“Me?” Collier clamped down on his rising temper, though his insides were quivering.
“Yes, you. You couldn’t let sleeping dogs lie, like I asked.”
“No, Dad, I can’t. And you know that.”
Mason released a bitter sigh. “So what have you decided to do?”
“It’ll depend on what Kyle finds.”
“He’s looking for the girl, right?”
“Right,” Collier finally replied.
“Have you spoken to your brother?”
“Not yet.” Collier’s eyes drilled Mason. “Have you?”
“No,” Mason said hoarsely. “I haven’t.”
“He’s going to be pissed, Dad. Just like me.” Mason stiffened. “You might be wrong. He just might pat Brewster on the back for not letting that piece of scum walk.”
Collier laughed without humor. “You know better than that. Even at his lowest period, Jackson never would have condoned Brewster breaking the law.”
“What about Brewster?”
Collier didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “As soon as possible, I’m going to fire his ass, then go after his license. Any objections?”
Mason shrugged, then slid his eyes away. “Go ahead. I never liked the son of a bitch anyway.”
“He’s going to squeal and do a lot of finger-pointing.”
“Let him go right ahead. Like I’ve already told you, it’s his problem if he misinterpreted something I said.” Mason paused and rubbed his chin. “But you’ve made it clear where you stand. She obviously means more to you than your family.”
“No, Dad. Stop right where you are. This has nothing to do with choosing sides. It has to do with what’s right, regardless of who’s involved.”
“But that piece of shit’s going to walk.”
“Not necessarily. If he does, though, you’ll have to accept it.”
Before Mason could reply, Kyle opened the door. “Oops, sorry, I should’ve knocked. I’ll come back later.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Come on in, boy,” Mason said, waving his hand. “I was just leaving.” At the door, he swung back around with narrowed eyes. “I hope you know what you’re doing, son.”
Collier didn’t say a word.
Once Mason was gone, Kyle cocked an eyebrow. “He’s not happy, I take it.”
“He’ll get over it,” Collier said abruptly. “Now, what have you got?”
Kyle hitched his slacks and sat down. “The girl. I found Renee Youngblood.”
Thirty-Nine
The trailer in front of her didn’t look half-bad, Brittany thought with relief. She was sitting in her parked car against the curb, perusing her surroundings. Two cars were parked in the driveway, a sure sign someone was home. She’d found the mobile home park easily enough, since the town, an hour’s drive from Chaney, had a population of only five hundred.
Grabbing her purse, she got out just as a vehicle pulled up behind her. She froze. Collier. It couldn’t be, but it was. He got out, as well, and walked over to her car. For a long moment neither one of them said a word. Brittany’s senses were clamoring from shock, as well as from the heat in his eyes, which he didn’t bother to disguise.
“I see you’ve been busy,” he said, his voice low and tense.
Brittany swallowed, wanting to shift her gaze, only she couldn’t. He held her captive. “You’re the last person I expected to see here.”
“I told you I was going to do what I could to right a wrong.” He paused. “But you didn’t believe me.”
She licked her lips. “No, I didn’t.”
Silence fell between them.
“I miss you.” Collier’s eyes were dark and searching. “God, how I miss you.”
“Don’t.” Her voice broke.
She missed him, too. Terribly. With him standing before her in the flesh, she inhaled his scent, making her crazy with longing. It was all she could do not to launch herself into his arms and pretend everything was all right between them. But everything wasn’t all right, and it never would be. Fate had seen to that.
“How did you find her?” he asked.
“Dumb luck.”
His smile didn’t quite reach maturity. “So what’s next?”
“I’m going to see if she’ll talk to me.”
His hungry eyes delved into hers one last time before he said, “Lead the way. I’m right behind you.”
With her stomach tied in knots, Brittany turned. That was when the front door opened and a young woman walked out. When she saw them, she pulled up short. Keeping her excitement to a minimum, Brittany, with Collier beside her, met her at the edge of the driveway.
She could have been attractive, Brittany thought, had her hair not looked like a pile of yellow straw with black roots, and if she hadn’t been so sloppily dressed in baggy jeans and a big sweatshirt that hung too freely on her thin frame.
“Renee?”
The girl’s eyes turned instantly suspicious. “Depends on who wants to know.”
Brittany faced Collier for a second. “He’s Collier Smith, and I’m Brittany Banks, Tommy Rogers’ sister.” Once she had identified herself, Brittany waited with suspended breath.
“What do you want?” The girl’s gaze was pinned on Brittany.
Brittany sensed that Renee knew what she wanted. Something had flared in her eyes for just a second before it disappeared.
“I want to ask you about what happened that night at the party you attended with Tommy.”
“You’re the second person who’s come here today about that very thing.”
Without looking at Collier, Brittany asked, “Who was the first person?”
Renee shrugged. “A man. Said he was an investigator for some law firm.”
“I sent him,” Collier said. “He works for me.”
Brittany’s heart was pounding. So Collier had delivered on his promise after all. But she couldn’t think about that—or him—right now, even though that was impossible with him standing so close to her. “What did you tell the investigator?”
