“It’s your call, Coop.” I hear the grit in his voice. “I’ll let you know if anything else happens.”
“Thanks.”
We disconnect the call, and I grapple with my decision. Emily’s safety is first and foremost, but she was freaked out last week to the point she almost couldn’t go on stage. My gut says that Wade can handle it and if he was concerned, he would have told her right then.
Still, if anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself.
* * * *
They extended the tour for two more months.
Not two weeks.
Two fucking months.
“I’m sorry, Coop.” Emily’s face is full of sorrow. I hate this shit. There’s no way to hide the disappointment from my face.
Her blue eyes swim with tears on my screen. “Don’t cry, baby. We’ll figure it out.”
“I just can’t quit on this tour. It would be career suicide,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear.
She’s so beautiful. All I want right now is to touch her, taste her, love her, but I have to wait.
The farm experienced a huge blow this week. Someone cut the fence, and we lost about a third of our herd. If I didn’t have to talk to another investigator today and insurance adjuster tomorrow, I would be on a plane right now.
“And I can’t come to you.”
She rests her cheek on her fist. “Any luck on the herd?”
“No. Trent hasn’t really had a crime since he’s been the sheriff so he’s no help.”
Emily laughs. “I’m sure he’s all excited to do some real police work.”
“Well, if he can call it that.”
He tries his best, but I’m thinking he got his training from watching cop shows on television. Even Wyatt makes fun of his brother half the time. I know finding whoever did it is a long shot, but replacing a third of the herd is going to cost me a fortune. Hopefully, our insurance will cover most of it.
“Hold on, honey. Someone is at the door.” Emily puts the phone down, and I hear a deep voice in the background. Her face fills the screen a few seconds later. “Wade wants to talk to us,” she says, holding the phone so I can see both of them.
This can’t be good.
It’s been five days of quiet. I’d hoped…
“We had another delivery. This time it’s a file with photos.” He clears his throat and looks directly at Em. “I want you off this bus right now.”
“What?” she asks.
Wade takes the phone from Emily. “I’ll send you an email in ten minutes. I’m going to secure Emily and then I’ll fill you in.”
Anger, fear, and nervous energy floods me, demanding I get answers now, but I nod in agreement. Emily comes first.
“Get her safe, and I’ll be waiting for your call.”
Chapter Twelve
Emily
I’m shivering. No matter how many blankets Vince and Luke wrap around me, I can’t get warm. My fingers are frozen, and I can’t breathe.
He had a video camera in my bedroom.
“You’ll stay with us,” Luke says, trying to reassure me. “We’ll add more security to your team as well. Whatever you need, Emily.”
I need Cooper.
Wade is on the phone with him now. Cooper’s too angry to talk to me. The photos were graphic. I was naked in each one. He has photos of me after a shower from two days ago. Pictures of me talking on the phone with Cooper. Pictures that, in the wrong hands, could destroy my life.
I look at Luke with tears falling down my cheek. “Why me? Why now? I haven’t done anything to anyone. I’ve never flirted or given the illusion I was lookin’ for something. I’m just tryin’ to sing.”
He wraps his arms around my shoulders and rubs a hand up and down my back. “This isn’t your fault.”
“How does this happen, Luke? How is this person getting access to my bus?”
Vince gets to his feet and starts to pace. “It’s someone on the crew.”
Luke nods. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
I curl my legs tighter to my chest and rest my forehead on my knees. There are so many guys on the crew that it could be anyone. My mind searches for anyone that stands out, but it’s just a sea of faces that all blend together. For the most part, they’re all quiet and don’t pay me much attention. My stage setup is basically nothing.
My band uses Luke’s equipment since it’s too expensive to tow our own, and I don’t have any fancy lights or backdrops.
“I should leave,” I say, wiping another tear.
“Leave?” Luke pulls back. “You can’t leave. We have two months left and you’re gainin’ traction on the radio. If you quit, what happens then?”
Not even an hour ago, I was telling Cooper the same thing. But that was before I saw those photos.
The door opens, and I jump. Wade’s eyes meet mine, his features softening as he sees my tears. “I searched the bus. We got everything.”
“I can’t…”
Wade looks at Luke with the anger back in his eyes. “I’m taking her to the bus. I’ll be interviewing everyone on this tour. There will be full cooperation from your people, right?”
Vince moves closer. Both Luke and Wade look ready to punch the other. “My people will look at the crew.”
“And if the guy we’re looking for is one of your people?” Wade’s chest puffs out. He’s much taller than Luke, and I’m pretty sure he could snap him like a twig. Luke has the good sense to consider this, but then his jaw clenches in denial and Wade digs harder. “Your team hasn’t done a damn thing to protect Emily. They’re supposedly prescreening her mail, yet this is the second package to make it through.”
“Second?” I look up. “What do you mean the second package?”
He doesn’t spare a glance at me. Wade points his finger at Luke’s chest. “I’m the lead on this from now on. Your team reports to me until we find out who this fucker is, got it?”
I stand, letting the blankets fall to the floor. “What do you mean the second package?” I yell, pushing my way between them.
“Not now.”
