Page 16 of Unlocking Hope

Cole smiled. “They won’t hurt me.”

“Then why the gun?”

He didn’t reply as he climbed out of the SUV and walked toward his brothers. Over the past week, he had filled her in on bits and pieces about his family. Growing up, his brothers wereinseparable, but he hadn’t told her what had made them grow apart. She knew he’d left because of his dad. Maybe his brothers held that against him.

Zoey quickly looked around the car for something that might help. She had a good feeling whatever he was about to walk into was because of her. Making a quick decision, she grabbed the paint can from the back seat and jumped out of the car. It wasn’t the best weapon, but it might be useful.

Cole’s head whipped around when he heard the car door slam. “Stay in the car, Zoey.”

Zoey’s heart was beating a mile a minute. For a split second, she considered getting back in the car. Instead, she marched up the driveway and stood next to Cole. “Are you going to introduce me?”

He clenched his jaw and stared at his brothers. They all looked so much alike, except the one on the right had a beard. She assumed it was his older brother. He had a few lines under his eyes and was the tallest. Next to him stood an equally handsome man with laugh lines. He didn’t seem to be as angry as the older one.

“I told you to stay in the car, Zoey,” Cole gritted out.

“And I choose to ignore your demand. Last time I checked, I wasn’t five. Now, are you going to invite them in and figure out why they are here, or are we going to stand in the driveway with a gun out and let old Mrs. Smith watch the whole thing go down?”

It took a second for the words to sink in before Cole slipped his gun into his waistband and turned to wave at his next-door neighbor. The old lady narrowed her eyes but waved back. “She needs to learn to mind her own business,” Cole huffed.

The oldest of the brothers stuck out his hand. “I like you. I’m Bryson, and this is Nathan, since Cole is so rude.” Brysongave her a panty-dropping smile. When she went to reach for his hand, Cole batted it away.

“Let’s go inside and you can tell me why you are here. I’m still not convinced you’re here to help.”

Lord. These three men are deadly hot.Zoey was going to need to pick her jaw up off the ground as she walked behind the brothers. Zoey watched them all carefully. Bryson seemed tired, but Cole was tense, ready to take his brothers down. Nathan seemed fun-loving on the outside, but he was hiding something deadly. Her money was on him being the most dangerous. Cole opened the front door and let everyone in. He led them to the kitchen, and everyone sat around the table.

“Can I get you guys something to drink?”

“They won’t be here long enough” Cole answered angrily.

Ignoring him, Zoey got up and went to the fridge. She pulled out four beers and walked back to the table, where she set one down in front of each of them. Zoey pulled out the chair next to Cole and sat. They sat in silence until Zoey said, “I take it you’re here for me?”

“Zoey!” Cole bit out. He gripped his beer, staring at his brothers. “Why are you here? I haven’t seen either of you in eighteen years.”

“Nineteen, to be exact, and Zoey’s partially right—we’re here because of her, not to take her but to help you guys.”

“Yeah?”

“A lot has changed over the years, but you wouldn’t know that, would you?” Bryson asked.

Zoey reached over and gripped Cole’s hand. “Did your uncle tell you what I did?”

Bryson took a sip of beer. “No. We have people watching Cole at all times.”

“What the fuck!” Cole yelled.

Nathan rolled his eyes at Cole’s response. “Like I said, a lot has changed.”

“That doesn’t explain how you are watching me or who is watching me. I sure as hell know I don’t have a tail.”

“Detail on you is not easy. The government trained you well, but I also have my ways.” Bryson smirked.

“Let’s put our dicks away and get back on track,” Zoey snapped.

Nathan picked at the label on his bottle. “Why don’t we get your friend Brock on the line, and he can help explain. I have a feeling you will trust him more than your own brothers.”

“Brock?” Cole asked. “I’m not sure I know a Brock.”

“Fine.” Bryson pulled out his phone and pressed a button. The phone rang a few times.

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