Page 61 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

Suddenly, David's demeanor shifts, rage contorting his features.

"That bastard disturbed our first date! If you hadn't interrupted that night at Six-Pack, she would have danced with me, and she would have fallen in love with me!

" His voice rises with each word, echoing off the concrete walls.

"But you always want what's mine! I let you get away with it then, but not this time. "

The fevered intensity in David's stare as he glares at Cole makes my palms slick with sweat. There's something deeper here, a hatred that goes beyond simple jealousy. Cole's narrowed eye tells me he's just as confused by David's words.

I force myself to take a step toward the glass, keeping my voice soft, non-threatening. "I'm sorry to ask, but what did Cole do to you the first time?"

David's head snaps away from Cole. He starts pacing, mumbling to himself, fingers twitching at his sides. When his head whips back toward me, my breath catches. His grey eyes have transformed into something terrible – like suffocating smoke rising from an inferno.

"That man destroyed my family!"

I watch Cole from the corner of my eye, see him struggling to make sense of this accusation. Since he can't speak, I have to keep David talking. His flaring nostrils warn me to tread carefully.

"I don't understand. How did Cole destroy your family?"

"That bastard took my father!" David's voice cracks with raw pain.

"What? Who is your father?"

David's unblinking gaze fixes on Cole, hatred radiating from every pore. "Jeremy is my father."

My hands fly to my chest as the world tilts sideways. Dear god. The kind, gentle housekeeper who practically raised Cole... is this psychopath's father?

The revelation seems to unlock something in David.

Words pour out of him, dripping with candy-sweet loathing.

"I was ten when he started working for the wealthy Walker family.

Every night he'd come home talking about the talented Walker boy.

For years, I had to hear stories about how smart he was, how special. "

He runs a trembling hand through his hair.

"My father pretended to love us, but it was all lies.

He was just waiting for his chance to get rid of us.

When Gregory Walker died, he took it. He dumped my mother in a mental hospital, told my sister and me she had a disorder.

" His laugh turns bitter. "But that was a lie too.

My mom was fine. The real reason? He wanted Cole as his son and Mrs. Walker as his wife. "

I risk a glance at Cole, see the shock in his face as pieces of a puzzle he never knew existed fall into place.

"I cut that bastard from my life," David continues, his voice taking on a dreamy quality as his attention shifts back to me. "For years, I was okay. But then... then I found you. You looked so stunning dancing in that red dress. I knew you were mine the moment I saw you."

His expression darkens. "But he had to interrupt our conversation.

When he forced me to leave, I waited outside.

Watched you leave. Then he walked out, and something about him seemed familiar.

When I realized he was the fucking Cole Walker.

.." David's hands clench into fists. "I knew he was doing it again.

Trying to steal what's mine, just like he stole my father. "

The tension in the room is suffocating. Cole stares at David with his one good eye, comprehension and horror dawning in equal measure. I have to defuse this somehow.

I press my palm against the glass, drawing David's attention. "I'm sorry for what happened to your family, David." Every word feels like swallowing glass, but I force them out. "But maybe you should remove the tape from Cole's mouth. Let him speak. Let him explain."

"I don't need his explanations!" David snarls. "Everything from his mouth is a lie!"

The hatred hanging in the air is thick enough to choke on. I try again, making my voice as gentle as possible. "Please, David. I would like to hear what Cole has to say for himself."

David studies me, and I see the moment his expression changes. My use of 'please' seems to please him – he likes this show of submission.

"Fine," he coos, suddenly tender.

Acid burns in my throat as I force a smile. Suck it up, Alisha. Make him believe you're on his side. It's the only way out of this hellhole.

"Thank you so much, David."

David grabs the remote, pushes a button, and Cole's door unlocks with an ominous click.

As he turns toward Cole's cell, I catch my love's eye.

His glare is intense, warning. I shape my hands into a heart, praying he understands – trust me, play along.

His slight nod sends relief coursing through me.

David stalks into Cole's cell like a predator approaching wounded prey. "You only talk with my permission. Otherwise, I'll put this back to shut you up. Is that clear?"

Cole's jaw muscle jumps, but he nods. David yanks the tape off with deliberate force, ripping away bits of Cole's facial hair. My heart clenches as Cole's tongue darts over his cracked, bloody lips.

