The tension in the room escalated as a car door slammed shut outside, followed by the hastened approach of footsteps.
“Mum!” Cole called out just as he stepped in and came to an abrupt stop when his eyes landed on Sean and then Roman.
His half-brother snarled like a wild animal. “Where’s my mother?” he demanded.
Sean scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “Well, at least you’ve got your priorities straight.”
Roman rose to his feet, his piercing glare fixed on Cole. The intensity of his voice matched the fiery anger in his eyes. “What the hell did you hope to achieve? Were you planning to demand a ransom?”
Before Roman could finish his sentence, Cole made a sudden move, reaching for something at the small of his back. However, his attempt to retrieve whatever it was came to an abrup
