Trusting Danger (Danger, #2)(82)

Grayson left the office and climbed into his vehicle. Just as he was about to put his key in the ignition, he stopped and leaned over to feel under the seat. When his fingers brushed against something smooth and cool, he snagged it and pulled it out, annoyed at himself to find a dead iPhone.

Son of a bitch.

He grabbed an evidence bag from his glove compartment and dropped the phone inside, then took it back inside to log in as evidence.



When Grayson finally left the task force offices, he drove straight to Claire’s. He and Claire were seated on her sofa when she surprised him with her news.

“I told my parents last night I’m moving.”

“How did that go?”

“A little better than I expected. They want me to stay until I graduate in May, though, and I agreed.” She smiled. “And I told them I don’t want to join a firm.”

Confused, Grayson pulled back. “And yet you’re . . . smiling? I would’ve thought they’d be upset.”

“You’re right. Mother was furious. But Dad seemed to understand.”

Grayson pulled her close again. “That’s good news.”

“I’ve been thinking about what I’ll do after I graduate,” she said softly against his chest. “I might have figured that out too.”

Grayson stroked a lazy circle against her upper arm. “What have you come up with?”

As she sat up and faced him, her expression became animated. “I’d like to start a mentoring program to help teens like Chris who’ve aged out of the foster system, and other at-risk teens too. Right now, there aren’t many resources for them, but mentors would be able to give them advice on things like getting a job, finding housing, and managing their finances.”

Grayson smiled. Claire had that determined look on her face—the one that had driven him crazy when they’d first met. It still drove him crazy, but now it was in an entirely different way.

“Sounds great. And how are you going to fund this new startup?”

Claire gave him a sheepish look. “Dad’s parents left me a trust fund when they passed away.” When Grayson’s eyes widened, she laughed. “No, it’s not a huge amount of money. The bulk of their estate was left to Dad. But it is enough for me to pay for my own living expenses for at least a year. Plus, I have this.”

She headed to her bedroom and came out a moment later, a small jewelry box in hand. She sat down next to Grayson and opened it, revealing a pile of what looked like very expensive jewelry. On top was the diamond tennis bracelet he remembered seeing on her wrist when they first met.

“I’ve been wondering if the government would ask me to return Gabe’s gifts. You know, to help with restitution to the victims?” she said and he nodded. “But they haven’t, so I thought I could take these to my mother’s jeweler and have them sell them for me. I’ve been working on a business plan, and the money I get from the sale of the jewelry should be enough to float the program until we can run a proper fundraiser and apply for grants.”

“And I suppose your mom will help with that?”

Claire nodded. “She’s good at it. And there’ll be benefits for my dad’s office too. A program like this will create a lot of goodwill.”

Even when she was thinking of herself, Claire still had everyone else in mind. Yet another thing he loved about her, and the list kept growing by the day.

“Would you want to be a mentor?” she asked.

He smiled. “If you want me to.”

“You’d be great.” She laughed. “And you’d definitely keep the kids in line.”

“Then I’d be happy to help.”

“I spoke with Leah. She’s agreed to be a mentor.” Claire snuggled closer, pressing a hand to his chest. “And I was thinking that whenever the kids have legal troubles, I can step in.”

Grayson ran his hand down her cheek, the depth of his attraction to her astounding him. Part of it was physical, but there was so much more. He loved Claire’s core values just as intensely.

“You’ll be able to use that law degree after all,” he said softly.

“My parents will be happy about that part.” She let out a contented sigh. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too.” He pulled her closer, burying his nose in her hair.

Although Grayson had never given much thought to what the perfect partner would be like, Claire embodied it all. Her intelligence, her backbone, her caring ways—she was perfect. The best thing that had ever happened to him.

His mother’s words came to mind. There’s no better feeling than being with the right person.

Eleanor would have approved of Claire . . . very much. She’d have loved her.

And Grayson did too.



Turn the page for information about the third book in the Danger Series, coming soon!





Coming Soon



Seeking Danger



When a brutal murder becomes personal, Alex Nabokov tries to keep his emotions in check as he searches for a young suspect who fled the scene. The boy’s beautiful older sister insists he’s innocent, infuriating Alex as much as intriguing him.

Life has been hard for Willow Corbin and her brother, and she works hard to support them both. The overzealous federal agent trying to pin the murder on her brother drives her to prove the boy’s innocence on her own, but her sleuthing places her directly in harm’s way.