Chapter 59

Igot up late. The week had wiped me out and I was all too happy to sleep in. The house was quiet, which was something I was still getting used to after living with so many ladies. As I made my way downstairs, the smell of coffee greeted me in the kitchen. I looked around, wondering who was up. Then I quickly dismissed the question I already knew the answer to—Karen.

I poured myself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, thinking about yesterday. The fundraiser had been amazing. I was so proud of us both. Archer had worked so hard to make it a success. I smiled thinking about his dedication and passion for the cause. He was such a contradiction. Anyone that looked at him would assume he was a motorcycle-gang type of man. He might be a little rough around the edges, but the real Archer was loyal and inquisitive. His love of books impressed me. I loved his thirst for knowledge. I loved that he didn't judge books by their cover, literally and figuratively. He had a foot in two different worlds but was forging his own path. I understood he felt torn between his loyalty to Cole and his sense of right and wrong.

I wasn't quite as accepting as Archer. I wanted to know who the man was that was making my man's life difficult. Anyone that took advantage of Archer pissed me off.

Last night, I had thought about Cole and what Archer told me for a good long while. Something didn't add up. Cole came off as this nice guy, but to do what he did to Archer said he wasn't actually nice. He wasn't just some dude that found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up behind bars. I had a feeling he was a true criminal, not like Archer who made a stupid mistake.

Unable to resist the urge to do a little digging, I found myself seated by the window in the living room, my laptop open before me as I started my search for information about Cole. It didn't take long for me to uncover a trove of unsettling details about him. Most of his misdeeds were public and easy to find, but that wasn't enough for me. I wanted to do a little more digging. I grabbed my debit card and paid the twenty-five bucks to run a background check on the man.

"Holy crap," I whispered when the background check came back almost instantly.

There were multiple arrests, convictions for serious offenses including possession, assault, battery, and harassment, along with two restraining orders filed against him by former girlfriends. My heart pounded with fear and disbelief as I absorbed the extent of his criminal history. He was not just a common thief. I couldn't believe Archer had been in the same cell as him. That was terrifying. I supposed I should be glad Cole liked him. I hated to think what could have happened if he hadn't.

The realization sent a shiver down my spine. Cole was far more dangerous than I had ever imagined. He had shared a home with Archer. Did Archer know the true extent of Cole's character? Was he aware of the danger he had been exposed to? And the cousin? Did Archer really know the company Cole kept?

My hands were actually shaking as I continued to sift through the information on Cole. My mind raced with questions and doubts. I looked up more details, checking his social media, which he foolishly left open for the world to see. The man was bad news.

I couldn't believe Archer would have been willing to associate with someone like that. I couldn't believe I had been in the same house with him. I couldn't ignore the truth I had uncovered about Cole, nor could I dismiss the nagging doubts now festering.

The man I cared about was entangled in a dangerous web. I wasn't sure he fully comprehended the gravity of the situation. I couldn't imagine Archer ever willingly inviting someone like that into his home. Obviously, in prison he didn't have a choice, but this was different.

Fueled by a mounting sense of urgency, I reached for my phone and called Archer. My eyes were on the screen with the long rap sheet listed before me. There was no answer. Panic began to rise within me, telling me to try again, but still, there was nothing but silence on the other end of the line. After yesterday, I was worried. I had seen the look in Cole's eyes when he stormed away. It made me worried he wasn't finished with Archer. He knew what Archer had and he wanted it for himself.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I decided to check on Archer. I wanted to make sure everything was okay. If Cole was as dangerous as he looked on paper, I couldn't sit idly by and not warn Archer. Without a second thought, I grabbed my keys and rushed out to my car.

As I drove to Archer's house, my mind raced with thoughts of what I might find there. I felt something was wrong. Was that real? Could I feel something or was I just working myself up over nothing? Archer was a good man and he had done time. Maybe Cole had also changed. Yes, he had a violent past, but he was young—ish. I didn't want to presume to know his life and what led him to make those decisions.

I got to Archer's house but there wasn't an answer at his door. He wasn't home, but why wouldn't he answer his phone? We were supposed to meet today so I could come over and stay for a couple of days. It felt wrong.

Panic began to set in as I frantically scanned the area, searching for any sign of trouble. I got back in my car and was heading out of the driveway when I spotted another car pulling in. I glanced over, thinking maybe Archer had left with his brother or something and was now returning home.

It was Cole.

My heart leaped into my throat as I locked eyes with him, a chill running down my spine at the sight of the sinister smirk that played across his lips. He rolled down his window and shouted something, but I couldn't hear him clearly and I wasn't about to stick around and ask him what he wanted. Instinctively, I drove off, my hands trembling. I reached for my phone and dialed Archer's number once more. Why in the world would Cole be at his house?

Archer answered the phone. "Hey! I was just going to call you. You'll never guess what just happened. My father?—"

But before he could say another word, I cut him off. "Archer, Cole just pulled into your driveway," I exclaimed, my voice trembling with fear. "And now he's following me."

"What? Where are you?"

"I called and you didn't answer, so I drove over to your house to check on you," I explained. "Are you home?"

"No, I'm at my parents' house. Did you say Cole is at my house?"

"He was, but now he's following me!"

"Okay," he said calmly. "Come here. Do you remember where my parents live?"

I glanced in the rearview mirror once again. Cole was right there. My heart pounded in my chest as my mind replayed all the information I read about him. "I think so," I said. "I don't know."

"It's not far. I'll stay on the phone with you."

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. My mind raced with a million thoughts, each one more terrifying than the last. Cole following me was a nightmare come to life.

"You're okay," Archer said calmly. "Is he still following you?"

My eyes darted nervously to the rearview mirror. Cole's car loomed ominously behind me. "Yes," I replied.

Every turn, every intersection, seemed to stretch on endlessly, each passing second amplifying the fear that coiled tightly within me. I was probably driving a little recklessly, running yellow lights and not signaling when I changed lanes. I was acting like I was some kind of professional spy whipping in and out of traffic. Truthfully, I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I just wanted out of the car. I wanted Archer to be the one driving.

"I'm close," I said. "I think I see the driveway."

"I've got the gates open," he said. "I'll be waiting for you. Just get here. You're okay. It's going to be fine. He's not going to hurt you."

"Okay," I said, swallowing the lump of fear making it difficult to breathe.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I saw the open gate and had to force myself to keep from flooring it. I spotted Archer, who pointed for me to pull to the side. Everything was shaking. I felt relief, being safe and out of reach of Cole. But my relief was short-lived as Cole pulled in behind me, effectively blocking me in and preventing the gate from closing.

Panic surged through me. Cole approached my driver's side door, his face contorted with rage. He pounded on the window. "Roll it down!" he shouted.

My heart hammered in my chest. Archer raced around the front of the car. He yelled something but I didn't know what he said.

Before I could even process what was happening, Archer's fist connected with Cole's jaw. Cole went flying back several feet before falling to the cobblestone driveway. For a moment, none of us moved. I rolled down my window, ready to ask Archer what I should do next. Archer moved to stand in front of me, protecting me even though I was in the car. I didn't know what was happening, but I didn't like it.

"Archer?" I whispered.

"Stay in the car," he ordered.

I wasn't going to question him. I put the car in park and cut the engine. The silence was deafening. Archer stood protectively in front of my car, his gaze locked on Cole, who was slowly getting back on his feet. I could see the fury in Cole's eyes as he wiped the blood trickling from his split lip.

"Archer, what's going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. But Archer didn't respond, his focus entirely on Cole.

It was the calm before the storm.