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 to attend a four-year university, let alone obtain his law degree. Many of his classmates had gone to law school because they really did not have a clue as to what they wanted to do in life, but for Griffin, studying law was his dream.
For the Hamiltons, law seemed to be a family tradition. Griffin respected them all because they were good attorneys and they all seemed to have a passion for the law. He shared that same passion and drive. Griffin worked as hard as anyone else in the firm, if not harder at times. He wanted to prove himself and hoped to make partner one day.
To do that, he knew he’d have to make sacrifices, but he was constantly struggling where Marissa was concerned. She dominated his thoughts, causing him to fight his feelings on a daily basis. He would not risk the wrath of Jacob Hamilton, although Marissa was certainly worth it.
He really cared for Marissa, but constantly reminded himself that he could not let his emotions get in the way.
Too late.
* * *
Marissa stood in front of her full-length mirror eyeing her reflection. The antique mirror had once belonged to her paternal grandmother. The reflective glass offered a glimpse of how much Marissa resembled her father’s mother.
She’s Uncle Frank’s mother, as well.
Marissa shook the thought of her uncle’s affair with her mother out of her mind. She turned to get a side-view look at her appearance. Marissa’s mouth tightened for a brief second. She removed the dress she had just slipped into moments before and tossed it carelessly across the room. It landed on her king-sized bed, joining a small pile of other abandoned clothing.
Marissa walked barefoot, crossing the room quickly. She entered her walk-in closet with purpose. She regretted not taking time the night before to find something to wear, and she did not want to be late for work. She had a meeting at nine o’clock with a client.
She chose a navy dress with a white Peter Pan collar and an empire waist. Marissa slipped into a pair of navy-and-white high-heeled pumps to match. She walked over to the mirror to check her reflection once more. Marissa brushed back her long brown hair and pulled it into a ponytail, securing it with a navy barrette. She scrutinized her appearance once more.
Although she was twenty-six years old, everyone seemed to think that she looked years younger. Maybe in time, Marissa would come to appreciate being considered so youthful looking, but for now she absolutely hated it.
As the youngest of Jacob and Jeanette’s five children, she was babied by everyone. Growing up, she had always received special treatment, but lately, she had begun to feel that no one really took her seriously. Especially…
Marissa shook her head. No, she did not want to think about him.
“I am not going to let you ruin my day,” she whispered.
Marissa glanced at the clock on her bedside table and then grabbed her purse. She needed to leave now if she planned to make it to the firm on time.
Her parents were seated at the table when she entered the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Marissa said to no one in particular as she rushed in, grabbed a bottle of water, blew kisses toward them both and rushed out of the house.
Her father followed her. “Hey, that’s all we get?”
Marissa smiled as she opened her car door. “Sorry about that, Daddy. I had a late start this morning and I have a meeting at nine. Are we still on for lunch?”
Jacob nodded.
“See you then,” she responded, fighting back tears. “I need to leave.”
He pressed a keypad on the wall to open the garage door.
Marissa waved and then backed her car out.
She loved her father dearly and it was killing her inside to carry this secret. Marissa could not understand how her mother could be so deceitful. How could she risk tearing her family apart by having an affair with Uncle Frank? He was her father’s brother!
Poor Aunt Vanessa, she thought silently.
By the time Marissa arrived at the office, she was focused on business. She had always wanted to follow her siblings into law and worked very hard to make that happen, which included graduating from law school with honors.
Marissa was intent on showing her brothers and Jillian that she was every bit as good as they were, since they still seemed to treat her like the little baby sister who needed to be sheltered, despite the fact that there was only a five-year difference between her and Jake, her oldest brother.
Marissa wanted to be taken seriously by everyone, including her family. First, as an attorney, and then as a woman.
* * *
“Marissa, are you busy?”
She glanced up from her computer monitor to see Harper’s new wife. “Azure, come in.”
Azure closed the door behind her. “Harper told me about his conversation with you,” she announced as she sat down in one of the visitor chairs.
“Someone contacted you anonymously claiming that my mother and my uncle had an affair.”
Azure nodded.
“And that person also said that I am a result of that affair.” It was more of a statement than a question. “Is there any proof of this, other than Uncle Frank confessing the truth to Harper?” Marissa wanted to know. “Do they have pictures of them leaving a hotel or something more scandalous?”
