Page 136 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

Cole opened the door and Brandon walked in with barely a hello. He hadn’t seen him since the hospital, since they’d found Maddie and he had punched the wall in anger.

“What are you doing?” He asked him and Cole shook his head at the accusatory tone in his voice. He knew it was coming. Brandon had been sending him shit all day, ever since he’d messaged asking him to cover his schedule at Black Industries.

“Drink?” He asked.

“Coffee or something stronger?” Brandon replied.

Cole shrugged. “You decide.”

“In that case I’ll take an Irish coffee. Covers both bases.” He stated.

Cole rolled his eyes and walked to the kitchen leaving Brandon to follow.

“She’s here I take it.” Brandon said as he walked through and looked around as if he half expected her to be right there sitting at the counter eating ice cream or something.

“She’s sleeping so keep your voice down.” Cole said.

“What the fuck is this Cole?” Brandon replied.

Cole narrowed his eyes and hit the button for the coffee machine to start filtering.

“Look I like the girl don’t get me wrong but…” Brandon started.

“But what?” Cole snapped.

“She’s an addict Cole.” Brandon said.

“She is not.”

“Come on, seriously? You saw the medical report. What else is she?” Brandon scoffed.

“You want to know the real story?” Cole asked.

“Go on then, tell me.”

Cole walked back to the coffee machine, poured two mugs out and handed one to Brandon before he explained it. The cave, the torture, all of it.

“Are you kidding me?” Brandon said shocked.

“No. That’s what she said and it makes sense. I’ve been around her for three months and she’s not used anything, I’m certain of it. And the way she went through withdrawal like that, she refused the meds, refused pretty much everything.”

Brandon shook his head. “It’s mad.”

“Yes.” Cole said taking a long sip of his coffee and Brandon watched him for a moment.

“What?” Cole asked him.

“I thought it was just sex but you really like her don’t you?” Brandon said.

“Do you think I’d have brought her here if I didn’t?” He replied.

Brandon shook his head again smirking this time. “Who would have thought it.” He muttered.

“Thought what?” Cole asked.

“That Cole Black was capable of caring for someone other than himself.” Brandon stated.

Cole laughed. “Fuck off Brandon.” He replied and Brandon laughed too.

“So the merger?” Cole asked changing the subject.

“It’s in hand. The directors have signed the paperwork. You just need the shareholders meeting now.”

“Maybe I need to take time off more often.” Cole mused.

“Maybe I make a better CEO than you.” Brandon joked and Cole shot him a look.

“Not bloody likely.” He said.

“Relax. It was a joke, besides at least this way you know you can take a few days off and the world doesn’t fall apart without you.” Brandon stated

Cole snorted like he didn’t quite believe it.

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