Page 54 of All Our Ghosts

“Since I was ten.” I confirm nodding as I glance at the men around me.

Trey shakes his head, “it doesn’t make any sense, why the news junket then?”

I take a deep breath, “because he doesn’t quit. He was put through what he deemed was hell after everything happened. He was arrested, but he’s a Lieutenant in one of the largest counties in Florida. Embarrassments like that don’t get taken lightly and when half of the force believed their so-called brother over hisdramatic girlfriendand the other half wanted nothing to do with him anymore. He lost his fast track to Sheriff even if they did sweep everything under their rug.”

Cole shakes his head as he rounds the table kneeling next to me, “You weren’t being dramatic.” He confirms for me. I know that deep down, but I stayed with him longer than I should have. Something I hated myself for, for longer than I want to admit.

“Tell that to the hundreds of death threats I got.” I let out a shaky sigh, “people were more upset about the fact that he was put in a cell than the fact that he murdered his unborn child or at least caused it.”

Dex huffs a breath, his fist slamming against the table, startling me. His gaze flickers back to me, “I’m sorry,” he mutters.

“No,” I shake my head, “I should have never let you pick me up that night or offer me a place here.” My gaze trails over to Cole. He sucks in a breath, his eyes going softer than before, and shakes his head.

“Out of everywhere you could have ended up Kade,” he reaches for me, his hand resting on my forearm, “this might have been the best of them. But…” his voice trailed off, “from now on, honesty.” His head tilts to the side, “that’s all I’m askin’.”

I nod, “that’s not all.”

Cole shifts on the balls of his feet, his grip on my arm tightening for just a moment before releasing me. It’s not meant to hurt me, it feels more like him trying to comfort me.

“I got a text from an unknown number last night before we left Marlowe’s.”

“From Jeremy?” He asks, his gaze flicking between the men as if they’re all having a silent conversation I’m not privy to.

“Yeah,” I sigh, “it’s what drove Holden and me to leave last night, or rather me to go with him, among other things.” I feel the blush creep up on the back of my neck at the remembrance of his lips on mine before the pit of guilt in my stomach becomes weighty.

Dex sighs, “gotta admit, he works fast.”

I stand pulling myself from Cole’s grasp, “I need to tell him. He needs to know that I wouldn’t–” The lump in my throat returns at the idea of him believing Jeremy. As angry as I am that he left, I meant what I said to him. “Where would he go?”

The three men share a look, another part of the conversation I’m not privy to. “What?”

“He’s at his house or the club.” Dex says plainly, but the grimace that passes over Cole’s features tells me there’s more to that sentence.

Cole stands with a sigh, “are you sure you want to go after him?” he asks. There’s something hidden behind the question.

I nod, “I have to. I can’t let Jeremy ruin another good thing for me.”

The words fall out of my mouth before I even realize it. Holden is good for me, he challenges me and has done so much more in the last week to show me he cares more than Jeremy ever has in the four years we were together.

“I’ll take you to him, but…” Cole’s voice trails off, “I can’t promise he’s going to want to speak to you. Holden is hard headed and stubborn, if he even has an inkling that what Jeremy said was true, he won’t back down easily.”

“I don’t need him to back down,” I say, “I just need him to listen to me.”

He studies me for a moment as I square my shoulders. I’m not ready to give up on him, even if he’s trying to give up on me. I know deep down he wouldn’t have reacted the way he did if there weren't some sort of feelings there. I’m banking on it.

“Cole, we have that meeting with Stokes,” Trey reminds, “he’s not going to take kindly to you not being there.”

I shoot him a look.

“I’ll take her,” Dex says from behind me, “you don’t need me there if you take Trey and Stokes will be more receptive if Holden and I aren’t there.”

I turn to the man who had quickly protected me from Cole earlier. My gaze meets his and he gives me a brief nod. “Thank you.” I say softly.

Dex shakes his head, “don’t, Holden won’t like that I’m with you but somethin’ in those pretty green eyes tells me you’ll havehim handled.” I try to hide the surprise on my face when the corners of his mouth quirk up.

I feel Cole’s hand rest on my elbow, “can I talk to you? Alone.”

“I’ll wait for you outside,” Dex confirms before leaving the room, Trey following behind him and letting the door click shut.

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