Page 143 of Tortured Tones

“The evidence we have is damning.” Patrick’s reassuring tone never faltered. “Once we submit this information to his lawyer, I’m certain he’ll do anything you want to keep what we have out of the courtroom. If he doesn’t, we take him down.” A low, simmering fire flared in his eyes as if he was begging me to let him take on the challenge.

“I just want to be free of him and get full custody of Josh.” I wasn’t a vindictive person. I didn’t want to hurt Luther. He’d hate me no matter what I did, so if this information helped me get him out of my life...bring it. “So, what do you have on him?”

Cole took the folder Patrick had put on the desk and opened it. “I made a few calls to some friends around town. I’ve got my hands on photographic and video evidence of Luther doing a lot of shit he shouldn’t be doing. I have written testimonies and several more contacts willing to testify if needed. Patrick thinks this information might even put Luther in jail.”

“What?” The ringing in my ears exploded. It sounded too good to be true. “What did you find?”

“Some of this stuff came from Min, her friend Isla, and a couple other girls around town.” Cole pulled out several printouts from the folder and fanned them across the desk. “These are just some of the photographs they’ve taken at several recent events.”

“Min? Your supermodel hookup friend?” Stunned, I scanned the mass of party photos.

“Yep, that one. But most of this came from Zoe.”

“Zoe? As in Josh’s nanny?” Confusion stabbed my brain.

“Uh-huh. Isla is friends with her.”

Holy fuck!

Cole spun one of the photos toward me. “This is Luther snorting cocaine at home in his office.” He grabbed the next couple of printouts. “These are images of Luther fucking a hooker in the club Noir Nights.” Then he handed me another picture. “This shot was taken at his birthday party at the studio that Isla and Min were at. In the background, Josh is playing on his tablet, but there are drugs and a shit load of alcohol on the coffee table. All of this was in reach of Josh.”

“Oh my God.” My breath shot from my lungs. The photo trembled in my hand. “Prostitutes? And drugs? Around my son?”

Was that woman in the back of Luther’s car when he’d dropped off Josh a prostitute? Nothing would surprise me. I placed one hand on my stomach to settle the unease, but it didn’t work.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Cole grabbed a USB out of his pocket and held it toward me. “This is everything you need. Min is a good friend who’d do anything to help. Zoe’s over covering Luther’s ass and not delivering on his promises to give her a corporate job at the studios. The girls are willing to testify.”

“This is amazing. I can’t believe Zoe helped you.” Tears slid down my cheeks. My mind spun. Cole had done this for me? Why?

“I just asked her, and she said yes.” Cole entwined his fingers with mine, lifted my hand to his lips, and kissed my knuckles. “I have also gotten your entire security team and the band to provide character references validating your professional conduct...and I have written one too.” He leaned closer, pinning me with his warm gaze. “Not once did we do anything while you were on duty. You’d kick my butt if I stepped out of line. You always put my safety, the band’s, and my daughter’s, first. You put Josh above everything else. You make me want to be a better father every day. If I turn out to be half the parent you are, then I’ll be stoked. You’re fucking amazing. That’s whyI fell in love with you.”

My breath hitched and my free hand shot over my mouth.

Cole eyes glinted as he half-smiled. “You hear me?”

My heart beat so fast my head spun. “You...you love me?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“You did all this for me?”

“Yes. I’d do anything for you, Ava.”

“Oh my God.” I curled my hand around the back of his head, clutched his hair, and pulled his lips to mine. God, I’d missed him. The taste of his lips. Their softness. Their warmth...him. “I love you. So much.”

Wilson cleared his throat as he scanned the photos. “This is some serious evidence.”

“Yes.” With a hungry grin, Patrick reached for the photo of Luther’s birthday party. “This is more than enough proof to show that Josh is living in an unsafe environment. Luther’s illegal engagement with more than one sex worker and drug use, especially around a minor, are serious offenses. He won’t get away with this.”

A shudder coursed through my body, slamming reality into my chest. But would he? He had too much power. Too much money. Too many dirty tactics up his sleeve. I grabbed a tissue from the box on Wilson’s desk and wiped my eyes. “He will. He always does.”

“Not his time.” Patrick’s reassurance did nothing to loosen the knot in my stomach.

I stared at the photos. Once we submitted these to Luther’s lawyer, he’d hate me even more than he did now. This information in the wrong hands could ruin his reputation and career, and the studio. I didn’t want that. I wasn’t out to hurt him. I just wanted my son. But Luther had done illegal things. He’d endangered my son. I couldn’t let that slide.

It was time for justice.

Luther would no doubt try to keep a hold over me regardless of the outcome on Thursday at court. But I had friends and family who loved and supported me. I clutched Cole’s hand. I’d survive the next round of shit from Luther as long as I had them and good souls like Cole by my side. “Thank you. This is hopefully what I need to get Josh.” A new light flickered to life in my chest. I straightened my shoulders and nodded to Patrick and Wilson. “Let’s do this. Send this information to Luther’s lawyers. Please get me my son.”

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