His graying hair is slicked back, and his face cleanly shaved. He wears a midnight blue button-down and black slacks with a matching suit jacket, sans tie.
He doesn’t acknowledge me in any way. To him, you are insignificant unless you have a pussy or a wad of cash in your pocket he can take.
Langston walks over to the mini bar and takes the cap off the bourbon my father keeps and pours himself a glass.
“Cole …” My father growls my name.
“We’re done here.” I give Liam one last look, and his jaw sharpens while he glares at me. I walk over to the door and yank it open.
“Cole?”
I look over my shoulder to Langston when he calls out my name this time.
He stares down at his glass as he swirls it around, not caring to meet my eyes. “Tell my son it would be in his best interest to return my phone calls.”
I snort and walk out, shaking my head at the fucking bastard.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
DEKE
IPULL UP TOthe clubhouse and turn my SUV off. I see Cole parked out front but still sitting in his car. I exit mine, and ask, “What’s up?”
“I need to talk to you,” he says as he climbs out of the driver’s side.
“That’s what your text said.” I frown. “Is this about what you wanted to tell me at the hospital?”
“Yes.” He turns toward the door to enter but stops and faces me. “If Austin asks, I just had lunch with you.”
“Okay.” Simple as that. No questions at all.
“Hey, babe!” Austin calls out from the top of the steps. “How was lunch with Deke?”
“It was great,” I answer, entering behind him and rubbing my stomach. “Gotta love sushi.”
Cole glares at me over his shoulder, and I wink back at him.I’ve got your back, buddy.I hope he wasn’t specific about where we were going to eat.
“Austin, will you come down here for a second?” he asks.
The smile drops off her face, and she straightens her shoulders. “Everything okay?”
He doesn’t answer. “Just come down here.”
I sit on the couch. My eyes going back and forth between Austin and Cole. I’m confused. I thought this was something he wanted to tell me. Honestly, I didn’t think she would even be here.
“What’s going on?” she asks, concern taking over her features.
“Sit next to Deke.”
She looks over at me, and I just shrug. When she sits down, we both look up at him. He sits down on the gaming chairs and leans over, placing his elbows on his knees. “There are some things you need to know.”
“We see that,” I say, nodding.
“Did the police find something?” Austin asks. “Are they gonna take you guys to jail?” Panic evident in her voice.
He shakes his head. “Nothing like that.”
“Then what is it?” she demands.
