My blood runs cold as I remember."You mean that box with the dress and the picture of me with blood coming from my eyes?"
His face turns serious, almost reverent."The red was meant symbolically for the passion pouring out of your beautiful emerald irises."
Bile rises in my throat at his disturbing explanation.God, he's even more psychotic than I thought.
Suddenly, David's demeanor shifts, rage contorting his features."That bastard disturbed our first date!If you hadn't interrupted that night at Six-Pack, she would have danced with me, and she would have fallen in love with me!"His voice rises with each word, echoing off the concrete walls."But you always want what's mine!I let you get away with it then, but not this time."
The fevered intensity in David's stare as he glares at Cole makes my palms slick with sweat.There's something deeper here, a hatred that goes beyond simple jealousy.Cole's narrowed eye tells me he's just as confused by David's words.
I force myself to take a step toward the glass, keeping my voice soft, non-threatening."I'm sorry to ask, but what did Cole do to you the first time?"
David's head snaps away from Cole.He starts pacing, mumbling to himself, fingers twitching at his sides.When his head whips back toward me, my breath catches.His grey eyes have transformed into something terrible – like suffocating smoke rising from an inferno.
"That man destroyed my family!"
I watch Cole from the corner of my eye, see him struggling to make sense of this accusation.Since he can't speak, I have to keep David talking.His flaring nostrils warn me to tread carefully.
"I don't understand.How did Cole destroy your family?"
"That bastard took my father!"David's voice cracks with raw pain.
"What?Who is your father?"
David's unblinking gaze fixes on Cole, hatred radiating from every pore."Jeremy is my father."
My hands fly to my chest as the world tilts sideways.Dear god.The kind, gentle housekeeper who practically raised Cole...is this psychopath's father?
The revelation seems to unlock something in David.Words pour out of him, dripping with candy-sweet loathing."I was ten when he started working for the wealthy Walker family.Every night he'd come home talking about the talented Walker boy.For years, I had to hear stories about how smart he was, how special."
He runs a trembling hand through his hair."My father pretended to love us, but it was all lies.He was just waiting for his chance to get rid of us.When Gregory Walker died, he took it.He dumped my mother in a mental hospital, told my sister and me she had a disorder."His laugh turns bitter."But that was a lie too.My mom was fine.The real reason?He wanted Cole as his son and Mrs.Walker as his wife."
I risk a glance at Cole, see the shock in his face as pieces of a puzzle he never knew existed fall into place.
"I cut that bastard from my life," David continues, his voice taking on a dreamy quality as his attention shifts back to me."For years, I was okay.But then...then I found you.You looked so stunning dancing in that red dress.I knew you were mine the moment I saw you."
His expression darkens."Buthehad to interrupt our conversation.Whenheforced me to leave, I waited outside.Watched you leave.Then he walked out, and something about him seemed familiar.When I realized he wasthefucking Cole Walker..."David's hands clench into fists."I knew he was doing it again.Trying to steal what's mine, just like he stole my father."
The tension in the room is suffocating.Cole stares at David with his one good eye, comprehension and horror dawning in equal measure.I have to defuse this somehow.
I press my palm against the glass, drawing David's attention."I'm sorry for what happened to your family, David."Every word feels like swallowing glass, but I force them out."But maybe you should remove the tape from Cole's mouth.Let him speak.Let him explain."
"I don't need his explanations!"David snarls."Everything from his mouth is a lie!"
The hatred hanging in the air is thick enough to choke on.I try again, making my voice as gentle as possible."Please, David.I would like to hear what Cole has to say for himself."
David studies me, and I see the moment his expression changes.My use of 'please' seems to please him – he likes this show of submission.
"Fine," he coos, suddenly tender.
Acid burns in my throat as I force a smile.Suck it up, Alisha.Make him believe you're on his side.It's the only way out of this hellhole.
"Thank you so much, David."
David grabs the remote, pushes a button, and Cole's door unlocks with an ominous click.As he turns toward Cole's cell, I catch my love's eye.His glare is intense, warning.I shape my hands into a heart, praying he understands – trust me, play along.His slight nod sends relief coursing through me.
David stalks into Cole's cell like a predator approaching wounded prey."You only talk with my permission.Otherwise, I'll put this back to shut you up.Is that clear?"
Cole's jaw muscle jumps, but he nods.David yanks the tape off with deliberate force, ripping away bits of Cole's facial hair.My heart clenches as Cole's tongue darts over his cracked, bloody lips.
