Leah’s tone, Claire gave her a quizzical look that was ignored.

“I’ll set up something with his office.” Professor Moore closed her portfolio and returned her gaze to Claire. “I need a word with you.”

Leah stood up and told Claire, “I’ll wait for you outside.”

As the door closed behind her friend, Claire steeled herself.

“I’m dismayed at the way you’ve handled things, Miss Parker. Disappearing like that . . . what in the world were you thinking?”

Claire’s mind spun. What could she say here? Anything she did say would sound like an excuse.

Meeting her professor’s gaze, Claire struggled to keep her tone steady as she ignored the question and addressed the issue head-on. “What do I need to do to make this right?”

“Are you genuinely interested?”

The snarky comment caused tears of frustration to spring to Claire’s eyes. She spoke around a lump in her throat. “Of course I am.”

Professor Moore must have sensed Claire was moments away from breaking down, because something changed in her expression. “Be here for the next meeting and every meeting after that.”

“I will be,” Claire whispered.

Professor Moore gave her a curt nod and left the room.

After the door closed, Claire took a minute to compose herself. She wiped at her eyes and took in several deep breaths.

Grayson and Leah stood speaking in the hallway when she finally walked out of the room. Their heads turned in sync, and a frown spread across Grayson’s face.

“You okay?”

“Fine.” Not wanting to say any more for fear she’d become emotional all over again, Claire led the way to the elevator.

“Everything go okay?” It was Leah who tried again once the elevator door closed.

Claire nodded, doing her best to ignore the concerned look Leah and Grayson exchanged. The three of them rode the rest of the way down in silence.

“She’s friendly,” Grayson said after he and Claire had parted ways with Leah.

Claire didn’t respond as they walked toward the parking garage. The way Leah had gone gaga over Grayson had irritated her more than she cared to admit, and her sarcasm when she spoke about Chris gave Claire pause. But it was the conversation with Professor Moore that had stuck with her. The professor actually thought Claire didn’t care about her client.

There were so many things outside her control—Jeremy’s death, the threat against her, her father’s flagging campaign, what Gabe had done to his clients—but there had to be some way to win Chris’s case.

Once they were inside Grayson’s SUV, he asked, “How did things really go? Leah guessed your professor was giving you the third degree.”

Claire stared straight ahead. “She’s right. It didn’t go well, but I’ve got another shot. That’s all I wanted.”

“What did she say when you told her what happened?”

“I didn’t tell her.”

Grayson studied her. “Why not?”

“My father’s advisors have a specific way they want the news to come out. They’re setting up an interview for me and my father to do.”

Grayson’s voice gentled as he said, “That boy you’re defending is lucky to have you.”

It was Claire’s turn to study him. How did he seem to know just what she needed to hear? And that tender look on his face—it was giving her goose bumps.

Trying to collect herself, Claire drew in a deep breath, but the scent that came from Grayson—something citrus but also woodsy—made her want to pull him close and bury her face in his neck.

God, I’m so attracted to this man. Does he feel the same?

She pushed aside the thought. Grayson was just expressing sympathy. It was stupid to read any more into it.

“How about if I speak with your professor?” he offered. “I’ll explain that you were in protective custody.”

Giving him a surprised look, she said, “No. It’s all right.”

Claire wasn’t about to have Grayson do her dirty work. She’d allowed that sort of thing to happen in the past with her father, but hindsight was twenty-twenty. It wouldn’t happen again.

She shrugged with a nonchalance she didn’t feel. “Don’t worry. It’s taken care of. I let my professor know I wouldn’t miss any more meetings.”

Grayson nodded his understanding and then started the Suburban.





Chapter Forty-Three





Grayson drove out of the garage, thinking again of how he’d misjudged Claire.

The girl was far from spoiled. Her concern for Chris and her determination to keep him out of jail was admirable. And taking heat from her professor in order to help her father’s campaign said it all—Claire Parker had incredible depth of character and a strong sense of right and wrong, something he found incredibly attractive.