Page 99 of Cole

“I didn’t write that article,” she muttered against my chest.

“I know, Goldilocks. Unless you’ve improved your sneaking skills about a thousand percent, I know you didn’t.”

She pulled back and looked up at me, her expression incredulous but hopeful.

“You believe me?”

I nodded, savoring the look on her face.

“Of course, I do. I’ll do you one better, baby,” I murmured, winding a hand into her hair and tilting her head back. She watched me trustingly.

“I wouldn’t care if you had written it.”

She blinked at me. “What?”

“If I thought you’d written it, I’d be pissed… but it wouldn’t change anything.”

She looked so confused. Had no one ever loved this girl unconditionally? Considering she had two living parents, that was just fucked up.

“You’re mine, Issy. I told you that. It’s not something that can be taken back.”

“Cole,” she whispered, her eyes shining like she might be about to cry, and I couldn’t have that.

“I’ve fallen in love with you, Isabelle, and I’m not a man who’ll fall more than once. It’s not in me. You are it for me.”

I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.

“You’re my journey’s end.”

Her hand tightened on my wrist, holding my palm against her cheek. I pulled back. She was about to speak. She opened her mouth to say something… but I never got to hear it.

Just then, shouts erupted outside of the office. So, the cops had gotten off their asses and decided to do some work for once? Wonders never ceased.

Isabelle spun around, looking at the door.

“Oh my god, it’s because of the story,” she murmured, looking horrified.

I shrugged, heading to my desk to grab my cut. I wanted to look presentable for my perp walk.

“I guess the cops should do some kind of work in this town from time to time,” I sighed, pulling my cut on.

“You’re not worried about it?” Isabelle fretted.

“I know how to cover my tracks. Besides, this whole setup and lifestyle,” I gestured around at the office, leaning a hip against my desk, “the guns, the danger… it doesn’t suit a family man.”

“A family man?” Isabelle repeated, giving me a look like I was crazy. “As romantic as you’re being right now, is it the right time?”

I just chuckled. “No time like the present, and I might not have the chance later. Just know,” I straightened up, “I do want more. What you said before, about wanting a better life… more… I do want it. I want it all, and I want it with you.”

She watched me with tear-filled eyes. I reached out and brushed one from her cheek.

“Don’t cry, baby. They don’t have shit on me. Don’t sweat it. Just think about you and me, a cabin in the woods, and the rest of our fucking lives.”

Bangs sounded at the door.

“Cole Bailey. Open up. We have a warrant for your arrest,” a loud voice called through the wood.

Isabelle’s hands screwed up into fists. She wasn’t used to this. She was no criminal. She was a good, good girl, and she was all mine.