Till Death(66)

“I know.” He straightened his glasses as he smiled. “I don’t take it personally. That’s why I’m here.”

“Thank you.” I turned to the door. “Can you guys hang out in here—”

“And stay out of my way,” James barked out.

“And do that while I finish up dinner service?” I asked. “Cole is around somewhere. He’ll probably be down soon.”

Once they were situated, I hurried back out to the dining room. My head was aching by the time Mom and I removed the last of the dishes with Jason’s help. He’d even rolled up his sleeves and was putting away dishes.

Miranda was currently “managing” or something, sitting at the table with a glass of wine from a bottle she’d obviously helped herself to. Cole had come down at some point and he caught me after I placed a stack of white dishes near the sink.

“You’re looking a little pale.” A concerned frown pulled at his lips. “How’s your head?”

“Hurts a little.”

“Let me get you something,” Mom said, dashing off into the back room and returning within seconds with a pain reliever. She handed it over. “Take these.”

“Thank you.” I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. Knocking back the pills, I faced the little group. “Shouldn’t be much longer.”

Jason turned from the counter. “How about you take a seat and I’ll help Mrs. Keeton finish up.”

“You don’t—”

“Let me rephrase that,” he said, walking past me. “Sit and I’ll finish it.”

Cole grinned. “Like that guy.”

“Whatever,” I sighed, moving over to the bistro table.

Miranda sat back. “I bet you wish you could have some wine.”

“I do.” However, a concussion, even minor, put the kibosh on that.

We didn’t talk about anything until James left for the night. At that point, I’d moved from the table and was sitting on the counter. Mom had taken my seat, and Jason and Cole stood while Miranda was nursing her second glass of wine.

I’d checked outside earlier and seen that the snow had tapered off, and only a dusting remained.

Everyone was filled in on, well, everything. Miranda downed what was left of her wine. Jason was pacing. Cole was leaning against the counter I sat on.

“I’m going to be up front with you,” Cole warned, and keyed into what he was talking about. “Press is going to hear about this soon. They have ways. You already know that. They’re going to be all over this. Tyron and I can keep them away—”

“So will Jason and I,” Miranda chimed, arms crossed and looking like she enjoyed the idea of keeping journalists at bay.

I glanced over at them.

Jason nodded as he stopped to stand by Miranda’s chair. “Of course. We’ll be your anti-press guard.”

“That’s good, but those bastards are relentless.” Cole pushed my water closer to me. “I just want you to be prepared.”

Miranda watched Cole with a small smile and then she glanced over at me. I picked up the bottle and took a drink before she chimed in. “I am.”

“When’s the alarm going in?” Miranda asked.

“Tomorrow,” Cole answered. “And the tunnel is getting closed up.”

I looked over at Mom. She had been quiet as she sipped her glass of wine, but she still looked like she had when we’d been in the back room, as if she was thinking about packing up my stuff and sending me back to Atlanta. That coming home had been a mistake.



Close to midnight, Cole and I returned to my apartment. Full of restless energy, I washed my face and slathered on lotion, my mind in a thousand different places.

I changed into a lavender nightie with fluttering cap sleeves and then pulled a cardigan on over it. Not the sexiest combo, I realized as I wandered into the bedroom.

Cole was standing by the bed. His shirt was off and his gun was on the nightstand. The button on his jeans was undone, and for several seconds, I got a little lost staring at him. Twenty-nine years old and I’d never seen a stomach so defined. Come to think of it, I’d actually never seen a six-pack in real life. Up until this moment, I was beginning to believe they were like a unicorn.

A half grin formed as he eyed my getup. “That’s cute.”

“Only you would think that.”

“I don’t think that’s true.” His hands fell to his sides. He’d already taken off his boots and his toes peeked out from the hem of his jeans. “I know you didn’t invite me back here, but I want to be in bed with you.”

My breath caught.

“I want to hold you,” he continued. “Today. Yesterday. Both days have been rough. You’ve learned a lot. So, I’m hoping you’re not going to kick me out.”

“I’m not.” I moved to the edge of the bed and let the cardigan slip off my shoulders. I placed it on the bench, feeling his gaze travel over my arms and heart-shaped neckline. “I want you in my bed.”

“Best words I’ve heard in a long time.” His voice had deepened.

Biting down on my lip, I peered up at him. “I was shutting down earlier,” I admitted. “Right after I saw what was in the box, I started to shut down. It was the easiest thing to do, but I don’t want to do that.”