“I’ll give you not now! I want to know what the hell is goin’ on! Someone isn’t stalking any of you. This person is after me. None of you get to decide what information I get or not.” I glance at all three of them with frustration. How dare they keep things from me? I thought this was the first time in over two weeks.
“We’ll talk about it all later,” Wade says through gritted teeth, and he looks back at Luke.
I stare at him, waiting. “Now.”
Wade’s eyes drop to mine, and he huffs. It’s clear that he’s used to obedience, but I don’t care. I want answers. This information should never have been kept from me. “Fine. You got flowers, but I handled it, and Cooper and I agreed it was best to wait until we had something substantial.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” I spit the words at him.
Unreal.
I grab my phone and glare at Wade. “Since you and Cooper decide everythin’, why don’t I give him a call and he can tell me what exactly I’m allowed to know. You two are ridiculous.”
“Emily,” he warns, but I don’t care.
Before I can press send, a loud siren type sound blares through the radio on Wade’s belt. Panic splays on everyone’s face except his.
Wade looks calm.
Wade looks collected.
And he looks deadly as he reaches to silence the alarm without taking his eyes from me.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“Stay here.” Wade grips my shoulders. “I mean it, don’t leave this trailer. I’ll be back.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Luke says.
He doesn’t look happy, but he’s already moving toward the door. “Don’t let her out of your sight,” Wade demands and then he’s gone.
I stand here with Luke, feeling sick to my stomach. The images in the photos fill my mind.
Me standing there, looking at my phone with a
smile on my lips as I get dressed.
Just getting out of the shower, completely naked, my breasts completely in view as I pull my underwear on. Every part of me was on display for his enjoyment, and now people who never should have seen me that way now have.
“I know you’re upset.” Luke’s Southern twang breaks me from my thoughts.
“That’s an understatement.”
“Look, I promise you this is going to be handled.”
Keeping my eyes down, I release a heavy sigh. If only it were that easy. No one can put this genie back in the bottle. The truth is, I’m scared, angry, hurt, embarrassed, and so much more. All I wanted was to have people listen to my songs, not this.
“I appreciate it.”
“Luke, bring Emily to the stage! Now! Get off the fucking bus!” Someone yells as they bang on the door. I can hear people yelling to each other and fear floods my veins.
“Let’s go,” Luke urges.
“But,” I protest. Wade said to stay here. “He said…”
He grips my arm, pulling me to my feet. “What if there’s something on this bus?”
I get up willingly after he says that and let him drag me through the parking lot and closer to the stage. All the security lights are off, but just being away from the buses lets me breathe easier.
“You okay?” he asks as we climb our way to the stage.
“Not really, but what choice do I have?”
Luke nods. “I always feel better here,” he says as we reach stage left.
“What’s goin’ on out there? Do you know what the alar—” I get cut off by a loud bang.
“What the?” Luke says as he looks to where flashlights are moving around, and I can vaguely see the gate area where the majority of everyone is.
I move, trying to get a better view. “Luke? What was that?”
I swear I’m in the middle of some horrible scary movie. Lights, people yelling at each other, and it feels like it’s surrounding me.
“I don’t know. Stay here. I’m going to see if I can get some answers and I’ll be right back, okay? You’re safe. No one knows where you are but me, and I’ll tell Wade.”
“Okay.”
He runs off and I move to the only place I feel like I belong—center stage.
Just this evening I stood here, feeling like my life was close to perfect. My dreams were coming true and trouble was behind me. I wondered how long Cooper would demand Wade stay around since my stalker was gone.
I was so wrong.
My chest heaves from the run, and I look out at the vacant seats. Vast emptiness is all around me and inside me.
Wade should’ve told me.
Cooper should’ve told me.
Just the thought of his name brings back the images I was trying so hard to forget.
The next photo of me lying on the bed in Cooper’s shirt as I smile with the phone to my ear.
Moments that were mine—stolen.
I grip the phone in my hand, needing to tell him how wrong he was for keeping things from me.
Cooper answers on the first ring. “Em,” he says my name as a sigh.
“You lied to me! You kept the flowers from me, and this guy put a goddamn camera in my bedroom, Cooper! If I’d known this was still happening, I would’ve been vigilant. I thought it was over!” Tears of anger flood my vision as my emotions pour out. “I trusted you! I thought you understood that this was my problem to handle.”
He releases a heavy breath. “I was protecting you. Wade was taking care of things. Why worry you?”
I swipe the tears, but more fall. “I’m not some damsel in distress. You lied to me that everything was fine and I was safe. All the while, this man was lookin’ at me sleep, shower, and live.”
“I know, and I hate myself right now.” His voice breaks, and so does my heart.
“He…he took…” I start to fall apart. “He took everything from me! He saw me when I was raw and vulnerable. He invaded my privacy, Cooper!”
“I’ll be there in two days, Emily. I’m on a plane as soon as I finish my meeting. I’ll get back what he took from you, darlin’. No one is going to hurt you.”
