Cole

 

“Thompson,” Asher says when he answers the phone.

 

“Ash, we need to talk.”

 

“What’s up, Cole? I’m just finishing up.”

 

“Meet me at Joe’s Java in twenty. We have some major fucking problems.”

 

“On it.” He disconnects.

 

I swing my truck into Joe’s parking lot. I know it’s no secret that Asher and I are friends, but the fact the DiMarcos know so much really pisses me off.

 

I grab a coffee and sit at a table outside to wait. It isn’t long before I see Asher pull into the lot. He heads for me, stopping to let me know he’s going to grab a coffee first.

 

I am so pissed, I can’t see straight. The fucking DiMarcos and Justin think they are untouchable. How long are they going to keep fucking with J? How much more can she take?

 

“What’s up, man?” Asher says, sitting down across from me.

 

“J had another run-in with Justin at the shop. He caught her in the parking lot and told her they know she’s been to the police.”

 

“They know I know. They are keeping a tighter watch on her and the shop than I thought.”

 

“Have you said anything to anyone about all this?”

 

“Other than telling Ace, another detective, the names from the shop, I haven’t said anything. I don’t think this is coming from my side, Cole. I think the DiMarco’s reach is huge. They have tons of people working for them, and with Justin’s past with J, I think she is being watched very carefully.”

 

I slam my hand on the table, almost spilling both our coffees. “Fuck, Ash. What the hell am I supposed to do? I can’t just sit back and watch. Something has to give before I fucking lose it.”

 

Ash leans on the table. Somehow, he is always my voice of reason. “What you are going to do is calm the fuck down. If the DiMarcos are watching you, too, which I am sure they are, they can’t see you lose it. They’ll know they have you. That’s what they want. So you need to keep it together. Keep J close and let me worry about the rest.”

 

Running my hands over my head, I know he’s right. J needs me. I can’t fuck it up now.

 

“By the way, Cole. You two seemed pretty close the other night when I came outside with Jules. Were we interrupting something?”

 

“We… Fuck, I don’t know what we are. There is something there, but neither of us is acting on it. She has this pull on me, man. I can’t explain it.”

 

Asher smiles and sits back, bringing his coffee to his lips. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

 

“What day?”

 

“The day you finally let a woman in. It’s about time.”

 

She is getting to me in a major way. “Fuck you.” Asher laughs. “Let’s just get this shit taken care of, then I’ll deal with that.”

 

“I asked Jules out for tonight,” he says, looking into the parking lot.

 

“Do not fuck this up. If you piss off Jules, it will come back on me. You can’t fuck this one, then forget about her, Ash. You’d better be sure.”

 

“I am sure. Jules is a cool chick. Did you see her? She’s a fucking knockout. We’ve been texting off and on since you brought her to my house the other night. I asked for her number before you guys left so I could check on her. She took it pretty hard that night. I was concerned.”

 

“Concerned, my ass. You were looking to be the hero who swoops in and helps the damsel in distress. I’m serious. Do not fuck this up.”

 

“You know me better than that. She’s a hot little number. There is interest on both our parts. Whatever is between us is mutual. What I do with Jules has no impact on you and J.”

 

“There is no me and J, and there won’t be if you make her best friend mad. Hate by association, brother.”

 

Asher starts laughing, obviously not taking my warning to heart. Why would he? He is seriously the world’s biggest player. I should know better. In our younger years, a normal Friday night for him consisted of being out with two or more girls. Not one of the chicks ever found out about the others. The fact his dick hasn’t fallen off or he doesn’t have little Asher’s running around is some kind of freaking miracle. I’m no angel, but he’s definitely had more ass than any man I know.