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Thirty minutes and fifteen stitches later, I’m walking out of the spare bedroom with my arm stitched and wrapped. I hold my forearm in my hand as I look at all the pictures that cover her soft yellow hallway. I stop at a picture of Cole. Seven other boys stand around him in front of an indoor pool. All of them in white sweatpants and matching jackets unzipped. Like they just finished a swim meet.
Shelby walks up behind me. “Which one is your brother?” I ask just because I want to know which guy wants me dead.
“This is Deke.” She points at the one to the right of Cole. He has soft blue eyes and a pretty smile. Of course, the bastard is good looking. Hell, they’re all pretty decent looking. “Then it goes Kellan, Bennett, and Shane.” She points at the others to the right of Cole.
“Who are these guys?” I point at the three on his left side.
She sighs. “That is Maddox, Landen, and Eli.”
“Eli?” I ask. He’s the one who had the sister. The reason they killed Jeff. What was her name? Did Cole ever mention it?
“Yeah. He, Maddox, and Landen all passed away last year.”
“What?” I ask, turning to face her. When Cole spoke of him earlier, he didn’t mention that he was dead.
“They were in a car wreck. The only one who survived was Cole.”
“Cole was with them?” What Jeff was saying makes sense now. What about your consequences, Cole? You killed three of your best friends …
She nods. “Cole has always been a troubled soul. And then … well … He hasn’t been himself since. He had a rough life growing up. Losing his mother at such a young age. And Lilly …”
That’s who Celeste had asked about. “Lilly? Is that his girlfriend?” I keep asking this question because I’m curious for any personal information about him. And what’s more personal than loving someone?
“No.” She smiles down at me. “Lilly is his little sister. He raises her.”
My brows pull together. “What about their dad?”
She goes to open her mouth, but Cole clears his throat from behind us. I spin around to see him glaring at me. His eyes briefly go to the picture on the wall of all his friends, then they are back on mine. “Let’s go.” He turns and walks out without a backward glance.
“Thank you,” I tell her, and she surprises me by pulling me in for a hug.
“Anytime. Come back in a week and I’ll remove them.”
CHAPTER FIVE
COLE
Austin stayed silent in the car, but I could hear her mind working. The questions she had were ones I would never answer. Some things are just better left the way they are.
I dropped her off at her father’s without a goodbye or a see you around. She got out, and I sped off, heading home.
As soon as I step into my father’s house, I hear Lilly’s voice. “Cole?”
“In here,” I tell her, entering the kitchen. My father stands at the breakfast bar with a glass of his favorite scotch in his hand. It’s not even five yet.
“Where have you been?” he demands.
Just then, Lilly runs in, carrying her stuffed bunny, Hippo, in her hands. “Hey, princess,” I say, and she jumps into my arms. “How was ballet today?”
“Ms. Talon taught me how to twirl.”
“That’s awesome,” I say, hugging her.
My father clears his throat. “Lilly, give Cole and me a moment.”
I kiss her soft cheek. “I’ll be right there.” I set her down and then turn to my father.
“I spoke to Bruce Lowes this morning.”
I fucking hate that guy! Knowing that he has a daughter makes me hate him even more. She’s already causing problems for me. “And?”
“And his daughter is in town. Moved in with him.” He eyes me skeptically.
“I don’t see how this requires a conversation between us.” I avoid my father at all costs. He’s not any better than Bruce Lowes. They’re best friends, after all.
He sets his glass down. “She’s trouble. Stay away from her.”
That piques my interest. But I’m not surprised, considering she burned a body and crushed the bones with a hammer. I like her creativity. It’s sexy. “How so?”
“Guess her mother is some crack whore. The mom’s boyfriend abuses her.” He rolls his eyes. “He said the mother wants her to stay until she graduates. But he plans on sending her back the moment she fucks up.”
“And you’re telling me this why?”
“Because I’m giving you a warning. Lord knows you don’t need anyone helping you and your friends get into trouble.” Then he picks up his drink. “Oh, and quit fucking his wife.”
I smile at that statement.
He grunts. “He knew that your car was over there one night last week. All night. He has help, for Christ’s sake. You think you’d be a little more discreet.” Then he walks out of the kitchen.