Page 69

Cole glanced away and clenched the back of the couch, his knuckles turning white. More silence. Though, like last time, that was answer enough.

“Langston, Porter, and Zayde are here to help save our son, Cole,” I said, some venom seeping into my tone.

We didn’t have time for this bullshit. “You need to get your head out of your ass and let them help you. Forget this jealousy or whatever has gotten up your ass, and do what’s right for Ashton. ”

“I don’t need help,” Cole growled, standing up straight and glaring at me.

“He’s here because I allow it,” he said, jamming a thumb into his own chest. “This is my town. I’m better equipped to save Ashton than he is.

The only reason that asshat is here is to make me look like a dumbass in your eyes. ”

“Holy fuck,” Trent barked, crossing his arms and walking over to stare out the window.

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” I said. “Langston doesn’t even know you. He has no reason to make you look bad.”

“Of course he does,” Cole scoffed, looking at me with a derisive sort of pity.

“Are you really that blind? He’s totally into you.

The guy’s probably been licking his lips, waiting for you to break up with Perry, and now he’s swooped in here to show you what a badass he is.

I bet he’s already planning how to talk you into the sack once all this is settled. ”

Dumbfounded, I could do nothing but stare at Cole.

“You know what, Cole?” I finally managed. “Langston doesn’t need to do anything to make you look like a dumbass. You’re doing a fantastic job of that yourself.” I pointed at the door. “Get out.”

The anger and bitterness on his face vanished in a second, replaced by a shocked look of confusion. “What?”

“You fucking heard me,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

“I don’t know if you forgot or not, but this—” I waved my hand around the room “—is not about you. It’s about Ashton.

You need to go home and figure yourself out because I can’t be around you when you’re acting like an idiot.

My child has been kidnapped. I can’t sit here and babysit another one. ”

Cole’s face fell. I’d struck a nerve, and it looked like it had wounded him deeply.

Good. He needs to be put in check.

“Come on,” Trent said, the words sounding heavy. “Let’s get you out of here, Cole.”

Cole stared back at me for several seconds.

I could practically see him going over everything that had happened, realizing how dumb he’d been and how much it hurt me.

Though, I wasn’t sure I saw any contrition.

This was a problem in his head that he needed to figure out before he’d be any good to us at getting Ashton back.

Finally, he nodded and followed Trent out the door, casting one last glance over his shoulder at me as he went. The door shut with a click, and I blew out a breath. I was exhausted, but I didn’t want to be alone.

I texted Stormy, asking her to come over, and she arrived half an hour later.

“Avery, you look like shit,” she said as she stepped inside.

“Thanks. I love you, too.”

Wincing, she joined me on the couch. “Sorry. Bad choice of words. What happened?”

I explained everything that had happened that day, including Cole’s jealousy toward Langston and me throwing him out of my house.

“Holy hell,” Stormy said. “What’s gotten into him?”

“Cole? I guess he really thinks Langston wants to fuck my brains out.” I shuddered. “Eww. Even thinking that makes me want to gag. Like imagining banging your brother. Gross .”

“Is this guy, like, super-hot or something?” Stormy asked. “I mean, we’ve never talked about what he looks like. Is Cole intimidated by him, maybe?”

She’d heard stories about Langston and the other Des Moines pack guys for years, but they’d never met.

The closest the two of them had come to meeting was at Ashton’s ninth birthday, but Langston had to leave early for a business meeting and Stormy had been late.

Two of my best friends, passing like ships in the night.

“He’s a good-looking guy,” I admitted. “But I don’t think of Langston like that.

For some reason, Cole can’t get that through his thick skull.

I think there’s more to it, though. Maybe he is intimidated?

Langston hasn’t been under the stress we have been.

So of course he’s a bit more cool and collected and confident.

Cole has taken a hit with everything that’s happened with his dad and the pack’s finances.

I think he feels like things are spinning out of control.

He’s self-conscious about everything . Like he doesn’t think he’s good enough. ” I shook my head.

“I really wish I could see things from his perspective, but I can’t right now,” I continued. “If Ashton was safe, maybe I could. Right now, all I have the time or patience for is getting him back. God only knows what Kyle might be doing to him, and here we are, talking about dumb shit like this.”

“Let me make some coffee.” Stormy got up and went to the kitchen. I trudged along after her.

The two of us sat around the kitchen table, discussing everything. It was nice to vent and unload it all. I’d never been more grateful to have her around.

“Do you think calling Langston was a bad idea?” I asked, stirring sugar into my third cup of coffee.

“No way,” Stormy said. “It’s like you said, the more people you have helping, the better. That prick has your son, and if you can’t go to the cops, how else are we supposed to get Ashton back?”

Deep down, I knew that, but it was nice to hear someone confirm that I wasn’t crazy.

“I’m so pissed off at Cole right now, I can barely think straight,” I admitted.

