Cole stayed quiet and watched me as I complained. He remained silent until I finished venting.
"Are you done?" He asked, looking at me.
"What?" I huffed. How dare he?
Cole sighed and squatted before me again; he took my hands and held them.
He locked eyes with me and said, "I don't want you to get hurt because I care about your safety. I don't want to be a fool; I'd rather do this than remain in hiding."
"Gavin offered that I work here for the time being; I accepted it as my punishment for breaking out of prison. I would rather do this than stay in hiding. I was scared when I couldn't reach you. Do not blame me. I was so worried that I couldn't sleep; I needed to know if you were okay."
"I thought you were being punished for what I did; I couldn't stand it and had to come out of hiding. As for the money you gave me, it's still with me. I haven't spent it. I'll return it before you leave."