I sink down to the stage and try to slow my breathing. I just got done telling him that I didn’t need him to save me, and as much as I want to call foul on myself and tell him to come, I know he’s dealing with his own mess as well. He can’t just keep dropping things to run to my side. I’m not that girl. “But the farm.”
“The farm isn’t my concern. You are.”
I love this man. I love him so much my heart can’t contain it all, but I’m so angry and confused and…lost. “I don’t know…”
“There’s nothing for you to know other than in forty-eight hours I’ll have you in my arms and no one will get close to you.”
My hand clutches the base of my neck, and I pray that isn’t a lie. I want to see him more than anything. Even in my hurt, I crave him.
I see Wade standing on the side of the stage with his arms crossed over his chest. “I’ll see you soon. Wade has a lot to fill me in on.”
“All right, darlin’. I’ll see you soon.”
I stand and pull myself together, ready to face a very pissed-off big man who could crush me. Even though I didn’t do anything wrong, his profile doesn’t scream happy or relieved.
“Em?” Cooper calls out.
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry you feel I betrayed you. I’ll never lie to you.”
Guilt wraps around my chest, squeezing tight. “I know you were only doin’ what you thought was right.”
“I love you.” Cooper’s deep rasp is laced with emotion.
“I love you, too.”
Wade moves toward me as I disconnect the call, and I brace myself for whatever he has to fill me in on. God only knows what made those alarms ring or where the hell Luke went.
“Is everything okay now?” I start as I make my way toward him, knowing nothing about this is going to be good news.
“Hello, Emily.” The deep voice that isn’t Wade’s causes my heart to plummet. “Glad I finally got you alone.”
Chapter Thirteen
Emily
“What do you want?” I take a step back as he moves closer.
“Don’t walk away, sweetheart. I’ve been waiting a long time to have your attention all to myself.” The man keeps himself in the shadows.
I pray that Luke comes back now. I grip my phone, contemplating whether I can get a call out without the man in front of me noticing.
“You and I haven’t had time alone in a while.” He hums with satisfaction. “I’ve missed you.”
I can’t place his voice. It’s familiar, but nothing is ringing a bell.
Every muscle in my body tenses, and I glance to the neon exit sign before deciding the emergency exit just off stage is closer. “You have?” I flip the phone backward to hide the light.
His silhouette shifts to the curtain a little farther back, further shielding his face. “I did, up until the last few weeks.”
My heart is pounding so hard against my chest I swear he can hear it. “What changed?” I ask and try to follow his movements, but he’s staying completely out of the light.
“I think you know, baby.”
His term of endearment makes me sick. “I really don’t.”
His chuckle is menacing. “Maybe you should call Cooper Townsend again,” he suggests.
My breathing accelerates, and I struggle to hold on to control. “Cooper?”
“Don’t play stupid,” he warns. “I know all about your new boyfriend. I was actually just in Tennessee this week...”
I can almost hear the smile in his voice. This guy is completely insane, and I’ve never been more terrified of anyone or anything in my life. “Why were you there?”
“Just checking on things...” He moves again, and I take a step back.
Nothing about what he’s saying makes sense. My hands start to shake, bile burns my throat, and I can feel the
band of tightness restricting my lungs. I have to get a call out to someone. I push the button, and the phone brightens the dark space. He makes a low, menacing sound.
“Don’t think about it,” he warns. “If you try to call for help, you’ll push me to do something drastic. Put the phone on the ground.”
My hands hold tighter, wanting to do the opposite of what he’s requesting. Now, I’m the dumb girl on television who you scream at not to listen to the attacker.
“You know, there’s a lot of things in your hometown that I never knew about. Did you know there was some big crime that happened?”
I gasp and know without him telling me that he is the one who cut down Cooper’s fencing. “Why are you doin’ this?” I ask breathlessly.
“To show you the lengths I’ll go to keep us together, baby. I’m the one you’re supposed to be with,” he says with conviction. “I’m fighting for you, Emily. He’s worried about his precious cows, and I’m here for you. He doesn’t deserve you, and I’ll keep showing you his true colors. Now, drop the fucking phone.”
My fingers release the lifeline I had, and I pray he doesn’t hurt anyone. Most of all Cooper. “Please,” I beg. “Please don’t do anything to him. You don’t have to do this.”
The man’s deep sigh filters around me. “All you have to do is see what I’m showing you. Once you get rid of him, you and I can be happy. Otherwise, you’ll piss me off, and I’ll have no choice...”
Tears begin to fall at his threats to hurt Cooper. “I’m sorry,” I say, hoping he’ll stop. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“Stop crying!” he yells, and I stagger back. “You don’t fucking cry for him in front of me.”
“I wasn’t.” The lie comes out in a broken mess of words. It’s clear that Cooper is an issue, so I change the subject to my stalker. “I’m cryin’ because I was stupid not to see what you’re saying is true. I was so stupid, and I’m sorry!”
He moves out from behind the curtain, but not enough for me to see anything other than he’s tall, has dark hair that’s cut close to the skin, and is dressed in all black. “Turn around. Face the audience,” he commands. “We’ll see each other once you’ve earned it.”
Say You Won't Let Go_A Return to Me/Masters and Mercenaries Novella Page 8
