Page 41 of Marked

I wish he’d smile...

No. No, she definitely didn’t need to see him smile. In their short time together, part of her had softened toward him. But not much. He was still a killer. Still wanted. And still the most dangerous man she’d ever had in her vicinity.

She no longer feared for her safety while in his presence—there was more to him, underneath the brutality and cold demeanor. But she didn’t need to learn about that part of him. One day he’d end up in prison for the rest of his years, and she’d rest easy.

At some point, every criminal got what they deserved.

CHAPTER 11

Cole raised his fist and knocked on the smooth mahogany door. Sophia stood beside him. He didn’t need to glance down to measure her unease.

The shit practically wafted off her.

The door swung open, and Nash’s eyes widened. “’Sup, man? We weren’t expecting you.” His gaze pinged to Sophia and then bore into Cole’s face with a silent What the fuck are you doing?

“Sorry. Shoulda called.”

Nash moved back and opened the door the rest of the way to allow them inside. Sophia stepped in first and removed her shoes. Cole did the same.

“I didn’t realize you weren’t aware we were coming,” Sophia said to Nash.

He waved her off. “Don’t worry about it. Lexi’s out right now, but she’ll be home in a few minutes.” He led the way to the kitchen, and Sophia fell into step behind him.

Cole gave himself a mental kick in the ass for not giving Nash a heads-up about Sophia. If one of his brothers brought a cop to his house unannounced, he’d sure as hell be cautious.

“Coffee?”

“I’ll have a tea,” Sophia said.

“Coffee for me,” Cole answered.

Nash filled the kettle and coffee maker then turned to the island, his expression grim. “I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. Cole told me she’s missing.”

Sophia nodded, a tense smile frozen in place as she pulled out a chair and sat at the island. The pain in her eyes struck Cole in the chest and made his hands damp. She didn’t deserve to go through this. Neither did the kid.

“I appreciate your work,” Sophia said. “If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have the lead we got today.”

Nash’s eyebrows bounced, and he looked to Cole. “Yeah? He was cooperative?”

A smirk tugged on Cole’s mouth as he took the seat next to Sophia. She already thought him a brute. Did it matter if she knew how much he’d enjoyed beating up that motherfucker? “He was easily persuaded,” he said, sparing Sophia a repeat of the details.

She snorted and propped her elbow on the counter then rested her chin on her fist as she glanced at him. “Is that what you’d call it?” Her focus returned to Nash. “Let’s just say someone used blunt force to get the answers he wanted.”

Nash, the bastard, didn’t even bother to hide his amusement. His shoulders shook and a laugh rolled from his lips. “Oh, shit. I can only imagine how that went.”

“Well, he left him shot and bleeding from an artery.” Her words carried a bite.

Cole zeroed in on her face. He’d take whatever she dished out, but she wasn’t exactly an upstanding citizen in the matter. “I didn’t see you jump to call 911.”

She pursed her lips, and her shoulders inched closer to her ears. “I won’t pretend he didn’t deserve what he got.”

“Good. Maybe keep that in mind when reviewing the rest of my murders.” Cole winked to soften the blow, but he’d meant what he said. If one murder was okay with her—because it involved her daughter’s kidnappers—how could she say that the other people he’d killed weren’t murdered for reasons just as valid?

Her face scrunched up, and she studied him for a beat.

Nash clanked cups together as he pulled them from the cupboard, louder than necessary. Probably to break the tension. “Detective. Do you want honey?” he asked as he popped a tea bag into the hot water.

She accepted the mug and nodded. “Thank you. Please, call me Sophia.”

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