Page 37 of Defiance
Chapter 7
Cole tilted his face up to the sky and closed his eyes.
It might’ve only been a few days, but it seemed like forever since he’d felt the sun on his skin and the wind ruffle his hair. A smile curved his lips, unable to help himself, despite having an audience.
This part of the gardens at the McKillan pack house weren’t huge or anything, not compared to the land that surrounded it, but there was grass and flowers and so many different scents he was almost dizzy with it. Being cooped up inside with only Aaron and Logan for company, Cole had forgotten how many different smells there were out in the world.
Breathing in deep, he let everything soak into his lungs, turning slowly in a circle to make the most of it and not giving a shit who was watching. Who knew when they’d let him out here again?
“Your parents’ funeral’s tomorrow.” Rich sounded bored, as though he was reading out a bus timetable.
Cole spun round to stare at him at the same time as Logan hissed, “Really? You couldn’t have told us that before now? What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Rich glared at him. “Paul told us this morning just before we came over to get you. Anyway,” he added, eyes narrowing, “why do you care?”
Logan opened his mouth to say God only knew what, but Cole spoke before things could escalate. “Am I allowed to go?” Holding his breath as he waited for Rich’s answer, Cole forced himself to keep eye contact.
“Yes. But like today, you’ll have us four with you.” He glanced over at Logan, lips stretching into a grin. “We’re there as backup only. Paul says you and Aaron are in charge of Cole. If he runs or tries to escape, the blame stops with you two.”
“Of course it does,” Logan muttered, sharing a look with Aaron. “We’d expect no less,” he added, making Smith smirk.
Cole ignored them all, chest weirdly tight all of a sudden, even though he knew it wasn’t actually his parents they were burying tomorrow.
But it might be somebody else’s.
They had to get the bodies from somewhere.
He’d not given it much thought before now, too caught up in his own escape. How very fucking selfish of him.
Whoever was in the coffins instead of his mum and dad might’ve had family grieving them. Did they know this was happening? Had the bodies been stolen?
Jesus.
Cole felt a little sick at the thought.
He wanted to ask Logan if he knew but wasn’t sure he wanted an answer.
“What time tomorrow?” he asked Smith instead. “And has someone informed my brother and sister? Are they going?”
“The hospital will have informed next of kin,” Logan said, voice soft.
Cole thought about all the friends his mum and dad had who worked there or at neighbouring hospitals.
Did they know what really happened? Were they involved in the cover-up?
Whether they were or not, he’d bet they were suspicious. Especially after what his mum had said.“You’re not the only one whoknowspeople...”
And a lot of those friends would probably be there tomorrow.
As well as Cole’s sister and brother.
And Nick.
Cole rubbed a hand over his face, hoping it came off as him being upset, not terrified. He was going to have to face everyone and lie through his teeth with two of Paul’s team watching and listening to his every move.
Hopefully Cath and Mark would’ve figured out the truth about their parents. And even if they hadn’t, one look at Cole and they’d know.
But Nick? He’d have no clue that any of it was fake, and he’d be devastated.
