Page 25 of Cole: Bloodlines
The man sighed and nodded as he took out his phone to make a call. He was about to put it to his ear when Gabe spoke.
“Put it on speaker.”
Smiling calmly, the man nodded and complied with the request. The line at the other end rang twice before Cole’s voice, shaky and sickly, came through the speaker. “Hello…”
“Your friends are at the park,” the man said. “The far end, by the pond. You can’t miss them.”
“Please don’t hurt Gabe,” Cole whispered, tears thickening his words. “Please… take me instead… I’ll do anything you want, just… just let him go…” His voice broke. “Please…”
Gabe blinked back tears forming in his eyes. He couldn’t bear to see Cole like this; the man was a fucking rock. The only other time he’d seen Cole break like this was when Quint shot Gabe.
“You’re not taking my place,” Gabe said suddenly. “Don’t worry about me, babe. I can take care of myself.”
“Gabe…”Cole broke down, sobbing. “I love you… so much.”
Gabe swallowed the lump in his throat. “Tell me when I get home.”
“The park,” the man said and ended the call, tucking his phone away. He looked at Gabe with a dry smile. “Aren’t you two adorable? That was really considerate of you to make him think you were coming home.”
Gabe looked at the man, a raging hate in his gut. “I have every intention of going home. There are higher forces at work here thanyou.”
The killer blinked as if unsure he heard correctly. “Do you meanGod?”He looked like he might burst out laughing but instead smiled. “Don’t tell me you’re a man offaith.”
“I’ve witnessed enough miracles to have faith.”
“Mm.” The man quietly cleared his throat. “Well, let’s see if we cantestthat faith, shall we?” He motioned for Gabe to enter the factory as he spoke to the deputy. “Why don’t you come along as well? After last time, I don’t think I trust you so much.”
Gabe exchanged a quick look with the deputy and let the tip of the nightstick slide into his palm from deep inside his sleeve.
They’re at the park.
Cole stood on unsteady legs, holding the phone tightly, tears streaming down his face. Relief and terror mingled inside him in a twisted, macabre dance.
“What did he say?” Angel asked, barely holding it together. “Did he let them go? Where are they?” His voice grew frantic, and Dane touched him to calm him down.
“At the park,” Cole whispered. “At… At the far end, by the pond.”
“Let’sgo,” Angel practically shrieked, rushing to the elevator.
The three men kept a brisk pace as they followed, joining Angel as the doors swished open.
The trip to the parking lot felt like it took forever. Cole’s feet refused to cooperate, and his stomach twisted, threatening to throw up what little it contained.Abel and the kids are safe,he told himself, feeling a deep sense of relief.But he has Gabe.And that was where the relief ended and the terror took over.
Cole sat in the front passenger seat of Devlin’s car while Dane and Angel drove Dane’s vehicle. Devlin’s face was tense, as if he couldn’t relax until he saw with his own eyes that Abel and the kids were safe. Cole felt the same way. What if this was some kind of trick? Would the madman really let them go? Something felt off, but maybe that was because Gabe was still in danger.
“Should we call Max?” Devlin asked quietly.
His nerve frayed, Cole shook his head. “Let’s just get to them first… then we can call him.”
Glancing at Cole, Devlin murmured, “They’ll be there.” He injected hope into his trembling voice. “Safe and… untouched.”
Cole looked out the front windshield as the city lights flashed by in a blur. This all felt like a living nightmare… where hope was often a casualty.
Angel clung to the passenger door, his whole body stiff with tension, eyes fixed on the streets ahead. His breath was ragged, making his chest hitch.
“Maddy will be there,” Dane spoke softly, reassuring the frightened young man. “Safe and waiting for us.”
Tears shimmered in Angel’s eyes, unresponsive to his husband’s words.
