Justice Falling (Falling #3)(55)

“Send me a copy. While you’re at it. Have a couple copies printed and framed. I want that on my desk at work and one for Camille as a surprise.” I pulled out my phone and sent her the image of the three of us together and the one of just Camille. “I just sent you two more. I’d like the same. Make sure the framed images are visible on my desk.”

Emma’s shook her head and put a hand on her hip. “Wow, you’re…I never thought I’d see the day when you’d be smitten. It’s really quite fabulous.”

“Don’t you have work to do? Tanner and I have lots to do today. Right, sport?”

His eyes lit at the mention of his name and he nodded excitedly. He was a really great kid. Kept quiet and only spoke when spoken to unless he was at home or in an environment that was familiar. Camille had done a wonderful job raising the boy alone.

She shouldn’t have been alone. Tyler should have taken care of his responsibility. It seemed everyone had been right about the bloke. He was nothing but a womanizing bastard. I’d yet to deal with him but that would have to come. I needed to set the record straight and he needed to know he had a son.





Chapter 14





Nothing prepared me for the vision that entered the office at closing time. Nate strode in holding Tanner’s hand. They were both dressed in matching suits and smiles. If anyone had seen them, they would have assumed it was a proud father with his son.

I stood with my mouth open, taking in their matching attire.

“You look amazing.” I whispered, my gaze eating up every inch of one the loveliest images.

“Mommy! Mr. Nate took me to work today. He’s a liar!” he said happily.

Nate laughed and leaned against my desk. Full belly guffaws wracked his tall muscled frame.

“Tanner, it’s lawyer, not liar,” I corrected, sighing. Nate still laughed hard.

“Mommy, mommy. Guess what I did?” He didn’t let me answer. “I went to work. I saw Mr. Nate’s office. He has this big window.” Tanner stretched his arms out as wide as he could. “It’s like a wall. And you could see the whole wide world!” he squealed, bouncing up and down. “He even let me color on the whole window with light highters!”

“Highlighters, sport.” Nate smiled.

“Yeah! Light highters! I had yellow, and green, and pink and blue! And I color-did all over the window wall! We took a picture you have to see.” He tugged Nate’s pocket and dug his hand in. He pulled out Nate’s cell phone with no regard for personal boundaries. I worried my lip as Nate clicked a couple buttons and showed me the screen. As clear as day, you could see Tanner in front of his wall of art and the buildings and horizon through the glass. It seemed as though he traced the shapes of the skyscrapers with the bright colors. I was impressed that Nate would be so comfortable letting Tanner deface his office.

Tanner moved from foot to foot until I told him it was amazing. I loved watching his exuberance. Nate put his hand on the boy’s head. Tanner calmed then looked up at Nate with an adoring smile across his little face. He was falling in love with Nate the same way I had.

“The lad was very helpful actually. He went to court with me, held my briefcase which was a very important job.” Tanner nodded excitedly. “He sat perfectly quiet while I pleaded a case. We had lunch.”

“We had the bestest ever tacos ever Mommy! I love tacos! And I met his brother. I forgotted his name, but he talked funny like Mr. Nate and gave me ice cream!”

Nate laughed and pulled me into his chest. “Sorry I didn’t tell you I had him for the day, but I couldn’t bring myself to take him home. I did stop by your apartment to tell Jin I was keeping him for the day. She was surprised but okay with it. We wanted to surprise you. ”

“I am surprised, that’s for sure. I can’t believe you did this! You know he’s going to get so attached…” I warned. I really wasn’t sure how connected Nate wanted to be with Tanner. Sure he said he loved me but I was a package deal. There was never going to be an “us” without Tanner included.

“As he should. I told you, Precious. I’m not going anywhere. Get used to it. I want you both with me tonight.” I planned on finding a way out of it but he squashed that plan.

“Jin already told me you’re not working tonight so you’re free. I have London and Collier and Emma coming for dinner. I want you and Tanner to get to know my family.” He went behind my desk, opened my drawer and pulled out my purse. “Let’s go.”

“Nate, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Tanner? Would you like to spend the night at my house again? I have an Xbox and lots of games,” he offered.

“Yes, oh yes. Mommy, Mr. Nate promised to teach me a car racing game. We picked it up at the game store. It’s Mario!”

“Low blow…” I whispered so only Nate could hear.

Nate shrugged and grinned. “Whatever it takes. I want you with me as often as possible. Both of you,” he gestured to Tanner and my heart filled with adoration and extreme love. He was pulling out all the stops and I couldn’t understand why. I was a nobody, but with Nate, I felt like a somebody.

Later that evening I worried my fingers and sipped my wine when Nate opened the door. I heard male laughter and a round of back slaps. I walked around the kitchen and into the living room. Collier removed London’s coat as Nate removed Emma’s. A handsome tall man with brown hair and light eyes that were green as my own came to me and put out his hand. He seemed familiar in a way that you recalled a long lost friend or schoolmate.