Read Online Maxwell: Not Without Guilt (Phoenix Club) by CJ Bishop - Free Book Online

“You won’t go alone,” he murmured tightly.
    When Devlin leaned forward, elbows grinding into his thighs, hands clasped, and damp, troubled eyes on the prosecutor, Cole pitied the doctor. The man Tate was describing Craig to be – was the man Devlin had thought he was all his life. Bronson Tate’s speech was convincing – if one didn’t know any better – and Cole prayed that it didn’t somehow begin to cause doubt in Devlin about his brother’s guilt.
    That’s fucking crazy and you know it. Devlin remembers now the things Craig did to ‘him.’ And then there was Devlin’s childhood friend, Brandon. And others that the private investigator had found.
    We’re good, Cole assured himself. This bastard might give a cozy speech about a compassionate, generous man – but the evidence we have will blow that fucking illusion out of the water. And despite Cole’s “first impression” of Horatio Kaplan, he now knew the man to be trustworthy. He wouldn’t have suggested Abel confess to his crimes and go to court if he hadn’t been fully convinced his guys could win the case hands down. And the fact that Jensen Taylor remained calm, without a hint of visible tension, afforded Cole a hell of a lot of comfort.
    “Why is he saying those things about Abel?” Savannah squeezed her hands into fists in her lap, tears watering her eyes. “It was self-defense.” The girl seemed ready to lay into the prosecutor right along with Cole and Gabe.
    “Of course it was,” Cole said and hugged her closer. “It’s his job to try and make Abel look guilty. But don’t worry, Abel is in good hands.”
    In what appeared to be an absent movement – though Cole was fairly certain it was quite calculated – Maddy took hold of Savannah’s left hand. When he spoke, his question was directed to Cole. “Why do the witnesses have to swear to tell the truth, but that guy gets to stand up there and lie his ass off?”
    Cole glanced at Angel and Dane, and smiled; the kid made a hell of a good point. “I don’t know,” Cole admitted. “Sure as hell don’t seem fair.”
    “It isn’t right.” Savannah didn’t withdraw her hand from Maddy’s but held onto him tighter. “Abel isn’t any of the things he says he is. And Craig wasn’t a good guy.” She faltered abruptly and glanced towards Devlin, as if her words might have wounded him.
    Devlin leaned on his knees and shook his head. “You’re right, sweetheart,” he murmured, staring at the floor. “He wasn’t a good guy.”
    ♦
    U pon hearing the fear and anger in Savannah’s voice, Max leaned forward and touched her shoulder. “Ignore the man, honey,” he said quietly. “Like Cole said, it’s his job to bring accusations against Abel. But your brother is innocent of those charges. And Horatio’s attorneys will prove it. They’re the best.” He glanced at Horatio, who was watching him. “Isn’t that right?”
    “Absolutely.” Horatio scooted forward and leaned on the back of the front bench next to Max. “Jensen Taylor won’t let anything happen to Abel,” he told the young girl. “So don’t you worry. Abel’s case is iron clad.”
    Savannah nodded and seemed to relax somewhat, leaning a bit towards Maddy. Max looked at them a moment, warm envy coursing through him. Whether or not this would turn out to be a first love for them both remained to be seen, but there was nothing quite like that feeling of falling in love that very first time. When he had first known he was in love with Horatio, it was the most amazing thing he had ever experienced-
    He shoved the thought away quickly, forcefully, as he was suddenly too aware of Horatio right beside him, still leaning forward against the bench. He cleared his throat and glanced at the man. “Thank you, for...” He nodded towards Savannah.
    A faint, hesitant smile touched the edges of Horatio’s mouth. “My pleasure. I don’t want her to worry.”
    It hurt Max that the man seemed uncertain if he should