But obviously he wants me to or he wouldn’t have brought it up in the first place. It hurts, a little, but I get it. Callum’s trying to save his son from life in prison.
Steve, meanwhile, says nothing. He’s just taking it all in. But I don’t care about any of the other men in this office. Only the lawyer has the answer I need.
Grier folds his perfectly manicured hands in his lap, clear-eyed and unruffled by all the chaos in the room. I’m not sure what he sees when he looks at me. A frail girl? A stupid one? A silly one? How about one who loves her boyfriend so much she’d be willing to swallow swords for him?
This…this would be nothing. A few months of Daniel Delacorte in my life, a few more awful Astor Park kids whispering behind my back, a reputation as a drug addict? All of that in exchange for Reed’s freedom?
It’d be worth it.
“It can’t hurt,” Grier finally admits.
And Reed loses it again.
10
Reed
“No way!” At the attorney’s words, I immediately abandon Dad and storm over to Ella’s side, stepping between her and the snake before any more damage can be done. “That’s absolutely not happening. Ever.”
Ella shakes me off. “What about the video evidence?”
“It can all disappear,” Grier replies. “It seems that getting rid of evidence is something Delacorte has some experience with.”
“I can’t believe any of you would even consider this a good idea. Daniel shouldn’t be within a hundred miles of Ella,” I say hotly. “This is so fucked up.”
“Language,” my dad chides, as if he’s ever cared before when I’ve dropped F-bombs.
“Is it?” Ella counters. “How about going to prison for twenty-five years? If swallowing my pride means keeping you free, it doesn’t sound fucked up to me.”
Nobody reprimands Ella for her language, which just pisses me off more.
I turn toward Dad because he’s the one who needs convincing. Ella can’t pull off this trade by herself. Only Dad and this gutter lawyer can.
“This is the lowest thing ever. That asshole is a psycho and you’d bring him back? Worse, you’d subject Ella to a lifetime of harassment?”
Dad glares at me. “I’m trying to keep you out of prison. It’s not a great idea, but it’s one you both deserve to hear. You want me to treat you two like adults? Then you get to make the adult decisions,” he snaps.
“I’m making it then. Daniel stays where he is and we win this case on the merits, because I didn’t. Fucking. Kill. Her.” I enunciate each word so that there’s no mistake.
Ella grabs my wrist. “Reed, please.”
“Please what? Do you know what it’ll be like at school if you say you lied about Daniel? You wouldn’t be able to walk the halls alone. One of us would have to be with you at all times. Jordan would tear you up.”
“Do you think I care about that? It’ll only be for a few more months.”
“And what about next year? I won’t be around to protect you,” I remind her.
At the desk, I see Steve narrow his eyes. “I appreciate the sentiment, Reed, but Ella doesn’t need your protection. She has her father to protect her.” He purses his lips. “In fact, I think it’s time for me to take my daughter home.”
My blood runs cold.
Ella’s grip tightens on my fingers.
Steve straightens from the desk. “Callum, I appreciate you taking care of her when I was gone, but I’m Ella’s father. You have your hands full with your own children right now—Ella and I don’t need to be here.”
Oh hell no. She’s not leaving me or this house.
“Dad,” I say in warning.
“Steve, your place hasn’t been released yet,” Callum reminds the other man. “And it doesn’t sound like it will be for a while.” He looks at the attorney for confirmation.
Grier nods. “The sheriff’s office said they’ll be collecting evidence for another two weeks, at least.”
“That’s fine. Dinah and I procured the penthouse suite at the Hallow Oaks.” Steve reaches into his pocket and pulls out a plastic keycard. “I’ve added your name to the reservation, Ella. Here’s your key.”
She makes no move toward it. “No. I’m not sleeping in the same house as Dinah.” Hastily, she adds, “No offense.”
“Ella’s a Royal,” I say coldly.
Steve’s gaze falls to where Ella’s hand is white-knuckling my wrist. “You better hope not,” he murmurs in amusement.
“Be reasonable, Steve,” Dad says. “Let’s get you settled first. We have a number of legal matters to work out. This is new for everyone.”
“Ella’s seventeen, which means she’s still under her parent’s authority, isn’t that right, Halston?”
The lawyer tips his head. “That is correct.” He rises and shakes out his pant legs. “It sounds like all of you have private matters to work through. I’ll get out of your way now.” He stops when he’s halfway to the door and frowns at me. “I assume I don’t need to tell you to stay away from the funeral on Saturday?”
I frown back. “What funeral?”
“Brooke’s,” Dad says tightly, before glancing at Grier. “And no, Reed won’t be attending.”