“She does. You got lucky today.”
As I make my way up the stairs, I glance back and take in the scene in front of me—Sean having so much fun with his friends and Luke happy and relaxed in a way I haven’t seen before. Something has shifted in him recently. He’s even started talking to me more about his past. Opening himself up and sharing some of those hidden parts of his soul that he’s kept locked tight.
As I think about moving in with him, my thoughts slam hard up against a wall in my mind.
Jolene.
That file sitting in my bag.
Why, God?
Why did you have to make this so damn complicated?
Why did you have to give me a conscience?
I traipse into the kitchen in search of coffee. I’ll save the vodka for after the party. I try to ignore it, but Jolene’s file glares at me from the kitchen table as I walk past. It’s shoved inside my bag, but it’s still glaring at me.
You could just forget you ever saw it.
Yes, but an innocent woman might be sitting in prison.
Luke’s already told you she’s guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Leave it.
Yes, but…
No buts. Clearly, she’s guilty. You’d just be stirring up shit. Luke doesn’t need to go through all that again.
But what if she’s not? What if she just needs someone on her side?
I make coffee and decide to put the file out of my mind for now. I’m going to spend today celebrating Sean’s birthday. After Luke goes to work tonight and Sean goes to bed, I’ll flick through it again. I know, though, that it’s going to be a long night of me wrestling with my conscience. This file is not something I want in my life and it would be far easier to throw it in the bin than deal with it.
* * *
By 10:00 p.m., I’m exhausted. The party ended on a high and Sean was more animated than ever. Luke stayed as long as he could to try to settle him, but by six, I was alone after he went to work and Paris went out for dinner with her friends. He finally fell asleep just after seven thirty at which point I collapsed onto the couch with vodka and Jolene’s file.
I pored over it for two hours. I’ve taken copious notes, but I don’t feel like I’ve gotten anywhere. I keep circling back to the old man who lived next door and to Marion’s thoughts on Jolene. Those two pieces of the puzzle seem to be the key to delving further into this.
I need to talk with them.
Oh, God.
I need to meet Luke’s wife.
My phone rings.
Luke.
“Hey, sexy man. How’s your night?”
“It’s busy as hell here. I doubt I’ll get out of here early tonight.”
“So no sexy times tonight? Geez, dude, you’re letting the team down. Two nights in a row.”
“Go to bed now. You’re going to need some energy when I get home.” Bossy Luke.
I squeeze my legs together. “A girl can dream.”
“And Callie?”
“Yes?”
“Be ready for a long night.”
“You kill me, Mr Hardy.”
“I’m just repaying the favour, baby.”
My conscience wars with itself after our call, Jolene’s file still glaring at me from the couch.
She’s guilty. Walk away now.
You just want her to be guilty so she can’t rock your happy little boat.
She can’t rock my happy boat. Luke doesn’t love her anymore.
But he wants a family for his son.
He can have me. I have mummy skills.
Yeah, but he’s always wanted the mother and father together with the child. He wants what he never had.
I hate you. Why the fuck did you have to bring that up?
* * *
Luke slides into bed around four-thirty the next morning. I’ve had the worst night’s sleep and have tossed and turned for hours, so I’m half awake when he gets home. His arm snakes over my waist and pulls me tightly against him while his leg rests over mine. I wait for him to make his move, but he doesn’t.
“Long night?” I ask.
“Yeah, a long fucked-up night. Nothing but problems.” His exhaustion weaves itself through his words.
I turn to face him and press a kiss to his lips. “I’m sorry you had such a shitty night.”
“I’m sorry I’m so late.” His eyes find mine in the dark.
“Go to sleep, baby,” I whisper.
“Tomorrow you’re mine. I don’t know when or how, but I’m not going another day without you.”
I smile. “We could do some washing while you fuck me on the washing machine. I don’t even care if it’s a quickie while Sean sleeps.”
He groans and grinds himself against me. “Or you could just keep talking dirty now. My cock can’t resist your filthy mouth.”
“Your cock can’t resist me, full stop. I could wrap my lips around it and give you a little A-game action.” I push my pussy against him. “But you know what I’ve been missing real bad? Your mouth on my tits. I’d do just about anything for that.”
He pushes his cock inside me. Just a little way in before pulling back out. “You want that or my mouth?”