COLE

I exhaled and shook my head as I decided to be the peacekeeper—the one to push for some sort of truce.

I wouldn’t do it openly, of course, as that would indicate weakness of some sort, but given the direction this was taking, it was rather expedient.

“Liam…” I began, and he angled his head.

“Again, it’s Mr. Walker to you,” he interrupted, and I chuckled.

“You and I both know I’m not calling you that. I’d rather swallow hot coals.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” he replied, folding his arms.

“Let me finish my sentence, would you?” I remarked in a frustrated tone.

“Go on. You paid...