Page 15 of The Pact

“Is this the way home?” He points straight ahead and I nod. He lets out a sigh and pushes his hand through his curls. “Listen, I might be paranoid, but I won’t be able to sleep tonight if I let you go home shaken up like this. Not to mention, if that idiot sees your truck and decides to retaliate…” He trails off. “It’s up to you, although I’d feel better if you stayed somewhere else for the night.”

The thought hadn’t crossed my mind. The stranger took off in the same direction as my apartment. What if he recognized my truck? I shudder.

“I-um…I can call Cassie.” Hitting the call button, I wait as it rings. It goes to voicemail. “It’s fine, I can go home,” I lie. Now I’m terrified of being alone, however I don’t have much of a choice.

I try to reason logically against my raging emotions. The chances of this guy finding my truck and getting into my apartment are pretty slim. It does little to calm me. I know it’ll be hard to fall asleep with that thought bouncing around in my head.

“Come home with me,” he says tentatively. My eyes flick to his and he sees my hesitation at the invitation. “When Cassie calls you back, I will take you to her house. At least let me make you dinner. It’ll help calm you.”

I look at my phone—no notifications. Weighing the options, I can’t find another solution that will make both of us feel better about what just happened.

“Okay,” I agree. He puts the car in drive and I send a text to Cassie telling her to call me when she gets the message. “Thank you… for this and for the other thing.”

Cole drives past my street, heading towards the outskirts of town. The buildings become scarcer and the distance between the streetlights grows further apart. I hadn’t thought to ask where he lived, assuming his house was close to the bakery.

I quell the nervousness that pushes into my chest. This man has been nothing but kind and even came to my rescue. He won’t hurt me. Not all men are the same. The thought bumps right up against the memory of the man who got aggressive with me.

It’s getting harder to believe that mantra.

He turns onto a gravelly road after driving for about fifteen minutes. Darkness makes it impossible to see anything beyond the few feet that the headlights illuminate.

Cole’s hand finds mine, giving it a squeeze. “Hey.” Turning my head, I meet his gaze. “As long as I’m around, I’ll keep you safe.”

It’s a strangely intimate promise. Something about the way he looks at me when he says it makes me believe him and it soothes my nerves.

In the distance, I see light coming from a series of windows that form a triangle. As we approach the house, posts line the drive, illuminating enough to see that beyond the gravel lay dense forest. Quiet. Secluded.

Cole gives my hand another squeeze as he pulls in between two cars—one red and sporty, the other black and sleek. I count four parking spots. He must notice.

“You know those brothers I mentioned? We all live together.” I should be thankful I won’t have to feel the awkwardness of being alone with Cole in his house for the first time, although something about meeting the most important people in his life knots my stomach.

I’m second guessing letting him bring me here.

“I don’t want to impose. Honestly, I can drive myself home.” Cole lifts my hand to his mouth and presses his lips to it.

“I’d like it if you came in. They won’t mind.”

I check my phone once more. Nothing from Cassie. “Alright, if you’re sure that it’ll be okay.” I reach for the handle and he pulls me by the hand he hasn’t let go of yet.

“Let me.” Cole’s chivalry seems to know no bounds. He opens the truck door and carries my satchel for me.

From the driveway alone, the house is incredible, much nicer than I’m used to. Cassie’s family is well off and their house is the only comparison I can make to Cole’s—in size. Neatly trimmed shrubs line the paved path we’re walking on.

As I wait for Cole to unlock the door, I notice a tiny red light mounted to the awning. A security camera. It doesn’t faze me—Cassie’s family has them all over their property.

Cole opens the door and my breath catches.

His house is massive—like insanely huge. The floor to ceiling stone fireplace is the first thing that catches my eye. It must be fifteen feet across. The kitchen to my left is open and spacious, with sleek appliances and marble countertops. A rectangular chandelier hangs above the island, making the space feel warm and inviting.

“Cole… this is incredible.” I’m breathless as I take in everything around me. My cheeks flush red as I realize how awestruck I sound, as if I’ve never been in a beautiful home before. I have, however, this is entirely different.

To my right is a dining room with an obscenely long table. I count fourteen seats. It’s bare and I realize there are very few decorative touches to the home. They furnished it with the basics, although the price tag of those items are probably more than I could ever imagine spending.

He sets my things down on the table, then grabs my hand and pulls me further into the house, passing stairs that lead to a lower level.

Beyond the fireplace is the living room. Off white couches and armchairs form a cozy U-shape around the hearth. But it’s the wall of floor to ceiling windows at the far side of the room that catches my eye. Darkness swallows whatever lies beyond the glass.

“The view is indescribable.” Cole comes to stand behind me. His arm reaches out across my shoulder, pointing to the left as he says, “It looks out onto the river. There’s a little dock down there for fishing and kayakin—”

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