father. He was told to be on his best behavior, at least to be a good example for Abbott. I don’t need to deal with him on top of everything else right now. “Bella, this is my dad, you can call him Red. Everyone does, including me.” I let go of Bella’s hand and move to my daughter, swinging her up into my arms and planting a kiss on the side of her head. “And this is my Abbott.”
Bella might be tough as nails but one thing she’s not is rude. “Abbott. You’re more of a beauty in person than any picture your father has shared. It’s lovely to meet you. You, as well, Red.”
Abbott wraps her arms around my neck tighter than she normally does. “She talks funny.”
I pull her to keep her from choking me. “Bella is British. She’s from England. I explained yesterday and showed you on the map how far it is from Virginia.”
“I’m English,” Bella corrects me the way she’s done from the day we met. “I’m from England, so I’m English.”
Abbott goes on like Bella isn’t standing here in front of us. “She still talks funny.”
“It’s okay,” Bella excuses Abbott. “I suppose I do sound funny.”
Red pipes in, “My granddaughter is used to redneck speak.”
I sigh even though it’s the truth since Red is helping raise her.
“Let’s get Bella into the house. She needs to get off her feet.” I set Abbott down and she turns for the front door, her hair flying after her as she runs away. Despite my attempts to prepare her for this moment, she’s just as pissy as I expected.
“Well, this is going to be loads of fun,” Bella mumbles.
I shake my head. The bullet didn’t seem to nick her sarcasm. It’s as strong as ever.
“She’ll come around.” I hold my hand out to help her up the stairs. She takes it, which means she must need a pain pill.
“Give me a couple of days and I’ll be out of everyone’s hair,” Bella says.
“Good to hear,” Red belts. “Cole told me this could be a permanent thing.”
“I’ve had about enough of you.” I glare at Red as I get Bella through the door. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was casing the place to break into later. I should know, I’ve done it a thousand times—at times with her by my side. Those days were the best—way better than today. “I’ll get your bag after we get you settled. You can wear my T-shirts and sweats until I can get you some clothes.”
I veer Bella to my room on the main floor and Red heads to the kitchen where he grunts, “I’m doin’ it up special for the Queen tonight. Weenies and beans!”
I barely get Bella to the threshold of my bedroom when she grits under her breath, “The Queen? He hates me, Cole.”
I lean in and put my lips close to her ear. “He doesn’t hate you. I swear.”
She yanks her hand from mine. “That’s hard to believe, but I hate you right now. I need a bed and a damn pain pill so I can get better and get the hell out of here.”
Chapter 4
Prison
Bella
Bangers and beans.
I’m sure it’s the worst post-surgical meal—even if it is a step up from Jell-O. I could only stomach a bit.
Between the pain, the meal, the company, and the setting, I think I’d fare better if I were captured and tortured behind enemy lines.
I never thought I’d be here—in Cole’s home, his room, his bed. The times he and I were together were the best. I was doing what I loved and had the company of a man I was trying my hardest not to fall in love with. It was all I could do to live in the moment because looking to the future was not an option.
And this is why.
I knew his story and how I’d never fit into it beyond our stolen moments between assignments. Doing what we do for a living is complicated enough without a child’s wellbeing at stake. He’s a single father, doing his best to navigate the rocky relationship with Abbott’s mum for the good of their shared daughter, no matter how that child came to be in this world of horrid adults.
Cole was always upfront and honest about Abbott’s mum. Tabitha Malley is proof Cole Carson isn’t as powerful as he seems. The man whose home I’m currently held hostage in usually has instincts as sharp as an ax. But it