My heart hammered hard and I sat up fast, making my head spin. I took in the masculine living room, the huge TV, the leather couch beneath me.
Cole’s place.
There was a soft blanket thrown over me, and I tugged it closer
He’d set me up watching television—a delightfully cheesy romcom movie I’d found on Netflix—but since I didn’t remember watching the end of it, I figured I’d fallen asleep. I hadn’t originally had a blanket on me. I fingered the smooth fabric. Cole had obviously tucked me in.
I wasn’t surprised I’d fallen asleep. I hadn’t slept a whole lot in the last twenty-four hours.
I glanced around, but there was no sign of Cole. My neck tightened slightly. Knowing he was with me made me feel so much safer.
With a shake of my head, I rose. I’d essentially been on my own my entire life. I never expected my dad to protect or take care of me. And this week, he’d shown just how little he cared.I couldn’t get used to having Cole around. I wouldn’t be here forever.
My thoughts turned to Ava-Jane, and I wondered where she was. If she was safe, or being made to do terrible things. My heart squeezed.
From what I’d seen and heard, none of Cole’s friends liked Chadwick Goodyear.
In fact, the way Cole had spoken about the man…I got the sense there was a lot more to his dislike of Goodyear.
“There you are.”
Cole’s deep voice jolted me out of my thoughts. He’d come out of the hallway.
“Hey. Sorry I fell asleep.”
The side of his mouth quirked. “No need to apologize. You needed the rest.”
“What time is it?”
“After five. Alessio packed up your apartment and brought your things.” He jerked a head toward the entry.
Near the door sat a stack of items, consisting of my battered suitcase, a duffel bag, laptop bag, and several boxes. “Oh. Thank you.” I raced over and grabbed my laptop bag.
“Not much stuff.”
I glanced at him. He sounded unhappy. “I only had a small place.” I chewed my lip. “My lease isn’t up for a few more months. My landlord isn’t the most understanding guy, he’ll probably want money to?—”
“Alessio sorted it. Your lease is finished.”
I’d only gotten a brief look at Alessio in the SUV this morning, but he’d struck me as quiet and a little scary. I stared at Cole. “Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
I pulled in a breath. “I really don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Cole. You fought for me, you…” killed for me “…rescued me from that house.”
“Don’t need the thanks.”
I walked over to him and pressed a hand to his chest. “You have it anyway. No one has ever had my back like this before.”
Something moved through his eyes, then he nodded once.
“I’m going to check my emails. My clients might have been in touch.” I sat back on the couch and pulled my laptop out. I called it the Beast. It was a hulking old thing, but it still ran. I’d bought it a few years back from a pawn shop.
Cole moved closer, scowling at my computer. “Clients?”
I opened the machine and booted it up. “Yes, I do some bookkeeping for a few small businesses. I took classes a few years back.” I smiled. “I’m good with numbers.”
He grunted. I saw I only had one email and quickly responded. I didn’t have anything due for another week.
