6. Cole
6
COLE
“How’s the new roommate working out?” Ian asked Cole as he took a sip of beer. On his way to the store, Ian had called to tell him they’d made it in a day earlier. Instead of meeting at the house, they were stopping to have a beer together. Cole figured it would give Zoey more time with Paul.
“Good.”
“Have you talked to your dad or uncle and tried to get information?”
“No.” Cole shrugged. “I gave Brock full authorization to tear into my family. He’s wanted to do it for years, and I think he already did a couple years back when he told me I should watch out for them. Back then, I still wanted nothing to do with them.”
“Your brother helped us out the other day. Maybe he isn’t as bad as you think.”
Cole knew that wasn’t the case. His brother had only helped him out because now Cole owed him one. His grandfather had built a billion-dollar empire on being owed favors, and that was how his family worked. In two days, he would need to face his family, and he didn’t know how Zoey would react to him going to see them. The idea of not telling her had crossed his mind, but that wouldn’t be fair to her and would break what little trust she had if she found out. “Well, I will find out on Sunday what he really wants.” Cole rolled his neck, trying to release the tension. “Eighteen years hasn’t been long enough.”
“I’m not saying you should break out the champagne and open yourself up. Go see what they want and get the answers you need,” Ian continued. “They’re family Cole.”
“One thing the Navy taught me is family isn’t always blood, but I’m going to try to get information to help Zoey. It’s my family after her—why not go to the source? I’m hoping Brock will have more information for me before I go.”
“Are you taking Zoey with?”
“I don’t know. I’m scared for her to stay alone.”
“Brock’s wife, Jessica, is coming to town on Sunday. She’ll be here all next week for a finance convention. She’s coming over Sunday for dinner. Zoey can come hang out with Bella and Jessica if she wants.”
“I appreciate you offering for her to come over. I still have to tell her about me heading to Dallas on Sunday. Bryson already sent me notification a private plane would be waiting for me. I’m tempted to ask Brock for a tracking device for me like he’s given Jessica. Brock said he was going to monitor the plane, but I’m not sure where it might go.”
“I’m not sure if it’s a good idea you going by yourself,” Ian noted matter-of-factly.
Cole shrugged and ran his hand through his hair. “Brock will call you if something goes wrong. I can’t just sit back and wait for someone to make a move on Zoey.”
“What does she have on your uncle?”
“You know how they’ve been looking for Senator Cramer? Well, Zoey watched my uncle kill him, and she said she knows he has another set of books.”
Ian let out a whistle. “No wonder he put a hit on her head.”
“Yeah.”
The two men sipped their beers and sat in silence for a beat. “Earlier today, she admitted she has proof but is scared to show me.”
Ian shook his head. “What kind of proof?”
“No clue,” Cole spat, harsher than he’d meant. Ian didn’t comment on the outburst, so he continued. “She’s worried I might take the info and turn her over. She doesn’t trust me.”
“Hmm.”
“Really? That’s all you have to say?”
“Give her time. You’ve known her a week. Tell her about seeing your brothers. The sooner, the better, because if you wait too long, she will think you’re hiding something.”
“Okay, enough about me and my troubles. How was your vacation? Did you guys enjoy your time away?”
“It was amazing, but it’s nice to be back to the house, and we are ready to start on it tomorrow,” Ian said.
“Zoey is almost done with painting the master bedroom. The tile for the bathroom should be in this week. Next week, I plan to start working on the kitchen.”
“You helped me a lot when Bella was being bothered,” Ian commented.
“It was nothing.”
Ian narrowed his eyes. “Everything you did meant a lot to Bella and I. We are a team, so don’t worry about the house. Bella and I got everything under control.”
“I will let you know if I need anything. Zoey and I plan on being at the property tomorrow morning. Maybe a little late. I plan to take her out tonight. We’ve spent every night watching movies, but I wanted to do something different.”
Ian’s face lit up. “What are you planning?”
“I’m taking her out to eat and then for a walk along the River Walk.” Cole looked down at his watch, suddenly realizing how much time had passed. He and Ian said their goodbyes, then he walked to the door and quickly made it to his car. He and Zoey were going on their first date, but it felt like they’d started dating when they first met. Zoey meant a lot to him, and he wanted to do everything in his power to make sure she was okay. That meant meeting with his family, soon.
The pub Ian and Cole had stopped at wasn’t far from Paul’s apartment. Brock had worked his magic to get Paul into housing for disabled vets. Two nights ago, Paul had called and thanked him for everything, but all Cole had done was ask for Brock’s help. One thing Cole knew was not to thank Brock. He would repay him with a prank, and Cole already had enough going on.
Three cops roared passed Cole as he drove to Paul’s house. His gut turned as an ambulance raced by. Cole pressed down on his gas pedal and called Zoey’s number. It went to voicemail. He quickly called Paul, but it also went straight to voicemail. The police could be heading anywhere, but Cole had a feeling that wasn’t the case. He didn’t know what he was about to walk into, and he might need Ian’s help.
Ian answered on the first ring. “Miss me already?”
“I was just passed by the cops and an ambulance. Zoey and Paul aren’t answering.”
“On my way.”
The tires to Cole’s SUV squealed as he turned the corner into the parking lot of Paul’s complex. His worst fear had come true. Paramedics were working on someone outside Paul’s apartment. He slammed his breaks and threw open the door. Yellow tape marked off the area, but Cole ran through it toward the paramedics.
