3. Cole
COLE
Time moved differently in the underground. No windows to let light in. No noises from the city. No stars in the night sky.
I knew this wasn’t how it used to be, what with the nice beds and bathroom, but it didn’t make me the least bit comfortable.
I was certain the first night I’d spent all of it on my knees praying. Then I slept curled in a ball on the floor after falling asleep during my millionth round of praying for my family back and Rosalie’s forgiveness in all the mess we were in.
It could have been a day or ten. I had no idea.
Food was slid through a slot in the door, and it made me nervous to eat because I didn’t know what the fuck—or who the fuck—the main course was if rumors on Dante Church were true.
But I had eaten the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and bag of chips that had been pushed at me hours ago out of desperation, and had drunk the water.
Nothing terrible had happened, so I counted that as a success.
Aside from my worries about Rosalie and Ellis, I was worried about my brothers. Enzo was strong, but E… I was definitely concerned his returning here could trigger something in him.
My door creaked open, and Dante Church stepped inside. I sat up on my bed and stared at his imposing form. He brought in a chair and placed it before taking a seat.
“What the fuck do you want?” I grumbled. “Is it time for my spanking?”
He chuckled softly at that. “Perhaps. How are you enjoying your stay?”
“It fucking sucks, you prick. Let me go.”
His green eyes glittered as he stared back at me.
“Is E OK? Enzo?”
“I suspect Ethan is doing just fine. Enzo is likely as well. I have yet to see him today, though, so my answer may change if you ask me in two hours.”
I shook my head sourly. “Just fucking get it over with. Bring in your guys and beat my ass or whatever it is you do down here.”
“This is just the holding area,” he replied. “I don’t typically beat anyone’s ass here. This is where you’re questioned.”
I grunted. I didn’t give a fuck. I just wanted to go home and beg Rosalie to love me. To let me come home, wherever the fuck home was. L.A., Chicago, it didn’t matter. I’d go where she wanted me to go.
“Let’s begin,” Church said, sitting forward.
I said nothing, eyeing him wearily. I had no idea how shit was done down here, but I assumed I’d be getting stabbed or something. That’s how we interrogated people. Beat them. Cut them. Shot them.
“Do you know who Rosalie’s stalker is?”
“No,” I said immediately.
“Why did you kidnap my sister?”
“To prove that she was easy to get to. It wasn’t to be malicious. It was to show that she wasn’t safe.”
“Then why didn’t you return her immediately?”
“Because I intended to make her fall in love with me again,” I muttered, deciding there was no point in denying any of it.
Church studied me for a moment before he spoke.
“Do you really love my sister, or is she a game?”
“With everything I am or will ever be,” I said fiercely. “I love Rosalie.”
“Then why did you follow Lorenzo when you could have stayed with her?”
“Because… I-I love him too. And E. It was a confusing time. Everyone was hurting. I knew Rosalie was strong. Enzo said we’d go but come back for her. You know this, man. I told you when I signed the blood contract.”
“Despite signing it and knowing you weren’t allowed near my sister, you still decided to break the contract.”
I nodded. Sounded about right.
“Sometimes love trumps your contract,” I said. “I got my daughter, my girl, my family, man. Respectfully, fuck your contract. I’d do it again.”
Church let out a soft laugh. “You know one thing I like about you, Scott, is your honesty.”
I shrugged. “Glad I could appease Your Highness.”
He continued to smirk at me. “What are your plans with my sister?”
“I’m going to get out of here, and then I’m going to track her down like a fucking bloodhound and kiss the pink off her fucking lips. And not the ones on her face, if you get my drift.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, his lip twitching with distaste.
“Careful,” he warned softly.
“Or what? You’ll beat my ass? Do it. Then go fuck yourself when you’re done.”
He got to his feet. “You’re not helping yourself. If you want to see my sister or your daughter again, you’ll fucking comply and do as you’re told. I hold the key to your fucking paradise. Remember that.”
“Comply? What do you want me to do, Church?” I went to my knees. “Suck your cock? Here I am. Fucking choke me with it. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Just let me fucking out of here so I can get to my family.”
“Why do you want to get to someone who walked away from you and left you with me?” he asked, eyeing me as I stared up at him from my knees.
“Because I want to tell her I’m sorry. I want to prove I am,” I said, my voice low. “Even if she doesn’t want me, I have to try. Wouldn’t you try if she walked away from you?”
“I would.” He backed away from me, and I watched him go without a word. I had no idea what would happen next. I could only hope it involved our freedom.
I closed my eyes and began to pray again. It was really all I could do while I waited for fucking Dante Church to decide my fate.