by Riley, Alexa
“She’s in trouble and I’m going to help her,” I say simply, and they all look at me like I’m crazy. “She had no idea what Monte was up to and they were just using her for the drop. You all know as well as I do that she can’t go home now and she certainly can’t go back to Monte empty-handed.”
“What makes you think she’s telling the truth?” Track takes a step toward us and I can feel Jules moving slightly behind me.
I’ve never felt so protective of anything before and it’s instinct alone that drives me to step in front of her.
“Watch yourself,” I warn, and Track looks at me in surprise. “I believe what she’s telling me is the truth, and you of all people should know that I can smell bullshit a mile away.” He thinks about it for a second before he looks around me to her and then back to me.
“Tell me you’re getting her as far away from here as possible once this is over,” he says, and the thought of never seeing Jules again causes a tightness in my chest I don’t understand.
I look back over my shoulder before facing him and nodding. “Of course,” I answer, but as soon as the words are out of my mouth I know they are a lie.
“Then let’s get this taken care of and get the hell out of here,” Walsh commands to the room and everyone gets to work.
I go into the kitchen and get Jules a soda and a pack of crackers. She needs the sugar after her crash earlier and I need to get food in her. It’s not much, but it’s something for now until I can get us out of here.
We spend the next six hours sorting the cash into bags and labeling them where they’re supposed to go.
At one point I give Jules my jacket and she sleeps on the love seat next to the fire for a while. Every now and then I look over at her and sometimes I catch her looking at me and then pretending to sleep. I wink at her and she smiles, though she tries to fight it.
“Hey, buttercup, it’s time to roll.” I look out the window and see the sun is going to be up in about an hour or so and we need to be gone before then. The coals of the fire have long gone cold and we’ve cleaned the cabin of all traces of us. It’s not likely anyone would ever find this place, but it’s better to be safe.
“How can it take so long to split all that money between you guys?” she asks as she yawns and stands up.
I laugh and shake my head. “We’re not that bad at math.” I pretend to be offended as I take her hand again and we walk outside.
My jacket is still wrapped around her as I help her into the passenger seat and turn on the heat when I get into my side.
“What took you so long then?” she persists.
“We had to divide it up between a lot of people, not just our share. The guys took back their losses when the factories shut down. They only took what was owed to them and enough to cover their families. The rest of the money was split between families in our neighborhood that were affected the same way and then the local owners who were put out of business by Monte’s crew.”
“Seriously?” Her voice is disbelieving and I look over at her and smile.
“Seriously,” I confirm. “We also have a stack that’s going to the local law enforcement and the mayor because we need to grease the wheels, but also because they’re local people too and they put their lives on the line for that piece of shit. It’s not what you’d call legal, but it’s the reason we stole it.”
“Holy shit, you’re like a hot Robin Hood,” she says and then presses her lips together like she shouldn’t have said it.
“No, please. Tell me more about how hot you think I am.” She rolls her eyes as I pull into a fast food drive-through and order about ten things off the menu.
“Shut up,” she says, and I pay for our food and hand her the bags. “Thank you, by the way.”
She hands me a breakfast sandwich and I eat it in three bites as she laughs next to me and eats hers.
“I’m a growing boy.” I shrug and the sound of her laughter makes that funny feeling in my chest happen again.
“So, tell me, Cooper,” she says, taking a sip of her drink. “What are you going to do with your cut of the money?”
“Oh, that’s easy, buttercup,” I answer as I look over at her. “I didn’t take any.”
Chapter Five
Jules
“You didn’t take any?” I repeat his words, making sure I’m understanding him right. Every man I’ve ever met wants something out of whatever they’re doing and it’s always for their own benefit. There has to be a catch.
“Monte’s dirty hands haven’t touched me yet. He’s either scared of me or biding his time.”
He takes a giant bite of his breakfast sandwich and I do the same to mine as I let his words sink in. I’m trying to wrap my mind around all of this. I’ve met too many shitty men to believe I’ve been kidnapped by one of the good ones. If something is too good to be true, it likely is. I should have remembered that when Monte hired me. I let his grandpa-ish exterior fool me. With Warren I let his family name and fancy suits fool me, too. I couldn’t let his charming persuasiveness get to me, but maybe it’s three strikes and you’re out. I’m playing with fire and I’m going to get burned. I won't even be one of those girls in a missing persons report because no one would report me missing.
“So you’re doing all this to take him down and he can't come for your business next?” I hedge, wanting more information. I don’t know why I care because my plan is still escape. What does it matter what Cooper is up to? I’m not sticking around to see if it’s all bullshit or not and I’m hoping to be long gone before Monte gets a chance to find me. It isn’t safe for me to be here even though Cooper said he would protect me.
The problem is too many people know where I am now and things aren’t a secret if even one person knows. I could tell last night a few of the men weren’t happy about me being there, but they didn’t challenge Cooper over it for more than a second. That meant they either respect him or fear him and I’m not sure which one I’m in favor of at the moment.
