Page 37 of These Reckless Hearts

This time when we return to Jacobs Manor, we do it as winners instead of losers—also with a hell of a moonshine headache. Even with that, I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

We dump our bags in the living area, and I search for Cole. The car he’s been using—a standard black sedan that doesn’t seem to fit him in the slightest—is in the driveway, so I know he’s here somewhere. I gave him my room, knowing I can bunk with any of the others, and I’m heading that way when Wyatt chuckles, the sound deep and rich.

I turn to find him staring out at the pool, and I nearly lose it myself after I follow his gaze. Cole’s lying out in the sun, pale as a fucking ghost. He’s nearly a reflective surface, he’s so damn white. The only color to his skin is his tats.

I squeeze in front of Wyatt to step outside, failing to contain the laugh that bubbles to the surface. I don’t think I ever imagined a leader of a fucking gang literally sunbathing. It should be a meme, truly. People would laugh their asses off.

Feelin’ cute. Might kill someone today...IDK.

Cole sits up from his spot on the half-moon bed, lowering his sunglasses.

“I hope to God you’re wearing sunscreen,” I joke.

He gives me the middle finger while he replaces his glasses. “A phone call that you were coming home would’ve been nice.” This is directed at Ninja who’s also smirking. Dave hasn’t uttered a peep since he was reprimanded yesterday. Fine by me.

Honestly, when the sun isn’t glaring off him and hurting my eyes, Cole has major definition. He’s got a six-pack and then some with a defined upper body. He hides it well under all that black, or maybe I didn’t notice before because I’m not attracted to him.

“Well,bro,” I say. “Don’t you want to ask us why we’re back early?”

Lucas and Stone have joined us now, so we’re all clustered around the back patio by the pool. Cole inspects us. “Hmmm, you all look like death so either you got bit by something poisonous or you were drinking last night.”

“Hey,” I scold.

“Except for you,” Cole smiles, taking back what he just said. “Everyone else looks like death, but you’re stunning.”

Well, that’s more like it.

A smirk teases his lips. “So, I’m guessing you either got so mad you didn’t find anything and you started drinking or you were drinking for a much better reason. Since you’re smiling, I’m going with the second option.”

I sit next to him, and he swings his feet to the ground. “We found something,” I beam. “Well, wemayhave found something,” I correct. “I don’t want you to get your little gang-leader hopes up, but if you want to check it out, it’s currently sitting on the coffee table in the main room.”

Cole takes the towel sitting next to him and wipes the sweat from his face and torso. Then, he throws his black shirt back on, hiding most of his ink until just the dragon-breathing flames peek out of his collar like usual. It’s honestly a kickass fucking tattoo, especially now that I’ve gotten to see more of it.

We head into the main room, Wyatt going into the kitchen to more than likely get us some real food. We’ve only been gone for a day, but it’s always a joy to not have to eat beans or rice or whatever else we have to cook up there just to keep satiated.

I gesture toward the lantern with a flourish. Cole takes the sunglasses from his face and narrows his eyes at it. “Hate to break it to you, baby girl, but that’s a hunk of junk.”

I stifle a laugh. “Well, it’s not the treasure. Yet.”

Ninja speaks up, “Yeah, this is the item they need to find that should take us to the treasure.”

Cole gives Ninja awhat-the-fuck?scowl. I’m telling you, we could have Ninja on our side. I might even be able to ask Cole to give him up without repercussion—not that I would do that, but it goes to show the allure of the rich stuff.

“We don’t really know for sure yet,” Stone informs Cole. “We have to take it to a professional to get it cleaned, however, we need it done on the downlow. We’d prefer it if the person we take it to doesn’t get attacked.”

“Funny thing about that,” Cole interjects, sitting down on the pure white sofa that somehow has stayed a brilliant white this whole time. The housekeeper they use is a rockstar, I swear. That’s all there is to it. Cole’s lips thin as he glares at Stone. “I sent my guys to check on the jeweler now that he’s home and there was already someone there....”

“I asked him to do that,” I confide. “Besides, I thought you couldn’t do anything for the jeweler?”

Cole glances away. “Yeah, well, I found myself wanting to give you an update on his health, only to find out that Jacobs here had already saved the day.”

Stone gives him a humongous smile that’s so sexy I can’t stand it. Though, I doubt Cole is having the same thoughts as me. He kind of looks like he wants to deck Stone. These two are ridiculous. Each of them wants to be the knight in shining armor when it comes to me.

“Well, you can help us with this then,” I offer, trying to break the tension between the two of them. “Stone has someone who can work on the lantern, but we need to ensure their safety, and we also don’t want to alert Lance and his team that we have a possible something.”

“Speaking of,” Wyatt starts. “Do you know if his team followed us up the mountains?”

Cole shakes his head. “I had men stationed incognito at the trailhead and no one went up after you. If they went up another way, that’s another story.”

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