He saw her hopes and struggles as something beautiful and painful and strong and poignant and incredibly human. He didn’t perceive her as a thief or a rapist or a horrible villain. She couldn’t mistake the raw compassion in his voice. He ached for her. He felt her. He related to her on every level.
That was when she realized that the things she carried around weren’t so different from what he carried around.
It was profoundly overwhelming and powerful.
As the night wore on, the others popped in and out of the kitchen, grabbing food and hanging out for a while. Tiago and Kate walked down to the dock. The rest of them eventually went to bed.
After midnight, they moved the conversation to the living room, where Cole lit fires in the hearths that sat on either end of the wall of windows.
Trace lounged on the brown leather couch, looking for all the world like a Viking king in a stuffy suit. Tall and muscled, intimidating scowl, blonde hair, strong features, and a stern brow that, even in its resting state, gave him a brooding mien.
With Danni curled up against his side, he’d shed the jacket, the collar of his starched shirt gaping open. They couldn’t have looked more relaxed.
Cole sprawled in the armchair across them as they discussed Trace’s casino business and Danni’s leave of absence from belly dancing. She was four months pregnant, her baby bump barely noticeable beneath the dress. But she touched it often, wearing a whimsical smile.
Lydia watched Cole through the night, expecting him to steal looks in Danni’s direction. But every time she looked at him, he was looking back, watching her as if she were the only person in the room.
Obsessive stalker.
Beautiful, complicated man.
His presence in her life felt surreal. The whole evening was pleasantly bizarre. For whatever reason, the four of them fell in lockstep with one another as if they’d been hanging out every weekend for decades, as if eight years hadn’t separated Cole from his friends. Instead of stiff pleasantries, they spoke openly and honestly, hiding nothing.
“When Cole told me he was going to ask for your help…” She stood beside Cole’s chair, running her fingers through his hair. “I was fully prepared to make jokes about the tension between the three of you. But there’s no tension. No awkwardness. You’re all just…old friends.”
“We went through some tough months together,” Danni said. “But it worked out.”
“It worked out for me. From where I’m standing, you made a mistake choosing the uptight, scowly suit over the sexy, rebellious stalker. But hey, your loss is my win.”
Trace scowled. Hard. Scary.
Danni burst into laughter.
Cole caught Lydia’s waist and pulled her down on his lap. “Are you trying to cause trouble?”
“Just testing the waters.”
“You’re doing great,” he murmured against her ear. Then he looked at Danni. “Your wedding gown is hanging in the armory. Take it with you when you leave. Donate it. Make diapers out of it. You won’t hurt my feelings. It’s yours.”
Danni didn’t seem surprised that Cole still had the gown. Lydia wasn’t, either. For a battle-hardened vigilante, Cole was remarkably sentimental.
“There’s a girl who volunteers at the homeless shelter with me.” Danni smiled. “She just got engaged and doesn’t have much money. I’ll give it to her.”
“Your engagement ring is in the River Thames.”
Danni nodded, her expression thoughtful. “You’ve been alone for a long time, Cole.” She shifted her gaze, locking onto Lydia. “I was afraid I wouldn’t like you. He needs a strong woman, and I didn’t think anyone would ever measure up. I’m not sure that I measured up. But here you are, exceeding my expectations. I know you’re hurting. I feel it. I can’t even fathom the sheer force you’re exerting to keep the tears at bay.” She stood, slowly approaching, and leaned down to touch Lydia’s chin. “It’s an honor to be here, to meet a woman who matches Cole in strength and backbone. It’s an absolute privilege to help you avenge the deaths of your brother and father. You already have the beauty to catch the eye of this hacker guy, and by the end of this week, you’ll have the moves. Your dancing will be so hot you’ll have every man in the club coming for you.” She winked at Cole and stepped back. “I hope you’re prepared for that.”
Cole made a growling sound in his throat.
All Lydia could do was mutter a raspy, “Thank you.”
Danni exceeded her expectations, too. It was no wonder why it had taken Cole so long to let her go.
“I’m glad you asked us to come.” Trace pushed off the couch and grasped Danni’s hand. “We missed you, Cole.”
“Same.” Cole caressed his fingers along Lydia’s shoulder as he asked Trace, “Are you headed to bed?”
“Yeah. The girls have a long week ahead of them.” Trace rubbed his jaw. “I want to spar with you. It’s been a while.”