Page 81 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“Well, I should be going. Let me congratulate you on your marriage. Well played, I have to say.”

“It’s not a game—”

“But remember this.”

Sissy planted her hands on the table and leaned right into Remy’s personal space.

Hold your ground.

“I know things about you. Things no one else knows. Things Rusty doesn’t know. Things that might hurt your reputation should they become public.”

Shit.“Is that a threat?” She could barely get the words past the constriction in her throat.

Sissy shook her head. “Not a threat, counselor, but a promise. Take my daughter away from me, and I’ll make sure you pay.” Without another word, she pushed off the table and left.

In her wake, Remy’s relief warred with panic. How much could her rival possibly know? She’d put her money on the woman bluffing. Everyone had secrets they didn’t want their loved ones to know. Except Sissy was right on one count—certain secrets being revealed could cause irreparable harm to Remy’s reputation—and her reputation was everything.

She dropped a twenty on the table, leaving a sizeable tip for the waitress. Running home to the safety of Rusty’s arms was all she wanted, but she dismissed that notion out of hand. Sissy hadn’t made a threat, and he didn’t need to know. He had enough going on. So, she’d head back to the safety of her office, where routine was all the comfort she needed.

An hour later, Remy glanced at Zach as they stood just inside her office, waiting for the conference room to be free. “You’re sure you’re okay with asking for ten years? I’m willing to take this one to trial.”

Zach looked over the papers once more as if they could signal the right path. “Danica’s a great witness, but her testimony and some sperm are all you have. There’s no physical evidence.”

“There are the bruises.” Bruises recorded by the evidence technician. “She’s willing to do this. Zach, so few rape victims are willing to step forward—let alone testify. She’ll hold up on the witness stand.”

“You know that’s not my worry, Remy.”

“It’s not fair, Zach. Her sexual history isn’t supposed to be on trial.”

His hands shot up in frustration. “I completely agree, but we can’t avoid that Danica told you she likes…enthusiastic partners.”

“She likes it rough, that’s what you mean? Because even if she does, no still means no.” Remy shook from the injustice of it. “And she told himno,Zach, of that I have no doubt.”

“I don’t either.”

And if he said he didn’t, then he didn’t. If she assured him of something, he believed her, without question. They worked so well together because of the trust.

“But what we know and what we can prove are two different things. Look, we start with ten and we plead down to five.”

“Five years for rape? There’s something grotesquely wrong with that, Zach, and you know it.” She paused. “And what if he won’t go more than two? I can win this case. You know I can.”

“At what cost? Time, money, resources? Putting Danica through the trauma?” He let out a familiar exasperated sigh. “If her past gets hinted at, then you’ll probably lose. And if you lose, he walks away. What then?”

As always, he made a compelling case. Her boss had good instincts, which was one of the reasons she trusted his gut. She rarely argued because he was usually right.

“Okay.” Damn, she hated herself for doing this. “Ten years to start with, and no less than five.”

Zach nodded and led her into the conference room.

Graham Henrikson sat with his lawyer, Lance Howard. Both men looked up when Remy and Zach entered the room, but only Lance stood.

Good manners and breeding. She already knew that because of her history with Lance. A history her boss didn’t know about. If he did, he’d never have let her in this room. And she needed to be in this room. She owed it to Danica.

Since Lance hadn’t mentioned any potential conflict of interest, she was happy to keep quiet. The high-priced defense attorney from Vancouver rarely appeared in Mission City. That was why he’d seemed safe to her. A nice, safe guy. A few nice dates, one horrible disaster in the bedroom, and her short-lived attempt at dating him had ended.

Latest rumor? He was dating a divorcée ex-cast member from one of those horrible reality television shows.

She’d thought Lance above such affairs, but, apparently, she’d been wrong. It wasn’t the first time she’d misjudged a man—and wouldn’t be the last.

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