Page 17 of These Reckless Hearts

He leans back on the couch, hanging his arm over the back. “I told you I used the Dragons’ resources to find you. If it was the last thing I did, I wanted to do it for Charlie. So, I hired a lot of people to find you. They produced a file I pieced together which led me to the Jacobs’, and call me crazy, but I didn’t think showing up to your dorm room as the leader of the Dragons would’ve endeared you to me.”

“Neither is stabbing me,” Wyatt interjects.

“Ididn’t stab you,” Cole sneers like the idea of it is wholly beneath him. He scowls at Wyatt before continuing. “So, I got to the closest thing in your life, the treasure. I’m not immune to the treasure either, but I wanted it so badly for you. All the information I had said that’s everything you wanted. Then, when we finally met, I saw it in your eyes, and it clearly defined you for me.”

“Why did you have your guy stab me then?” Wyatt questions. “That part doesn’t connect for me.”

Cole turns to Wyatt. “Let’s make one thing clear. I don’t give a fuck about you. I came here for Dakota and Dakota only. The fact that you’re attached to her is the only reason you’re not dead right now. Any other time, there would’ve been a bullet in your head, Longhorn. Right under the brim of your stupid hat.”

I pat Cole’s leg, giving him a silent cue to move on. I don’t like the talk of putting a bullet in my cowboy.

Cole stretches his neck. “Plus, I was already playing my part as Jacobs’ partner. It was never about Lance. It was always about you. I told you to find the treasure, pushed you toward it, because I want you to find it, baby girl. More than anything, I want that for you. Acting that way also helped reinforce my business partnership with Lance. I wouldn’t have hurt you. I only ever tried to get close to you. The texts and bringing you to the Heights, those were my attempts to form the bond I knew would always be there because you’re Charlie’s sister. I would’ve died for him, and I’d die for you, too.”

Lucas, Wyatt, and Stone all peer at each other. Silent communication passes between them, and I get it. If I was Wyatt, I’d have my doubts too, but Cole had good intentions. He always does.

Stone catches my eye. The gray-blue in his are bright this morning. They’re absolutely captivating, and they sweep me off my feet in an instant. He licks his lips, nodding at me, and I nod back. “Tell us about Clark now. Dakota needs to put an end to that chapter in her life.”

Cole swings his gaze to me for confirmation, and I give him a smile. He leans forward, dropping his forearms to his thighs. “Clark was complicated. I couldn’t let the man live because of what he did to Charlie. That didn’t mean I wasn’t—a little—unsure. I never had any intention of keeping it a secret and didn’t want Dakota to hate me for it when she found out. Killing him ended up being fueled by what he did to her as a kid. He didn’t just take her away from a family who loved her, he kept her hidden; he didn’t give her proper care; he treated her like she was a business partner instead of a fucking kid.”

Cole’s angry voice matches the sinister glares on my guys’ faces. I’ve known that they didn’t care for Clark in the slightest. In fact, they’re the ones who started to reveal the layers of my childhood for me—to show me what life should be like. I thought my dad wasn’t sure how to bring me up because he lost his wife and then he was a recluse on top of that. It turns out it wasn’t that at all.

My hands turn to fists, but Cole continues. “I followed him to the trailhead that day. He didn’t make it very far. I confronted him about what he did and told him why he was going to be on the receiving end of my bullet.” Cole fuses his gaze to mine. “I don’t know if this helps or hurts, but Clark Wilder loved you—in his own way. He was...visibly upset about what he did to you. I’m not a psychologist, so I’m not going to attempt to break down what his thoughts were, but I can read people and Clark welcomed the death I promised him because of you. Of what he did to you,” he clarifies, pushing his tongue against his lips. “His last words were: ‘Tell Dakota she deserves to find the treasure.’”

I stare straight ahead, imagining my father on the very earth that intrigued him, that kept him living, telling this gangster that I deserved to find the treasure. Of all the things to say....

Tears rim my lids, threatening to spill over. But that’s it, it’s done. I wipe below my eyes, catching the wetness before it can fall.

“Where is he?” Stone asks.

“Buried in the back of the Wilder property.”

I snap my head toward Cole. “Yeah, by the way, you blew up my house.”

“It was a shitty house,” he explains. “I’ll build you a better one.”

“I’llbuild her a better one,” Stone snaps.

Lucas grits his teeth and glares at his friend. “Wewill.”

I get to my feet, anger wrapping around every nerve. “How about I build it my fucking self?” I seethe.

“That’s right! Girl power.” Wyatt lifts his fist in solidarity, but I give him a glare that fizzles his sentiment right back to his lap.

Before I can tell them all off, Cole’s phone rings. He has it out of his pocket in no time at all, staring at the screen. “Shit.” He answers it and gets to his feet. “Fuck. Be right there.” He ends the call and lifts his gaze. “Your jeweler friend’s been shot.”

9

“What?” Stone exclaims, pushing to his feet.

Cole is already striding toward the front door. “Let’s go,” he calls back. “I’ll explain on the way.”

Lucas sprints to the bedrooms as Wyatt reaches for me, and I stare at his hand before taking it. No matter if I’m upset with what they did, I’m not going to withhold my love from them. Life’s too short for that shit.

“I know I fucked up, Tits,” Wyatt tells me, gripping my hand and leading me after Cole. “You can figure out how to punish me later.” When we emerge into the bright sun, Cole’s giving orders to the two guards while he waits next to the Audi in the driveway.

Stone gets in the front seat, and Cole slides in beside him. Wyatt opens the back door for me as Lucas emerges from the house with a handful of clothing. He squishes into the seat next to Wyatt and me, and Stone pulls out of the driveway behind the black car.

Lucas and I get dressed, and I prompt Cole to tell us what’s going on. “If the jeweler got shot—”

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