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“I see you two are figuring things out,” Julia said, beaming at us. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and it was clear that she was worried about her son. Her light-yellow top and white shorts looked nice against her tanned arms and legs.
Cole rubbed his chin and sighed heavily. “Yeah. We are. I’m not sure when I’ll come home. You most likely won’t hear from me until I’m on my way back.”
My head jerked toward him. Shit, it hadn’t occurred to me that I wouldn’t talk to him at all. “Not even a text?” Fear lodged itself in my throat, and my chest suddenly ached. There wasn’t a single thing that I liked about this situation.
His eyes filled with sadness as they searched mine. “I can’t, baby. I can’t risk pulling you into my mess more than I already have.”
I clenched my teeth, willing myself to stay calm and focus on the fact that he was doing everything in his power to protect me. Realizing Cole had called me baby in front of Daddy, I risked a quick peek in his direction. Daddy’s expression was twisted with worry, but I wasn’t sure if it was for me, Cole, or both of us. Unsure of how many days I would stay with our parents, I made a mental note to sit down and talk to my dad some more. Although I was torn up about Cole leaving, I was happy to spend time with Daddy again. Funny how a few weeks ago, I thought money was the most important thing in my life. It wasn’t. Not even close. My family was, and as long as I had them and my friends, I would make it no matter what. After all, I was a Wessex.
“Please let us know the second you can, son.” Julia wrung her fingers together, and I wondered if she had more information than I did.
Daddy rubbed Julia’s back. “We’ll worry until we hear from you. Take care of this once and for all.” Daddy wasn’t asking. He was telling Cole not to return until the shit show was over. It didn’t seem to faze Cole, though. I had a feeling a lot of their conversations were similar.
“I will, sir. Then, I’m coming home for your daughter.” Cole looked at me, then to my father. “Please keep everyone safe while I’m gone.”
“You have my word,” Daddy said, his shoulders tense and his voice on edge.
This conversation certainly wasn’t helping me feel any better. Cole rose from his seat, and his attention swept the room. “I need to go. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can. Hopefully, this won’t take longer than a week or so.”
Inwardly, I cringed. I used to dance with excitement when I got rid of him for a week, but not this time.
After Cole hugged Daddy and his mom goodbye, he took my hand again. “Walk me out?”
I stood, choking down the tears that threatened to flow, but I couldn’t do that to Cole. I wouldn’t be the sobbing girlfriend he left behind when he had to handle business. “Yeah.” I gave him a wistful smile. I looked at Daddy and Julia. “I’ll be right back.”
“If you go outside, then take Vaughn or Zayne,” Daddy ordered.
“I will.” And this time, I would do what he asked me to.
Cole and I strolled through the kitchen, a heavy silence enveloping us. He opened the door that led into the garage, then closed it behind us.
“Samuel’s right. You shouldn’t be standing around outside. This is safer.” He placed his soft palms against my cheeks and kissed me tenderly. “Promise you’ll wait for me, Shae.”
Our gazes locked. “You don’t have to ask me that, Cole. I’ve waited a long time already. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Swear to me, Shae. I need you to say it.”
“I promise. But you have to make me a promise as well.” I stared at the floor, regaining control of my emotions before I looked at him again.
“Anything, baby.”
“Come home to me … alive. I’m not sure what’s happening, but I have a horrible feeling in my gut. This can’t be our goodbye, Cole. We’re just beginning. I can’t lose you now.”
Cole wrapped me in his arms and held me against him. “I would do anything to take your fear away, Shae. I would. But I can’t deceive you, either. Things might get rough.”
Finally, I burst into tears as I clung to him. “Thank you for not lying to me.”
“Baby, I’ll never lie. Not to you.” He kissed the top of my head, then released me. “I need to go.” He kissed me gently, his mouth parting and his tongue finding mine. He growled and deepened the possessive kiss that sent tingles to my toes.
Leaving me panting, he stepped away, his gaze on mine. “I love you, Shae. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I love you, too, Cole. I’ll be waiting, so please be careful.” I touched my swollen lips as he pushed the button on the garage door opener, then slipped out. Unwilling to walk away, I watched him put on his helmet, climb onto his bike, and start it. The rumble of the engine bounced off the house. He nodded, then turned around and drove down the driveway, taking my heart with him.
I sucked in a shaky breath and closed the garage door, ensuring that it lowered all the way before I walked back into the house. Dark thoughts swirled in my mind, and I shut them down fast. I’d willingly fallen for Cole, committed to him, and as much as I ached for him, I would have to find new ways of dealing with the stress when he was gone.
Walking through the kitchen, I realized that Julia’s brother had been part of an MC for a long time. Maybe she could help me cope with the anxiety. Joining them in the living room, I sat down, my attention bouncing between them.
“Cole and I met Vaughn. It was a good idea to have an additional bodyguard,” I said to Daddy. It wasn’t that my father needed my input, but I wanted him to know that I supported him.
