Losing Control - By Robyn Grady Page 0,46

Cole. It took all Taryn's restraint not to save Eloise the trouble of guessing and admit out loud that, yes, she and Cole were lovers. And that was the second reason Eloise needed to keep those restless paws to herself.

Another guest entered the room. Beside her, Cole stiffened and braced. She heard him mutter, "Judge.

"What are you doing here?" Cole spoke to the man. "I said we were done."

"I take my orders from the elder Mr. Hunter," the man - Judge - said, lacing his hands before him. "And unless he's changed his mind in the past five minutes, I'm still on the payroll."

Cole growled. "How did you get things so wrong? Where were you when my father was bashed and my brother nearly kidnapped?"

"I understand you're upset - "

"You know nothing about me."

"I have a father, too," Judge pressed on. "A man I respect and would give my life for. Instead of locking horns, Cole, let's work together to put the people responsible away."

Cole looked set to pounce when Guthrie cut in.

"Cole, you have my blessing to bring Brandon in. Tell him he can have anything he needs. But on one condition. He works with Jeremy. He did, after all, save my life that night."

As if she were oblivious to it all, Eloise sidled up closer to Cole. "It's been a long day. Need a drink?"

Cole grunted, "What I need is a club."

Regardless of injury, Guthrie got to his feet. "That's enough, son. Nothing more can be done here today. Go home. We'll talk again tomorrow."

Cole lifted his chin. "I'm seeing Tate before I go."

He took Taryn's hand and, plowing on past Judge, led her through that room, down a long corridor and up a level where they finally entered a room without knocking.

A uniformed man stood inside the door. Now one hand flew to his holster. Taryn covered her mouth to smother the gasp while, at the center of the room, a young fair-haired boy turned his head. Tate's face burst into a deep-dimpled smile. He threw down his game controller and ran full speed up to them. He flung out his arms at the same time Cole scooped him up and held him tight. Taryn thought she saw moisture at the corners of Cole's closed-tight eyes while the policeman answered a call on his two-way: Judge passing on to expect the eldest of the Hunter boys soon.

Still hugging Tate close, Cole's voice was thick when he asked, "How you doing, kiddo?"

"I got a scratch on my knee, Cole, but it doesn't hurt." Tate wound back and looked over. "Who are you?"

"I'm Taryn. It's good to meet you."

Tate spoke again to his big brother. "She's pretty. Are you staying for dinner?"

"Not tonight, chum." Cole set Tate down but stayed crouched so they could talk eye to eye. "There's no need to be scared, okay?"

"I'm not scared. Not anymore. But I still wish you could stay." Tate's mouth swung to one side then he leaned closer and whispered, "Daddy says I might get to fly over to see Dex or Wynn for a while."

"How do you feel about that?"

"Good, so long as it's Dex."

"Why Dex?"

"Coz he lives right near Disneyland and he's always saying on the phone he wants to take me."

Cole chuckled and in that moment Taryn felt a large measure of his tension drain away. Her aunt said that blood was always thicker than water. He might grumble about his brothers in California and New York, but Cole would trust them to look after the person he loved perhaps more than anyone in the world. That said a lot.

Cole ruffled Tate's hair. "Go finish your game."

"I'd better go wash up for dinner."

"You hungry?"

Tate beamed up. "I'm always hungry."

Laughing, Cole stooped to give Tate another bear hug then, together, she and Cole walked down that hall. But he didn't take the turn that led back to the sitting room they'd left. Instead they found their way out via another route. A couple of minutes later they were buckled up in his car, leaving the estate and its majesty behind.

His gaze on the road and mouth drawn tight, Cole said, "Thanks."

"What for?"

"For leaving the island to be here with me today. I know how much getting the most out of that survey meant to you."

Taryn was taken aback by the sincerity in his voice, by the vulnerability in his face. To save herself from sounding too moved, she almost quipped, Sure. You owe me one.

But she was happy she'd