Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

“Julian, you will not volunteer as bait,” Cole commanded.

“Too late.”

Cole leaned in to whisper into his ear. “You do this, and I will paddle your ass.”

He straightened his shoulders. “I’m doing it.”

Cole just glared at him.

“Cole, I have to.” His gaze pleaded with the other man to understand. “I want this over with. We can’t use Keira, and you might not be enough to tempt him to make a move.”

Cole turned away, paced across the room then back again. Finally, he came to a stop and let out a breath. Julian knew he’d been running every scenario through and coming up with a plan.

“All right. Fine. You can do this.”

Well, he hadn’t actually been asking for permission.

“But, one, you are with me at all times. Two, you follow my orders. At all times. Three, we always have guards close by but hidden.” He stared over at Travis, who nodded at that.

“Oh, God,” Keira cried.

Cole moved closer to them, running his hand over her back. “I’ll keep him safe, baby.”

“And you? What about you?” She looked from one to the other. “Nothing can happen to either of you. I won’t stand for it.”

Julian kissed her head. “I’ll keep him safe. We’re in this together, kitten. The three of us. This time, he doesn’t get to win.”

32

He was furious.

And petrified. His fear fueled his fury. He knew he had to calm down. He was shaking. He felt out of control. So unlike himself, it wasn’t funny.

How dare Julian volunteer to put himself in danger? How dare he risk himself when Cole had just gotten them both back?

“You’re putting yourself in jeopardy too,” Julian pointed out after making certain the alarm was on and the door locked. “What I did was no different.”

“It was very different!” Cole roared.

Keira flinched, and he cursed himself. He kissed her forehead

in apology. Then he started pacing up and down the living room as Julian and Keira stood and watched him.

“Why?” Julian asked.

“Because it’s you! Because my job is to protect you! Because I love you!”

“And I love you. And I love Keira, and I don’t want anything happening to either of you. I want this over with, Cole. Just like you do. You know this is the best option. We’ll both be well protected. If we wait, if he goes into hiding then we’ll never be safe.”

Keira watched them both worriedly.

Cole thought it through. He ran it through his head, searching for another option. None came to him. Fuck. Fuck.

He paused in front of Julian. “You will stay safe.”

“I will. I promise.”

“I still want to spank your ass.”