A man wearing a suit but resembling a linebacker held open the back door of a dark, nondescript BMW and ushered Jaxon inside. Before she could process the scene, the man jogged to the front, got into the driver’s seat, and sped away.
“Private security,” Mr. Trenton explained, obviously noticing Kate’s confusion, and he hustled her, his hand on her elbow, to his car. The reporters scattered to their vehicles in an effort to follow Jaxon.
One of the perks of being an overnight celebrity. Loss of privacy.
The media didn’t care if you hadn’t asked to be a celebrity. Didn’t care if you just lost the only person who ever loved you. Didn’t care if you were fourteen. They thrust you in the limelight. They may have blacked out your face and left out your name, but everyone knew it was you. You couldn’t hide. So you stopped hiding and gave them a show.
When they arrived back at the firm’s parking structure, he placed the car in park and shifted his weight in his seat to face her.
She bit the inside of her cheek as he studied her intently. She waited for the inevitable.
“I’m going pass some of your existing caseload to Hannah.”
And there it was. “I’m sorry for drawing attention in the interrogation room. If you give me another chance, I promise to do better.”
Small creases formed on his forehead. “Why are you apologizing?”
“You just fired me.”
The creases smoothed, replaced by wrinkles around his eyes. “You misunderstood, Ms. Martin. I want you to second chair on the Deveroux matter. I can already anticipate Jaxon’s case taking up much of your time. It’s got to be your top priority at work.”
Relieved, she let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. He hadn’t fired her. In fact, she’d have the chance to work even closer with him and learn the potential complexities of a criminal case. “Why wouldn’t you have Mr. Reaver second chair? After all, he has the experience—”
He frowned. “Jaxon doesn’t want Reaver. He wants me and I want you. I shouldn’t tell you this, but when you submitted your resume to become my intern, Reaver fought to have you assigned to him. After all, it’s not every day we get a National Criminal Law Trial Advocacy champion applying for an internship at Joseph and Long.”
Not since Nick. According to the interviews she’d read, the competition had given him the edge he’d needed to win a coveted slot as Miles Joseph’s intern. Which was why she also entered the competition. “I would have turned him down since I have no interest in pursuing a career in criminal law.”
He nodded. “That’s what I told him. You obviously have a gift in the courtroom whether you ultimately choose civil or criminal law. I’m offering you a chance to put your gift to work. Not for a trophy and a couple hundred dollars but for real. This will make your career. You’ll have every law firm in the country clamoring to hire you when you graduate next summer. I believe in you. You’re fully capable of handling this case. I wouldn’t risk my best friend’s freedom.”
Second chair meant she’d be the second in command, a position typically reserved for a senior attorney or more advanced associates. As Mr. Trenton’s right hand, she’d be responsible for research and motion preparation, depositions, exhibits, and trial prep. And if Jaxon went to trial, she’d sit beside Mr. Trenton in the courtroom. Although she was an intern, she’d be permitted to examine the witnesses. Excitement shot through her. “I know you wouldn’t, and I appreciate you having faith in me.”
“There’s something about you that goes beyond the mere intelligence and drive I’ve seen in previous interns. You remind me of myself at your age.”
He didn’t know he’d just paid her the highest compliment. How embarrassed would she be if he discovered she idolized him to the point of collecting clippings of him throughout the years? “Thank you.”
“Ms. Martin, may I call you Kate?”
His voice went slightly husky and her body responded, her nipples tightening beneath her lacy bra. “Yes, sir.”
“When we’re alone, you can call me Nick.” Her heart danced when he reached his hand out as if he was going to touch her. At the last second, he relaxed it on the headrest inches from her shoulder. “I’ve watched you this month. You don’t take care of yourself. You don’t take breaks for meals, and when you do, they’re in the form of vending machine foods and coffee.”
She shivered. “How do you know that?”
“I told you. I’ve watched you.” His gaze dropped to her mouth and then up to her eyes once more.