“Not that I know of,” Azure responded. “Right now we have no other information, but in situations like this—all that is needed is a rumor, whether true or false.”
Marissa settled back in her chair and crossed her legs. “So, what does this person want for this little tidbit? Money?”
“There’s been no demand for money or anything. Marissa, I haven’t taken this to my editor. You have to know that I am going to do everything I can to see that this accusation never sees the light of day.”
“If your magazine doesn’t publish the story, then I’m sure this person will go somewhere else. I really would like to know what’s in it for them to try and ruin our lives.” Marissa shook her head sadly.
“I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now,” Azure told her. “I’m so sorry, Marissa.”
“I still find it hard to believe that my…my mother could do something like this to my dad. They always seemed so happy and in love.”
“I won’t let this get out, Marissa.”
“It may be out of your hands, Azure. Unfortunately, we will all have to wait and see if the other shoe falls.”
Chapter 3
“Marissa, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me,” a young woman said as they walked out of the courtroom.
Smiling, she responded, “You’re welcome, Rita.”
The twenty-year-old had pleaded no contest in a drunken-driving case. Marissa had suggested Rita plead to the charge of driving while visibly impaired.
“I’ve learned my lesson and I’ll be relieved to be able to put this behind me.”
“Will this charge be on my daughter’s record forever?” the older woman with them asked. “I want her to have a chance to get a good job or become that doctor.”
“If Rita stays out of trouble while she is on probation, then her record will be expunged. She will be able to do whatever she wants with her life.” Marissa glanced over at the young girl. “It’s all up to you, Rita.”
“Lord knows, I pray so.”
When her clients left, Marissa noticed a man standing near the exit doors of the courthouse. A smile tugged at her lips.
“Daddy, what are you doing here?” Marissa was surprised to see him. She had not noticed him in the courtroom, but then, she had been focused on helping her client.
“I came to watch my baby girl in action,” he responded.
His words brought tears to her eyes. No other man would ever replace Jacob Hamilton Jr. as her father.
“You handled yourself well in there.”
“It was an easy case,” Marissa responded.
“And you did a good job,” her father insisted as he wrapped an arm around her. “Just remember this feeling on those days when the case is a difficult one.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
They walked out to their cars.
“Why don’t I call your mother and have her meet us for lunch?” Jacob suggested.
“I have a better idea,” Marissa countered. “Why don’t you and Mother have lunch together? I need to get back to the office.” She could not stomach being around her mother right now.
He scanned her face as if he was trying to read her expression. “Is there something going on between you and your mom?”
Jacob’s question surprised Marissa. “No, things are fine. I’ve just been really busy, Daddy.”
“You’re too busy to grab a bite to eat?”
“I’ll get something on the way back to the office.”
“Okay,” Jacob said. “I’ll see you later, baby girl.”
She walked away briskly and headed to the nearest exit door.
Within minutes, Marissa was inside her car and on the way back to the office. She was in a great mood after her victory in court—it was a small one, but a victory nonetheless.
Jillian and her brothers were all waiting for Marissa when she arrived.
“So, how did it go?” Jake asked. “Did she plead no contest?”
Marissa nodded. “Rita was given probation. I believe she has learned her lesson from this experience.”
“Her mother is really sweet,” Jake stated. He and Rita’s older brother had gone to college together and were in the same fraternity.
“Please tell me that you all are not going to be sitting here in my office like this every time I go to court.”
Jillian laughed. “You might as well get used to the idea, Marissa. They treated me the same way when I started.”
“Me, too,” Marcus interjected. “And I bet Dad was at the courthouse, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, he was there,” Marissa confirmed. “Every case so far.”
“He still comes to see me in action,” Jillian stated.
“He comes to mine, too,” Anthony interjected.
Marissa looked over at Jake. “When did Dad stop coming to yours?”
Jake laughed. “When you started working here.”
Smiling, Marissa shooed everyone out of her office. “I need to get back to work and I’m sure you all need to do the same. Leave.”
Her first year at the law firm had been a success, as far as Marissa was concerned. She never thought she could work any harder than she did in law school, but Hamilton, Hamilton and Clark was a real pressure cooker at times.
There had been days when Marissa thought she would crack under the strain of it all, but she would never share this with any of her family members. It would just confirm for them that she was not able to handle the pressures of being an attorney.
