Free Cole: Black Bear Outlaws #3 (Mating Fever) by Kenzie Cox Page B

knowing that because of Brian, she’d always be able to keep tabs on me. It had been a brilliant scheme to get me out of the way, right up until she’d decided I needed to disappear permanently and ordered Brian to put a hit out on me.
    That’s when things went south. Clive wasn’t a professional hitman. Hell, he’d barely been functional. Thank God. That was likely the only reason I’d survived.
    “Amberly,” Cole called from the other room.
    A small smile played on my lips as I joined him.
    He was sitting on the edge of the bed, the remote in his hand. God he was handsome—movie star quality in his sleek tux and ocean-blue tie that matched his eyes. He grabbed my hand and tugged me down to sit on his lap.
    “Hey you,” I pressed a soft kiss to his lips, trying not to smear my lipstick for the second time.
    “The verdict is in.” He waved at the television.
    I turned and caught sight of Breela and Brian sitting at the defendants’ table while the judge read the verdict.
    My body tensed, and my stomach turned at seeing their faces. How could two people be so evil? And what if they were acquitted?
    Cole squeezed my hand. “It’s going to be fine. Whatever happens, we’ll be just fine.”
    I nodded, knowing he was right.
    But when the lead juror confirmed they were both guilty on all counts, tears filled my eyes, and for once, I let them fall unchecked.
    Cole held me tight and stroked my hair as he whispered, “You’re going to have to redo your makeup.”
    I let out a choked laugh. “Who cares?”
    “You will when you see the mascara streaks all over TMZ in the morning,” he teased.
    I wiped at my eyes, horrified.
    “Relax. I was only kidding.” He winked and gently slid me off his lap as he stood. “It’s just one mascara streak.”
    A knock sounded at the door. “Are you decent?” Claire called.
    “Never,” Cole answered.
    I rolled my eyes and pulled the door open. A very pregnant Claire was dressed in a sparkling silver-beaded dress and had her blond hair piled on her head in a gorgeous updo. “Hey. What’s up?”
    She supplied a bottle of sparkling apple cider and tugged on my arm. “We’re celebrating. For those lucky enough to be able to drink, we have actual champagne on ice. Now get your asses downstairs.”
    I pulled back and patted my eyes. “Wait, I have to fix this mess.”
    “What mess? You’re fucking gorgeous,” she said. “Come on. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
    Cole shrugged and grabbed my other hand. He gave me a secret smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. “If they lady wants to celebrate, who are we to argue?”
    “That’s the spirit,” she said and took off down the stairs.
    “No,” I said to Cole, already knowing what he was thinking. “Now isn’t the time.”
    “It’s the perfect time. They’re all here. Everyone’s happy. The trial is over. And they’re going to find out sooner or later. It’s better if it comes from us and not the gossip rags.”
    “Amberly!” This time it was Katrina calling. “You’re holding up the party.”
    I shook my head, amused. “My sisters-in-law seem to be a little excited about the premiere.”
    Cole chuckled. “They’re excited all right. It’s not every day they get to meet Brad Pitt.”
    I gave him a side-eye glance as we made our way down the stairs. “You know he’s not part of the movie, right? The chances of him being there are slim.”
    “Whatever. As long as Angelina shows up, everything will be just fine.”
    I punched him in the arm.
    He laughed and slipped his hand around mine. “Come on, princess. The ladies have something for you.”
    We walked into the family room and I stopped dead in my tracks as the rest of the Doucet family yelled, “Surprise!”
    The entire room was decorated like a showcase nursery. A crib, complete with a teddy bear mobile was off to one side. The most gorgeous rocking chair sat at the edge of a brightly colored throw rug. And to top it off, there was a