The Man Who Hated Ned O'Leary (Dig Two Graves 2)

“They might check all vehicles leaving the city. You two need to hide,” he said and kneeled, lifting a chunk of the floor to reveal a compartment just long enough to fit a grown man

Ned went in without prompting. He needed to bend his legs a little and pressed his back to the side of the box so Cole could get in alongside him. When the wagon moved, Adam spurred him on with a gesture. A deep exhale later, Cole stepped into the tight space and lay down, facing Ned, who lowered his gaze in response. But in quarters so tight, they had to touch, and they both avoided looking at one another when Cole pushed his bent knees between Ned’s.

Last night’s argument and parting was still so fresh and painful that this moment did not feel real, yet when Adam shut the trapdoor, then covered it with some kind of rug and pushed something heavy on top for good measure, Cole’s mind thudded with joy.

They might have to travel in an oversized coffin, but when he’d set out for the police station earlier, he’d done so knowing his chances of success were slim, no matter how desperate he’d been to believe that he could snatch Ned out of Craig’s clutches. But they’d made it.

He’d trusted the right people, and now they were both safe.

Adam knocked on the wood above. “Safe travels,” he said and left, shutting the door behind him.

They were alone.

Silence stretched between them even though they lay entwined like two cats, with faces only inches apart. Ned’s breath was sweet and warm on Cole’s cheeks, but once the wagon sped up, and the thud of wheels dulled people’s voices, Cole couldn’t think of anything to say. Still overwhelmed by everything that happened in the past few hours, he just studied the faint outline of Ned’s cheek and hair, remembering every single moment where the plan could have turned sour yet had not.

It was a miracle that they’d both survived.

“Thank you. You saved me from myself,” Ned whispered, and Cole swallowed hard, surprised to hear that after the harsh words Ned sent his way not that long ago.

“From yourself?”

Ned shrugged, his gaze somewhere on Cole’s collarbone. “I turned myself in. The law was just doing its job.”

Cole found Ned’s hand and squeezed it in both of his as guilt settled on his shoulders like a vulture about to eat his insides. “I pushed you to this. I’m so sorry, Ned.”

“You only did what you felt was right.” Ned sighed and crossed the distance between them to nestle his head against Cole’s neck. The touch of his soft, short hair sent shivers down Cole’s spine, and he put his arms around Ned, closing his eyes to enjoy the sweetness of this quiet moment. Ned had tried to kill himself by execution, and if Cole hadn’t noticed Nugget back at the encampment, if he hadn’t investigated where Ned was right away, he might have lost him. Not to hate or anger but to the hangman.

“I was wrong. You kept giving me chances I didn’t deserve. You did everything right, Ned, and I still wouldn’t stop living in the past. I was too hung up on it to see the truth,” Cole said, gently petting Ned’s back as their hideout trembled on the uneven road. The scent of Ned’s hair lulled him into a sense of safety, and as the vehicle rocked their entwined bodies, Cole felt his rigid muscles relax.

“And what is the truth?” Ned whispered, his voice soft as if he were talking to a baby. “I did what I did, and you’re not obliged to agree with my reasons. But you were right about one thing: I didn’t trust you enough to reveal my history with Tom and lied to your face while you were honest. I’m sorry.”

Cole’s throat felt tight, and he rubbed his nose against Ned’s warm flesh, surprised to hear him acknowledge Cole’s pain. It had been seven years, and no one should be judged on a single mistake, especially not someone like Ned, who so desperately wanted to make up for his sins. “And I did the same thing I blamed you for, didn’t I? I refused to trust you, even after you proved yourself again and again. And just two nights ago, I lied to you in front of everyone,” Cole said, tightening his hold around Ned as his heart thudded with emotion, sending waves of heat through his chest.

“But still came to save me. It’s all right.” Ned stroked Cole’s nape. Each gentle touch of his hand left behind warmth, and as Cole relaxed into the caress, he wished he could be a cat and sleep in Ned’s lap, getting petted each day.

It was so tempting to accept this, to let things take their course and welcome Ned’s forgiveness without telling him the truth, but if some things were left unsaid, they’d become a thorn in Cole’s heart and infect whatever relationship Ned wanted to have with him from now on.