I judged and convicted him without thought or examination. His innocence is all over his face, his unblinking eyes, and the strength of his posture. It’s been there all along.
We stare at each other through the shadows, separated by five feet and a bottomless well of regret. He fucked up by not communicating, and I made it a thousand times worse by giving up on him.
I thought I was doing the brave thing by dropping the hammer and running away. I thought it was the right thing. But as it turns out, I didn’t just hurt myself. I hurt a man who has only ever protected and loved me.
I should’ve stayed at the penthouse that day and let him explain. It’s the least I could’ve done after sleeping with his best friend and digging the blade of jealousy deeper and deeper.
Cole isn’t a cheater. I am. Those are the truths I conveniently ignored to convince myself to walk away.
“What I did is unforgivable.” I wipe the tears from my face and slow my breathing. “You must think I’m a hypocritical piece of shit.”
“Don’t—”
“Let me finish.” I suck in a breath. “I took one look at those photos and used it as ammo to leave you. The woman, the dead body, the cameras—it was all excuses to avoid the decision I couldn’t make. I couldn’t choose between you, and those photos gave me the coward’s way out.”
“You’re not a coward.” He takes a step forward, his timbre soft and low. “You’re an emotion, a passion. You run deep and wild, rise with the storm, and adjust with the wind. No matter what direction life takes you, you endure with remarkable strength.”
An ugly, sobbing laugh tumbles past my lips. “I’m a reckless, unsorted disaster.”
“If I wanted prudence and order, I’d hook up with a nun. I want you, Danni.”
Warmth unfurls inside me. I didn’t realize how badly I needed to hear that, even if I don’t deserve the assurance.
“I hurt you.” The words tremble on my lips, thick with self-loathing.
He remains several paces away, doesn’t reach out or close the distance. But I feel the mystical cohesion between us, the union of parts of the same soul. The comforting sound of his exhales opens my lungs, and the steady touch of his gaze expands my ribcage. I can finally breathe again.
How terribly foolish I was to walk away from everything I ever wanted, when I had it all standing right in front of me. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not.”
My eyebrows pull in. “What?”
“I’m not sorry for my actions. I disabled your car, drugged your coffee, and drove you three-hundred miles away from your home. I won’t apologize for it. In fact, if you leave before I say what I need to say, I’ll tie your ass up and drag you back by your hair.”
Unbidden, my insides tingle and heat. “You are the reason I’m here? Not Trace?”
“It was his idea. I executed it.”
I try to picture the logistics of transporting an unconscious woman across the state. “Did you drive separately or—?”
“I drove the Range Rover. He rode in the backseat with you.”
My eyebrows rise. That’s unexpected. Too bad I wasn’t awake to experience the awkwardness of that four-hour drive. “Is the car yours, too?”
“Yes.”
“A lakefront estate, a Range Rover, boats, ATVs…? I know you have secrets, but it feels like the life I shared with you was a big fat lie.”
“I brought you here to explain. I’ll tell you everything.”
“How?” I wrap the blanket tighter around me. “I thought you couldn’t tell me anything?”
“I’ll explain that, too.” With his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, he steps closer and stops within arm’s reach, gazing down at me. “We’ll talk inside, where it’s warm.”
It’s a trap. If I go back in that house, I’ll stay. It’s two against one, and they know how to control me. The dynamics of our personalities put me at a disadvantage. I’m passive by nature and don’t stand a chance against their domineering, persuasive modes of operation.
“I don’t know, Cole. I’m outnumbered.” I meet his eyes. “Like a lamb among wolves.”
He huffs an exasperated sound. “You really don’t know, do you?”
I shake my head, not following.
“This is your world.” He spreads his arms wide. “I just live in it. You own my heart, my every thought. You have the power to take whatever you want when you want it. You’re fucking gorgeous, Danni. Compassionate and smart. Independent and cool as hell. A titan of feminine influence.” His eyes glimmer, and he laughs. “It’s impossible to not feel…completely possessed by you. And I’m not the only one.”