Page 15 of Unlocking Hope

“Yes, please.”

Ian walked with them back to the SUV. Cole leaned in and gave his friend a hug, then Ian pulled Zoey into another hug.

“It was great meeting you, Zoey. I wish it was under better circumstances. Bella can’t wait to meet the woman who shot at Cole.”

“Can we not talk about that?” Zoey asked, covering her face. “That wasn’t my best moment.”

“I don’t think you are ever going to live that down. I wanted to head out to the range tomorrow. Do you and Bella want to go before we head over to the house?”

They had gone a couple times, and she was getting better each time. His uncle was getting desperate or worried. It would only be a matter of time before he found out Cole was helping her.

He wanted to put his fist through a wall. Every morning Brock didn’t have an answer and the countdown to meeting his family neared, Cole ran an extra mile. He was up to ten miles, and it did nothing to control his anger at the situation.

His family ruining people’s lives was the reason he’d distanced himself years ago. They were all the scum of the earth. No matter how much time passed, deep down, he knew they were the same. Now Cole wanted to take them down.

“Tomorrow is good.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Hey, Cole, If you need anything else, call.”

Years ago, Cole learned family wasn’t always blood, and today, that showed. Ian would do anything for him, and Cole would do the same for his friend. Cole waved over his shoulder. “Thanks!”

Zoey squeezed his hand. “Your friend is pretty cool.”

“I know.”

“Okay, let’s get home so I can show you what I have,” she told him as she climbed into the car.

Cole held the door open for a second. “I’m glad you took a shot at me.”

“Stop making fun of me.”

He leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against hers. “I’m not. I would never make fun of you. I really like being around you.”

Cole kissed the tip of her nose before shutting the door and heading to the other side and getting in. “Let’s head home.”

“Home,” Zoey repeated.

Cole hoped what she had was enough to bring down his uncle, because after today, Cole wouldn’t stop until his uncle was behind bars or six feet under.

On the car ride back to his house, they talked about cooking in for the night and going out tomorrow. Neither of them was in the mood for a night out. When they pulled up to the house, Cole’s anger rose. Zoey tensed next to him.

“Who is that?”

A man his height but with a bigger build leaned against a Bugatti in his driveway. Cole knew that he had the same piercing blue eyes under his sunglasses as he did. “My brother.”

7

ZOEY

Zoey gripped the door tightly. She didn’t know what to expect. Cole reached over and grabbed a gun out of the glove box. Zoey wanted to tell him to put the car in reverse and run for the state lines rather than get into a shootout with his own brother. Then another man stepped out of the expensive car.

“Fuckers,” Cole mumbled under his breath as he grabbed the clip to go along with the black gun. Zoey didn’t know what kind it was; it looked similar to the one she’d tried to shoot, but larger and more deadly. Zoey laughed at herself for a second.All guns are dangerous.

Cole leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. He pulled away more quickly than she would have liked. The sun was setting over the house, making it harder to see the men’s facial expressions. Cole needed backup. She wouldn’t let him face these two men alone.

“Call Ian, or let’s leave.”

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