Page 50 of Marked

Ridiculously hot, actually. She swallowed, but all the moisture had fled her mouth.

“If we find Bella in the outbuildings,” he said, “someone will immediately take her to one of the two waiting vehicles. Our main priority is getting her away from the property as soon and as safely as possible.”

“What if there are other children? How will you get them all out?” she asked, her voice shaky.

Cole’s stare turned as hard as concrete. “No kids will be left behind. I guarantee it. But we’ll get Bella out first and then sweep for more kids when we go back.”

Silence stretched around the room.

The air in Sophia’s lungs turned stale, waiting to be expelled, but she couldn’t. Cole’s explanation said all but the obvious. This wasn’t just a rescue mission: it was also a murder mission.

“You’re going to kill the kidnappers, aren’t you?”

Cole’s dark irises flashed, and his pupils dilated. “Every last fucking one of them.”

CHAPTER 13

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Cole ducked as if to avoid Sophia’s ear-splitting complaint. Sophia folded her arms across her chest, blocking the front door.

He’d forgotten to clarify that part of the plan was for her to stay out of harm’s way.

He couldn’t blame her for being upset. He should have told her earlier that she’d need to stay back while he and the guys retrieved Bella. “Look, it’s going to be dangerous.”

She reared her head back.

Nash sent him a sympathetic look, and it took all of Cole’s reserve not to shoot his brother the finger.

“I’m not staying here, waiting for hours, while you get her. Isn’t happening.” She bumped past him and shoved her feet into her shoes.

Lexi, Tess, and Gemma had backed out of the foyer at Sophia’s outburst, but Cole didn’t doubt for one second that they were close by, snickering at him being told off.

He stalked to the door and caught her arm, tugging her back before she could barrel outside and load her ass into the car. She zeroed in on him like a ferocious tiger, ready to attack.

“I am not staying here.” Her lip trembled and his gut clenched.

He dragged a hand over his face.

“You know I’ve been in these situations,” she continued. “That I’m armed and can take care of myself, right?”

“It’s not that.” His protest came out on a groan. But the reply was moot because she’d already fucking won anyway. He couldn’t keep the resignation out of his voice.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“For one,” he said, sticking out his thumb, “I can’t worry about you getting shot or killed while I’m focused on Bella.”

She pursed her lips.

“Two, you’re not going to like how I handle things.”

“Those aren’t good enough reasons. She needs to see me. She’ll be terrified of some guy”—she jutted her open palm in his direction—“whisking her off into the damn woods. Especially after all she’s been through.” Sophia’s hand shook and she pressed her knuckles to her lips, looking away from him and taking in one shaky breath after another.

He balled his hands into fists to stop himself from cupping her cheek and wiping the tears that would come any second. “The more people go in, the more have to come out. If you get shot, how do you think that will affect Bella? How can I get you both out if Dallas and I get separated and Nash and Dare are too far away?”

She pressed her lips into a thin line. “She needs me there.”

“All right,” he said, with exasperation. “How about you wait in the woods with the vehicle? Maybe one of the girls can come, too. I’ll do everything I can to reassure Bella that you sent me. Do you have a code word or some shit?”

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