Page 13 of Cole: Bloodlines
Something primal erupted inside Angel, drowning any whisper of rationality that might have understood Dane's silence about Maddy.
Angel lunged at his husband, shoving him against the wall. His fingers twisted into Dane's shirt, knuckles white.“Why didn’t you tell me?!”The scream tore his throat raw. Spittle flew from his lips as he pressed his face inches from Dane's. “Why didn’t you fucking tell me a goddamn serial killer had Maddy?!”
Devlin rose slowly from the bench, watching Angel with cautious eyes. He and Dane exchanged a startled look.
“Who—” Dane's voice strangled in his throat as he clutched Angel's trembling shoulders. “Who told you that?” Blood drained from his face, leaving him ashen.
Angel's control shattered completely.
“Why didn’t YOU tell me?!”His fists pummeled Dane's chest, each blow punctuated by a sob that ripped from somewhere primal and wounded.“I had a fucking right to know!”
“I know,” Dane's voice broke as he captured Angel's flailing wrists, tears streaming down his weathered face. “I'm sorry, baby, God, I'm so sorry. I-I couldn't—I didn't know how to—” He yanked Angel against his chest, and the younger man collapsed into him, howling with grief so raw it echoed down the corridor. Dane crushed him in an embrace, his own body shaking with silent sobs as he buried his face in Angel's hair. “We're going to get him back, baby, we are—I fucking swear on my life. We're going to get them all back.”
Even though Angel knew those were just words of comfort and that Dane couldn’t guarantee such a promise, the determination in his husband’s voice soothed a fraction of his fear. Danewoulddo everything within his power to keep his promise—because there wasnothinghe wouldn’t do for Angel, or for anyone that he loved.
“Who told you?” Dane asked with a tremor when he finally drew back.
Angel sniffed and dragged his arm across his eyes. “That… That deputy… he was out front when I got here.” Angel cleared his throat, but the rawness remained. More tears filled his eyes. “He thought… He thought you already told me.”
Dane exchanged another look with Devlin. “Did he?”
“That’s what he said.” Angel wiped his eyes again. “Why?”
“Never mind for now,” Dane mumbled and cupped his face, wiping away the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He kissed him softly. “The… man… who took Maddy and Abel and Savannah, he said…” Dane licked his lips anxiously. “He said he would release them if…”
“Ifwhat?”Angel pressed.
“If Gabe took their place.”
Angel frowned, taking a shaky step back. “What?” he shook his head, unable to process his husband’s words. “He wants us totradeone of our friends in exchange for the others?”
“Yeah,” Dane whispered.
“Why?”
Dane looked away, his hand absently rubbing over his mouth again.
“The deputy…” Angel said thickly, a numbness settling through his system. “He said… He said the serial killer was… Cole’sfather.” His face pinched in confusion. “What the hell was he talking about? How can he be Cole’s dad—”
The door to Gabe’s room opened just then, and the two men emerged. Cole looked like death warmed over. When he saw Angel, the distress andguiltin his eyes tore at Angel’s heart.He blames himself.
“Cole…” Angel whispered, his voice shaking with tears.
Cole broke and engulfed Angel in his arms, his entire body racked with sobs. “I’m so sorry,” he cried brokenly against Angel’s hair, his strong arms tightening around Angel’s petite frame, practically crushing him. “I’m so sorry… it’s my fault… it’s all my fault…”
Angel hugged him back, crying into his shoulder.
“It’s not your fault,” Dane said thickly. “Nothingthat man does is your fault.”
“I don’t blame you,” Angel whispered. “I don’t.” He looked over Cole’s shoulder at Gabe, dressed in hospital scrubs. Angel sniffed and managed to untangle from Cole’s arms. “Why are you wearing those?”
“I needed some clothes,” Gabe said. “I didn’t want to make the trade wearing just the hospital gown with my ass hanging out.” He smiled small. “Can’t intimidate anyone that way, can I?”
Angel just looked at him, tears running down his flushed face. “Dane said… you’re trading yourself… for them?”
Gabe nodded slowly. “Nothing is more important than getting them back safe. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make that happen.”
“But… But what about you?” Angel whispered. “How do we getyouback?”
