Page 30 of Unlocking Hope

“Sure, we will go grab the things from the car.”

Nathan stood, “We really did try a different way. Zoey is our only option, and I promise I will take a bullet for her.” He didn’t wait for a response before turning and walking out of the kitchen, following Bryson.

“You don’t have to do this, Zoey. Please, let’s find a different way. I don’t want you to put yourself in danger. You mean way too much to me.”

Zoey squeezed his hand. “I want to do this. We’ve been watching every day for your uncle to be taken down. If we can get what they need, I have to help, but I wanted to run something by you first.”

“Okay,” Cole responded immediately.

“Jessica mentioned Brock has a way to track her and the other women out in California. I don’t think we help unless Brock can have a tracker on all of us. Ian coming along is a good idea. I’m still not sure if I trust your brothers one hundred percent. They haven’t given us a reason, besides being cleared by Brock, and he is pissed about the gun incident.”

Cole pressed his lips to hers, catching her by surprise. The kiss wasn’t soft. It was demanding and full of passion. He wanted to take her upstairs for being so kind and caring, putting herself in the line of danger to help others and take down his uncle.

“God, I love you.” He paused for a second. “I know it’s soon, and I had a whole thing planned, but we’re not going into a dangerous mission without me telling you first. You don’t?—”

Zoey put her fingers over his lips. “I love you too.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but—” He pressed his lips to hers again.

She rested her head against his chest. “But we are a team, and hiding your brothers from me is not being part of a team. We need to make decisions together, even if it is to put me in danger.”

“Okay, next time you’re going to be put in danger, I will let you know.” Cole winked at her. “Now let me go call Brock real quick.”

“Hopefully, we can figure out a tracker thing quickly,” Zoey said.

The conversation with Brock was short. He had the address pulled up and was looking into it while we got ready. He found a technology store that had a few trackers. Ian was picking them up on his way over to the house. When Cole asked him for help, Ian didn’t even ask questions before saying he wanted to help.

After his call, he walked back into the living room to find Zoey dressed in tight black yoga pants and a tight black long-sleeve shirt. Her long hair was up in a ponytail. She was sexy as hell. He groaned as his pants became uncomfortable. It would be a long night.

13

COLE

Zoey held the bulletproof vest in front of herself. She’d never imagined having to wear one. This was the first time she’d held one in her hands. It was heavy, and the fabric wasn’t soft. She slid the vest over her head and tightened the Velcro straps around her waist.

Cole walked in, wearing a matching vest. He pulled his T-shirt over his head, covering it. The tattoos on his arm peeked from below the sleeves. He looked sexy as hell as he holstered his 9mm.

He grabbed her hand and walked her to the other side of the truck, which was parked down the street from their target. The planning for the mission was incredible. The men sat around the table with laptops, looking at every entrance. Brock was on speakerphone, feeding them more information. She sat back and took in every word. Bryson and Nathan were convinced nobody would be at the warehouse; everyone was supposed to be in Las Vegas. Cole wasn’t taking any chances and made everyone go through exits and worst-case scenarios a few times. The sky was pitch dark, and the moon was behind the clouds, making it hard to see. Only a flickering light pole gave off light.

“If you don’t want to do this, let me know, and we will get back in the car and leave,” Cole told Zoey. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up. Something didn’t feel right, but he went through the plan and knew it like the back of his hand. He and Ian had talked. Nathan and Ian were watching from the outside, and Bryson was coming with them to get the information.

“I want to do this.”

“Fine, but if one thing doesn’t go to plan, we’re leaving, and my brothers can go fuck themselves. The information isn’t worth more than your life. There is always another way, though it might not get the information as fast. CIA doesn’t like waiting, and that’s the reason we’re doing this now. My brothers have been in way too long. They see everything as an OP, and life doesn’t always work that way.”

Zoey smiled at him. “I know Cole. You’ve told me a million times you will stop the operation if you don’t like where it’s going.”

“Yup, now tell me, does the vest feel good, and where is your gun?”

“The vest is heavy, but I think it’s good… never worn one before.” She laughed. “Never imagined I would need to wear one.” She turned to the side to show her gun holstered. They had been to the range a few more times, and her shot had improved. Cole was more confident she would hit her target this time. He hoped it wouldn’t come down to that.

“Stay by my side. No matter what goes down, you save yourself.”

Zoey nodded, but Cole still worried she wouldn’t run if something happened to him. He pressed his forehead against hers. “I love you,” he whispered before pressing his lips to hers and pulling her in close. The two thick vests kept them apart. Cole reached up, ran his hands through her hair, and deepenedthe kiss. He didn’t want it to end. For a second, he let the world around him fade away and focused only on the woman in his arms.

A whistle echoed down the sidewalk. Cole pulled away and kissed her one more time on the lips before turning and flipping his brother off. He didn’t need to look to see who’d whistled. Bryson had done the same shit growing up. Some things never changed, and it brought a smile to his face. He was going to run a mission with his brothers. It would have been better if Zoey weren’t part of it.

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