Page 5 of Cole: Bloodlines
His head felt heavy and light, as if it were simultaneously filled with helium and cement. “It won’t matter.” He lifted his eyes, despair emanating from him. “You know that, right?”
The deputy sighed. “I know.”
“They don’t understand what he is, not really.” Cole swallowed. “They still think he’s just a man, a dangerous man, but still just a man.” He sniffed. “But he isn’t. He’s a monster… arealmonster.” His eyes sank back to the floor, his voice dropping to hardly more than a shuddered whisper, “Not amanat all.”
Dane slowed when he spotted Cole on the bench outside Gabe’s room, and Deputy Roland sitting beside him like a comforting friend. Anxiety twisted up his gut; what if this manwasa monster in disguise? A wolf in sheep’s clothing. They would know more when Clint got back to them after his call.
Until then? Dane didn’t know. Maybe try to keep the deputy there with them?
The deputy saw Dane before Cole noticed him. Dane met his eyes briefly, then looked at Cole, afraid the man would detect his suspicion.
“Cole…” Dane touched his friend’s shoulder and bent down, pressing his lips to his hair. “We’re going to get through this, babe,” he murmured. “All of us, together.” He felt the deputy’s eyes on him. Was he imagining thecontemptwafting off theman? Or was it his own suspicions creating that feeling? What if he was wrong and the deputy was only trying to help?
Wait till you hear from Clint, then decide. Until then—stay alert.
“He can’t be trusted to let them go,” Cole whispered sickly. “He doesn’t only want Gabe… he wantseveryoneI love.”
Dane slid his arm around his shoulders and hugged him. “He isn’t going to win. We’re not losing anyone.” Dane trembled inside and prayed for that to be true.
Cole wilted against Dane. “Maybe he already has.” His words trembled, resonating with despair.
“What do you mean?”
Cole sniffed and lifted his head a little, his eyes watery with unshed tears, his face flushed and streaked with tears. “Even if we get everyone back safe… things won’t be the same between Gabe and me.” His throat worked, and fresh tears spilled out. “He will want it to be… but it won’t. My dad will still win… because I’ll still lose Gabe.”
“Cole…” Dane kissed his head and glanced at the deputy. The man watched them in silence. Dane couldn’t decipher if the “sympathy” on his face was genuine or generated.
Byrne leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and stared at the floor. From the outside, he imagined it looked as if he were sympathizing with the distraught man—which was good—when in truth, he was attempting to hide the erection growing in his shorts. Henry’s pain and despair were a potent aphrodisiac unlike anything he’d experienced before—even stronger than thethrillof gutting a victim while buried inside them.
From the instant he learned of Henry’s existence,thisis what he’d wanted: Henrysuffering.The utter soul-destroyingtormentof losingeverythingthat made his life worth living.
Now you know how it feels, you little fuck. I hope it fucking hurts like hell.
Byrne didn’t care for the looks he received from the man, Dane, though. Did he not trust him? Byrne had done his damnedest to play the caring, sympathetic friend, and everyone had seemed to buy it. But he wasn’t so sure about this handsome fucker. He didn’t like the way the man kept checking his phone, as if he were expecting a call or a text, and the way his eyes repeatedly darted down the corridor, seeming to search for someone.
Who was he expecting?
Byrne lifted his hat and ran his hand over his shaved head. Dane glanced at him, his eyes resting on Byrne’s wrist—and the braided leather bracelet. Byrne lowered his arm and casually tugged down the sleeve of his jacket. He’d forgotten about the bracelet; if Henry saw it, the jig would be up.
Rising from the bench, Byrne said, “I’m going to step out and get some air.” He addressed Henry, who lifted his head. “When your husband is ready, I can drive him to the rendezvous point and make the trade.” He injected care and softness into his voice. “And bring the others back.”
Dane straightened. “Thanks, but I’ll take him.”
“I know Daniel Pruett,” Byrne said. “I was his deputy back then. Maybe I can reason with him.”
“He can’t be reasoned with,” Henry whispered.
“Maybe not,” Byrne said. “But I can try.”
Dane stared at him with a hint of scrutiny. “If he’s just one man, and he has Abel and the kids right there to make the trade… what’s stopping you and Gabe from subduing him?”
“He will consider that course of action on your part,” Byrne said. “He won’t make it that easy. He will make sure he maintains the upper hand. And if he suspects you’re planning to double-cross him, it could put your people in serious danger.”
“They’re already in serious danger,” Dane snapped back.
Byrne nodded. “What you do is up to you. I’ll be parked out front if you decide to have me drive him.”
“Gabe… you shouldn’t be up and around.” As the words left Devlin, he was aware of the absurdity of them, considering the circumstances. But as a doctor, it was instinct to consider a patient’s welfare.
