Page 62 of Tortured Tones

Charlotte ran over to me and handed me two sticks she’d picked up off the ground from a nearby tree.

“Can you teach me to play the drums?”

I took them and tapped them against the table. “Here? Right now?”

“No, silly.” She tugged on my sleeve. “At home.”

“We can do that.” I glanced at my watch. Eleven-fifteen a.m. We had time. “Would you like another swing first?”

“Yes.” She ran off before I had time to blink.

“Back soon.” I swung my legs over the bench seat. I stood and turned to Ava. “I’m sorry you lost Josh and have to give up the job you love. You’re a damn good bodyguard. You seem like a great mom. If you ever need anything, if I can help in any way, just ask.”

“I will. Thank you.”

I dashed after Charlotte. I couldn’t deny playing had been fun. I guessed I was a big kid at heart. But finding out more about Ava had hit home hard. I also had to be an adult.

I had a wild history. The slightest mishap could be turned and used against me. I didn’t want that to happen.

Charlotte needed me.

After another huge swing and run around the fort, we headed home.

Now I’d get to do something even better than playing in the park with Charlotte.

Play the drums.

That was something I could do.

Chapter 14

COLE

As I carried Charlotte from the car into the house, holding her upside down with her legs hooked over my shoulder, she wriggled with giggles and fits of laughter. Damn. That was the best sound. Spending time with her had been worth the effort. And our day wasn’t over yet.

Halfway down the hallway, Ava stopped by my office door. It was a pleasant change to see a soft smile touch her lips rather than her usual cold, thin sneer. “I’m going to check in with my team, then head off. I’ll pick you up at one to take you to rehearsal.”

“You can stay if you like. I have food. Coffee. A spare room if you want to rest.”

“Thanks...but I’ve invaded enough of your personal time. Enjoy this hour with your daughter.”

“Yeah. I will.” I placed Charlotte onto her feet. But as I reached for her hand, she raced off down the hallway to my music room. Her energy was contagious. “I better go.” I thumbed toward Charlotte, but something held me in Ava’s orbit. She leaned her shoulder against the office door and caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Mmm... she shouldn’t do that. My body tingled in places that it shouldn’t.

We’d had a great morning. I’d gotten to learn more about her. But there were boundaries. She was here to do her job. I had enough problems to deal with. So the sooner the low hum that sparked in my veins when I was around her stopped, the fucking better.

“Cole. Hurry up.” Charlotte slapped her hand against the music room door.

I sucked in a deep breath, and my heart swelled to the size of a beach ball. This having-a-kid thing was kinda cool. Walking backward toward Charlotte, I grinned and pointed at Ava. “I’ll see you soon.”

“You will.”

Grinning, I turned and scooted down the hall. The moment I opened the heavy door, she rushed into the room and jumped onto the stool behind the drum kit. She grabbed a set of drumsticks out of the canister and tapped them against the snare.

I laughed as she hit and smacked everything she could reach. Future potential had been unleashed.

I ambled over to her, picked her up, and sat on the stool. I placed her on my lap and jiggled her into a comfortable position. Her little legs were too short to reach the pedals. “Want to play something together?”

“Okay.” She swung the stick through the air, almost taking my eye out.

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