Cole

 

J decides to go to the shop and get some work done. She says she wants to be alone, so I head home to make calls. I hate the idea of her being there alone, but she assures me she’ll be fine and will lock the doors. I need to call Asher to set up Darren’s meeting, then call Belle to make sure her hangover is in full effect.

 

Before I am able to make either call, my phone starts vibrating in my hand. Asher. I answer. “Hey, man.”

 

“I got something for you. My CI seems to think he knows who the thief is. I am meeting him in twenty to get the information.”

 

“What? I was just going to call to let you know Darren wants a meeting.”

 

“I can meet you and Darren in an hour. Where?”

 

“With him still recovering, just meet us at his house. I’ll text you his address.”

 

“Will do.” I hear the click as Asher hangs up. For weeks, I’ve tried to figure out who is taking money from Darren, but I just can’t see any of these guys ripping him off. Whoever it is, Darren is going to flip.

 

*

 

Pulling into Darren’s driveway, I check my phone again. I had texted J after I got off the phone with Darren, letting her know I was headed back to his house to meet with Asher. I’m surprised she hasn’t texted back or shown up. I know this isn’t something she wants to miss.

 

When Darren opens the door, he looks around me. “Where’s, J?”

 

“Probably still at the shop. I texted her, but didn’t get a response.”

 

He leads me back into the dining room and we sit. “We have a few minutes before Asher gets here. So… What is the deal with you and J?” Darren’s always so quick to the point.

 

My heart starts to pound in my chest. I don’t know why, but I never expected this conversation. I know J was supposed to be off limits. I broke that rule. Damn, I hope I can find another job I love as much as this one. As soon as I fess up to whatever is between us, I know I’m out.

 

“I honestly don’t know. It’s still very new.”

 

“New? Really? You think I’m fucking blind? I know whatever is going on between you has been going on for some time. Are you in love with my daughter?”

 

“Am I in love with her?” Darren doesn’t mess around. I start breathing heavier, wiping my hands on my jeans. “I have feelings for her, if that’s what you are asking. Am I in love with her? I could see myself loving her, but after everything we’ve both been through, I don’t want to scare her—”

 

Something hits the floor and I turn, seeing J standing in the doorway.

 

“You could love me?” she whispers.

 

I jump up and walk over to stand in front of her. “J… Darren wanted to know what was going on between us. I told him the truth. I could see a future with you.”

 

Unmoving, she says again, “You could love me? Cole, I don’t know if I’m ready for you to love me. You don’t even fucking know me.”

 

“Unfortunately, you don’t get to decide when I love you.” I pull her chin up until our eyes meet. “I didn’t say I loved you. I said I could see myself loving you. Even though you’re a pain in the ass, you grow on people. For now, we’ll just enjoy the hell out of each other. And don’t tell me I don’t fucking know you. I know exactly who you are. I see you, J. I know you care more about your family than anything in this world. I know you play with your hair when you get nervous. I know you drive me crazy on a daily basis. Are you good with us just seeing where this goes?”

 

She smiles, her eyes twinkling. “Yeah, I’m good with that.” She slides her hand up my chest. I bend so my lips can meet hers.

 

I hear a growl behind us. “The fuck? Just because I know there’s something between you doesn’t mean I want to see it.”

 

“Pop, we were content to keep it from you, but you can’t ask someone if he’s in love with your daughter? Who does that?”

 

“I do. I have every right to find out what Cole’s intentions are with you.” Laughing, Darren walks over and puts his hand around the back of my neck, giving it a squeeze. “I’m telling you right now. You hurt her in any way, you’re a dead man. I didn’t step in with Justin and look where it got us. Cole, I know you’re a good guy, but I’m her father. You get me?”

 

“Completely.”

 

“I’ve never seen Cole cower in front of somebody.”

 

I turn and see Asher standing behind J, smiling.

 

Asshole.

 

“I could still kick your ass. Darren, this is Asher Thompson. Asher, Darren Zona.”