“The truth,” Renee said. “But not until he promised I wouldn’t get in no trouble.”
“Would you mind telling me the same thing?” Brittany asked.
“I told him I saw Chad Creekmore put something in Tommy’s drink. When that other attorney came to see me three years ago, I told him the same thing.”
“Darwin Brewster?” Brittany’s words were barely audible.
“Yeah, I think that was his name. Anyway, I told him what I’d seen, and that I’d say so in court if it’d help Tommy. But I also told him he’d have to keep Chad away from me. He scared me shitless.” Renee clamped her hand over her mouth. “Uh, sorry.”
“No problem,” Brittany said a trifle impatiently. “Go ahead.”
“Later that Brewster guy came back and told me he’d give me some money not to tell the truth.”
Brittany felt rather than saw Collier stiffen.
“My mamma was real sick at the time, and my daddy had just taken off, so I took it,” Renee added with a defiant lift of her chin. “Tommy would’ve done the same thing, I bet.”
Brittany winced at those words but didn’t dwell on what that said about her brother. “What about now, Renee?” she pressed. “Would you be willing to come forward and tell the truth?”
“Yeah. Me and Tommy used to be real close.”
“He’s in prison now, you know,” Brittany said in an uneven voice.
“He don’t deserve to be.”
“With your help, that just might change,” Brittany said eagerly.
“That lowlife Chad should take his place.”
“Right now, my only concern is Tommy.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“My office will be in touch with you,” Collier interjected. “Soon.”
Renee shrugged. “No problem. I’m not going nowhere.”
Brittany let out her pent-up breath, then reached out and hugged her, tears of joy filling her eyes. “Thank you. T
hank you. Somehow I’ll make this up to you.”
“Forget it,” Renee declared, her eyes glinting. “I owe Tommy.”
Brittany didn’t try to stem the flow of tears that ran down her cheeks. “Bless you. And thank you again.”
Brittany felt Collier’s eyes on her, but she didn’t look at him, nor did she say anything. She wished she hadn’t given in when he’d urged her to get into his car. Her vulnerability made that a crazy move, though she felt she owed him that much, which was also crazy. Just because he’d found the girl, too, that didn’t mean their relationship was on the mend. Tommy still might not be freed.
Trust.
That was what it came down to, and she didn’t trust him. With that admission, another chunk came out of her heart.
“It’s going to be all right,” Collier said in a low tone. “You just have to trust me.”
She shifted startled eyes to him. Had he read her thoughts? “I wish I could, but…I can’t.”
“God, Brittany,” he groaned. “Don’t say that.” She moistened her lips.
“Don’t do that,” he said, heat in his eyes. “As it is, I can barely keep my hands off you.”
“Has anything changed, Collier?” she asked brutally, effectively destroying the mouth-drying sensuality hovering between them.
He didn’t pretend to misunderstand her question. “You mean do we have my family’s blessing?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”
“No, but I don’t care.”
“You will, Collier. The day will come when you will care, and then you’ll blame me.”
“Never,” he said fiercely.
“Please, I can’t fight this battle over again.”
“Then don’t. Just marry me.”
God, she was tempted to throw caution and sound judgment to the wind, fling herself into his arms and say yes. But she couldn’t. It was devastating being without him. But if she married him, then lost him, she wouldn’t survive.
She simply wasn’t prepared to take the risk.
“I’ll even withdraw my name from the short list for the judgeship,” he said into the silence, desperation sharpening his voice. “Whatever it takes.”
Her eyes widened in horror. “Are you crazy? That’s the chance of a lifetime. I would never ask you to give that up.”
“I may not get it, anyway,” he said harshly.
“Oh, Collier, there’s just so much wrong between us.” Her voice shook uncontrollably.
“There’s so much right, too. For starters, we love each other and we want each other. We need each other.”
Before she realized his intentions, he grabbed her hand and placed it on his crotch. His erection was hard and throbbing. “See how much I need you?”
“That’s not fair,” she whimpered, withdrawing her hand.
“And you’re wet, too, I’ll bet.” His words were barely above a whisper.
Air rushed out of her lungs. Of course she was wet. He only had to come near her and her insides turned to mush.
“Brittany?” His voice cracked.
Feeling her resolve weakening, she cried, “What about Tommy? Have you forgotten him?”
“He’ll walk. I’ll see to that.”
Would he? Until it happened, she wouldn’t believe it.
“Isn’t that what you want?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’ll have it.”
“Would he ever be welcome at our dinner table? At your father’s?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it so hard, his jaws turned rigid. Seconds later, he spat an expletive into the loud silence.
“There you have it. I won’t desert my brother.” Her eyes flashed. “Ever.” Suddenly feeling like a trapped animal seeking release, Brittany clawed at the door handle.
Collier clamped down her arm. “No, please.”
The panic she heard in his voice matched her own. She jerked free, her stomach quivering. “It’s over, Collier. Get on with your life and let me get on with mine.” She paused, tasting her salty tears. “Please.”
Forty
“Did you look for a job today?”
