Page 6 of Cole: Bloodlines

“Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?” Gabe said tightly. “Abel…” His voice cut out, and he looked at Devlin with tears in his eyes. “The kids… Abel—ourbaby—are indanger, Devlin.” He seemed about to break down. “Nothing else matters except getting them back safely.”

“I know,” Devlin whispered, barely holding himself together. “But what if… what if he doesn’t give them back? What if he justtakesyou, too?”

Gabe shook his head. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” He sniffed. “Get me some clothes.”

Sighing, Devlin nodded in resignation. “I’m not sure where your clothes are, but…” He shrugged. “… but maybe I can get you some clean smocks. It’s the best I can do.”

“Fine. Whatever. I don’t care. Just hurry.”

Devlin turned toward the door.

“Send Cole back in.”

“All right,” Devlin murmured and exited the room.

Dane sat with Cole on the bench in the corridor. The deputy was gone. “Where’s Deputy Roland?”

“Outside,” Dane said and met Devlin’s eyes. “He wants to take Gabe to make the trade.”

Devlin noted the tense look on Dane’s face. He looked at Cole. “Gabe wants to see you,” he said softly.

Cole sniffed and cleared his throat, then rose slowly as if trying to stand beneath a great weight. He silently entered the hospital room.

“What’s going on?” Devlin asked Dane. “What did you mean the deputy might not be the friend Cole thinks he is?”

“Right now, it’s more of a hunch,” Dane said. “Something just feels off with him. But Clint is checking into something. We’ll know more when he gets back to us.”

“What if he doesn’t get back to us before Gabe leaves? Do we let him go with the deputy? Is that wise?”

“I don’t think so,” Dane said. “But ultimately, it’s up to Gabe.”

“Does he know how you feel about the deputy?”

“Not yet.”

“Does Cole know?”

Dane shook his head. “He’s a mess. I’m not sure he can handle much more.”

Devlin sighed. “I need to grab some smocks for Gabe to wear. The clothes he was wearing when they brought him in were soiled with his blood and grime from the alley.”

“All right,” Dane whispered.

Devlin hesitated, rooted in place. “Are we going to win this one?” He despised the fear and doubt in his words, in his voice, and the implication that they might not get their loved ones back.

“Yes,” Dane replied with conviction, despite the tears in his eyes. “We can’t stop believing that. If we do… he wins.”

“At least, lie down until Devlin returns,” Cole whispered as he hesitantly touched Gabe’s arm, directing him toward the bed. Gabe started to resist, then relented instead and lay down on the bed. His eyes drooped with the fatigue of surgery, but he didn’t close them. Cole’s throat strained as hot tears formed.

He should be resting… healing… regaining his strength.

Guilt consumed Cole; Gabe wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for him.

“Don’t…” Gabe mumbled, his tired eyes—a vibrant baby blue even in his weariness—rested on Cole.

Moving closer, Cole stared down at him, a wall of tears blurring Gabe’s handsome face. “It’s my fault,” he said thickly. “All of it… everything that’s happening…” His throat worked. “You.”

Gabe took his hand and squeezed. “No, it isn’t.”