Page 5 of Second Chance Wedding
“Yo. Man, do I need to call the cops?” one of the hotel’s kitchen staff asked from where he stood just outside one of the hotel’s alley doors. “Sounded like he crunched the fender pretty good.”
“I’ll handle it,” Cole said, his mood darkening as more memories from the past crashed back and kept his anger high.
“Suit yourself,” the guy said.
The worker shrugged and took a long drag off the cigarette he smoked, not making any move to go back inside the hotel’s kitchen.
As though needing to see the damage for herself, Analise moved around the limo to the front passenger side. Cole heard her soft groan when she saw the impact he had yet to assess. Keeping a watchful eye on her son, Cole followed her to get a look.
After leaving the Marines, he’d wanted to do something that felt more his own and had convinced Gage and the rest of the family to expand their rentals business to include a limousine service on the island.
Given Carolina Cove’s growth, not to mention the financial status and popularity of some of its newest residents, he’d lucked into a bit of a niche market because he could also act as security when needed. Things had been going well—until now.
“It’s his fault,” Ben said, keeping the nose of the limo between them. “I only hit it because he chased after me.”
Cole blinked at the boy’s audacity and fought the urge to teach him a lesson the old-school way. “You’re blaming me for the fact you stole from me and damagedmyproperty? What kind of twisted crap is that?”
The kid’s expression left Cole growling and taking a step toward him when he felt cold fingers grip his wrist.
“Please don’t call the police,” Analise said in a low voice. “Cole, I’ll— I’ll pay you for the damages.”
Cole never took his gaze off the boy. The way the brat smirked made Cole want to plant his fist in the kid’s face. “Keep smiling, dude. This qualifies as grand theft auto,” he said, taking out his phone just to watch the boy go ghostly pale as though he’d finally realized how badly he’d screwed up.
Maybe the boy wasn’t a complete idiot. For all his bluster and ego, the punk looked about to crap his pants at the thought of going to jail.
“Cole,please. Don’t do this. Don’t call the police. He’s fifteen with no permit. Please don’t ruin his life because of a stupid mistake.”
“He didn’tmistakenlytake the car,” Cole said, glaring down at her.
Her grip tightened on his sleeve.
“I know but— Please, Cole. Let me pay for the damages. Don’t bring the police into this. I’m…I’m begging you.”
Cole lifted the hand holding his phone and used it to free himself from her touch. “And why would you think I’d agree just because you asked? I don’t owe you anything. I think if you’re honest, you’ll agree it’s the other way around.”
He watched as she paled as much as her son had, but the satisfaction he should’ve felt at the dig wasn’t there. If anything, seeing her like that only made him angrier.
But it was true.Sheowedhim.
“Cole…”
She took a step back, staggering a bit on the uneven ground before regaining her footing.
Her movement drew his gaze down, and his anger battled for control at the sight of her long legs in sexy high heels and a split in her dress that showcased her limbs to perfection.
He’d always been a leg man. At least where Ana was concerned. Maybe because the first time he’d seen her in her short shorts on the boardwalk, he’d nearly swallowed his tongue.
Cole wiped a hand over his mouth and tried to regain his focus. Only then zeroing in on her words.
The boy wasfifteen?
Cold fury turned to shock and left him frozen where he stood as he did the math. She’d ended things abruptly, with no warning or red flags to indicate her feelings had changed. She’d Dear John’d him and gone no contact, and foryearshe’d tried to figure outwhybecause they’d had a plan to get married the moment she’d turned eighteen and graduated high school. Could this—her son—be why? “Ana.”
Her name emerged as a breath torn from his lungs as scenarios bombarded him and nearly took him to his knees. Did he have a child all this time without knowing?
“I’ll fix it,” she said, her voice thick with emotion as she started wiping at the limo.
She used the soft inner lining of her glittery gown like a towel, giving him an even better view of her long legs and thighs.