Tommy opened one eye and peered up at Brittany from a prone position on the sofa, a pillow clutched to his stomach.
“Nah, didn’t feel like it.”
She hadn’t needed to ask that question. The second she’d walked through the door after an extra-hard evening at the diner, the answer had been quite clear. Since he’d been released from prison six days ago, he’d been on that sofa. Day seven had been no different.
Swallowing her disgust, she had left him, taken her bath and put on her robe before dragging her weary body back into the living room.
Now, as she continued to stare at him, she tried to stifle her frustration and disappointment, but her patience had run out. “How much longer are you going to lie there?”
“What?” Tommy asked, being deliberately obtuse.
“You heard me.”
“I told you I don’t feel good.”
“Then let me take you to the doctor.”
“I don’t need a doctor.”
“That’s right. What you need is a job.”
He bounded to an upright position and glared at her. “Get off my ass, will you?”
Brittany’s eyes sparked. “Don’t talk to me like that.”
“Sorry,” he muttered, shifting his gaze. “It’s just that I don’t know what I want to do.”
Brittany sat in the chair across from him. “When you first got out, you were praising the Lord all over the place, excited about looking for a job, making something out of your life. What happened?”
“Who’s going to hire an ex-con?” Tommy demanded in a petulant tone.
“How do you know till you’ve tried?”
He shrugged. “I just know.”
“So you’re just going to lie on this couch and rot? Is that it?”
His eyes narrowed. “Without money and without friends, life pretty much sucks.”
“What about Renee? She’s your friend. Look what she did for you.”
“Yeah, but she’s seeing someone else now.”
“So make some new friends.”
“Hey, sis, get off my back, okay?”
Brittany rose suddenly. “No, I won’t get off your back, as you put it. In fact, I’m through mollycoddling you. It’s time you took charge of your own life. And if you choose not to do so, then that’s your problem, not mine.”
“Are you kicking me out?” He looked as if she’d kicked him in the stomach.
She steeled herself not to soften. “Only if you don’t get a job. We need a dishwasher down at the diner.”
“You’ve got to be kidding!”
“No, I’m not,” she spat. “If I can wait on tables to keep food in the house, then you can sure as hell wash dishes.”
“That really sucks.”
“You’re right, it does. But that’s the way it is. Take it or leave it.”
With that she walked to her room and slammed the door so hard, she felt the trailer shake. Moments later, she was in bed, her heart too broken to cry.
Tommy’s attitude had crushed her spirit, while losing Collier had crushed her heart. She had known it would be bad when the final tie was severed, but not this bad. Tommy’s homecoming, thanks to Renee and Collier, had been a shot of hope. Now that hope had been dashed and she was left with nothing but an empty shell for a life.
She didn’t know if she’d gotten through to her brother or not. But she’d meant what she said. If he didn’t change, then she would kick him out, though that would kill her. If it would get his attention, however, help make a responsible human out of him, then she’d do it.
If she could give Collier up, she could do anything.
How was he? she wondered for the umpteenth time. She hadn’t seen anything in the paper about the federal appointment, but she knew he had won the sexual harassment suit, which was good.
On top of that, Rupert had gott
en at least part of what he deserved. Sissy had made good on her promise to tell his wife about his extracurricular activities. As a result, Angel had filed for divorce and booted Rupert out of the company. Surely that good news had reached Collier’s ears.
She truly prayed he was faring well. Because she loved him, she wanted the best for him. If he wanted that appointment to the bench, she prayed he would get it.
He’d gone on with his life, just as she had.
“Only mine sucks,” she muttered into the silence, echoing Tommy’s phrase.
If she had it to do all over again, would she make the same decision? That uninvited question made her heart falter. Still, she couldn’t let it go. Was she having second thoughts about taking the easy road, opting for her boring but secure life over an exciting but dicey one?
Yes, God help her. She didn’t want to live her life without him. That admission took her breath away. Was it too late? Had she killed his love? She pulled her knees up to her stomach and closed her eyes, her breathing on hold.
What if she tested the waters and, out of the blue, just showed up at his door?
Forty-One
Senator Newton Riley’s face was all smiles.
Collier’s heart hammered as he met the senator in the middle of his office, hand outstretched. “Is this an official visit, sir?”
Riley shook Collier’s hand vigorously while slapping him on the shoulder with his free hand. “You’re damn right it is. You’re the chosen one, my boy. The president said you were a slam dunk.”
“Yes!” Collier exclaimed, both thrilled and shocked. He knew that shock would deepen when it really hit him that he was soon to don a robe.
“Where’s your dad?”
“Probably on the golf course.”
“I wondered why I always liked Mason.” Riley’s lips twitched. “Now I know. And the fact that he’s so generous with his money, of course.”
Collier answered his smile. “Of course.”
“So how does it feel to be a federal judge?”
Suddenly Collier felt uncomfortable. “I haven’t been confirmed yet.”
The senator gestured impatiently. “Hell, boy, that’s just a formality. The powers that be, including myself, know everything there is to know about you.”
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