“You don’t have to acknowledge or deny it, Logan.” Cole scoffed. “It’s not like anyone ever makes it out, is it? They either get rounded up by your lot, or they convenientlydisappear.”
Finally Logan turned to face him again. Voice soft, he asked, “What do you think happens to those that disappear?”
“They get executed or imprisoned somewhere.” Cole shrugged. “I guess they refused to come quietly.”
Silence stretched between them. Cole waited for Logan to deny it or to say anything really.
When Logan turned to face the water again, bottom lip drawn between his teeth, Cole shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed.
Guess I’m right, then.
CHAPTER SIX
Fucking hell.
Logan stared out over the water, unseeing. Now was the perfect opportunity to offer Cole a way out, but it was too soon, way too soon. He’d never brought it up on the second meeting before. The fifth, definitely, sometimes the fourth, but never this early. Cole exhibited all the signs, yes, but Logan couldn’t be sure it wasn’t just a knee-jerk reaction.
Telling Cole would put Logan’s life at risk and possibly those associated with him, depending on how he reacted.
Do I trust him?
Cole sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets.
Instinct told Logan this was a now or never moment. And he always trusted his instinct.
Taking Cole’s arm, he drew him to sit back down on the bench while also checking for any shifters nearby.
Coast clear, he took a deep breath, then lowered his voice to little more than a whisper. “What would you say if I told you there was another way?”
Cole narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
No turning back now. “If there was a way for you to not join the McKillan pack, would you take it?”
“Of course I fucking would.”
“Even if it meant leaving your friends and family behind?” That was the thing he knew Cole would struggle with. If he took Logan’s offer, no one could know where he’d gone. Not even his parents.
Cole’s expression warred between confusion and realisation, as though he knew what Logan was alluding to but didn’t want to accept it. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“I can help you escape London before the pack affiliation deadline, but you can’t tell anyone.”
“But they’re gonna notice when I suddenly disappear.” He shook his head, eyebrows still drawn together.
Logan hesitated, senses on high alert for any danger. “Not if we stage your death.”
Silence.
Cole opened his mouth, then closed it. Then did it again.
It’d be amusing if the subject wasn’t so serious.
“I know it’s a lot to take in, but the offer is real, and it’s there if you want it. But Cole, you can’t tell anyone. I’ve put lives at risk by telling you.”Mostly mine.
“Why did you?” Cole tilted his head to one side, studying Logan. “What made you trust me enough?”
“Instinct,” Logan whispered, no hesitation. He’d made the mistake of not following it once, and he’d never make that mistake again. “And I know Paul and his team. I know what they do. What they’ll have you doing before long.”
Cole rubbed a hand over his face. “I’d hate it, wouldn’t I?”
