Page 38 of Fractured

Cole is quick to step between me and a new man approaching on our side. “I’m so sorry, sir, mada—”

“You’re bloody sorry? My girlfriend is attacked and all you have to say is sorry? Fucking wanker. You’ll hear from my lawyers, and my car better be there when I get outside.” Cole grabs my hand and drags me toward the front door. “We need to get you out of here.” I’m completely taken aback by his reaction. He’s consumed with anger and on edge.

What the fuck is going on? His hand tightens into a vice-like grip and his head is on a constant swivel. He takes in every detail around us as if he is experienced in it. The cops are just pulling up as we reach the front, and Cole’s car is already waiting for us. That valet must have busted his ass running for it.

Cole opens the passenger door for me and makes sure I’m in before shutting it. He presses his palm to the window and turns as Vander pushes the man who attacked me out the entrance of the restaurant. He struggles against Vander’s hold, trying to escape before the police can put him in custody. The cops quickly walk over and place cuffs on him and take him to the back of their squad car.

I’m even more puzzled when Vander walks over to Cole and they lean into each other and have a private conversation. Cole hands him the syringe and Vander slaps him on the shoulder with his free hand. A second after they step apart, a police officer pulls Vander aside and takes the syringe from him while wearing gloves and puts it in an evidence bag.

The driver’s door opens and shuts and I’m still watching Vander as we pull away. I whip my head around to glare at Cole. “Where are we going? We can’t leave without Vander,” I tell him. Where I go, he goes. We’re always a package deal. The last time I went somewhere without him, I almost got raped, and killed for the first time.

“Don’t worry, Luv. I’ve been deputized, sworn into the ‘Protect her with your life’ club. I have full instructions to jump in front of a bullet for you if needed, and I’ve been warned if you get even a single scratch, my life is subject to termination. Which comes after extensive torture. He was quite visual with his threat,” Cole tells me as he places his hand on my thigh.

“Vander said you could take me somewhere without him?” I try to clarify, not really believing him.

“He did more than that. He ordered me to,” Cole responds with a cocky smirk.

My brows pinch together. “I don’t think so,” I refute, grabbing my phone.

Vander picks up after the first ring. “He told you I commanded him to get you out of here, didn’t he?”

“How do you know that?” I challenge. Mr. Stalker is the only one who typically knows everything happening around me.

“Because you’re calling me. We don’t know what this guy wanted to do to you, so you need to be anywhere but here right now. We don’t know if he had a partner who could try something if you stayed,” he tells me with resignation.

“Vander, what’s going on? What aren’t you telling me?” I ask, making my voice soft and turning toward the window for the semblance of keeping the conversation private. He lets out a slow sigh, but doesn’t say anything. “Please?”

“Wow… You want to know so bad, you lowered yourself enough to the point where you’re trying to manipulate me by saying please? You know that doesn’t work on me.” I can hear the smile he’s refusing to show on his face.

“And you’re trying to change the subject,” I counter.

“Stay safe, Remi. I’ll find you when I’m finished here. And remind the nerd that his balls go first if you get even a papercut,” he says before ending the call.

I pout at the screen, disgruntled he would hang up on me. Cole glances at me from the corner of his eye. “Sorry, the thought of spending alone time with me is so distressful, Luv. I promise not to act on all my flirtations.” He gives me his bright smile and focuses on the road.

“Where are we going?” I ask as I look at my phone. I notice a text waiting for me, the timestamp showing it came in during all the commotion with my attacker.

Ravenmaster: Are you okay?

Ravenmaster: That motherfucker is dead.

I smile at the messages and glance up when Cole responds. “I was thinking we should find some desert. How about ice cream and a waterside walk? Not quite the beach at sunset, but the best I can do without driving for hours.”

“Sounds great,” I tell him.

Raven: Have any idea what it was all about?

Ravenmaster: I know you like to live in your own world where the universe revolves around you, but don’t be so dense. Your father is the top weapons manufacturer and his development research is unmatched. And then you just took the city's most wanted bachelor off the market. Some lonely housewife probably sent her pool boy after you.

Raven: Didn’t have to act like such a dick. All you had to say was you didn’t know.

Ravenmaster: Oh, you want me to lie to you now?

Raven: So you do know…

Ravenmaster: Of course I do.

Raven: Do you always have to be such an asshole?

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