SO COLD (18+) currently editing

Chapter 67.6

SO COLD

My first instinct had been to elbow Cole in the face or gut and wrench myself away. His touch was unexpected and most definitely, unwanted. His arm tightened as I attempted to wiggle out of his forceful hold and with his spare hand, he tugged off my paintball mask and tossed it at a cloaked standing figure at the end of the hallway who caught it with ease. I reached for a dart in the pocket of my combat trousers to stab Cole with only for Cole to flatten me against the wall and wrench my arm behind my back. "Act recklessly and I'll imprison you in my house once more," he threatened harshly in my ear, bristly jaw rubbing against my cheek. "What the fuck are you doing here, Shay? You told me you were going to your uncle's house."

"I got lost," I shifted my hips slightly as he searched my pockets for stolen ammunition with the touch of an ungentlemanly brute. "And I got hungry. I broke in for some snacks. I found some grapes in the fridge and boxes of nuts. Would you like some?"

Satisfied with robbing me of the stolen weaponry I had taken from his storage, he flipped me around and pressed his hips into mine, holding onto my wrists and growling irately. "This isn't the time for jokes. You're leaving with me – now. Pick Irvin up, James. We've done our job."

"Finley's quiet." James furrowed his brow, concerned, walking out of the study. An unconscious Irvin had been thrown over his shoulder. "Find him and report back, Svetlana."

The masked figure with my paintball mask under her arm nodded and as she passed by me, she shoved my headgear into my chest roughly and snapped irately. "The next time you shoot Giant, make sure he stays down. Fucking idiots." Her rage was fiery and she knocked shoulders as she barged past, running up the stairs swiftly. I heard her curse, likely stumbling upon the unconscious figures of the unknown man and the girl.

I pulled on my mask, concealing my grimace and dreading the verbal lashings I was going to receive in the next hour. "I have my own transport. I'll meet you at your house." I said to Cole in the hopes of avoiding a tense car ride.

He scoffed softly, cruel eyes slanted and gripped my forearm. "You're out of your fucking mind. You're coming with me. Take her keys, James. Tell everyone to get going. I want this place cleared out in the next five minutes."

"It's the van parked at the end of the road." I informed the impassive man, dropping the set of keys onto his open palm. Seconds later and Cole was jerking me out of the house and down the driveway and to a getaway car in the wintery cold wind and light rain. Shoved unceremoniously in the back of the black SUV, I landed roughly and a burst of pain skittered up my hip. "Ow!"

Trevor twisted around from where he was sat behind the wheel. Thin eyebrows were drawn down in a concerned slant over confused honey-brown eyes. "Why are you here?"

Cole sat beside me, slamming the door shut. "Drive, Trevor." He didn't throw me another glance or bother offering up an apology for his heavy hands. His phone vibrated not too long later and he answered. "Yeah?" His mouth pressed into a thin line as he listened to the caller on the other end. "Put the girl in her bed. Get out before the wife wakes up." He cut the call. His heavy silence sat like a weight, wedged in between the pair of us, uncomfortable and bulky.

I took off the heavy mask and sat it in the space between myself and my former lover.

Five minutes passed by with the speed of a snail. Then half an hour. Unfazed by the billowing tempers of his passengers, Trevor whistled merrily to the tune of a pop song. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel as he waited for the lights to change from red to amber. Unable to sit there any longer, I leaned forward and said. "Pull up here. I have somewhere I need to be." I didn't, I just wanted to be far away from Cole.

"Keep driving." Cole barked at Trevor.

"Pull over, Trevor." I insisted.

Cole's arm curled around my waist, pulling me into his chest.

I shoved him before he could say a word, on the other side of the car, expression twisted into rage. "Fuck off. I don't want you to touch me or to speak to me."

"What the hell is the matter with you!? I should be the one who's angry. You keep putting yourself in danger. This isn't a goddamn game. Why can't you understand that? I'm trying to keep you safe and you throw yourself out of the window at the first chance you get. You're reckless and stupid. I'm sending Irvin to live at the Farm. The two of you aren't good together. If you carry on this behaviour, you'll both end up with a bullet in your skulls."

"First you manhandle me, and then you choose to isolate me from my friends again. You're overbearing and controlling. Just fuck off!"

Unexpectedly, Trevor exhaled loudly, frustrated. "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" He slammed his foot on the brake, and brought the SUV to a sudden stop. Tearing off his seatbelt, he turned at the hip to address us. "You're always fucking fighting! It's the same SHIT over and over again! You," he jabbed an accusing finger in my direction, "are unprepared for our way of life. There were four men in the study. You didn't know that, you stumble into situations hoping on blind luck. Hope is going to get you killed. You need experience, knowledge and leadership. You're not the leader, he is. Whatever he says, goes. The men are dead. After tomorrow, your father and the mayor will be the last two bastards breathing. If you want to be the one to kill them, comply and get in line. You need to LISTEN to instructions. And YOU need to stop treating her like a fragile china doll. She can fight and she can hold a gun without you worrying she'll accidentally fire at herself. Carry on fighting and I'll create another massacre and repaint over my parents' canvas with yours. I bet you taste sweet." He ended on a soft tone, mouth twisted into a depraved grin, eyes on me. "My mommy and daddy were heading for a divorce, I grew irritated with their constant bickering and took them to their graves. You remind me of them. Don't force my hand."

"Who the fuck are you talking to, Trevor?" Cole exploded, maddened beyond control. "Get out of the fucking car. You're going in the trunk." He tore out of the vehicle.

"Thank me later," Trevor met my gaze and curled his mouth up into a devilish smile. "I want a bathtub full of blood."

The driver's door was yanked open by a furious gangbanger and Trevor was gripped by the back of his throat and pulled out. He put up a struggle that seemed half-hearted and yelled expletives, kicking the head of the trunk. Cole slammed the boot down on him and strode to the front, facial expression cold. He got behind the wheel. "Get in the front." He growled, starting up the car. "We're going to have a long talk but before that I'm going to fuck you senseless."

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Trevor would fit in well with calla and eton lol