“Good idea. I’ll do that.”
Suddenly, Thomas pressed a hand to his ear, listening to something. It was so quick. His hand fell almost as soon as he’d touched his ear, and he turned to the guard closest to the door. “Open the door. Let them in.”
Theresa had turned, starting for the kitchen. Now she froze.
“What?” Noah called, craning his neck to see.
“What’s going on?” Amanda scooted to the edge of the couch.
Thomas ignored everyone. The guard yanked open the door, and another wave of security guards came in. They spilled out into the living room and kitchen, continuing on to every room. After a moment they began to return, barking out, “Clear.” Echoing calls came from the other rooms. All the same word. They were dressed like my own guards, in black clothing, but their guns were held upright, ready to shoot if needed.
“What the hell?!” Noah’s voice was sharp. “What the fuck is going on? Who are these people?” he tried to ask Thomas, who continued to ignore him.
Thomas waited until the last guard had returned to the room. Then they filtered back outside until only two remained. One took point in the living room, standing between our room and the kitchen. The other went to the door, standing beside the wall, and then the door opened again.
Cole came in.
His hooded sweatshirt was gone. Instead, he wore a black long-sleeved shirt, but it was bulky, and I could tell as he came toward me that he wore a bulletproof vest, too. When he stopped in front of me, no one said a word. Theresa and Amanda’s eyes were glued to him, while Noah glanced from Cole to me to Thomas and back again. His hand kept clenching, unclenching, and forming a fist again. He clearly didn’t know what to do, but he kept quiet, and I knew why.
It was clear that my guards knew this man, and that meant he was someone important.
Looking back at Cole, I realized he was waiting for me. Gone was the cold and livid look he’d had earlier. Now his anger lurked under the surface. Like Carter, a lethal aura emanated from him. But this wasn’t Carter.
Where was Carter?
I closed my eyes as a wave of longing came over me. Forgetting everyone in the room, everything that had happened, even the woman who looked like me—in that moment I wanted him so badly I tasted him. I could feel him. I remembered the feeling of being held in his arms, hearing his voice as he whispered he loved me.
I wanted him there, no matter what.
“Okay.” Theresa broke the silence. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Theresa,” Noah said. He held a soft warning in his tone.
“What?” She gestured to Cole. “He stormed in here, and now he’s not saying a word. What the hell is going on?!”
“They all know him. Connect the dots.”
She stopped, readying another retort, but looked around the room instead. “Oh.”
“Are you okay?” Cole asked me.
Thomas moved to my side. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said. “Carter wouldn’t want you here.”
Cole met his gaze. “The woman he loves was hurt at my club tonight. Nothing would keep me from making sure she was all right. She’s in my city. She’s my responsibility.”
“So you know Carter?” Amanda asked, more to herself. She had been watching the exchange, but looked back down at her lap.
“I’m fine,” I said. My voice was firmer this time. It didn’t come out as a weird squeak. “Carter’s coming back anyway, but I’m fine. What happened?”
“Wait a minute. That was your club?” Noah stepped forward. He loomed over Cole, or he should have. He was taller and larger, but Cole’s complete stillness somehow outmatched Noah instead.
“It’s my family’s club, but mine now.” Cole narrowed his eyes. “Did you not know the name?”
“The name…” Noah trailed off. “Fuck me.”
Amanda looked at Theresa. “I didn’t pay attention. What was the name?”
Theresa’s shoulders dropped as she realized it, too. “Mauricio. That’s the name of the club. We didn’t—I didn’t even put two and two together.”