He reached over and gave my leg areassuring squeeze. “We’ll come backdarlin’,” hepromised when he sensed my disappointment.
“Good,” I replied with a small smile.
Chapter Eighteen
We’d been home for two weeks from thecabin and so far all had been quiet. Sal had painstakingly replaced thesecurity system in our house, adding even more bells and whistles. He’d beenbeyond pissed that Jake had breached his original system. The thing seemedimpenetrable now, which was both reassuring and annoying. I felt like I livedin the CIA headquarters with all the different motion detectors and codes I hadto remember. Cole had stepped up all security when it came to me, but Iaccepted it without complaint, knowing it was needed and that he worried.
I was still feeling pretty good as mypregnancy progressed. I’d heard all kinds of horror stories of morningsickness, headaches, and food aversions. So far, aside from feeling more tiredthan normal and having tender breasts, I still felt like me.
As promised, we took dinner over toCal’s place and had a really special evening looking through pictures of himand my father. There were several of Cole and me playing together as youngkids. I marveled again at what a small world it seemed to be.
“If thatain’tdestiny, I don’t know what is,” Cal said as he chuckled, his eyes twinklingwith delight. Cole had looked at me with such warmth and love that I had tochoke back tears. I never thought much about destiny, but I suppose I believedin it when it came to Cole and me.
We rode home that night through thecool night air and I felt a peace I’d never felt in my life. It had beengrowing in me since I met Cole. It persisted despite everything that hadhappened, and I marveled at its ability to grow regardless of the drama thatsurrounded us. I clutched Cole’s strong body in my arms as the bike rumbledbeneath me. I felt beyond lucky.
I should have realized that my luckwould run out.
“Babe, Igottago,” Cole’s voice woke me through the darkness of our bedroom.
“Hmm, what time is it?” I murmured.
“Just after two. I’m getting calledout. Knox is on his way to watch the house. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” hetold me, kissing my head as I drifted back to sleep.
When Cole wasn’t back the next morningI felt a frisson of worry, but I tried to brush it off. I assumed whatever hehad to do had just taken longer than expected. But when my phone startedringing with an unknown number, my breakfast immediately solidified in my gut.I justknewsomething was terriblywrong.
“Scarlet, baby, how are you?” Jake’svoice came through the phone.
“What did you do?” I hissed.
“Nothing that wasn’t necessary,” hesaid casually and my blood ran cold. “You want him in one piece you’re going tohave to come get him, alone,” he growled.
“How do I know he’s okay?” I rasped aspanic seized me.
“You’re just going to have to trust me.”
“Trust you?” I choked incredulously.
“It’s your only option. I’m at our oldhideout. I thought it was appropriate,” he said and chuckled darkly. “You tellanyone, he’s dead. You try anything sneaky, he’s dead. You come alone, andwithout that beast of yours,” he instructed. “Then you and I, we’re going totake off. And your preciousblondiehere can keep hislife. I figure it’s more of a punishment to lose you to me anyway,” he snorted.
There was no way inhellI was going to let that happen.
“I’ll be there,” I said quietly. Ididn’t have much choice.
“Can’t wait, baby,” he replied, andthe excitement in his voice made me want to throw up.
I was shocked at how clear headed Ifelt when I hung up. It was up to me not only to protect Cole but our unbornchild as well. I knew I couldn’t risk going alone, as much as I didn’t want torisk Cole’s safety he’d never forgive me if I did something that put me and ourbaby in danger. I needed backup, but I had to be smart about it.
I didn’t know how clever Jake wasbeing about this, my instinct said not much, but I planned to err on the sideof caution. I drove to Jupiter and used the phone behind the bar. I called Cal andon the very off chance Jake was somehow tracking, I knew I couldn’t give himany details over the phone.
“Yah?” he answered sounding gruff. Hedidn’t recognize the number.
“Hi Cal, it’s Scarlet,” I saidquickly.
“Oh, hidarlin’.”He clearly sounded surprised to hear from me and a bit wary, which I expected. “What’sdoin’?”
I needed something that would tip himoff, I knew he’d be smart and not press me over the phone.
“Cole’s oversleeping like usual. Iforgot my wallet and was hoping you could drop it by my work,” I asked quietly.We both knew Cole never overslept, in fact he was an absurdly early riser.
