Page 29 of Refuge

“A few times,” he said as he glanced down at his chest. “That one is going to leave a mark.”

“Can I please hug you?” Leeza asked, her chin trembling. She needed to touch him to make sure she wasn’t imagining this conversation.

He opened his arms, and she carefully went into them. Never had anything felt so good. He really was going to be okay.

* * *

As Cole held her, he looked at Lance, who stood there trying not to pry, but he didn’t leave. “Thank you, Cutter.” Cole gave the man a nod of respect. “I wouldn’t have made it without you and your doctor.”

“Actually, he’s a vet.” Lance smirked but nodded. “You need anything at all, let me know.”

“Well, it’s about fucking time.” Kile smiled as he barged in the door with Eric following, looking at his brother who still held Leeza in his arms. “Remind me to kick your ass for scaring the shit out of us.”

“How you feeling?” Eric stared at him, his eyes missing nothing.

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck, but I’ll live.” Cole knew that both Eric and Kile were aware of how close to death he’d been. The longer it took a shifter to heal, the more danger they were in. “Where is she?”

“We took her to McKallen. She will be tried and sentenced,” Eric said, his voice stern with an edge of hardness.

McKallen was judge and jury in situations like these. He knew for a fact that his brothers would not kill a woman. If it would have been a man who’d shot him, he’d be dead already. Sometimes death was the better way instead of standing trial in front of McKallen. If you weren’t sentenced to death, you were sentencedto a life of hell on earth. But that was the price you paid for the attempted murder of a shifter. Their laws were much different than human laws, with many gray areas. He also knew by the look on Eric’s face, there was more. He had heard a lot while he was in wolf form while healing, but not everything.

“I’ve told Eric that she came here asking for Foster.” Lance broke into the conversation. “I wasn’t here, but she talked to my foreman, Charlie. He didn’t mention it to me until this happened. He told her that there had been an accident, but didn’t want to give too many details. He said she left clearly upset and a little unhinged, but he took it as grief. Obviously she knew more about your involvement.”

“Did he tell her any other information?” Cole frowned, his eyes narrowing.

“No.” Lance shook his head. “Charlie’s a good man. He gave her no information whatsoever.”

“Foster definitely lied about any family connections.” Eric frowned. “But after I killed the bastard, I did make calls to see if anyone knew of any relations who would be out for revenge. I got nothing, but it’s clear that news travels fast.”

“Well, my men will be informed to keep their eyes out for anything out of the ordinary,” Lance added. “As a matter of fact, once Cole is back on his feet, I’d like to host something here so everyone can meet.”

“I think that will be a good idea. Because extra eyes are what we are going to need since his sister has informed us that Foster has two sons.” Eric’s eyes narrowed.

“They out for revenge?” Cole would have been surprisedif they weren’t. His arms tightened around Leeza, who still held onto him as if afraid to let him go. He liked it, liked it a lot.

“So she says, but why weren’t they with her? I’ve got people looking for them,” Eric responded, his seriousness but vague responses told Cole more than a full-blown explanation ever could. He didn’t want to upset Leeza anymore than she had been, but they’d all better be vigilant, because it meant more trouble could be on its way. It was their life. Shifter life was dangerous, and when you let your guard down, you got hunted down, beat down, chewed up, spat out, or shot. He was a prime example of that.

“Well, I’m ready to get out of this room and off this damn floor,” Cole replied, then glanced at Lance. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Lance chuckled. “You’re welcome for as long as you need.”

“Take your time, but we’re ready to have you back.” Eric nodded, then looked down at Leeza, who was listening but staying quiet. “Make her eat. She’s practically starved herself since this happened.”

Kile reached over and gave Cole a knuckle bump. “Glad you’re good, bro. I’ve missed your ugly mug.” He leaned down and ruffled Leeza’s hair. “Thanks for taking care of him, but get some sleep for God’s sake. You look like shit.”

“Kile!” Cole warned, then grinned when Kile laughed, closing the door behind him.

“Asshole,” Leeza hissed, then looked up at Cole.

“Yes, he is,” Cole agreed, but then he frowned down at her. “Or were you talking to me?”

Leeza sat up, kneeling in front of him. “Don’t you ever do that to me again,” she ordered, her lips and chin quivering. “I mean it, Cole Jackson, never again!”

“Then don’t you ever put yourself in danger like that again,” Cole shot back, his eyes narrowing. “As soon as I get a bit more strength, I’m going to bust your ass good for doing what you did.”

“Well, Eric and Kile weren’t going to get to Sherry in time, and I was trying to distract the bitch,” Leeza said as a tear fell from her eye. “I didn’t think she was a good shot.”

Cole touched his chest. “She was a good shot.”

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