She couldn’t live through hearing it again. She knew she couldn’t. She was barely holding it together as itwas.
“I think you’ve misunderstood some things. At least give me the chance to explain myself. Please give methat.”
But she’d already heard enough. She’d heard more than enough. And she knew that if Cole got her alone, he’d turn her defenses against her just like he had before. “I already gave you everything,remember?”
* * *
Cole stared hopelesslyinto her glittering blue eyes. “Please, Tomi. Please justlisten.”
She shrugged off his hands like he was filth, but he could see the pain in her eyes. She was trying to hide it, but he knew her. He knew more than she wanted himto.
“I’m through listening to you, Cole.” Unlike earlier, she spit out his name like it was a curse. “The only reason I’m here is to help. I’m going to do what I can to bring those women home, even if it means going back to Luis to draw himout.”
“Like hell youwill.”
A rush of near insanity ripped through him. Despite what Luis had done to Tomi, how he’d kidnapped her and held her against her will, she had no idea of the man’s horrific capabilities. Anyone tied to the cartel would murder withoutblinking.
“Cole,” Tomi’s voice got quiet and Cole’s gut clenched in response. “Your opinion doesn’t count. Not anymore.” She angled her body away from him, facing Stahl. “I’myours.”
Cole watched helplessly as she slipped through his hands. Again. Like his life was stuck on a scratched DVD replaying the worst part over and over again. Only he couldn’t throw Tomi away and get a newone.
She wasirreplaceable.
If something happened to her, something he could have stopped, he wouldn’t be able to live with himself. His body moved before his brain could process the request—he grabbed her arm and yanked her away from the agent. “My opinion might not matter, but my decisions do. I partnered with the FBI on this mission as an independent contractor.” Cole jabbed a finger in Stahl’s direction. “And according to our deal, my time isn’t up yet. I still ownher.”
Tomi trembled in his grip, tugging at his insides, but he’d be damned if he’d give in now. Stahl wanted to push him over the edge and Cole was crouched and ready to jump right over. If that meant breaking what shattered shards remained of Tomi’s heart to save her life, he’d doit.
“You don’t own me.” Tomi attempted to yank away from him, but he tightened his hold, locking down on her arm so that she couldn’tmove.
“Yes, I fucking do.” Cole stared directly at Stahl, daring the asshole to deny thefacts.
Stahl shrugged, that calculating gleam returning to his eyes. “Deals can be broken if the situation is extreme enough to warrantit.”
“Letgo!”
Cole barely felt her attempt to jerk free. “Tomi, why don’t you ask your new friend why he came out here in the firstplace?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she repliedbriskly.
Cole continued, “The Frenchman is looking for you. Luis wants to see for himself you belong to me. You’re number one on his hit list. You really trust this bastard to use you as bait? He claims he came here to protectyou.”
Tomi’s struggles eased but didn’t stop. Stahl watched them both and replied in a calm tone, “I’ve got an entire team of FBI agents to watch her back. We’ll do everything in our power to keep hersafe.”
“You’re sending a baby lamb into a pack of wolves. She won’tsurvive.”
“You have my word that I’llpersonally—”
Cole got in Stahl’s grill, his entire body locked down with rage. “After tonight we both know your word is worth shit. She’s notgoing.”
Suddenly, Tomi was shoving between them. She put her palms on his chest and tried to push him away. “Stop it! You’re actinginsane.”
He finally looked down at her agonizedface.
“Why do you care what I do?” she pressed. “Won’t this make your revenge against me that muchsweeter?”
Revenge? He let his brows drop, but his jaw remained clenched. “What are you talkingabout?”
Her pulse thrummed at the base of her neck and her flushed lips parted. “It’s a little too late to play dumb now.” She made to step away from him, her sweet face twisted with disgust. Her hands left his chest and he felt their absence like a stabwound.
