Page 96 of Every Step She Takes

A short laugh. “I haven’t talked to Tiana in months. When she found out about me and her mom, I held off, letting her speak to Izzy before I did. Instead, Tiana acted like she didn’t know, so I played along. It was best to leave that ball in her court.”

“What about Colt?”

A low rumble, almost like a growl. “Colt and I haven’t been on speaking terms in fourteen years. I’m cordial to him in public for Izzy’s sake. I’ve wanted nothing to do with him since he messed around with you. He hurt her, and he humiliated her.”

“Do you know if Isabella had any problems with him the night of her death?”

“Nothing more than you’d expect. He didn’t like her talking to you.Reallydidn’t like it. Unfortunately, he was in LA when she died. Otherwise, he’d be my number-one suspect.”

When I don’t comment, he takes off the sunglasses, and his eyes narrow. “Hewasin LA, wasn’t he?”

I still stay nothing.

“Lucy… even if you tell me he was here, I’m not going after him. That would be critical information for the police, though.”

“He flew into Connecticut around midnight.”

He frowns. “Where in Connecticut?”

“New Haven.”

“To see Jamie?”

When I frown, Justice says, “Ah, so we’re trading valuable information here. I didn’t know Colt was on the East Coast that night, and you didn’t know Jamie’s rehab is outside New Haven. That’s not public knowledge. It explains why Colt was here, though.”

“To see his son.”

“Yeah. A dick move from a dick. Shocking.”

I arch my brows. “Visiting his son in rehab is a dick move?”

Justice gives me a look. “That wasn’t Colt being Daddy-of-the-Year. It was Colt gathering reinforcements for his battle with Isabella over you. Because that’s what a kid in rehab really needs – his dad showing up at midnight to pull him into a fight with his mom.”

“Colt wanted Jamie to side with him and agree that Isabella should stay away from me.”

“Which proves Colt didn’t know the first damn thing about his son, as usual. Jamie sided with you in that scandal crap. We agree on that, me and him. Always have.”

“Jamie?”

“He said there was more to the story. Well, he did once he was older. At the time, he wouldn’t talk about it. But when he was a teenager, if your name came up, he’d say you didn’t have a fling with his father, that it was a misunderstanding. Izzy didn’t argue – if he believed that, so be it.”

“It affected him, though. The scandal.”

Justice purses his lips. “Not really. Of the three, I think he was the least impacted. By the scandal, at least. Losing you was another thing.” He glances over. “But if you think the kid was permanently traumatized? Hell, no. Jamie’s problems go deeper than some silly tabloid scandal, and they all trace back to Daddy.”

“His relationship with Colt? I do remember… issues.”

“Yep, Colt had a certain set of expectations for Jamie. He was the son of Colt Gordon, action star. You gotta be a man’s man to follow in those footsteps.”

“And that was never Jamie.”

“Toxic masculinity is toxic. Isabella did her best, but even when she made Colt shut his mouth, Jamie could sense his father’s disapproval. Sports? Yes. Ice skating? No. Music? Sure. The violin? Hell, no. Colt judged, and Jamie felt that judgment. He wasn’t living up to expectations. Colt was certain his son was gay. Turned out he’s not… and Colt’s Princess Tiana is. Oh, the irony.”

“How’s Jamie doing?”

Justice brightens. “Good. Great, actually. We’re friends. Have been for years. I think he knows about his mom and me – he’s hinted at it – but Izzy wanted to wait until he was released to tell him officially. Jamie has a self-medication problem, no doubt about that. But even in his addiction, he’s responsible as hell. Checks himself into rehab and stays there until he’s back on track.”

“Good.” I nod. “That’s really good.”