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you re not telling me. He sounded desperate, and the pain in his voice was like a fist twisting in my
gut. My head s a fucking mess. He sighed, his voice lowering to a rumble. I miss you.
Frozen, his words like a vise squeezing my lungs, I couldn t say anything in return.
Marco waited a while.
Then he hung up.
I dropped my head, wondering why I suddenly felt like a coward. I miss you too, I whispered.
CHAPTER 20
A
week later school had resumed and it felt good to have something to bury myself in again. Morning
classes had gone quickly and I d now settled at my desk to do marking while I had a free period.
When the phone rang I didn t think anything of it. I answered it and got Neil at Reception.
Hannah, we ve got a Cole Walker at Reception for you.
Wondering what the hell he was doing there, I tried not to let my mind race with the worst
possibilities. Send him up.
I put the phone down and quickly scrambled through my bag for my own phone. Had something
happened to Jo? She was past due and maybe&
It seemed to take forever for my phone to come on and when it did I had no new messages or missed
calls. I shoved it back in my bag just as Cole came through my doorway and slammed my door shut.
Slowly, nervously, I stood up.
Cole was furious and I had not a clue as to why. What s going on?
The muscle in his jaw flexed while he looked me over, seeming beyond frustrated and angry. I
bumped into Suzanne half an hour ago.
My stomach dropped.
Marco has a family? he asked in disbelief. A kid? A wife?
No. I hurried toward him in denial. He has a son& Cole, we can t do this here.
Just tell me what s going on and I ll leave.
I wasn t sure I could get through an explanation that would work without breaking down, but I
attempted it. I found out that Marco got someone pregnant when he came back to Edinburgh four
years ago. She was an old friend of his. They re not together. But they have a three-year-old son.
He frowned at me in confusion. You broke up with Marco because he has a child?
The incredulity in his voice made my anxiety spike even more, but I nodded, hoping my expression
didn t give me away.
Unfortunately, the trembling in my hands did. Cole caught the shaking as he scrutinized me from top to
bottom, and as soon as he saw it, he stiffened. Understanding flitted through his eyes and he pinned me
to the spot with the force of his realization. It was him, he said hoarsely. Renewed fury roiled in his
gaze. It was fucking him. You lied? It was him! He got you pregnant and fucked off!
Cole
But he was already marching out of the room.
Panicked, not sure what he might do, I grabbed my bag and ran out of the classroom after him,
struggling in my stupid heels. By the time I caught up to him he was striding across the parking lot
toward his beat-up old car and he was talking on his phone to someone.
Cole! I shouted, but he ignored me and got in his car. Shit. I hurried after him, chasing him as he
pulled out of the school gates. As soon as I hit the main road, I scanned the street for a taxi.
My phone rang. It was Adam.
My gut told me to answer it.
Hannah, what s going on? Adam demanded. Cole just called to ask what site Marco is working
on. He sounds beyond pissed off.
Seeing a cab, I threw my hand out, grateful when it slowed. My heart was racing frantically in my
chest. Adam, he s about to do something really stupid. Where is he going?
Adam gave me the site address and as I jumped into the cab, I relayed it to the driver.
Hannah, what is going on? Adam repeated.
I need to go. I hung up, turning my panicked attention to the driver. Please, get me there as fast as
you can. It s an emergency.
I ll try my best, love.
I jumped out of that cab at the site entrance ten minutes later and I heard the commotion before I saw
it. As I hurried around the office cabins, my heart plummeted at the sight before me.
Marco had Cole by the throat, his face twisted in anger. He thrust Cole away, but Cole barely
staggered back before he swung out and clipped Marco in the face with his fist. There were two
workers standing behind them, not doing much to stop them, and I could see more running toward the
scene.
Marco punched Cole and suddenly I was in action.
Stop! I screamed, running toward them, pushing past the crew that was gathering. Cole, stop i
Cole s elbow slammed into my head as he pulled back his arm in preparation to punch. The pain burst
down the side of my face, dazing me, and I stumbled back, feeling hands on me, steadying me.
I blinked, trying to refocus, and when I did, I saw Cole staring at me in horror and an enraged Marco
behind him, ready to lunge.
No! I pushed past Cole and collided with Marco, pressing my hands to his chest. Marco, please,
I pleaded.
Marco s handsome features were stretched tight, his jaw clenched hard. I could tell he didn t want to
stop, but he did, taking a step back in silent acquiescence.
Head throbbing, heart pounding, legs trembling, I spun around to placate Cole. I ignored the men who
had gathered around us. He doesn t know, Cole. He doesn t know.
Cole s nostrils flared. He still fucking left you.
Yeah. He did. But everything else& he doesn t know.
I don t know what? Marco asked impatiently behind me.
My shoulders tensed. I d never wanted this moment to come.
Cole opened his mouth to speak.
Don t you dare, I snapped.
He needs to know.
Feeling nauseated at the prospect I replied, And now he will. But I ll be the one to tell him.
Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on here? Marco growled.
And me.
I turned my head at the unfamiliar voice. A tall man wearing a hard hat and a yellow safety jacket
over a suit was glowering at Cole.
You want to tell me why you attacked one of my men on a worksite?
I d like to know the same thing.
That voice was familiar. I blanched as Braden and Adam emerged through the crowds of men. They
stopped by the guy in the suit, who I presumed was Marco s site manager. Braden and Adam looked
harried. Their eyes blazed with annoyance as they took in Cole and Marco, but their expressions
turned concerned when their gazes fell upon me.
Mr. Carmichael? The site manager looked surprised. I didn t know you were planning a visit
today. I can assure you this has never happened before.
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