The only person with whom she could be completely honest about her feelings was Griffin. He understood how she felt and never once judged her. She recalled a conversation they had had when she first started working at the firm. They were in his office going over a case.
“Griffin, can I ask you something?” Marissa had asked him.
“Sure.”
“Do you think I have it easier than the other associates because I am a Hamilton? I want you to be honest with me.”
He met her gaze and responded, “I believe you didn’t have to work hard to become an associate here after graduating from law school, but I know that your father treats all of his associates equally. It’s one of the things I respect most about him.”
“I wish everyone was as open-minded and observant as you.”
“Don’t let office rumors get into your head,” Griffin advised. “You can’t stop others from talking, but you do not have to give their words power. Stay focused on what’s important, and that’s proving yourself.”
“Eminence just did an article on my family, and when you look at the photos, we look like a modern-day version of the Cosby family—picture-perfect.”
He grinned. “Are you saying that you’re not?”
Marissa smiled. “You know the answer to that just from the amount of time you’ve spent around Jake and Harper. I love my brother and my cousin, but I hate how competitive they are with each other.”
“It keeps them both on their toes,” Griffin stated. “I wouldn’t worry about them.”
Marissa’s attention returned to the present.
Her family was anything but picture-perfect. Unspoken tensions that lay rumbling beneath the surface threatened to topple them all.
* * *
“How did it go in court today?” Griffin asked as he held the elevator door open for Marissa.
“Great,” she said. “Rita should get probation and if she stays out of trouble, she’ll be able to return to college and finish her degree.”
He glanced at Marissa as the elevator doors closed on the two of them, alone in the car. That’s what made her a good lawyer and a good person. How much she cared for her clients. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.
She was also incredibly sexy, despite her conservative dress.
And she wasn’t afraid of hard work.
These were just a few of the reasons why he loved her.
He pulled up short as he stole another glance her way. Loved her?
He felt a strange sensation in his gut as he finally admitted it. Yes, he loved the very woman who was off-limits.
* * *
Marissa was surprised when she glimpsed her aunt in the hallway a couple of days later. Vanessa Bonnard was a renowned fashion designer who traveled frequently. She rarely made visits to the firm whenever she was home. In fact, she rarely attended any family functions—unless there were media involved.
“Aunt Van
essa,” she murmured in greeting. Marissa struggled to meet her aunt’s intense gaze. Her mother and Vanessa had never been close, but her aunt had always treated Marissa kindly.
“Hello, Marissa. How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
Vanessa’s gaze left her face and traveled downward briefly. “What a beautiful dress,” she said with a smile. “It’s quite lovely on you.”
“Thank you,” Marissa responded. “I didn’t know that you were back from Milan.”
“I arrived last night. I thought I’d surprise my husband for an early lunch, but it seems that he’ll be in court all day.”
“They usually break for lunch around this time. Why don’t you give him a call?” Marissa suggested.
Vanessa smiled. “I just may do that. Thanks, sweetie.”
“You’re welcome,” Marissa said. “Well, I guess I had better get back to my desk. It’s good seeing you, Aunt Vanessa.”
“You know…why don’t you join us, Marissa?” Vanessa blocked her path. “We hardly get to spend any time together. C’mon, it will be fun to catch up.”
“Oh no,” Marissa responded quickly. “You and Uncle Frank should spend some quality time together. You just got back.”
She certainly could not handle having lunch with the man who could be her father. Marissa was not interested in any family reunions of this kind.
“Oh, but we would love for you to join us,” Vanessa said smoothly.
“Maybe next time,” Marissa told her.
Vanessa smiled. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Marissa gave her a slight nod. She was grateful when her assistant interrupted them regarding a trial date.
When they were alone, she turned her attention back to her aunt.
Vanessa chuckled. “You know…that expression on your face…you look just like Frank. My husband makes that face whenever he is silently contemplating something. I guess it must be hereditary.”
“I really need to get back to my desk,” Marissa blurted. “I have some phone calls to make.”
“Enjoy the rest of your day, sweetie.”
“You, too,” she said. Marissa thought she glimpsed something in Vanessa’s eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it had come. For a moment, it looked like displeasure, but she could not be sure.
Legal Attraction Page 2