Cole blew out a weak breath, fighting the fear. His brother’s arguments were spot on. He was going to do it—he had to do it. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t terrified. “Okay. We do this ourway.”
Carter held his shoulder for a moment longer and then released him, nodding. “By ourrules.”
Clint pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and unlocked it, the bright LED glow from the screen reflecting off the calluses in his hands. “With ourteam.”
Tomi’s muffled cry blasted down the hall, drawing Cole’s attention. Knowing what he had to do didn’t make it anyeasier.
Clint gave Cole a quick punch in the arm and then lifted the phone to his ear. “I think she wantsout.”
Another shriek filled the air, this one full of fury. “Maybe I should give her until morning to cooloff.”
“Are you chicken, brother?” Carter asked with asmirk.
“Damn straight.” Cole began the long trek back down the hallway, the sound of Carter’s chuckle fading in the background. When he reached the door to the playroom, he just stood and stared at it, unable to make his fingers touch theknob.
He knew what he’d see when he opened that door. He’d see Tomi’s hurt and betrayal and hate all over again, only this time he couldn’t lock her up and walkaway.
He’d never been more scared in his entirelife.
29
Tomi stared at the ceiling,hating herself for the tears leaking out of the corners of her eyes, but hating Cole more for doing this to her. How could she have been so stupid? Men like Cole Fury didn’t forgive or forget – they fought forrevenge.
She’d known all those years ago that her heart wasn’t safe with him, but his drugging kisses had blurred her memory and made herforget.
Why had she come back here? She should have never opened that folder. She could have left, disappeared into the world and hidden. She was good at running, some would say she was an expert at it, but when she’d seen those women’s faces in that folder any thoughts of running haddisappeared.
The night of Luis’s party had come crashing back and she’d been unable to turn her back on those tortured faces. Foolishly she’d thought she could make adifference.
She should have known she’d end up in the very place she’d sought toescape.
Cole’sbed.
The door snicked open and Cole stepped into the room, quietly closing it behind him. She kept her gaze glued upward, refusing to look at him. She couldn’t. Not now. Not when the pain of his betrayal ate up herheart.
What did he want? Probably to yell at her and rub the past in her face. He’d tell her how gullible she’d been. How easy she’d fallen for his devastating charms. And she couldn’t say a word different because it was thetruth.
She had fallen for his lies, stupidly believing he lovedher.
“I’m sorry,” he said in a hushedtone.
A hot flush rushed up her chest and burning tears pricked her eyes. Tomi blinked rapidly to force them back. This must be part of his evil plan to make her question her own judgment. Did he think she’d buy his game now? She could practically feel his intense black eyes touching every inch of her skin. Tomi kept her gaze locked on the ceiling, denying him her attention even while she stayed focused on his everymove.
Cole strode to the bed and sat down, causing the edge of the mattress to dip. He was determined to strip that small bit of control away from her. She turned her head away and closed her eyes, her heart thrumming out-of-control. Cole touched her arm, his fingertips shooting sparks through her sensitive skin. Tomi jerked so hard the sturdy chains attached to her wrists clanked against thebed.
“Christ, Tomi I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Cole’s voice sounded like it was filled with pain but she knew it was filled withlies.
But her treacherous body wanted to believe him just like it had before. A harsh sob caught in her throat and she clamped her teeth down to keep itinside.
"You didn't mean for what to happen? To lie to me? Or to keep me chained to your bed as some kind of sickpunishment?"
"Either. I didn't mean for either to happen," he saidquietly.
Tomi yanked on her bonds, rattling the chains binding her. "Then let me go, let me out of here rightnow."
"I can't dothat."
She wanted to scream, wanted to yell at him to release her, but a sinking heavy weight of despair settled on her chest. Her fury raged but the hurt was stronger, urging her to retreat inside andhide.
