Breaking Free (Siren Publishing Classic) (9 page)

“We need to talk,” she finally managed, her voice throaty with denied desire.

He stilled and nodded, the concern written on his face. “So talk, beautiful.” His voice wavered a little, and she wondered if he was as nervous as she was.

“I…uhm…” How did you tell your lover you might be spending a long time trying to coordinate your shoes with your neon-orange jumpsuit? “I’ve kind of gotten myself in a bit of trouble.”

“What is it? Just tell me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to fix it.”

“It’s not that simple. You see, like I was trying to tell you before, what you thought you saw that day at the library wasn’t what it looked like.”

“I know, and I’m an idiot,” he interjected.

She had to fight a grin before she continued. “Well, yes, I agree with you, but that’s not the point. You see, when he did what he did, when he made you think what you thought, I…well…I kind of lost my temper.”

Gabe chuckled. “Yeah, Gloria told me, and it was no more than the little creep deserved.”

“Yes, well, you and I might think so, but the county police don’t agree.” She gulped as she voiced her fears out loud. “I might be going to jail.”

“Well,” he began, pulling her back into his arms. “It seems to me what you need is a good lawyer.”

“The court assigned me one, but he wanted me to plead guilty and take probation, but I can’t do it. I know it would be the best, but I just can’t.”

“Of course not, and a decent lawyer would never tell you to do that. It’s your word against his, and all that needs to be done is destroy his credibility.”

“I don’t know. You should see him. He looks really bad.” She couldn’t help the sheepish grin that crept onto her face.

“Well, if I hadn’t been such an ass and stuck around to help you, he’d look a lot worse,” Gabe grumbled, his voice riddled with guilt, “Just because you don’t show the scars doesn’t mean he didn’t hurt you and countless other women. Remember, you told me about the
‘
Gummers for Grades
’
policy? All you need to do is get a few witnesses to testify to that, and his credibility would be completely shot, reasonable doubt established. No judge or jury would convict you then.”

“Yeah, but how would you get them to testify?” She looked up at him. Doubt knotted her stomach. “I mean, who would agree to that? It would be way too embarrassing, not to mention academic suicide.”

“They don’t have to agree. They just need to be called as a hostile witness then questioned under oath. A good lawyer will get it out of them.”

“How do you know so much about this?” Not that she thought he wasn’t smart enough, but there weren’t a lot of law books in motorcycle shops.

Gabe sheepishly laughed. “You know one of the things I love about you, is that you accept me as I am, grease monkey with dirty fingernails and all. But you know when I said you needed a good lawyer?” Confused, she could only nod and he continued. “Yeah, well, you got one.”

“Where?” She was completely lost.

“You’re looking at him.”

“What?” She reared back in his arms, staring at him as if he’d grown two heads.

“You never asked what kind of business my partner and I had, and I let you assume it had been a bike shop or something because I liked that you liked me for me, not my money or my status. But the truth is, we ran one of the most successful law firms in the entire state of California.” His grin was self-conscious.

“And when were you planning on telling me this?” she rasped, her temper rising at the fact that yet again he hadn’t trusted her.

“Eventually,” he hedged. “It wasn’t that I set out to lie, just that I was trying to forget my past and too busy enjoying my future.”

Danny contemplated this. “And what future is that?”

“You’re my future, Danny. God, woman, didn’t I tell you earlier how much I love you?” She couldn’t miss the frustration in his voice.

“Well, yes but…” she stammered, but he cut her off.

“No ‘buts.’ We’re going to beat these stupid charges against you, and then you’re going to marry me. Period, end of discussion.”

“Well, there’s just one more thing.” She was having a hard time fighting her smile.

“And that is?” he snapped, ready for any argument she had to throw at him.

Taking his handsome face in her hands, she pulled his lips to hers and whispered, “I love you too, you idiot.”

He chuckled devilishly. “Brat, I’m seeing many pink bottoms in your future.” To prove his point, he reached around and gave her still-stinging rear a squeeze.

Chapter Eleven

Danny was shifting nervously in her prim navy suit, high lace shirt, and sensible shoes when Gabe to pick her up the morning of the trial. They’d spent the last few days going over her case, and he’d instructed her carefully on what to wear. It amused him to think of her in her studious librarian persona, with his anklet standing out, marking her. But as he’d pointed out, the judge wouldn’t notice that so much as the entire outfit, and since it was going to come down to a matter of believability, he wanted her looking as wholesome as possible.

They had talked to countless people, but so far, none of the female students they’d talked to had firsthand knowledge of Wesley’s lascivious behavior. They knew the best source of information would be from the scandalous freshman she’d caught him in bed with. There could be no denying what she’d seen, but the mysterious Noir was nowhere to be found. Desperate, they’d turned to her library aids, Tiffany and Mariah, since they were campus socialites. Unfortunately, the two had come up empty handed as well, but they vowed not to give up until the final verdict was rendered.

Gabe said he wasn’t worried. And she didn’t doubt he’d won harder cases than this, but it was her life on the line here. She’d never placed this much faith in any human being before.

