I look at my father, who gestures to Luna. “She needs you, son. I’ll take care of those two.”
Bennett nods in agreement, cracking his knuckles. “I’ll help.”
Cole helps me stand up and wraps his arms around me. He tries to lead me away, but I stop and turn to Robert. “Will I ever see those two again?”
Robert shakes his head. “No, I promise to you that you won’t.”
I study his face, looking for any kind of hesitation, but there isn’t any.
I nod and turn away, letting Cole take me to an SUV. My hands are not shaking. My chest isn’t tight. Those two men meant to kill me. Whatever happens to them now is not my concern.
Cole helps me into the front seat. He buckles me in, kisses me softly, and then closes the door. I watch him walk around the car and get into the driver’s seat.
I lean my head back and mumble.
Cole holds my hand as he drives. “What was that?”
I turn my head to look at him. “I was wondering if you could drive.”
He looks confused, and I smile. “This is the first time I’ve ridden with you and Stone wasn’t driving.”
He squeezes my hand tighter. “I can drive.”
I lift my chin. “Who were those men?”
His voice is like steel. “Desperate men. They wanted fast money, but they picked the wrong family.”
I look out the window as Cole drives out of downtown.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
His voice is gruff. “When something happens like this, we go home. We all go home.”
My eyebrows skyrocket. “Does this kind of thing happen all the time?”
He flinches. “More than I like.”
I turn my head to look out the window.
Cole is quiet the rest of the way to the Kingston mansion.
When we get there, he helps me inside, where we’re greeted by his mother.
She takes one look at me and pulls me into her arms. “Oh, sweetie.”
That’s all it takes. The tears come hard and fast, and I can’t stop them.
Cole hesitates for a second, as if he’s unsure what he should do, then he steps closer. He wraps his arms around the both of us. His hold is so tight, it’s as if he doesn’t want to ever let me go.
And for the first time tonight, I feel safe.
Eleanor is the first one to let go.
“Maggie is drawing you a bath. Do you want me or Cole to help you?”
I look at Cole, and Eleanor assures me, “There’s no wrong answer, honey. Whatever you need to be comfortable.”
I meet her gaze. “I would like Cole to help me.”
