He introduced Pete, then they left her and walked to the defendant's table. Alex took his seat and waited for the judge.

Thirty minutes later, his fate was sealed, but not in a way he'd expected. The assistant D. A. explained that due to lack of evidence, they were dropping all charges. The judge dismissed the case and left the courtroom.

"Way to go," Pete said as he shook Alex's hand. "Congratulations."

"I didn't do anything."

"Still, this solves a lot of problems. I'm going to phone the other partners. They'll want to know."

Pete walked out. Alex stared after him, then turned to watch as Dani approached.

"This is good," she said happily. "You're free. I'm so happy. I was worried that horrible reporter would totally screw up your life." She paused and frowned at him. "Why aren't you more excited?"

Alex wanted to hit something. Despite having grown up with money and privilege, he'd done his damnedest to never use that to get something he hadn't earned. He'd prided himself on working hard, on doing the right thing. With a couple of phone calls, Mark had taken it all away from him.

"It has nothing to do with lack of evidence," he said grimly. "My father did this."

"What do you mean? He talked to the D.A.?"

"He talked to someone. I don't know who, but I'll find out."

Dani sighed. "I don't know what to think. I'm happy you're not facing charges or being arrested or whatever they would have done. That's good. But him getting involved like that. It's just not right."

He stared at her. She got it He didn't have to explain why he wouldn't have wanted this. She knew-because of who she was.

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"Hell if I know. I can't go to the D.A. and demand he try me."

"It would make for an interesting conversation."

"I have to talk to the senator."

"Another interesting conversation," she said.

He put his hand on the small of her back and led her out of the courtroom. He'd thought there might be press waiting outside, but no one was there. Had Mark taken care of that, too?

"He did it because you're his son," she said. "That has to mean something."

"He did it because of the campaign."

"You don't know that."

"Yeah, I do."

She faced him. "Alex, he's your father. Do you really want to have this fight with him?"

"I have to."

"You're very stubborn."

He managed a slight smile. "It's one of my best qualities."

She looked as if she didn't know what else to say. He touched her cheek.

"I'm sorry about before. About what I said."

"Me, too." She shook her head. "I know you're not like Ryan and Hugh. You're a good man. My life isn't easy right now. I was reacting to that. Not to you."

"I get it. I pushed too hard "

"Yes, you did."

She smiled as she spoke.

He nudged her back into a small alcove, then leaned in and kissed her.

She kissed him back, her mouth soft and yielding, her hands resting against his chest. She smelled of flowers and tasted of coffee and that sensual essence he remembered from making love with her.

When she parted for him, he swept inside. Wanting moved through him, but he ignored the need to have her. This wasn't the place or the time, but soon, he thought. Very soon.

They pulled back at the same moment.

Dani glanced around, then looked at him. "This might be illegal."

"Not technically, but it's frowned upon." He rubbed his thumb across her lower lip. "I want to see you again."

"Good thing. I'm worming my way into your world. You won't be able to escape me."

"I don't want to."

She trembled slightly and her breath caught. "You're really good," she murmured. "And dangerous, Dragon-boy."

He grinned. "That's me. How's your grandmother?"

"Doing fine. She's being very careful with her medication, so all is well." She glanced at her watch. "I hate to say this, but I have to go. I'm guessing you have places to be, too."

He nodded. He had to deal with his father. Although he was thinking he should put that off until he could face Mark without wanting to hit something… or someone.


CHAPTER THIRTEEN


Dani arrived at the Canfield home for her appointment with Katherine. They were supposed to discuss the charity event. As Dani rang the bell, it occurred to her that she didn't even know what charity they would be supporting. It was probably a good question to ask.

Katherine opened the door. For once she wasn't perfectly groomed. Her hair was down, she wore a University of Washington sweatshirt over jeans and had on socks, but no shoes.

"Is it three already?" she asked as she smoothed the front of her shirt. "I wasn't watching the time. The kids are all home today so it's been hectic."

"We can reschedule, if it would be easier for you."

"No, no. This is fine." Katherine stepped back to let her in. "I wouldn't want you driving all this way for nothing."

Mussed and in casual clothing, Katherine seemed more approachable. Not that she wasn't always nice. But like this she made Dani less nervous.

Dani followed her into the family room. Sasha, Oliver and Quinn were sprawled on the floor playing with interlocking building blocks. Bailey sat in a chair, reading a Nancy Drew book.

Bailey bounced up when she saw Dani. "Hi. Mom said you were coming by."

"Here I am." She waved to the other kids, then turned back to Bailey. "Don't you love Nancy Drew? My grandmother gave me the whole set one summer and I read one after the other."

Bailey nodded shyly. "These were my mom's, but I'm real careful with them. I wash my hands and everything."

"I'm sure she appreciates that," Dani said. "It's so nice that you get how important books are."

Bailey smiled broadly.

Katherine put her arm around Bailey. "You make me proud in so many ways."

Bailey leaned against her.

Katherine hugged her then sighed. "Dani, I have to make a phone call. Can you stand me to leave you with my herd while I'm gone?"

"Of course. I can build with the best of them."

"It should only be a few minutes. Then we'll discuss that luncheon we're going to."

Honestly, Dani would rather play with building blocks for days than finalize luncheon details. She sank to the floor where Sasha promptly crawled on her lap

"Hey, you," Dani said.