The soft purr of an expensive sports car drew her attention, and she turned in surprise as a gleaming black Jaguar rolled to a stop in the alley behind her loft. It took Danny a stunned minute to realize the man, who got out of the car wearing a suit that would have cost several months of her salary, was Gabe.

He grinned at her, obviously enjoying her shock. “What’s the matter, baby? I didn’t clean up well enough for you?” he taunted with a smile.

Danny could only stare. His shaggy hair had been cut and was brushed neatly in place. His pointed, bushy goatee was closely trimmed. And good Lord, she didn’t want to contemplate the cost of that watch on his wrist or the handmade Italian shoes on his big feet. He was the epitome of style and sophistication, the very image of a hotshot, Hollywood attorney. And damn if he still didn’t look better than sin on Sunday.
Jesus,
she inwardly moaned, she had it bad. It didn’t matter what he was wearing or where they were, she wanted him, no holds—or holes for that matter—barred, but right now she should be concentrating on being Miss Goody Two-Shoes, not how quickly she could get him out of that outrageously expensive suite.

Finally managing to clamp her stunned mouth shut, she closed her eyes for a moment as she fought to control the lust raging through her.
Think unsexy thoughts. Think unsexy thoughts,
she repeated to herself over and over again. But then he was there next to her, tenderness filling his face.

“Hey, sweetheart, it’s okay, I promised I’d get you out of this, and I will. Please don’t worry.”

His obvious concern snapped her back to life, and she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Darlin’, what I’m feeling right now has nothing to do with fear and everything to do with lust. So if you don’t want that expensive suit ruined, I suggest we go before I drag you back up to my place and have my wicked way with you.”

Gabe smiled sheepishly at her praise, and if she didn’t know better, she’d swear he was blushing. Clearing his throat, he opened the door for her and she caught the way his gaze lingered on glimpse of leg as she slid into the plush, leather passenger seat.

“Nice car, by the way,” she added as they glided of
f
with a purr of the Jaguar’s powerful engines.

* * * *

The small county courtroom was overflowing with curious students and faculty when they arrived. Their entrance caused a hushed stir to roll throughout the assembly, as everyone turned to watch them enter, smooth and confident.

Gloria sat in the front row, directly behind the defendant’s bench. She smiled reassuringly at them as they moved past her.

All around them they could hear speculation as to who her fancy attorney was. The prosecutor, a Mr. Brooks, turned to watch them enter and paled.

Gabe nearly laughed when he caught sight of his pathetic adversaries, but he’d learned long ago to never underestimate an opponent. He saw the fear in the prosecuting attorney’s eyes as he leaned down to whisper something to his client. Wesley Dandridge was the most pathetic excuse for a man he’d ever seen. And the sight of his blackened eyes and swollen, taped nose nearly had him doubled over. He shouldn’t laugh, but there was no doubt about it, Danny had worked him over good. He’d have to remember to never really piss her off. Then again… Shaking his head, to get his mind out of the gutter, he put on his game face as they took their seats at the defendant’s table.

He could feel Danny shaking next to him, and he reached out to give her hand a reassuring squeeze as he leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I can’t wait to get you home and strip that prim, little suit off of you.”

Danny’s cheeks flamed at his totally inappropriate comment. He knew he was pushing her, but his comment had the desired effect of relaxing her.

Within minutes, the bailiff was announcing the judge, requesting them all to rise. Gabe felt Danny start shake all over again as she stood.

Judge Wrenn was reported to be tough but fair. She was an older woman who’d worked her way up the ladder before it was considered in style for a woman to do so. Gabe knew that could work for or against them. On the one hand she knew what it was like being a woman in a man’s world, but on the other hand, she was old enough to perhaps consider Danny’s behavior unladylike and therefore reprehensible. In truth, he was nervous. It wasn’t that he thought he couldn’t win the case. He’d certainly won tougher ones, but none had ever mattered as much as this one. He’d let Danny down once, and he’d sworn to never do it again.

“Be seated,” Judge Wrenn instructed. “Today’s case is Aurora Heights verses Danika Eldridge on the charges of assault and battery. Would the defendant please stand.” She waited until Danny came to her feet before continuing. “Ms. Eldridge, how do you plead to these charges?” In truth, the little man at the plaintiff’s table looked like he’d been worked over by a chain gang, but it was difficult to believe that the equally diminutive woman at the defendant’s table was capable of this level of violence.

Danny took a deep breath and slanted Wesley a defiant look before turning to the judge. “Not guilty, Your Honor,” she said in a strong, confident voice.

Judge Wrenn nodded, and Danny sat back down with a small sigh of relief before the judge continued. This was definitely going to be an interesting case, as was evident from the large crowd gathering. “This should be an interesting case. Mr. Prosecutor, are you ready to begin?”

“Y–yes, Your Honor,” Prosecutor Brooks stammered as he came to his feet. “However, I must object. We were not made aware of the defense’s change in attorney. I would remind the defense that they are required to disclose all evidence. These last-minute changes are for show, to throw attention off the matters at hand.”

