Page 77 of An Eye For Illusion

“Do you think Carlo is stupid enough to try to steal it?” I asked D, who is standing right next to me at the bar.

He lifts the glass of whiskey the bartender just poured for him and turns around to scan the room, just like I’ve done for the past few minutes. It’s ingrained in us now, to always be on the lookout. To spot the potential threats and map out the exits.

“I wouldn’t put anything past that stupid fuck,” he mumbles. He’s been agitated ever since picking the car up. “He is fucking stupid.”

We both go back to scanning the room. Liam and SJ haven’t gotten here yet, so it’s just the two of us, and I use the opportunity to figure out what the hell is going on with Donovan.

“How do you know the woman in the truck?” I’m worried that whatever is going on here is about his past life.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about. I’ll get it handled.”

“That’s not what I asked, and you know it.” I straighten and turn toward him. If this will affect ending this case and getting Jade off the hook from marrying a complete jackass, I need to know.

“Don’t challenge me, Colin. I wouldn’t want to have to take you out back in front of all these people.” He smirks to soften the threat, but I don’t buy it or react to it. This is what he does when shit starts to get hard. He shuts us out.

“I’m not your enemy here. Let me help you figure this out. Whatever it is.”

The tension in his shoulders drops, and he sighs in defeat. “You can’t help me with this. This is something I need to do on my own to put my past to rest. I appreciate the offer though. I know you’ve got my back.”

That’s as much as I can hope for right now. He’ll come to us if or when it needs it, but not a minute before. It’s one of the most frustrating things about him. We’re a team, and sometimes he doesn’t play fair.

“I’m holding you to that.” I hold my glass up for him to clink. An unspoken deal is made when he taps my glass with his. He’ll tell me if he needs help, and I’ll be there, no questions asked.

Donovan plasters on a wide smile, and I turn to see who caused it. Nora and SJ just entered the large event space that’s decked out in lavish gold and silver decorations. Whoever runs this goes the extra mile to make these things stand out above the rest. Every damn detail thought of.

I move away from the bar to meet them halfway with Donovan right behind me. “Man, it’s been way too damn long since we’ve seen your mean mug!” I say as I reach out to shake his hand and throw my other arm around his broad shoulders.

SJ is a big man. So big that I’m barely able to reach up and around him.

“Nora, you are as stunning as ever,” D says as he goes in for a hug. SJ hit the jackpot with Nora Reyes, and he fucking knows it.

“Hands off, Blake,” SJ warns.

Donovan only smiles harder and brings Nora in for one last squeeze before releasing her. He must have a death wish because SJ looks about ready to tear him apart.

I don’t have a death wish as I lean in for a quick hug, making sure my hands are very visible.

“Pretty as always, Nora. It’s good to see you both,” I say when I pull back.

“Awe, Colin. It’s good to see you both, too. SJ missed you guys,” she says.

“Missed us, huh?” D asks as he playfully nudges SJ on the arm.

“I already regret coming. Nora, let’s go back to the hotel and ditch these two.” SJ comes to stand next to Nora, placing his arm around her torso to bring her in close.

“Nonsense, we haven’t even seen Liam and Willow yet!” Nora swats SJ’s chest before leaning up to kiss him on the lips.

Ugh, the two of them are firmly in the lovebird stage. It’s cute and all until you have to see it up close and personal. A small ache forms in my chest as I watch them together. It’s new to me. Usually, I don’t give a damn, but the ease in which they interact has something twisting in my chest.

It makes me want to text Jade to see what she’s doing right now. I imagine her sitting in her living room, maybe watching a movie and drinking a glass of wine. I’ve learned she’s more of a homebody, and it doesn’t take fancy restaurants to make her happy. I really, really like that about her.

Before I can change my mind, I pull out my phone and shoot off a quick text message. I want to continue our playful banter from just a few nights ago.

Me: What are you wearing?

I quickly shove my phone back in my pocket and listen to the conversation around me.

“Willow is coming?” Donovan asks.

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