Chapter 34
CHAPTER 34
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She thought she needed to be afraid of Cole.
But the real threat is standing in front of her, stinking of alcohol with a scowl on his greasy, bloated face.
Even the kitten quiets as Eugene stalks forward, keeping the shotgun pointed at her chest. Bree stands there frozen in fear, unable to move.
“Get out of my town,” he slurs. “Get out of my town, you stupid Omega slut. ”
“Eugene,” she chokes out, icy fear coursing through her veins. “Please—please stop pointing the gun at me. I’m leaving right now, okay?” her voice cracks. “I’m leaving, I promise. I’m never coming back. I’m leaving right now. ”
The kitten squirms in her arms and Eugene sneers.
“Whore. Stupid whore. ” He staggers and lowers the gun slightly, keeping it pointed at Bree. “I heard you the other night with him. You two are disgusting . ”
“Okay,” she says, her voice shaky. “That’s okay, because I’m leaving. Eugene, please?—”
“Oh, shut the fuck up and stop whining, you annoying cunt !” The kitten squeals, and tears fill Bree’s eyes as she tries to calm the little creature by patting its head. “And shut that fucking thing up, too!”
This is a nightmare. Tears flow freely down her cheeks as she trembles.
Eugene still doesn’t lower the gun, though his arms shake from the effort of holding it up.
He’s going to shoot her.
She’s going to die in this cabin, never knowing what happened to Cole. Never saying goodbye to Darlene, never thanking Carl for what he’s done, and without being able to mend her relationship with her mother.
The poor kitten showed up at the worst possible time.
In another life, maybe she and Cole could have raised the cat together.
At least she’ll get to see her father again. She just didn’t know it would be so soon.
“You think I don’t know what your husband’s been up to?” Eugene continues. “What he’s been doing when he’s not here ?”
Bree frowns, confused, as the kitten squirms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about?—”
“Go ahead, Eugene,” a cold voice says behind her. “Tell her what I’ve been up to.”
She whips her head around just as Eugene points the gun to the front door.
Cole stands in the doorway, dressed in all black, his expression murderous. His scent swirls around her, a combination of citrus and thick, peppery anger.
She’s never been so relieved to see him .
“Step back, you son of a bitch,” Eugene warns, his hold on the shotgun shaky. “Or I’ll shoot, I swear.”
And Cole, instead of listening, walks straight up to Eugene, and in one move, maneuvers the gun from him. The Beta man stumbles from the force of it and stays on the ground as Cole points the gun at him.
“You pathetic cretin ,” he snaps. “I warned you to leave her alone. I?—”
A faint mewing sounds from Bree’s shirt, and Cole snaps his head to Bree and frowns. “Who is that?” he says, his eyes slightly widening as he sees the kitten.
In any other situation, his reaction would be comical. “I found him outside,” Bree whispers, looking between a terrified Eugene and an enraged Cole.
“Oh. So, we have a cat now?”
Bree just blinks as Cole shoots her a quick wink.
But then the Alpha turns his attention back to Eugene, who has unsuccessfully tried to crawl away from Cole.
“And where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Cole seethes, slamming the heel of his black work boot into Eugene’s leg. The man howls in pain and Bree whimpers at the sound. “You point a gun at my mate ? You tried to take her from me ?” Cole’s voice is more animal than human. “When I had planned your death, I didn’t take this into account.”
Bree’s eyes widen.
What ?
Cole turns back to look at her. “Sweetheart, you’re going to want to go into the other room and cover your ears. It’s going to be a bit loud.”
She can’t move.
“I knew you were coming for me!” Eugene yells. “Does she know?” He turns to Bree, his eyes wild. “Do you know what your husband does?”
“He’s not my husband,” Bree whispers .
“Shut the fuck up, Eugene ,” Cole snarls. “You don’t know what you’re saying, old man.”
Oh, god .
“You have the eyes of a killer,” Eugene taunts. “You’re the one behind all the Elmwood murders, aren’t you? Aren’t you ? Did you tell her?”
“What is he talking about, Cole?” Bree whispers, cradling the kitten. “What is going on?”
“I knew it was you the moment you came here,” Eugene continues. “It had to have been. I knew I was your target; I fucking knew it!”
“Cole?” Bree whispers, backing away from both men. The back of her knees hit the couch, and she falls against the cushion, trembling as she holds the kitten.
Cole crouches in front of Eugene, flashing a terrible grin. “So, what if I was behind all of it?” he purrs, keeping the barrel pointed at Eugene. “Don’t you think someone should be here to avenge poor Helene? Did you really think you would get away with it?”
Bree stops breathing.
Cole’s not…it can’t be…
She can only watch in horror as Cole continues. “You killed her, Eugene. The whole town knows it. Why should you get to live when she’s no longer with us?”
She doesn’t recognize the malice in his voice.
He’s never used that tone with her, and she’s terrified.
“You stupid son of a bitch,” Eugene cries, spittle falling from his mouth. “You piece of shit, just do it already?—”
“Not until you apologize to my wife .”
“Cole, please ,” she begs. “Stop. We can call the police, it’s fine. Please, please …”
“Breana,” he says calmly, keeping his eyes on Eugene. “Do you know what this man has done?”
“I do! And killing him won’t make it any better. I just want this all to be over. I want him arrested. I want him out of here, please .”
She meets Cole’s icy eyes, pleading with her expression. His expression softens, and he nods.
“My wife just saved your life. Apologize to her,” he barks at Eugene.
“I’m not your wife,” she whispers as Eugene mumbles an apology.
The kitten meows.
“Apologize to our kitten, too,” Cole adds.
Eugene scoffs. “I’d sooner take that ugly thing into the woods and shoot it.”
Bree lets out a gasp, her face twisted in horror at Eugene’s words.
Cole raises an eyebrow. “That wasn’t a very good apology,” he says coldly. “Breana, go into the bedroom, shut the door, and cover your ears.”
She remains frozen, staring at Cole, slack jawed.
“Cole—”
“Omega. Go upstairs. ”
There’s no mistaking his use of Alpha Influence. It’s impossible to disobey him. As much as she doesn’t want to, her inner Omega follows his commands with ease. Sweet orange kitten still in her hold, she climbs the stairs to the bedroom, bundles the kitten into the blankets, and covers her ears.
The shot rings out a minute later.