Coming to his feet, Gabe smiled benignly at his opponent before turning warmly to the judge. “Your Honor, I am well aware of the rules of our legal system. No new evidence will be disclosed without giving the plaintiff equal time to depose it. I volunteered my services to the defendant because I have a complete intolerance for injustice.”

Judge Wrenn’s eyes darted knowingly between the two. “Counsel, approach the bench, please.” When the two were in front of her, she continued in a softer voice. “I am well aware of the publicity this case is getting. It’s a big trial in a little area, so I won’t have grandstanding from either one of you, do I make myself clear? Save your opinions for closing remarks, understood?”

“Yes, ma’am,” they answered in unison, but Gabe counted it as a victory. She was going to let the last minute change in attorney drop without further comment. Danny’s court-appointed attorney had been more than happy to step down once Gabe had impressed upon him his desire to defend his woman.

“We’ll have opening remarks now, gentlemen.”

Mr. Brooks turned first to the courtroom at large and then to the judge. “Your Honor, we are here to determine if the evidence against the defendant, Ms. Eldridge, is sufficient to convict, and I’m quite certain you will find it so. On the evening of October ninth, the defendant wantonly did attack and ultimately, grievously injure the plaintiff,
Professor
Dandridge, esteemed
professor
at Aurora University. This was after
Professor
Dandridge had spurned her attempts to renew their relationship. The defendant stalked, terrorized, and ultimately assaulted
Professor
Dandridge, and we will present evidence to prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt. Thank you.”

Gabe rolled his eyes at the continued emphasis on the fact that Dandridge was a professor. Standing, he let his gaze sweep the room, letting the anticipation rise for several seconds before beginning. “Your Honor, while the prosecutor is correct, in the fact that an assault took place on October ninth, that is about all within his opening testimony that could be considered factual. The truth of the matter is,
Mr.
Dandridge, should be sitting on this side of the courtroom.” He emphasized the ‘mister’ portion to bring him back down to the level of a common man, answerable to man’s laws. “It was the defendant who broke off the relationship after catching him in a compromising act with one of his students, and it was the plaintiff who attacked the defendant when she spurned his attempts at reconciliation. She was the one attacked, and therefore her actions can only be viewed as self-defense.” This caused a loud stir in the court audience, and the judge was forced to bang her gavel to regain silence.

“If this is correct, Mr. Cavanaugh,” Judge Wren interjected when there was finally silence. “Then why weren’t charges filed?”

“I have urged my client to do so, however, she feels that it is best to let bygones be bygones. She’s moved on with her life and wants as little to do with Mr. Dandridge as possible.”

“Now see here,” Dandridge sputtered coming to his feet, but the judge cut him off. The professor was used to being in charge, and Gabe figured having to hold his tongue was killing him.

“Professor Dandridge, you will take your seat and be silent until you are called to testify. Is that understood?” she ordered sharply. The prosecuting attorney yanked his client back down, and hissed for him to be silent. “Very well, if you are finished with your opening remarks, Mr. Cavanaugh, we will begin.”

“I am, thank you, Your Honor.” Gabe nodded and sat down, casting Danny a confident smile. Dandridge’s outburst had been telling.

Mr. Brooks began, “I’d like to call Professor Dandridge to the stand, Your Honor.” Wesley shuffled his way to the witness box, making great show of groaning over his injuries. When he’d been sworn in, the attorney started his questioning. “Professor Dandridge, can you give us a bit of background on the situation, please?”

“Yes, of course,” Dandridge stated in his best, kindly professor voice. “As you stated, the defendant and I were at one time involved in a romantic relationship, however I was forced to break it off with her because of serious intimacy issues on her part. I’m afraid she’s quite frigid, and after years of patience on my part, I was forced to admit that she was never going to seek help and had no desire to change.”

“Ha!” The retort exploded Danny’s mouth!

This earned her a sharp look from the judge. “Mr. Cavanaugh, you will control your client as well.”

Standing, Gabe shot Danny a reassuring smile. “Yes, of course, Your Honor. We apologize, however, I do object. What credentials does the professor have to make these clinical judgments on the defendant? He is a professor of history not psychology, if I am not mistaken.”

“Objection sustained. You will stick to the facts, Professor Dandridge.”

Wesley seemed to object to this and sputtered for a second, but a hard look from the judge redirected his thinking. “Danika refused to take no for an answer. She began showing up at my house at all hours of the night. She left me notes and gifts to try and regain my affection.” He paused, the action obviously rehearsed to Gabe’s practiced eye.

The prosecutor lifted a set of papers, a teddy bear, and bottle of wine and presented them to the judge. “We would like to present Exhibits A through C, Your Honor.”

Danny made a face but kept silent. They’d seen photos of the fake evidence and Gabe was prepared to disprove it.

“Continue,” the prosecutor urged his client.

“Finally I couldn’t take her harassment anymore, so I went to her office at the Aurora Library to confront her. It was quite awful! She begged, screamed, and pleaded, saying she couldn’t live without me, but…”

Gabe cut him off. “Objection, hearsay.”

“Sustained. Stick to the facts, Professor.”