My eyelids twitched, hard. This was definitely not a good sign.


    But even if there were trouble ahead, I had to go.


    Obviously, I wasn’t just gonna walk into it. So, I texted Steve: [Hey, I’m heading to see Cole. Keep


    an eye out, okay?]


    No response. He was probably busy training.


    Yeah, training, not sleeping in. Steve was prepping for some big tournament, and when he wasn’t


    practicing, he was doing intense workouts.


    Sleeping in just wasn’t his thing.


    I wasn’t worried, though. He’d check his phone after practice, and I had some time before I had to


    face


    Cole.


    With a deep breath, I hit the gas and drove straight to Serenity Retreat.


    When I got there, Cole’s massive Range Rover was already parked outside. He was out front, going


    through some slow exercises–either taking it seriously or just putting on a show.


    I couldn’t tell if he was really into it or just ying around, but it definitely looked better than smoking


    or staring at his phone.


    Of course, his little show also meant he’d been waiting around for a while.


    I parked and walked over quickly, apologizing as I got closer. “Sorry I’mte.”


    Cole finished his routine, let out a dramatic sigh, and smiled at me. “Waiting for a prettydy never


    feels


    long.”


    This guy was never serious. I forced a smile. “Can we go in now?”


    He raised an eyebrow. “You’re going in just like that?”


    I froze for a second, then it hit me. I came empty–handed, which wasn’t exactly polite.


    I didn’t want to seem rude, so I fumbled for an excuse, Uh, it’s so early I couldn’t find a flower shop


    open.”


    “Sure,” Cole chuckled, clearly amused by my weak cover story.


    He didn’t say anything, just raised his arm and snapped his fingers. Right on cue, someone walked


    over with a bouquet of fresh flowers.


    “I took care of it,” Cole said with a smug grin as his assistant handed me the flowers.


    I felt a little awkward but epted them anyway. “You’re really thoughtful. Thanks.”


    “I’m only this thoughtful for a prettydy,” he said, clearly impressed with himself.


    I could only go along with it. “You’re very attentive.”


    Cole raised an eyebrow. “So, you agree.”


    “Sure,” I said, though I was already mentally rolling my eyes at how much time he was wasting with


    this


    whole show.


    I cut to the chase. “Can we go in now?”


    Cole pressed his lips together. “I’m not sure how much you know about my dad, but he’s got his


    quirks. Especially over thest couple of years, since his health’s been shaky, he’s gotten even


    more… particr.”


    My mouth twitched. You don’t hear people talk about their dads like that every day.


    I knew he was trying to tell me something without actually saying it. “Just let me know what I need


    to do. I’ll make sure I’m prepared.”


    Cole nced at his watch. “My dad doesn’t meet with strangers.”


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    “So, I’m counting on you to help me out here,” I said, trying to sound as polite as possible.


    Cole cracked his neck, like he was gearing up for something. “You’re sharp, so I’ll cut to the chase.


    Your can meet my dad, but you’ll need to go in under a different identity.”


    I frowned, still not getting it. “Just spell it out for me.”