Cole

 

What the hell is Asher doing? He knows how important this is. Yes, Jules is cute, but this is my life we are talking about here. I still have no idea how the hell DiMarco knows about my past. When I drop into the chair at the glass table on the deck, J sits across from me. She chews on her lip, looking around Asher’s property.

 

Asher’s family has more money than I think they can spend in two lifetimes. His father worked his way up in a granite company. When he took over managing the company at twenty-seven, he made a name for himself. When he purchased the company at thirty-two, he was unstoppable. Asher’s father expected him to be right by his side, taking over the company when he decided to retire. Asher had other plans. That was unacceptable to his father. If he would have chosen to go into the family business, the money would still be flowing. Since he decided to follow his dream of becoming a detective, Asher’s father considered him a black mark on an otherwise perfect family reputation. He was cut off.

 

While I sit, pondering, Asher and Jules walk out the sliding glass doors from the kitchen.

 

“And this is the reason I bought the place,” he tells her. “I fell in love with the view.”

 

She walks over to sit next to J. “It really is beautiful, Asher. Thank you for the tour.”

 

I swear I can see a blush cover her cheeks. Are you fucking kidding me? He’s putting the moves on Jules while J’s life hangs in the damn balance? I sit back in my chair and level my stare at him as he comes around to sit beside me at the table.

 

“Are we done now? Can we talk about why the fuck we are here?”

 

“Jesus. Yes, Cole. I was just being polite.”

 

“This isn’t a damn social call, Ash.”

 

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jules and J looking between Ash and I, like they are watching a tennis match. I know J is fine with the delay. She isn’t really happy about having to tell Jules anything. Whether she thinks she is protecting herself or Jules, she needs to open up about it. 

 

Ash clears his throat and sits forward, leaning his elbows against the glass table. “I know Cole gave me the highlights of today, but can you tell me what happened, J?”

 

J takes a deep breath, chewing on her lip. She hesitates and looks at Jules, her eyes searching her friend’s face.

 

“What the hell happened?” Jules asks.

 

“Fuck, fine. Jules, you aren’t going to like any of this, but it now involves you by association. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before, but I was…am scared. I got wrapped up in some shit that is now affecting the shop.”

 

“Why am I just hearing about this now?”

 

J looks down at her drink, then back at me. “Because Cole is making me tell you. I didn’t want anyone to know, but he is taking it upon himself to say who needs to know and who doesn’t.”

 

I sit up, getting as close as I can to her without flying across the damn table. “If I were taking it upon myself to tell who I thought needed the information, your fucking father would have a clue as to the trouble we are in. Don’t put this bullshit on me.”

 

Asher puts his hand on my arm “Calm down, man.”

 

I lean back in my chair, staring at J.

 

“You didn’t even need to be part of this, Cole. You took it upon yourself. I didn’t ask for your fucking help. You don’t want to be involved in this, fucking go. I got this, asshole.”

 

I laugh. “You got this? Regardless of how many times you say it, it won’t make it true. Who were you trying to hide behind when we saw Justin?” I hear the audible gasp from Jules. “Seems like you fucking needed my help then. Besides, I’m not walking away, especially now that Justin and the DiMarcos know who I am.”

 

“Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on?” Jules shouts, which silences both of us. I am breathing hard. I don’t know if I want to put my fist through J for being so damn stubborn, or if I want to throw her over my shoulder, hide her away, and fuck the hell out of her. Just the thought of J beneath me has my dick responding. I move to adjust myself while she gives Jules the full story.

 

“Which brings us to today,” J says. “Cole and I just went for lunch. I don’t know if Justin followed us or if it was completely a coincidence, but he was there.”

 

“I talked to a few people I know. As of right now, I can’t find any obvious connection to Z’s. I am going to need a list of names, J, so even if I find something small, I can match it up.” Asher turns to me. “I will check with my guy on the inside to see if they just have info on the shop or if they are after you specifically. Maybe they were just watching when you took J home after they trashed the place. That put you on their radar. You need to be extra careful, my friend. No going rogue. I don’t need to tell you this could have disastrous results for you personally.”

 

“Tell me something I don’t fucking know. I can’t go back to that place, Ash. I won’t.”
 

I look at Jules just as she stands up, her eyes full of tears. “Asher, can I use your bathroom?” she whispers.

 

“Yeah, come on. I’ll take you.”

 

J stares at me as I watch Ash lead Jules into the house. Jules is having a harder time with this than I expected.

 

“That, right there, is why I didn’t tell her, Cole.”

 

“If her life is in any danger, she has a right to know so she can protect herself. Same with Darren, J. You really need to—”

 

She cuts me off. “No. I am not telling my father. Neither are you.”

 

“Goddammit. Why do you have to be so fucking difficult all the time?”

 

J sits back in her chair, pulls her feet onto the seat, and rests her chin on her knees, looking at me. “I’m not trying to be difficult, Cole. I’m really not. I…” She buries her head in her knees so I can’t see her face, the words muffled. “I’m scared, Cole.”

 

I close my eyes and rub my hands over my head. “I know you are, J. That’s why I am trying to help. I get you don’t want the police involved, but Darren should know so he can watch his back.” I wait for the smart comment, the yelling, but she is so silent, I don’t know if she even heard me.

 

Then I see it, causing an ache in my stomach. She’s crying. I watch as her shoulders shake silently. I may be many things, but I can’t sit here and watch her cry.

 

Damn it.

 

I push my chair back slowly. I walk over to her and put my hand on her back, sliding my other arm under her knees. Before she can complain, I sit and place her in my lap. When I wrap my arms around her, she buries her head in my neck. Her sobs shake both our bodies.

 

I don’t know how long we just sit here, but the crying finally stops. I just hold her, rubbing my hand up and down her back. I put my hand under her hair and grasp the back of her neck, lightly pulling her head away from me. Her eyes meet mine. Staring at each other, we share the same breath—her exhale is my inhale.

 

“Cole, we—”

 

I cut her off, knowing she is going to say we can’t again. “J, I’m not asking for anything more than right now.”

 

Her eyes close as she nods. My hand goes from under her hair to her face. I lightly touch my lips to hers. I want to devour her, but that kiss is enough for right now. I pull her to me and wrap my arms around her again.

 

When the sliding door opens, J tries to jump off me. “Don’t,” I whisper, but she wiggles out of my arms and stands, wiping her face.

 

Ash walks out onto the patio with his arm over Jules’ shoulders, holding her close. “I think we are done for tonight. Jules seems to be having a hard time digesting all this.”

 

I nod, standing. “Ash, I’ll be in touch.” I shake his hand. J takes Jules from him and wraps her arms around her, heading toward the door. “I have to get these two home. I’ll call you when I drop them off. I have some thoughts on this whole thing that I only want to share with you right now.”

 

“Yeah. Since talking with Jules, I have some of my own,” Asher says as he walks us to the door.