Chapter 31
Step Back
Brooklyn
I sit in the car Seán brought to me as my wrecked car was hoisted onto a flatbed. After changing into dry clothes, I drove here to the house, hoping Deja would still be here. She is, but I’m not sure for how long.
From the cameras in our home, I can see she’s packed her things. I can also see she has passed out face down on the bed. She’s lying there in her nightgown with her arm hanging over the side of the bed.
I want nothing more than to climb out of this car, go inside, and climb into the bed with her. Then fuck her until she understands she’s the only one for me. However, I know how angry she is and that wouldn’t be fair.
“Keep your head, Cole. This is your girl. Handle her with care,” I mumble to myself.
I want us to sit calmly and talk this out. She deserves that much, but I’m still not willing to tell her everything about Shauna, so I don’t know where that leaves me.
I still believe I’m doing the right thing. I can’t let this change my mind and jeopardize all I have done to keep my girls safe. My niece is my heart and DJ is my world.
It would kill me to lose either of them. I’d rather be safe than sorry. I can’t risk telling DJ the whole truth. Not yet.
I stare at her sleeping form in our bed, wondering how I got here. I love this woman more than anything, but life keeps getting in the fucking way. Just when I think this will be the time for me to make things right and take her home, this happens.
“Fuck this,” I grunt and go to get out of the car.
We can fight, we can fuck, but by morning, we’re going to set this all straight. I reach for the door handle, but my phone begins to ring. I curse under my breath and look at the caller ID on the dash.
My brows draw in as I look at the name of the caller. My chest tightens. This is not someone who calls me often, if ever.
Why now? I glance at the tablet in my hands at DJ. She still hasn’t moved.
“Hello,” I answer the call.
“Hello, Brooklyn.”
“Phoebe. How can I help you?”
“Oh, no. I’m calling to help you. Although you’re not going to like this.”
“I’m listening.”
“Are you? Because it’s important that you do. You will lose everything if you don’t. The crown, the empire, the clan, and most importantly to you, the girl.”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“Good, I need you to step back. Don’t enter that house. Leave her to her anger for now. She will learn the truth when it’s time.
“If you ignore my warning, your tempers will get in the way, and she will never arrive in the place that matters.”
“The place that matters?” I ask in confusion.
“Ah, yes. You are to be king—one of the various Kings of New York, and one of the most powerful there is. Your brother will lean on you when times call for it, and you will need to lean on your queen.
“A queen meant to be one of the Bellas. Not just any Bella, but the right hand of Death herself. You will resist at times, but this is the way it must be.
“Congratulations, King Cole. You’re in the major leagues now. Make the right decision. I will be in touch when the time is right.”
With that, the line goes dead. I sit staring out of the windshield. I know not to ignore the old gypsy. However, her words don’t entirely make sense to me.
I glance down at the tablet, unseeing. The one thing to stick out from Phoebe’s words is that I’ll lose DJ if I enter that house.
“Fuck,” I roar and punch the steering wheel.
Before I pull off, I take a screenshot of DJ lying in our bed. Then I do the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life: I drive away.