Logan inclined his head. “Find the right woman and you will be, too.”
Colin shifted in his seat. He wasn’t in the mood to discuss women, not when he was bound to hurt the one he wanted most. The other day, in the stairwell, he’d felt Rina moist and damp, her dewy essence on his hand. He’d wanted to be inside her body and let the intense friction they’d created make them both come. He’d wanted to look into her eyes and see that overwhelming sense of trust and goodness. Thank God she’d ducked out on him first. Two days later and he was still thrown, torn by obligation and a growing sense of caring he hadn’t expected.
“I need a legal opinion,” Colin said, changing the subject.
Logan inclined his head. “Shoot.”
“If I were to challenge Joe’s power of attorney, the one leaving Corinne in charge of the paper—which is about to turn into a sinking ship—as Joe’s adopted son, can I win?”
Logan exhaled loudly and leaned one foot against his desk. “You don’t waste any time, do you?”
“Any reason why I should?” Colin ran a hand through his hair in aggravation.
“What about Joe’s wishes?” Logan asked.
No one knew Colin or understood his relationship with Joe better than his former college roommate. Without stepping on Colin’s toes, Logan wanted to know if Colin had dealt with the fact that Joe had deliberately and purposefully bypassed his son in favor of his wife. “Until I hear otherwise from Joe, I’m going to assume Corinne got to him in some way.”
“Brainwashed?” Logan asked wryly.
“Used sex to get what she wanted. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the same thing.”
He nodded. “Well, you’ve already nailed your primary legal problem. Unless you can prove that Joe’s power of attorney was signed under duress or that he wasn’t aware of his actions at the time of signing, Joe’s wishes stand.”
“So I don’t have a legal leg to stand on?”
Logan shook his head. “Not unless you want to go head-to-head with Corinne in a nasty, expensive court battle.”
“That neither the paper nor I can afford.” Frustration washed over Colin, along with the first vestiges of anger at Joe, for all purposes his father, for betraying him. Anger he hadn’t accepted or dealt with just yet. How could he, when doing so would cut himself off from the only family he had?
As it was, Colin fought the urge to run from the situation and let Corinne cope with the consequences on her own. For the first time, his feelings kept him someplace instead of driving him away. His feelings for Rina.
“I think it’s time you and Joe talked. Is he up to it yet?” Logan asked.
“After that second stroke, they want to keep him stress free. But he’s doing well and should be up to talking soon.”
“Well, whenever you get the green light from his doctor, I suggest you do just that.” Logan leaned forward in his seat. “As a friend, I’m going to put myself out there on this one.”
“Go on.” Colin waited.
“I understand that Fortune’s is breathing down your neck and if you don’t get Corinne back on track, the paper will fold. But I’ve known you for years, and my gut tells me there’s something else going on. Something more personal between you and Joe.” Logan raised an eyebrow Colin’s way.
He flinched because Logan had hit a nerve. “I was always grateful I didn’t have a pain-in-the-ass brother.”
Logan laughed. “Then you met me. You’re talking to the expert on parental grief and aggravation. All I’m saying is that I think Joe’s betrayal is bothering you a hell of a lot more than Corinne’s change in format.” At Colin’s glare, Logan added, “Or at least equally as much. Talk to Joe. Then if you still want to go ahead with any kind of lawsuit, you know I’m on your side. It’s just that it’ll get messy and probably destroy your family.”
“Thanks,” Colin muttered. Knowing his friend meant well, he stowed Logan’s advice in the back of his mind. “And you don’t have to worry. I’ll make sure Emma has a job no matter which direction this mess goes.” The least he could do was guarantee Emma a return to her desk job, even if she did have to lose her column.
Logan slapped Colin on the back. “Thank you. You know if she’s at loose ends, the Judge will go back to plotting her relocation to an old-age home.”
So Rina’s hunch was right, Colin thought. Another reason weighing against him. His h
ead pounding, Colin rose, ready to go over to the hospital.
“How’s Rina?” Logan asked, taking him off guard.
“Who?” Colin asked, but a grin came easily despite the gut-churning circumstances. Dammit all, the woman made him smile, regardless of what was going on in his life.
“That answers that question. But it doesn’t deal with what’ll happen to her column if you have your way.”