Page 172 of Colt

Nobody had ever fought for me the way Freya had. Not only had she stood up to John, but staying by my side while I got better also spoke volumes. I swore then and there that I’d fight for her too. No more screwing around. I was in this forever. She was the most incredible woman I’d ever known, and I’d never give her up now.

“Kiss me again,” I rasped, voice thick with the love bursting from my chest.

She leaned forward, brushing her lips gently against mine. I savored her warmth, then the feel of her skin and the sweet scent of Coco Chanel that drove me wild with need for her.

I’d never felt closer or more connected to anyone.

When she finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed.

I grinned like a lovesick schoolboy, my heart swelling with all the emotion I could muster. As long as we had each other we could weather anything her dad or the club threw at us.

In our case, love would conquer all.

The ringing of my cell phone startled me awake.

I sat bolt upright and stared ahead, dazedly wondering who the hell was calling me in the dead of night. I rubbed at my burning eyes, glancing at the time on my cell, which was lit up next to me on my nightstand.

It was just after one thirty A.M.

My first thought was that something must be wrong. No call at this time of night ever meant anything good.

Freya stirred by my side in a deep sleep. My girl was exhausted from keeping a bedside vigil for me over the last few nights. I didn’t want to wake her. She needed to rest.

The number displayed wasn’t one I recognized, but still, to be ringing this late indicated it was someone of importance. Before the caller rang off, I pressed the green icon and muttered, “Hold on.” Throwing my legs over the side of the bed, I padded to the bathroom, so’s not to wake my girl. As soon as the door clicked softly closed behind me, I held the phone up to my ear asking, “Who is it?”

“Colter?” a familiar voice murmured. “Is that you?”

My breath seized in my lungs. “Cordy?”

“Oh my God,” my sister whispered with a relieved breath. “I was hoping this was still your number. I found it in Mom’s phone. Something’s happened, you need to come home. I can’t believe it Colt. We need you. Mom needs you.”

I raised a hand to rub my aching temple. “Slow down, Cordy. Tell me what’s goin’ on? Are you alright?”

I’m fine,” she cried. “But Mom took an overdose tonight. Dad’s had her committed to a psychiatric hospital, but they won’t let me in to see her.” Cordelia’s voice cracked. “I don’t know what to do. I need your help.”

I gripped the edge of the wash basin, knuckles turning white.

My bastard of a father had finally done it. Pushed Mom to attempt goddamned suicide. I knew it would only be a matter of time until his thirst for power pushed Mom over the edge.

“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill him,” I growled. “Which hospital?” I put my phone on speaker while Cordelia rattled off the name of the hospital and the doctor treating Mom. My fingers flew over the touch screen as I brought up all the details and bookmarked them, before pulling up flights.

“Would Jasper mind if you picked me up from JFK just after lunchtime tomorrow?” I asked. “I can get on the first flight out.”

“I left Jasper a month ago,” Cordy choked out. “I went to his office to surprise him with lunch and caught him fucking his PA over his desk. I haven’t seen him since.”

“Fuck!” I ground out. “What did Dad say?”

“He threatened to cut me off if I didn’t go back,” she whispered. “But I don’t care, Colter. I’d rather live on the streets than end up like Mom.”

“You’ve got your trust fund,” I reminded her. “You’ll be fine. I’ve got money too, Cordy. I’ll give you whatever you need.”

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow,” she assured me. “Tonight I need to concentrate on Mom. It’s such a mess, Colter. Dad moved his mistress into the house a week ago. It sent Mom over the edge.”

A blaze of heat flared in my chest and my teeth gnashed together. “What the fuck?”

“It’s Victoria, Colter,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

I scraped a hand down my face, not quite believing what I was hearing. “Have they been seeing each other all this time?”

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