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At the time, I'd laughed at him.

Not because it was funny.

Because Nathan was Nathan.

A former Army Ranger who checked the locks twice before bed, sat facing the door in restaurants, and could turn a trip to the grocery store into a tactical operation.

Claire, listen to me.

I'm listening.

If something ever happens and you think you and Sophie are in danger, you go to Eagle River, Texas.

I'd stared at him.

Where?

Eagle River. Find Colin Shaw.

Who is Colin Shaw?

Someone I trust.

Then he'd handed me the envelope.

And if Cole Barrett is there, give him this.

Cole.

I look across the room.

He's standing near the front windows now, staring outside.

He looks different.

Older.

Harder.

His dark hair is shorter than I remember, with a little gray at the temples. His shoulders seem broader, although that doesn't make sense. He was always big.

Nathan used to joke that Cole was built like somebody had assembled him specifically to kick down doors.

I used to laugh.

I'm not laughing now.

Cole turns his head.

Our eyes meet.

Something moves across his face before it's gone.

“You need to sit down.”

“I’m fine.”

“You're bleeding.”