the family-owned law firm in 1960. Albert Clark was still active, although eighty years old. He shared leadership of the company with Jacob Jr. and Frank.
Griffin had interned at Hamilton, Hamilton and Clark while in law school and had been offered a permanent position by Albert Clark, who had taken the young man under his wing. Griffin had met Albert Clark when the esteemed attorney gave a lecture at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. The day after graduation, Griffin had started his career with the firm, and he had been with the company for five years.
The hours were long, leaving little time for socialization, but as far as Griffin was concerned, this was a dream come true for him and he would make the necessary sacrifices to reach his goal of making partner. He had worked hard and his legal reputation was growing. Hamilton, Hamilton and Clark paid him more money than he could ever have imagined earning.
Griffin read over a set of interrogatories, pausing to make notes here and there on a legal pad.
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes traveling to an elegantly framed photograph hanging on his wall. All of the associates had one in their office—it was a photo of the attorneys in the firm. Griffin’s gaze landed on Marissa.
He had been fighting his feelings for Marissa for years. Griffin noticed her the very first day he walked through the doors of Hamilton, Hamilton and Clark. At the time, Marissa was in college—too young. She was also Jacob Hamilton Jr.’s daughter, which made her completely off-limits.
Now Marissa was all grown up. However, Griffin wanted to ensure that his career was firmly established before he settled down, which meant that falling in love with her would be a distraction he could not afford.
* * *
Marissa stepped out of the elevator and saw that Griffin was walking a client to the door. He stepped aside to let her enter through the mahogany doors.
She gave him a tiny smile of gratitude but did not linger.
A few minutes later, Griffin appeared in the doorway of her office. “You all right?” 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.
