9. Claire
CHAPTER 9
CLAIRE
EVEN LATER THAT NIGHT – TAKING LUCA’S CASE
“ E veryone, wait here!” Miki ordered, before he and a few of the guys disappeared through an employee-only door with Trigger. Privacy, I assumed, while they figured out what the hell was going on.
My stomach churned. What had Luca done? I had no idea, but I prayed it wasn’t something serious. As I glanced around at the shock and concern etched on everyone’s faces, I felt bad for them—but I couldn’t help but be relieved I wasn’t involved in whatever this was.
No one was talking, no one speculating out loud. That was how I knew most of the people here were criminals. Normally, there would be gossip, wild guesses flying around about what the man himself had done. But instead, we just stood there, waiting for Miki to return and either explain or dismiss us.
After what felt like forever, Miki came back with Ash and motioned for me to join them in a quiet corner.
“Claire, I know you don’t want any involvement in the family’s criminal activities, and I respect that,” he began. “But our lawyer had a heart attack a few nights ago. He’s still recovering. You know he’s elderly, and I’ve been trying to find a replacement, but so far, no luck. Could you help with this? Just for now?”
Shit. This was exactly what I’d been trying to avoid—the very reason I wouldn’t get involved with Luca. The conflict of interest, the risk to my reputation if I ever had to defend him for something illegal. I glanced at the crowd of faces around us and felt a wave of nausea.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I stated firmly.
As much as I liked them all—especially Luca—I couldn’t get sucked into the Bratva’s world. A few months ago, Miki had approached me with an offer. He’d told me his lawyer was retiring, and he needed someone to head up the legal practice, handling both corporate and criminal law. He’d wanted me to be that person.
The idea of running my own firm had been tempting. If it had been a legitimate operation, I would’ve said yes in a heartbeat. But the reality was, it wouldn’t be. Right or wrong, I still believed in the black-and-white nature of the law. Either you did things above board or you didn’t. I couldn’t straddle both sides.
Lately, several lawyers and police officers had been exposed as corrupt. Even a government MP, one of the Rominovs’ enemies, according to Marcie, had been caught. But surely they were a minority? I still believed that the UK legal system was among the best in the world, thanks not only to its laws, but to the people who upheld them. I wasn’t going to let myself fall into corruption. I’d vowed that to myself, and that hadn’t changed.
“Please?” Miki persisted. “I really appreciate it. Just until we find someone else?”
I shook my head, but he cut in again.
“This isn’t Bratva business. I know you don’t want to be involved in that, and I’m not trying to rope you into it. This is about Luca. He’s been arrested for murder. He’s innocent. He needs a good defence lawyer, and you’re one of the best. I know you don’t want a relationship with him, but if you care about him at all—help him.”
My heart clenched at the concern in his eyes.
“Innocent?” I whispered.
“Yes,” he replied.
“How do you know?” My voice was barely audible.
“Because the victim was a woman. She was killed in his flat. There’s no way Luca would do something like that.”
His conviction was unwavering, and I found myself pausing.
“Please, Claire,” Gracie chimed in, giving me her classic puppy-dog eyes, hands clasped in a pleading gesture. She always did this when she wanted something from me. I sighed, knowing I couldn’t say no to her.
“Alright,” I conceded. “But I’m only stepping in until your lawyer is back on his feet, or you find someone else. That’s it.”
“I appreciate it!” he said, nodding in agreement.
Miki nodded, gratitude clear in his expression. “Thank you.”
We made our way to the police station where Luca was being held. Along the way, Miki filled me in on what they knew so far.
It was even worse than we’d thought—rape and murder. My breath hitched. No… No way!
Surely he hadn’t?
As soon as the question crossed my mind, I dismissed it. Of course not. Luca might be many things, but he wasn’t a rapist, and he’d never hurt a woman. I was sure of that.
Despite everything, Luca and his Bratva Blood Brothers had high morals when it came to women. They believed women were to be loved and protected. I knew that much from Ash, who’d reassured me when Gracie started seeing him. Gracie had also told me about Krissa, the Rominovs’ oldest sister. She’d been raped and murdered a couple of years ago. It had devastated the family. I couldn’t imagine any of them doing something similar to another woman after what they’d been through.
So, despite my initial reluctance, I resolved to help. Not just for Luca, or the Rominovs, or even Gracie—but for the woman who’d been murdered. She deserved justice. And justice meant finding the actual killer, which started by not letting an innocent man take the fall.
Besides, no matter my earlier protests, deep down, I knew I could never leave Luca to face this alone. I just hoped I wouldn’t regret it.