 

“Pleasure,” Darren says, shaking his hand. “Let’s sit. Cole says you have some information for me.

 

“I do. I met with my CI about forty-five minutes ago. He gave me some information we are looking into. What I can tell you is there’s someone on the inside of your shop that has ties to the DiMarcos.”

 

“Who?”

 

“I’m not giving you that information just yet. I need to check a few things first. I want to know how deep this goes and see if there are others involved. What I can tell you is that it started as a simple loan. When the payments became too much, the person went looking for an easy way to make money. That led him to the DiMarcos. I don’t think he knew he’d get in this deep. We’re looking into his financials now.”

 

“I want to know who’s stealing from me and putting my family in danger.”

 

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you that just yet. I’ll not be responsible for you going off half-cocked. However, I will let you know when we are ready to act.”

 

“This is bullshit. I call this meeting to find out what is going on in my shop and you have the nerve to come into my home and give me the runaround.”

 

Standing, Asher looks at Darren. “Sir, I apologize if you think I’m giving you the runaround. I’m giving you the only information I can that won’t jeopardize my operation. I will give you the heads-up when we are ready to take him down. I hope we have enough to include the DiMarcos and Justin. That’s the main goal. We’re not just after some small-time thief here. I know you don’t want to hear this, but getting this guy isn’t my top priority. DiMarco is the big fish. I need the smaller fish first before I have enough on the DiMarco brothers. Like I said, I’m here out of friendship for Cole. I don’t want to see anyone else get hurt. Just know that all your employees aren’t on the up and up. Be careful. Go on as normal right now. Don’t change anything. I don’t want them to suspect we are on to them. Also, don’t share any of this information outside of these walls. You never know who else is involved.”

 

Asher puts out his hand for me to shake. “Cole, we’ll talk later. I really am sorry I can’t say more right now.” He leans down and kisses J’s cheek. “Keep this guy in line.” He walks to the door, opening it before turning around. “Darren, it was nice meeting you. I will be in touch.” He closes the door behind him.

 

Darren slams his fist on the top of the table. “Fuck. That didn’t help me at all. My suspicions are confirmed, but I still have no idea who the hell is stealing from me.”

 

“Pop, we’ll know soon. You heard Asher. He’s getting everything together. We just need to be patient.”

 

“Yeah, the one thing I am not.” He rubs his hands up his face, fingers pushing through his hair. “Go on as normal, he says. Sounds easy, right? What a joke.” He blows out a breath. “J, set up dinner for tomorrow. Let’s have a special Sunday dinner. Maybe this motherfucker will give himself away.”

 

“What am I supposed to say is the reason for the dinner? We never do Sundays.” She thinks for a minute. “I guess we use it as a celebratory dinner for you coming back to work or something.”

 

“Whatever you need to do.”

 

“I’ll send out a mass text.” She runs her hand over my shoulders as she passes.

 

“I should know never to interfere with a relationship. A long time ago, my mother-in-law thought I wasn’t good enough for her daughter. After all, I was just a mechanic. She did everything in her power to make our relationship fail. I thought J’s mom would pick her family over me. I am happy as hell she didn’t and I had the time I did with her. After she died, my mother-in-law blamed me. Said I was the reason she got cancer. Who says that to a grieving husband? That was the last time J ever saw her grandparents. If I wasn’t good enough for them, neither was my daughter. Just know, Cole, I won’t interfere again.”

 

“Darren, I’m sorry Asher didn’t give you the information you wanted. I know he’s walking a fine line with this. He shouldn’t even be telling us what he did. I hate to see him putting his job on the line like that, but I know you want that information.”

 

“Don’t worry. I have faith he’ll get what he needs. I just hope it’s soon.”

 

J walks back in. “We’re all set up. I got a response from everyone. They will all be here at three thirty tomorrow. I’d better get to the store because your fridge is pretty bare, Pop. I’ll be here early to clean. I’ll just bring all the groceries with me then.”