25. Claire

CHAPTER 25

CLAIRE

THE SAME DAY – NAVIGATING THE SHADES OF GREY

T he last week with Luca had been nothing short of extraordinary, the best of my life. It felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake up from, each day filled with an intoxicating mix of laughter, desire, and a happiness I hadn’t felt in years. Mornings were softer, the world a little brighter, and I found myself smiling for no reason other than the thought of him. We spent our time wrapped in each other, sharing moments that felt stolen from reality.

The thrill of being with him hadn’t faded; it had only grown stronger, making every goodbye feel like an unwelcome intrusion. Luca had a way of making me feel seen and cherished, as though every part of me—the good, the guarded, the messy—was exactly what he wanted. I’d never known a connection like this, one that burned with both passion and comfort, pushing me to let go in ways I hadn’t thought possible.

But as perfect as it felt, the undercurrents of change tugged at me, a slow acceptance that the lines I’d always drawn were blurring. I was no longer just the barrister who clung to the law like it was an unbreakable creed; I was his, and that came with complications. Each time Luca confided in me, every moment he’d shared about his world, stirred something deep within—a mix of pride, worry, and a growing willingness to understand his reality.

The days had passed in a haze of courtrooms and whispered phone calls, while the nights overflowed with passionate encounters and exchanges that left my heart racing. I felt different, changed, as if the weight I’d carried for so long had lightened in his presence. I’d catch myself replaying our moments together—his lips on mine, his hand trailing along my skin, the way he looked at me like I was his whole world—and it made everything else seem distant, less significant. Even here, surrounded by the rigid decorum of the courtroom, fidgeting with my pen as I waited for the next case, I couldn’t help but drift back to thoughts of him.

My phone buzzed against the polished wooden table, pulling me from my reverie. I glanced at the screen, and my heart leapt at Luca’s name. His timing felt like a gentle reminder of his presence in my life.

“Hey, you,” I answered, a smile spreading across my lips.

“Hey, beautiful,” he replied, his voice smooth and reassuring. It was as if the world around me faded away, leaving only the warmth of his words. “I wanted to give you an update. We’ve made progress on the case.”

“That’s great! Tell me everything,” I urged, my heart racing at the prospect of good news.

He recounted his findings, his tone filled with excitement. “Oh my god, Luca. That’s amazing. Just what we need,” I squealed in delight before realising where I was and lowering my voice. “We should let the prosecution know. This will blow their case out of the water. All we have to do is provide a shadow of doubt, and that more than fits the bill.”

“Not yet, babe. We’re going to try to use him to ensure the MP gets remanded so he can’t cause us any more grief while awaiting trial,” he said.

I frowned, feeling a twinge of frustration. I’d prefer to simply get Luca exonerated now, but I understood the importance of keeping the MP from being a problem. I couldn’t shake the unease at the thought of him retaliating.

“Alright, but we should disclose this information soon. I’ll tell Bradley in the meantime. He’ll be over the moon.”

“That’s my good girl,” Mr Sexy Kisser said, and my breath hitched. I hadn’t realised I had a praise kink until him.

As we exchanged a few more tender words, my heart soared. The connection we had forged over the past week was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Our moments together had been intense—electric—a blend of passion and warmth that left me breathless. The nights spent sharing laughter and whispered secrets contributed to a joy I hadn’t realised I was missing.

The Clerk entered, signalling that the court session was about to resume.

“I have to go,” I said reluctantly. “But I can’t wait to see you later.”

“Me neither. I’ll be thinking about you,” he replied, his voice a low murmur that sent a thrill down my spine.

I was thrilled with Luca’s news; it meant he wouldn’t face a lengthy court case that could jeopardise his reputation and expose his lifestyle. The bonus of avoiding too much time in front of Lady Frost was a relief, though I knew I’d have to deal with her in the future. Just the thought of her smug, icy expression made my jaw clench. If anyone had a chance of getting him hurt, it was her.

As I chewed on the end of my pen, waiting for my client’s case to be called, I couldn’t shake the nagging thoughts about Luca and the lengths he might go to in order to protect himself. The courtroom buzzed around me, the low hum of whispered conversations blending with the creak of leather chairs, but my mind was elsewhere. I pictured Luca and his Bratva brothers, the unspoken understanding between them, their fierce loyalty to each other. I had always believed in justice, in the law—yet now, I found myself grappling with the reality that sometimes, justice was a slippery concept, especially in the world he inhabited.

What would they do to ensure McDougall co-operated? I didn’t think they’d kill him; after all, he was crucial for Luca’s defence. But I could easily picture the pressure they might exert to keep him in line—strategies that went beyond mere persuasion. The idea of intimidation lingered in the back of my mind, a concept I had once found repugnant. Yet, as I sat there, I felt a disquieting sense of acceptance. This was their world, and perhaps I was starting to grasp that the ends sometimes justified the means.

Maybe it was a terrible thing to ignore, but I found myself unwilling to stand in their way. The law had always seemed so black and white, yet I was beginning to see the reality was far more blurred than I’d ever imagined. My life was becoming entangled in shades of grey, forcing me to confront the unsettling truth that the rules of the game had shifted. Navigating this murky terrain was not just a matter of legality; it was about survival—and my growing connection with Luca.