I should be scared, but for some crazy reason after last night and stealing peeks at Cooper, I’m not afraid of him. All night, every time I opened my eyes I’d see his gaze flick over to me. I was wondering if he was checking on me because he truly cared or he kept waiting for me to make a run for it.
“That’s part of it, yeah. But he fucked with my brothers and their families so that means he fucked with me.”
There’s so much conviction in his words and I don’t understand that kind of loyalty to people, blood related or not. I lived in a world where it was everyone for themselves and when I tried to reach out for help it got me nowhere. Sometimes it made things worse and it’s another reminder that I’m the only one who can save me. No matter how nice Cooper’s words sound about helping others because he wanted to, I’ve heard too many lies planted in hope before. I know Cooper shouldn’t have to pay for the mistakes other men have made, but he kidnapped me and it doesn't look as though he’s letting me go anytime soon.
I know for a fact that the mayor of Chicago helped Warren get away with dirty shit all the time. He looked the other way and pretended I was some crazy woman making things up. Cooper is paying off here, but it doesn't make me feel any better about my well-being.
The only place I ever called home helped Warren get away with the things he did. My biggest regret in all this is I might have run away but someone else could be his next target. That’s if he has stopped chasing me. Men never do well with things they want being taken away from them. My guess is he’s still looking for me and it shouldn’t make me feel relieved, but he doesn’t need to mess with another woman’s life. As much as it eats me up inside I have no idea how to fix it. If I did, I wouldn’t be in a brand new mess. Everything around me keeps stacking up higher and higher and I don’t have a band of brothers to stand by me like Cooper does. I’m all alone and it’s something I’ve grown used to.
“You need to eat more. All you had last night were crackers.” He lifts another breakfast sandwich from hi
s bag and hands it to me.
“What now? Are we going to drive in circles again?” I try to hold back a smile when he winks at me. Damn those green eyes. “You could take me to the bus stop and I could be out of everyone’s way in no time,” I suggest, knowing what he’s going to say.
“I’m not real sure.” He lets out a long sigh and it’s then I realize he hasn't slept. “I guess I’m taking you home.”
“Like, to your house?” I swallow because this isn't the city. I’m guessing we aren't going to some apartment or condo because most people live in houses around here. The farther we drive, the closer we get to the warehouse district. “Where do you live?”
“Work.” He says it with a laugh.
It’s the weekend and no one is around here today. The normally busy streets are empty.
“As in, where you work? You live there?” I take a bite of my sandwich and I feel the wave of exhaustion hit me as well. I slept some, but I could still use a nap. I spent my time last night dozing off, watching Cooper, and thinking about how I was going to get away. It made my sleep restless and everything is starting to catch up to me. The warm food in my stomach doesn’t help with keeping me alert and awake.
“Yeah, kind of own the place,” he says nonchalantly.
We pull up to a warehouse and the sign outside reads “Cooper Inking” in big letters. I’ve heard the name before and it only takes me a second to realize he’s the other ink company left standing. Only he and Monte are left to run the show. No wonder he didn’t take a cut. He doesn’t need it. He might not be some crazy millionaire, but he has to be doing well if he owns this place. Monte makes bank and his place isn’t as big as this one.
Cooper hits a button and one of the large bay doors for trucks opens. He pulls in and hits the button again so it closes behind us.
“Home sweet home,” he says, hopping out of the car before coming around to open my door for me. He holds out his hand and I take it on instinct. I should push past him but instead his hand wraps around mine in a warm hold and I follow him willingly.
I look around inside the quiet warehouse and I can imagine what it’s like when it’s filled with over a hundred people each day when it’s open. At Monte’s I never go into the warehouse and instead stay toward the front in the office.
“Do you really live here or is this where you’re going to keep me?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
Maybe he doesn't want to take me home and for all I know that’s where he has a wife and two kids. The thought makes my stomach turn.
“Sadly, I live here. I had a place but I was never there, so I had my mom move into it.” He shrugs. “You’ll have to share a room with me, but I think we’ve established you think I’m hot, so this won’t be a hardship.” His crooked smile is so damn sexy I have to look away from it.
He pulls me with him past the rows and rows of giant metal containers that I know can mix multiple barrels of ink at a time. This place puts Monte's to shame.
“So it’s only you and Monte now?” I ask, not watching where we’re going. I’m trying to take in everything else.
“Yeah, he’s greedy. We need more than two inking companies and as you can see I’m big enough.” His words sound tired as he says them. “This is the first weekend I haven't had this place working overtime in months.” He shakes his head. “Watch your step.”
He nods toward the ground, and I look down to see we are about to go up metal steps. I follow him up and his hand still holds mine as he uses the other to unlock a door. He pulls me in with him and locks the door behind him. I walk over to the giant glass window that overlooks the whole factory below before Cooper pulls a thick curtain to cover it.
“You don't want to grow bigger?”
“No, I’m big enough. I already work too damn much as it is.” His laugh is a little self-deprecating. “Other people can have companies too; I don’t have to be the only one.”
I look around his office and see there are piles of folders and invoices all over his desk. My gaze flicks back to Cooper as he pulls his shirt off over his head and my eyes widen as I take in his broad, muscular chest. I don't think he’s working behind that desk much. Jesus, he’s hot. I guess if I’m being held against my will, at least it’s a nice view.