"You're wrong about your father not loving you." Cole's voice is rough but steady.

David's laugh sends chills down my spine. He spins to face me, arms spread wide. "What did I tell you, doll face? Everything from his mouth is a lie!"

"Stop calling her doll face, you asshole."

The punch comes so fast I barely see it. Cole's head snaps sideways, fresh blood spraying from his split lip. My scream echoes off the concrete walls.

"Did I permit you to speak?" David's voice drops to a dangerous whisper.

"Fuck you."

Two more brutal hits. Blood trickles from Cole's nose as my screams tear from deep in my chest. "Shut up and listen to him, you goddamn fool!"

David's chuckle makes my skin crawl. "Did you hear that? My precious doll face finally acknowledges that you're a fool." His smirk grows wider. "Guess she sees I'm much better for her than you'll ever be."

God, he's completely delusional. But if he believes I'm taking his side, I need to play into it.

Cole's eye meets mine, blazing with defiance. I silently plead with him. Please, stop fighting. Let me handle this. But I can see from his expression that he won't back down. To prevent more violence and cement David's trust, I force the words out:

"You're right, David. Shut that fool's mouth."

David's eyes sparkle with triumph. He pulls a white cloth from his pocket, turning to Cole with a victorious smile. "Guess she's on my team now, Walker."

Cole tries to speak, but David silences him, roughly shoving the fabric between his teeth and securing it behind his head. My heart shatters at the sight, but I can't let my mask slip.

"David?" I make my voice small, submissive. "I'm hungry. Could I please get something to eat or drink?"

Just as before, the pleading tone gets his immediate attention. His face softens with what he probably thinks is tenderness.

"Yes, you can, my precious." He leaves Cole's cell, locking it with the remote before tucking it back in his pocket. "I'll be right back with a meal."

The moment the door closes behind him, I whirl to Cole. "What the hell were you thinking? You can't provoke a psychopath while you're tied up! Do you have a death wish?"

Cole's grunt of frustration is muffled by the gag.

"I can't believe he's Jeremy's son." The pieces are still falling into place in my mind, each revelation more horrifying than the last.

Cole's shoulders slump, his eye closing in what looks like guilt. "Hey, don't blame yourself. This situation isn't your fault!"

He shrugs, but when I mention Samantha's name, his eye snaps back to mine, filled with desperate worry.

"I need to get that bastard to trust me," I explain, pressing closer to the glass. "It's the only way out of this room. I have to make him believe I'm his."

Cole shakes his head violently, straining against his bonds until the ropes bite into his wrists.

"I understand you don't like it, but I have to." I meet his gaze steadily. "It's our only chance. You trained me, remember? Taught me how to defend myself for exactly this kind of situation. This is showtime."

The door opens, cutting off Cole's protests. David enters carrying two trays, his face darkening as he sees us communicating.

"New rule. You're not allowed to talk to him." His eyes narrow as he sets the trays on the table. "I have a tagliatelle dish with salmon for you."

"That's kind of you, David." The words taste like ash in my mouth.

"Everything for my precious, fiery gem." He approaches the glass, his gaze raking over me possessively. "I have a choice for you. I can either place the plate in your room, where you can eat it, or you can join me at the dining table."

Every fiber of my being screams in protest, but I bite the inside of my cheek hard. Being near him without the glass between us terrifies me, but it's necessary.

"I'd like to join you, please."

His smile spreads as he unlocks my door. "Come to me, my doll face."

I shuffle toward him, trying to control my trembling. The moment I'm within reach, his hand shoots out, gripping my chin with bruising force.

"Look at me." His grey eyes bore into mine, a thunderstorm of madness raging in their depths. He brings his face inches from mine, whispering through clenched teeth, "If I find out you're playing me or trying to pull any stunt, I'll kill him and make you watch. Is that clear?"

I ball my fists to hide their shaking and nod. Like flipping a switch, his threatening demeanor vanishes, replaced by that unsettling smile. "Good girl. Now let's eat."

As he turns away, I press my hands to my thundering heart, fighting for control over the terror threatening to overwhelm me.

Think of why you're doing this. Think of Samantha.

Her sweet face appears in my mind, giving me strength. After a few steadying breaths, I step forward.

Let's do this.