“It’s jealousy. Plain and simple,” Stormy said.

“This suave hero comes riding in on a white horse. He’s got looks, charisma, and brought backup.

He’s calm and collected. On top of that, he has a close relationship with you, Cole’s mate.

How could a guy not be jealous of that?” Stormy asked.

“He needs to get over it and help the guy instead of pushing him away. Normally, I’d say you should talk to him about his feelings or something, but right now the only thing you two should be worrying about is getting Ashton back. ”

There was a knock on the door, which startled us. Turning, I saw the outlines of three familiar men through my curtains.

“It’s Langston,” I said.

Stormy grinned. “Ooh, I finally get to meet him in person? Nice.”

Hurrying to the door, I unlocked and opened it. Langston stepped in. He’d changed into more casual clothes. All three men had intense looks on their faces.

“Hey, this is my friend Stormy,” I said. “I told you about her.”

Stormy sat at the kitchen table, eyes wide and a wide grin on her face. Her gaze traveled down Langston’s body, blatantly checking him out.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” Langston said.

Stormy blinked, and her smile widened. “Oh no. The pleasure is all mine.”

I rolled my eyes. Stormy had never really run in shifter circles, which was why she and Langston had never met. From the look on her face, I figured she was starting to wonder if that might be where she could find a new love.

Langston reciprocated that look of desire, grinning as he checked her out. A blush crept into Stormy’s cheeks.

“Okay, lover boy,” Porter said, pushing past Langston. “On to business.”

Langston blinked as though coming out of a trance and turned his attention to me. “Right, sorry.”

“Did you guys find a place to stay?” I asked.

“Sure did,” Porter said. “Got rooms, had some time to freshen up and do more research. The lady running the B&B was really helpful. We went ahead and rented the whole thing to have some privacy.”

“Yeah, she was real helpful.” Zayde grinned. “I think she wanted to jump Porter’s bones. She probably cut us a deal hoping to see him shirtless at some point.”

Porter shoved him. “Gross, dude. She’s old enough to be my mom.”

Zayde shrugged and winked at him. “Every lady needs a little lovin’ every now and then. Age is just a number.”

“Whatever,” Porter said.

Even though the banter was playful, there was something in their faces that I didn’t like. It made my stomach lurch.

“Is Cole here?” Langston asked.

“Uh, no.” I glanced at Stormy, then back at Langston. “I sort of made him leave. Told him to get his head on straight.”

“Shit,” Langston hissed. He looked even more tense than the other two, worried in a way I’d never seen before.

“We found something he needs to see. He gave me his number while we were walking around North Crest. I’ve been trying to call him, but he isn’t answering.

Can you try? This is something he needs to see in person. ”

“Did you try Trent?” I asked as I grabbed my phone.

“No, figured I’d reach out to Cole so I don’t step on any toes, you know?”

I wished Cole could keep his mind on business and do the same. Even after the way he’d treated him, Langston was doing his best to keep Cole in the loop. I wasn’t sure I’d have been so accommodating.

After dialing his number twice, I cursed and shook my head. “He’s not answering for me.”

“Do you think he’s okay?” Stormy asked.

“He’s fine,” I grumbled. “Probably nursing his pride. Let me try Trent.”

I dialed his number, and he answered on the second ring.

“Where’s Cole?” I asked. “Langston and I have been trying to get hold of him. There’s something important he needs to see.”

Trent sighed tiredly. “He doesn’t have his phone. When we got back to his place, he jumped out of his truck and shifted. He’s been out on a run for the last couple hours. Trying to blow off steam and think about things, I guess. I hope.”

“Do you know where he might be?”

“I was about to head out and find him, actually. Glad you called when you did. Thirty seconds more, and I’d have been out the door on four paws. I wanted to give him some time, but he’s been gone for a couple of hours. He’s not dealing with any of this very well.”

Langston snorted in disgust and shook his head. “Tell Trent to find his buddy and get his ass here. We can’t sit on this for too long. If Cole can’t get his head out of his ass, we’re gonna move, and he’ll miss his chance to take Kyle down and save his son.”

“Did you hear that?” I said into the phone.

“Yeah, fuck,” Trent hissed. “I’ll find him. I’ll let you know when I do. Keep them there as long as you can, Avery. If someone else saves Ashton… Jesus, it might break him completely. You saw what he was like when I was with him for his first shift. Can you imagine?”

I could, and my heart broke at the thought. Trent was right. It would end Cole.

“Hurry, Trent,” I said, and hung up.

My son was in danger, and if Langston and the others had figured out a way to save Ashton, then I wouldn’t want them to wait—no matter how bad I felt for Cole and what he was going through.

If Cole missed out on this, that would be his own fault, and I’d have no sympathy for him.

In fact, it would probably sever things between us once and for all.