Justice Falling (Falling #3)(24)

“Holy shite. Really? I’m sorry mate. I thought she was single?”

I shook my head. “Happened ages ago. Years. Still he’s stuck his prick in my woman.”

“Your woman?” Collier questioned, shock and doubt written across his face.

“Yeah. I thought maybe…”

Collier leaned forward putting his elbows on his knees. “And now what? You found out that she’s had relations with him years ago and you don’t want her anymore?”

“No…maybe, Christ! I don’t know.”

“That’s cold, brother. Just the other day you were ready to woo this girl. Now because she’s had a bad shag years ago, you’re moving on?”

“No, I don’t want to, but what choice do I have? Fucking Ty has been with her. How the hell am I going to be with her knowing my best mate’s been in my woman?” I turned to look at the view of the city through my office window. The sun was setting over the horizon. Skyscrapers cut into the hues of color like knives stuck in the ground and pointing at the sky.

“Easy. If she means something, you get over it. I did.”

I spun around. “What do you mean? You have London.”

“Yes, I do.” His head tilted to the side. “But her best mate, Tripp.” I nodded. “He had her first. Many times over. At first, I was a jealous tyrant. Now he’s one of my best mates. I’d do anything for the guy.” I had totally forgotten that Tripp and London had a physical relationship prior to her and Collier coming together.

“And what made it okay?” I couldn’t believe my own ears. I sounded like a right knob.

“Besides the fact that I fell in love with her?” He studied his hands for a bit. “I talked to her. Had words with Tripp. We came to an understanding. What they had was physical and during a time both were very wounded. They’d used one another and, in turn, became great friends. They love each other but are not in love with one another. That made all the difference in the world.” I clasped my hands into a prayer pose, elbows on the desks surface, really taking in what Collier had to say. “At the end of the day, I wanted her more. The stuff with Tripp…that was the past. We decided to leave it there.”

“Has it worked for you?”

“It has.” His gaze held mine. “You like this girl?”

I nodded.

“You like her enough to want more than a quick shag?”

I nodded again unable to speak.

“Then find out what happened in the past, and, once you do, you leave it there. In the past. Then move on.”

Jesus, my brother was smart, always able to put things into perspective. Over the years, I had been with a lot of women but never more than once or twice. I hadn’t even been with Camille, and I wanted her for more than just one night. I wanted her for a lot longer than that. Maybe even forever. Physically, I needed to feel her curvy, lengthy body under mine. I wanted to worship her…for hours. She’s all I could think about. But more than that, I enjoyed being with her. I wanted to laugh with her. Learn more about who she was, what made her tick, what made her smile, laugh, cry. Everything. She was the first woman in my entire life that I wanted to put forth an effort.

“Thank you, Colly.”

Collier’s lips split into a snarky grin. “Any time. You gonna call the bird?”

“Until she answers.” And I meant that bone deep. “And if she doesn’t…well then I’m going to pay her a visit first thing Monday morning.”

“Good man! London and I are taking holiday for the weekend.” I watched him stand and adjust his suit jacket. “I’m going to head out. Go home, grab our bags and whisk my woman away for a long weekend. I’ve cleared my schedule through Tuesday. I’ll be back in the office on Wednesday. Let’s try and do dinner soon, yeah?”

“Sounds good. I’ll cook. Invite the gang?”

“Perfect. Hope you make headway with your girl. I want you to be happy, mate.”

“I think she just may be the answer.”

“Yeah?” He put a hand to the door handle.

“She’s special, Colly.”

He put a finger to his lips and then his chin. “So are you. Don’t let her get away over a prick like Ty. He’s not worth it, but I have a funny feeling she might be.”

“I think you’re right.”

“Good luck, mate!” Collier said as he walked out the door.

Luck. With a beautiful woman who has a tendency to run when things get interesting? I’m going to need a lot more than luck.

I picked up the phone and dialed.

“Spark Investigations. You’ve got Spark.”

“Hello Jonny. Need to call in that favor you owe me.”

“You got it, Walker. Name?”

“Camille Johnston.”

“What do you need? Short story or long?”

“I want it all, but, as soon as you have it, send me the essentials.”

“This personal?”

“None of your business. Be discreet. This one means something to me.”

“I’ll have you the short in a couple hours. The long in a few days.”

“Perfect.”

Two hours later I received the email I’d been waiting for.