“I’m tired, buttercup,” he tells me. “I need sleep, but I can’t chance you trying to take off.”
“What does it matter? I’m not going to run to Monte and tell him it was you that took his money.” I don’t say “stole” this time. Besides, I think we all know at this point Monte wants me dead. I guess Cooper thinks I’m still with Monte, but we’re both only going off the other’s word at this point. “I just want to get the hell out of Dodge.”
Maybe I can still make it back to my place. I don't have much of a choice because I need my money if want out. How else am I going to get a train or bus ticket out of here? I have a feeling that might not be an option.
“It matters because you’ll get yourself killed.” My eyes leave his bare chest to lock with his. Is that really his concern?
“Not that I might tell Monte it was you?” I ask, and he shakes his head. He reaches for a shelf on the wall and I watch as he pulls it down, revealing a bed.
“I need some shut-eye,” he says, lying down and patting the bed next to him.
I can't believe it, but I move over to the bed and lie down with him. I feel bad because I know he needs sleep and I probably need it, too. Maybe once I get some I can get my head on straight.
I’m on my side and I begin to freeze when he pulls a blanket over me then wraps his big body around mine.
“This way I’ll know if you try and leave.” He throws his leg over me, too, and I’m trapped below him. I use the word “trapped,” but God does it feel nice having him pressed into me. He buries his face into my neck and his warm breath is against my skin. “I’ll keep you safe,” I think I hear him say before sleep takes me under.
Chapter Six
Cooper
I’m dreaming about Jules and me being snowed in at a cabin in the middle of nowhere. She’s naked under a blanket with fur and just as she’s about to pull it back and show me her body I jerk awake.
I realize then I’m on my back with my hand stuffed down my pants and Jules isn’t in the bed next to me. She’s on the other side of the room sitting at my desk, but she’s watching me with her mouth open.
I’m so stunned that she hasn’t tried to run away and by the fact that my hand is wrapped tight around my thick dick that I just lie there frozen in place.
“I couldn't sleep any longer.” Her voice is soft and I watch as she licks her lips. “I thought I would help you do some of the paperwork. I learned how and I’m pretty good at it, and it’s obvious you need someone to do it.”
She’s rambling nervously and I can’t find the strength inside of me to take my hand off my cock. The dream was too fucking good and now I wake up with her in front of me, warm and in the flesh. Having her soft curves next to me brought forward all the fantasies I’ve been suppressing since I first saw her.
“You were still sleeping pretty hard and I didn’t want to wake you up because I knew you needed it.” She licks her lips again and my hand glides up and down my length involuntarily. Her breath catches, but she doesn’t look away as she watches my every move. “Do you want some privacy?”
“No,” I say, and my voice is gravelly and unused with sleep. A grunt escapes me as I thrust up into my hand and squeeze the base of my cock.
What I want to do is push my pants down and jack off like I would if I was here by myself, but something about Jules is so innocent and sweet that I can’t do that. Not yet. I don’t want to scare her away and I can see in her eyes that she’s curious.
“Come sit on the bed.” My directions are firm and my words are clear. To my great pleasure she stands up from my desk and slowly walks over.
She’s hesitant as she looks down at it and I can sense her unease starting to creep in.
“It’s
okay, buttercup. I’m not asking you to step in and play, just have a seat and watch me.”
She nods slowly as she sits down on the edge of the bed and faces me. My hand begins to work up and down inside my pants and she watches me as her eyes move up my bare chest. When her tongue darts out and wets her bottom lip, I groan.
“Do you like watching?” I ask as my hand squeezes harder and I try to imagine what it would be like to have her wrapped around me.
“Yes.” The word is soft but true, and I can see how much she likes it when her eyes lock with mine.
“Are you wet?” Her cheeks flush and I smile, already knowing the answer.
“Yes.” She tucks her chin and looks away, but she can’t do it for long.
She’s peeking over at me though her lashes and I can tell she has questions of her own.
“I dreamed about you,” I offer and her mouth falls open again.
“Liar.” She narrows her eyes and I shake my head.
“You were by the fire like last night, but you were naked under a blanket.” My breath catches when I see her fingers dig into the sheet on the bed and she leans closer. “That’s why I woke up like this.”
“Because of me?” Her voice is disbelieving and I reach out with my free hand and take hers.
“Because of you,” I confirm, threading my fingers through hers, and I keep jerking off with my other one.
Cum leaks out and I use it to lube myself up as I climb closer to my orgasm.
“I don’t know what to say.” Again her voice is so soft and shy, but it only gets me hotter.
“You don’t have to say anything. Just let me look at you.” My eyes move down her neck and to her chest, where I see her breasts pushing against the silk blouse she’s wearing.
To my utter shock she reaches up and unbuttons the front a little and holds it out for me to peek inside. The peach lace is delicate against her tanned skin and it’s so soft and feminine. It’s such a simple show of herself, but somehow it feels like she’s baring it all to me. The hint of what’s to come is too much and I growl as I release into my hand.
