LITMIR.BIZ

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he asked. His gaze was as soft as a caress.

      “I’m fine,” Marissa responded with a nod.

      Griffin’s expression showed that he did not believe her. He walked all the way into her office and said, “Marissa, what’s really going on? You look troubled about something.”

      She looked up, meeting his gaze. “It has nothing to do with work, Griff.”

      “Okay,” he said, quickly backing off. “But if you need to talk…about any of your cases, you know where to find me.”

      She forced a smile. “I know. Thanks.”

      He was still watching her. Marissa thought she detected a flicker in his intense eyes, sending her pulse racing alarmingly.

      Marissa noted how well the black suit fit his six-foot frame. She was entranced by his compelling personage. She found him very attractive. Griffin wore his hair cropped close and his dark brown eyes complemented his warm brown complexion. At thirty years old, Griffin tended to treat her as if she were years younger, when in fact there was only a four-year age difference between them.

      She checked her watch. “I have about five minutes to prepare for a meeting,” Marissa announced.

      Taking the hint, Griffin nodded and headed to the door. “Don’t forget what I said.”

      “I won’t,” Marissa responded as he walked out. Something in Griffin’s manner always soothed her, which was why she’d often confided in him in the past. However, things had changed between them in the past few months, to the point that Marissa was somewhat surprised when Griffin had ventured into her office just now. Lately, the only time he stopped by was to discuss a case.

      She released a soft sigh. Marissa had wanted to confide in Griffin, but the risk was much too high. She did not want what Harper had told her leaking out. She intended to have a conversation with Azure, as well. Clearly someone was out to hurt her family.

      She was not about to let that happen.

      After her meeting, Marissa worked in her office until three o’clock. It was a struggle for her to concentrate and she felt queasy, so she decided to go home. She packed up her briefcase, intending to get some work done there—locked in her bedroom. She just wanted to be alone.

      Ten minutes later, she was in her BMW X5 and pulling out of the parking structure.

      A wave of disappointment flowed through Marissa. After what Harper told her, she felt that everything she’d ever known about her parents had been a lie.

      She had never heard her parents argue—they had always been very loving toward each other. So what would make her mother cheat on a man she proclaimed to love more than life itself?

      As she neared home, Marissa released a soft sigh. She could hardly wait to get to her room and soak in a hot bath.

      The Hamiltons had lived in the West Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia since the founding of the law firm. The neighborhood had a rich Revolutionary War history and featured a mosaic of restaurants, shops and cultural venues.

      Marissa’s eyes watered at the sight of Integrity, the family homestead. She loved the late-1800s Victorian-style home that had been a staple in her family for two generations. All of her friends used to tease Marissa about living in a castle that came complete with turret and gargoyles. Her family later added a swimming pool and basketball and tennis courts.

      She walked into the house, struggling to keep her expression blank. Marissa was hoping to avoid her mother and escape to her room. She was not ready to face Jeanette yet. She was still in shock from the news that Harper had given her.

      “Marissa, dear,” her mother greeted from the kitchen. She met Marissa at the bottom of the back stairs carrying a bottle of water. “How was your day at the office?”

      “It was fine,” she muttered in response.

      “Your father and I are having dinner at Devon’s tonight,” Jeanette announced. “Why don’t you join us? Your sister’s going to meet us there.”

      Devon Seafood Grill was a favorite of hers, but Marissa really could not stomach being around her mother right now. “I’ll just make something here,” she told Jeanette. “I brought some work home with me.”

      “Dear, are you feeling well?” her mother inquired as she scanned Marissa’s face. “You look a little peaked.”

      “I’m fine,” Marissa lied. “I need to get started on this work.”

      She walked briskly out of the kitchen before Jeanette could utter a response.

      Marissa rushed up the stairs and to her bedroom. She dropped her briefcase and purse on the bed before taking off for her bathroom.

      When she walked out a few minutes later, she felt weak, but the queasiness was gradually dissipating.

      She changed into a pair of sweats and an oversized

      T-shirt, then climbed into her bed and opened her briefcase.

      There was a soft knock on her door before her mother popped her head inside.

      “I didn’t mean to disturb you, but I thought you could use some hot tea,” Jeanette said as she walked into Marissa’s bedroom. “I can tell that you are not feeling well.”

      Marissa accepted the tea with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

      “Have you considered going to see Dr. Wallace?”

      “Mother, I’m just tired,” Marissa responded with a small sigh. “I don’t need to see a doctor.”

      “Are you getting enough rest?” Jeanette asked. “I know how you lawyers tend to burn the candle at both ends.”

      Marissa was touched by her mother’s concern, but she was also angry with her. She cleared her throat awkwardly before saying, “That’s probably it, but I’ll be fine. I’m going to take a hot bath and turn in pretty early tonight.”

      Jeanette studied her for a moment. “Marissa—”

      “Mother, I really need to get some work done,” she interjected. “The sooner I get it done, the sooner I can have that bath and get some rest.”

      “Okay, dear. I’ll get out of here.” Her mother backed off and headed to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

      Marissa shook her head sadly. She would never be able to look at her mother in the same way. Their relationship would never be the same.

      Chapter 2

      Thoughts of Marissa had consumed Griffin much of the evening and again this morning as he drove to work. He could not explain why he felt such a connection to this woman whose life experience was so different from his. The why really didn’t matter, since Griffin did not intend to pursue her.

      When Marissa had started working at the firm, she and Griffin had spent a lot of time together when Jacob assigned him to be a mentor to her. He was one of the few nonrelatives working at the firm and Jacob had thought Griffin would be a good fit for his daughter.

      Griffin immediately recognized the desire and dedication in Marissa to become a successful attorney. While she lacked the confidence of her older sister, Jillian—who had quickly made a name for herself with a high-profile case involving a lawsuit between a rapper she’d gone to school with and his record label—Marissa had what it took to make it. She was only with the firm one year and she still had a lot to learn. He knew exactly how she felt; he’d been in that position himself years ago when Albert Clark had hired him.

      Albert often told Griffin how much he reminded him of Albert at that age—an intelligent, motivated student with a passion for the law and no connections. He often advised Griffin to focus on his career for the time being.

      Griffin took his advice. He grew up in the inner city and was the first person in his family

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