Page 104 of Cole

Maddox steadied me. My lack of sleep and overabundance of caffeine was making me jumpy. I was just about to explain why I needed him, justify my demands, but Maddox only nodded.

“Sure, I can. Give me a second.”

He turned away to make the call, and I started to pace the shop.

“He’ll be here in a few. He’s not far.”

“Ok, good. I think… I think he might be the alibi that Cole needs.”

Maddox raised an eyebrow, then looked toward the adjoining shop door as it opened.

“What the hell is going on here?” Marcus asked. His usually light, teasing tone was spread thin. He walked over to us.

“What happened? I just got the messages. Why didn’t someone call me earlier?”

Maddox shook his head. “Your brother doesn’t like you worried.”

Marcus sighed. “Right, so that means I have to find out from other people that he’s been arrested for murder? Hi, Isabelle. I suppose you’re the reason for this murder? So not only are you writing hit pieces on him⁠—”

“That wasn’t me! And of course I’m not the reason for the murder—your brother didn’t kill anyone!”

“I heard the guy who died was your ex or something,” Marcus continued.

“No, not at all! Come on, come to your brother’s office. I’ll explain everything we know.”

“Ok, sure, but if my brother goes to jail for killing your ex, it’s going to affect our friendship, I’m just calling it now,” he grumbled as he followed behind me.

I’d just finished catching Marcus up when Finn appeared. His mouth was pinched and white and his eyes wild.

“What happened to Cole? No one called me.”

“Join the club, little buddy. It fucking sucks, doesn’t it,” Marcus snorted. “Boo-hoo, you’re the people Cole cares about protecting most in the world. What a burden.”

We were all in Cole’s office, the door closed. I felt closer to him in here. His scent, his energy, touches of his personality were all around. Cole’s inner circle. And somehow, I was the one sitting behind his desk. Somehow, I was the one everyone was listening to.

Maddox leaned against the wall and turned his eyes to me.

“Ok, Isabelle. You’re up.”

I nodded and played them the recording on my laptop.

“Time?” Gage asked.

“First one was at two and second was at three-thirty, so it’s when we need.” I looked at Finn. “If it was you⁠—”

Finn nodded. “It was me. I wanted to talk to Cole about something⁠—”

“Becoming a prospect, surprise, surprise,” Gage muttered, sounding annoyed.

I cut him a look, and he shut his mouth with a click.

“And?” I encouraged Finn.

“I looked for him in his office.”

“We have CCTV in the shop,” Maddox put in. “Not in the bar, but we have it in the shop for insurance purposes.”

“Ok, good, that legitimizes your story,” I told Finn. “Go on.”