“You can’t be over here, sir.”
Cole ignored the officer and ran faster toward the paramedics.
An officer grabbed him around the waist and yanked him back. “This is a crime scene, sir, you need to step behind the yellow tape.”
With a quick turn, he ducked out of the officer’s grip, and when he turned, he saw Zoey running down the sidewalk toward him. He let out a breath for the first time, stepping to the side. He ran toward her and threw his arms around her.
She was shaking, and her tears dripped onto his shoulder. “It’s okay.”
“Are you okay?” Cole stepped back and ran his hands down her arms.
“I didn’t get hurt, but Paul’s wound reopened when he covered me.”
He pulled her closer while he looked back at the apartment. Cops walked around the front window. Glass covered the front flowers and sidewalk. “What happened?”
“We were talking about Paul’s family when we heard tires squeal, and Paul threw himself over me. The next thing I know, the window shattered, and a large brick crashed through the front window.”
As Cole led Zoey away from the scene. The day was already warm, although not as humid as a typical summer day in Texas. Ian pulled in next to his SUV, jumped out of his truck, and rushed to Cole’s side.
“You must be Zoey.” Ian held out his hand.
Zoey’s brows came down in confusion. “Yes. Who are you? You don’t sound like Brock.”
Ian burst out laughing. “I’m lucky if I can even turn on my computer, much less hack a satellite or whatever he hacks. I’m Ian.”
Cole watched as his friend pulled Zoey in for a one-armed hug because Cole still hadn’t let her other arm go. He needed to touch her.
Someone followed us. That was the only explanation. Who knows what they’ll come at her with next time? “I think you’ve hugged long enough,” Cole grumbled.
“Cole,” Zoey said as she quickly stepped back and smiled at him. “Are you really being jealous of your friend who is happily engaged?”
“Maybe we should take a look at the damage,” Cole said, completely ignoring Zoey’s question.
Ian smiled at him, knowing exactly what his friend did. “We’ll need to get some boards to close up the window.”
The three of them walked over to the front of the apartment, making sure to stay to the side so they wouldn’t contaminate the crime scene. One detective was taking pictures inside the apartment while another was working outside.
“They aren’t going to stop until they have me.” Zoey let out a shaky breath. “I need to find a different place to stay or leave town.”
“Everything will be okay. We just need a little more time. I’ll call my friend in Fort Lauderdale and have them send a bodyguard out to watch over Paul once he’s released.”
“Don’t worry about boarding the window,” Ian added. “I can take care of it. You both have other things to figure out, and this will help me repay you for staying and cleaning up Bella’s house after she was attacked. I know the only thing you want to do right now is take Zoey to your house and make sure she’s okay.”
“Hello. I’m right here,” Zoey said, annoyance in her voice.
“We know you are here, and I’m not letting you run. Ian feels like he owes me for being a friend,” Cole said.
“You go have a good night. I’m going to talk to the police and see when I can board up the place. Do you want me to run by the hospital and check on Paul?”
“Yes, please.”
Ian walked with them back to the SUV. Cole leaned in and gave his friend a hug, then Ian pulled Zoey into another hug.
“It was great meeting you, Zoey. I wish it was under better circumstances. Bella can’t wait to meet the woman who shot at Cole.”
“Can we not talk about that?” Zoey asked, covering her face. “That wasn’t my best moment.”
“I don’t think you are ever going to live that down. I wanted to head out to the range tomorrow. Do you and Bella want to go before we head over to the house?”
They had gone a couple times, and she was getting better each time. His uncle was getting desperate or worried. It would only be a matter of time before he found out Cole was helping her.
He wanted to put his fist through a wall. Every morning Brock didn’t have an answer and the countdown to meeting his family neared, Cole ran an extra mile. He was up to ten miles, and it did nothing to control his anger at the situation.
His family ruining people’s lives was the reason he’d distanced himself years ago. They were all the scum of the earth. No matter how much time passed, deep down, he knew they were the same. Now Cole wanted to take them down.
“Tomorrow is good.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Hey, Cole, If you need anything else, call.”
Years ago, Cole learned family wasn’t always blood, and today, that showed. Ian would do anything for him, and Cole would do the same for his friend. Cole waved over his shoulder. “Thanks!”
Zoey squeezed his hand. “Your friend is pretty cool.”
“I know.”
“Okay, let’s get home so I can show you what I have,” she told him as she climbed into the car.
Cole held the door open for a second. “I’m glad you took a shot at me.”
“Stop making fun of me.”
He leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against hers. “I’m not. I would never make fun of you. I really like being around you.”
Cole kissed the tip of her nose before shutting the door and heading to the other side and getting in. “Let’s head home.”
“Home,” Zoey repeated.
Cole hoped what she had was enough to bring down his uncle, because after today, Cole wouldn’t stop until his uncle was behind bars or six feet under.
On the car ride back to his house, they talked about cooking in for the night and going out tomorrow. Neither of them was in the mood for a night out. When they pulled up to the house, Cole’s anger rose. Zoey tensed next to him.
“Who is that?”
A man his height but with a bigger build leaned against a Bugatti in his driveway. Cole knew that he had the same piercing blue eyes under his sunglasses as he did. “My brother.”