Page 149 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“I get it,” she finally said. “I do. I just can’tbelieve he’d do these things of his own volition. I refuseto believe it. I have faith in him. When we bring him in, you’ll see.”

“You’re right,” Cole said, the muscles in his jaw flexing. “We’ll for damn sure see where his allegiance lies. Then, I’ll tell either you that you were right, or I’ll ensure Dallas knows exactly how badly he fucked up.”

A chill ran down my spine. I’d never seen him look so determined. A dark look entered his eyes, and there was no amount of money on earth that could have gotten me to switch places with his half-brother.

“Ashton’s safety is all that I care about,” Cole continued. “I’ll do anything to make sure he’s home safe. Hopefully,” he added, lightening his tone a bit, “Kyle calls soon, so we can track him. That would be the best option.” Cole’s gaze flicked to the window behind Farrah. “Looks like everyone else is here.”

A truck and an SUV had pulled up in the driveway, and a few moments later, Langston, Porter, Zayde, and Trent came walking in. Their arrival dissipated the tension that had built between Cole and his sister, and I was grateful for that. I hadn’t really known what to say, or if I should even say anything.

“How’s everyone doing?” Langston asked as he entered the kitchen. “Any word from Kyle?”

“Not yet,” I said.

“Good.” Zayde took his laptop out of his backpack. “Don’t want the action happening without me.”

“It’s got to happen soon,” Trent said. “He doesn’t seem like the type who likes waiting.”

The others all agreed. From what I saw in their eyes, they all seemed to think it was a foregone conclusion that Kyle would call, and we’d wrap everything up nice and neat. The sick sensation in my stomach, however, told me things wouldn’t quite be as easy as everyone thought.

“Do you want anything?” Cole asked, putting a hand on my back. “Water or something?”

“I’m fine,” I said, giving him a slight smile.

“What kinda phone do you have?” Zayde asked.

I handed it to him, and he dug through his bag until he found a cord that would connect to it before giving it back.

“What do I do when he calls?” I asked.

“Simple,” Zayde said. “Holler at me, and I’ll plug this end into my computer.” He held up one end of the cable. “Then I’ll plugthis end into your phone.” He held up the other end. “After that, you keep the dude on the phone. I’ll do the rest.”

“Got it,” I said, shoving the phone into my pocket. I swiped my sweaty palms on my pants. Cole noticed and took my hand.

“You nervous?” he asked.

“Do you really need to ask that?”

“Right.” His mouth twisted to the side. “Good point.”

“Anybody hungry?” Trent asked where he was rummaging through the fridge. “I could make some sandwiches or something?”

“I could eat a horse,” Porter said.

“Go ahead and make some,” Cole added. “But be quick about it. Kyle could call at any minute.”

That turned out to be wholly untrue. We ate in strained silence, each of us sending furtive glances to my phone the entire time as it sat on the table. The hours ticked by, until it was almost time for Cole and the others to leave. Cole and Langston grew more tense as it dawned on us that Kyle might not call. Farrah looked the most worried. No call meant they were going after Dallas. Realizing they’d be leaving soon, I sent Stormy a text, asking her to come over whenever she was free. I’d need all the support I could get.

Finally, in the early afternoon, Langston glanced at his watch and sighed. “We gotta go, guys. The rest of the team is meeting up with us in twenty minutes.”

“Shit,” Cole hissed. “What the fuck is he waiting on?”

“No clue, but we’ve got our backup plan,” Langston said.

Cole shot a look across the table at his sister. “We still good?”

She stared back at him for several long seconds before nodding. “Yeah. We’re good.”

With a single nod of his head, Cole stood. A dam broke in my chest, sending a flood of fear and worry through me. I stood and put my hand on Cole’s arm.

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