"Hey, you, back." Sasha giggled. “This is a boy game. We should play a girl game. Like dress-up."

Bailey pressed her lips together. "That's for kids."

"I'm a kid," Sasha said proudly. "I'm the baby. Mom doesn't want me to ever grow up. She told me so."

Dani wondered how the differences in the children affected the dynamics in the family.

"I was the youngest, too," Dani said. "And the only girl. It's fun to be the baby, but Bailey is becoming a young woman."

Bailey looked pleased by that. "I'll be fifteen soon."

"Wow. Fifteen," Dani said. "I remember that. It's kind of an important birthday."

“I’ll be six," Sasha told her.

"Six is also important, but there's something about being a teenager. My best friend was only three weeks older than me. I remember her mom took us shopping for our first pair of high heels when my friend turned fifteen. It was a lot of fun. I still have those shoes."

Not that she would wear them anywhere. They were pretty out of date. But they were a good memory.

"Boys don't wear high heels," Quinn said.

"You're right. They don't." As a rule. This wasn't the time to discuss drag queens.

Katherine returned. "That's all done. Did they torture you?"

"Not at all."

"Good." Katherine glanced at her watch. "I think it's about time for your snack. Who wants to see if Yvette has it ready?"

The boys and Sasha raced off. Bailey hesitated. "Dani, would you like something to drink?"

Katherine smacked her own forehead. "Thank you, Bailey, for being so polite. I can't believe I forgot to ask. Dani, you want anything?"

Dani smiled at Bailey. "I'm good, but thanks for asking."

"You're welcome."

Bailey followed the other kids out of the room.

Dani moved to the sofa. "They're wonderful. All of them. They're also a handful, so I'm not sure how you stay sane."

Katherine laughed. "Sanity is not required. Just a lot of patience and love."

"You obviously have an excess of both."

"You're good with them, as well."

"I adore them," Dani admitted. "I kind of have a soft spot for Bailey. She's a sweetie. Her hair is so beautiful."

"I agree. A natural redhead. When Alex and Fiona were still married, and people saw us together, they thought she was Fiona's daughter or sister." Katherine frowned for a moment, then shook her head. "Part of that is Alex was always so close to Bailey. They have a special bond."

Dani was more excited to hear about Alex's connection with his sister than to have information about his ex-wife.

"I'm close with my brothers," Dani said. "Especially Cal, who's the oldest. I guess he's always looked out for me."

"Family is important," Katherine said. "As is raising money for breast cancer research, which is what our luncheon is about. I believe I mentioned you'll be expected to speak."

Dani swallowed. "Yes, you did. In return I might have murmured something about projectile vomiting."

"Not to worry. You'll be fine. We're talking about five or six minutes of remarks."

It might as well be a century of remarks, Dani thought, telling herself it was silly to panic now. She should wait until they were closer to the event and then freak out.

"We should coordinate what we wear," Katherine continued. "We don't want to match and we don't want to clash. I don't usually worry about this sort of thing, but we'll be photographed. A dress with a nice blazer is always good. A suit works. If you aren't sure what would be appropriate, I'm happy to look over your choices and give you the benefit of my experience, such as it is. Of course I'm much older, the thought of that might scare you."

"I'd love your opinion," Dani said. "You're always so stylish."

Katherine glanced down at her sweatshirt. "Not so much today. But that's all right. Okay, back to the event. The reality is you should eat before you come. So many people will want to talk to you there that you won't get a chance. Plus, you don't want to have a picture taken with something in your teeth."

"Should I be taking notes?" Dani asked, as her apprehension turned to outright fear. "What if I can't do this? I don't want to embarrass you or your family. I'm not really good at this sort of thing. I don't have the experience."

Katherine touched her arm. "Take a breath. You'll be fine. It's not that hard. I'll admit it can be a little terrifying, but you'll get through it and the next time will be easier."

The next time? "I don't think so," she murmured, addressing both the possibility of getting through it and any thoughts of there being a next time.

Katherine smiled at her. "Trust me."

"You don't have to do this," Dani said impulsively. "You don't have to be nice to me or help me or even accept me. Yet you are. I'm sorry. I mean that. I never meant to cause any trouble. I never meant to hurt anyone."

"Of course you didn't," Katherine told her. "I'll admit that there are some challenges in the situation, but you're the innocent in all this and I know that."

"You're amazing," Dani breathed.

"I have my moments," Katherine admitted. "There are times I'm not very proud of what I've done, but this is something we all have to deal with. You want to know your father. Why wouldn't you?" She frowned. "Speaking of Mark, I have something I wanted to show you."

She stood and crossed to a built-in unit with cupboards on the bottom and bookcases on top. She opened one of the low cabinet doors and pulled out a couple of photo albums, then she returned to the sofa and sat next to Dani.

"Pictures," she announced. "I have hundreds, so any time you can't sleep, feel free to come over and I'll bore you into a stupor. Mark's late mother put this one together." Katherine looked at her. "She would have loved to know she had a granddaughter. Leslie died about ten years go."

Grandparents. Dani hadn't much thought about extended family. Were there others she was related to?

Before she could ask, Katherine said, "Mark's father passed away when Mark was five or six. There isn't any other family that I know about."

"Oh." Dani didn't know how she felt about that. Mark was kind of enough to deal with for now.

Katherine opened the older of the two photo albums. "Mark's baby pictures," she said as she pointed.