I see the panic of her pulse thrumming away on her neck. “We’re right here, Emmy. No one is going to get near you.”
Emily takes a few deep breaths and follows his instruction.
“Think about that night. Focus on your senses. Think about what you felt. Were his hands rough?”
“Yes.” She shivers.
“Did his cheek touch yours? What was it like?”
“He was clean-shaven.”
“Inhale and remember what you smelled. Anything you can tell me?”
Emily continues this way for a few more questions as she gives him more than I thought she ever would. Details that I can see him already starting to piece together.
“You did great, Em. I’m going to have people posted outside the door while I go to work.” Wade’s eyes meet mine, he dips his head, and walks toward the door.
We both stay quiet, the events of the last few days settling around us. Emily shifts to the side and then stands. “I know you hate me, but—”
“I don’t hate you.”
“You should.”
“Because you thought I was going to die so you lied to me?” I get to my feet, and she retreats.
Emily rubs her forehead. “You’ve ignored me for two days. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
She couldn’t be more wrong. “I think me bein’ here says otherwise.”
Trent was right. I had two choices: fight for her or let her go.
“This is all too much, Cooper. It’s too much.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” I move quickly and gather her in my arms, holding her because I need to.
Emily’s arms wrap around my waist as she clings to me. “The idea of him hurting you...”
“Isn’t going to happen.”
She looks up with concern etched on her perfect face. “I don’t think you get it, Coop. When I got the first letter, I thought it was a joke. I didn’t take it seriously, and we both know what happened. I wasn’t willing to risk it a second time.”
I run my finger down her cheek and graze her lips. “He can’t have you. You’re already taken.”
She lets out a soft sigh. “I am?”
“You didn’t think I’d really give up, did you?”
“I hoped you wouldn’t...”
This woman owns my heart, and I’m perfectly fine with never getting it back.
“You don’t have to hope. I’ll fight through whatever obstacles we encounter. I know you thought you were doing what you had to, but I’m not going anywhere.”
Emily’s lip trembles. “If he hurts you, then what?”
I shrug. “I’m not worried about me.”
Her arms drop, and she pulls away. “You didn’t hear him tell you his delusional ideas about me and him. I had to stand there and listen to him talk about killing you.” Emily’s voice drops to a whisper. “He listens. He watches. He’s not going to give up either.”
There’s nothing saying her fear isn’t valid, but I’m not afraid. “Not a chance in hell I’m going to walk away and let some piece of shit torment you.” I grip her wrist. “Do you love me?”
“Yes.”
The single word melts the last two days of frustration.
“Do you trust me?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I push my hands up into her hair and bring our faces together. “Then show me.”
Emily grips my neck and pushes up on her toes. Her lips press against mine. It’s been weeks since I’ve felt her touch, and after everything in the last few days, I need her.
My tongue glides against hers as I thread my fingers through her hair, tightening slightly. She kisses me harder, deeper.
I want to take it all away from her. Make her forget everything else but us. I push her back against the wall, pinning her with my hips. She moans, and I tilt her head to the side to get better access. I move my hand down her throat and across her shoulder. I’ve missed her skin. I’ve missed everything about her.
My lips travel the path that my fingers made, and she sighs.
I love the noises she makes.
I’m so lost in the moment I don’t hear anyone enter the bus or notice anyone’s presence until Emily pulls back and terror fills her eyes. “No!”
Cold metal touches my neck, and I know one of us isn’t going to make it out of here.
Chapter Eighteen
Emily
Cooper doesn’t move a muscle. He shields me as I stare into the eyes of one of Luke’s bodyguards. I’ve seen him a few times, but he’s one of the rovers. I don’t remember his name even though Luke pointed him out a few times.
I look over Cooper’s shoulder. “It’s okay, this is my boyfriend. You can put the gun down. I’m totally fine.”
Instead of lowering the gun pointed at Cooper’s neck, he pushes the barrel deeper.
“Did you hear me?” I ask, shifting a little, but Cooper won’t move his arms.
“I heard you just fine.” His voice fills the air, and my blood runs cold. This voice has haunted my every waking minute for the last two days.
“Don’t move.” Cooper looks in my eyes, telling me more than just his words. “Stay exactly where you are.”
I see his fear and worry as we stand here completely at a crazy person’s mercy.
“Your boyfriend?” He laughs. “You really are a dumb bitch.”
Cooper tenses a little more but doesn’t say a word. He watches me, covering me with his body, protecting me even though he’s the one with a gun pressed to his throat. My heart races, and once again, I know I need to keep this guy talking. If I can control the situation, get him to relax, maybe Wade will get back and we can all make it out of here.
“I know you’re angry,” I say quickly. “I’m sorry. I ended things, just like I promised. I waited two days for you.” I try to put as much energy as I can muster into my lie, digging deep to give an epic performance.
My hope is that I can get him to think my depression was because he never came for me, so he’ll calm down.
Wade’s voice comes over the two-way radio. “Brookes, is the perimeter clear? I can’t find the other guard.”
He brings the radio to his mouth. “All clear here, boss. The package hasn’t left the building.”
“Keep an eye out until I find the other guard. We need to ensure Emily’s safety.”
“I’ll handle it,” Brookes promises. He cracks his neck and moves so he’s closer to me. “Now that we have a little more time, why don’t you tell your boyfriend here all about the games you’ve been playing.”
“I’m not playing any games, Brookes.” I use his name for the first time, and his eyes light up. “I waited for two days for you to come around, but you didn’t. I thought you didn’t love me, and I was broken and alone.”
Brookes relaxes just slightly, but it’s a start. “Yet, you wouldn’t let me in...”
“You never came for me.” I try to move, but Cooper lowers his arm so I can’t.
All I want is to get the gun off his neck. Brookes is unstable, but if he’s going to shoot anyone first, it’ll be Cooper. I won’t allow that to happen.
Brookes doesn’t say anything more. His eyes go back to Cooper as if he forgot he was in the room. “Why don’t we ask Cooper what he thinks of his girlfriend sneaking around behind his back? Maybe he’ll finally see that you don’t love him and he was a fool to come here.”
I let my lip tremble and will my face to melt into a mask of sadness and hurt. “You want us to have a chance, but you left me, and now you have a gun pointed at me. I thought you loved me.”
Come on. Where are the tears when I need them?
He flinches. “It’s pointed at him! He’s standing in our way, Emily.”
“If you love me, you wouldn’t want to hurt me.”
Cooper’s eyes meet mine, and we tell each other everything in our gazes. He’s scared, he loves me, and he’s going to go down protecting me.
I move my hand slightly, touching his hip, needing
to be as close to him as possible.
His lip lifts a small amount, and he clears his throat. “Listen, Brookes, right?”
The sound of Cooper’s voice causes his eyes to blaze. My fear spikes, wanting Cooper to just follow my lead.
“I get it, you love her, and she’s been playing the both of us. I’d be pissed, too. Hell, I am pissed. I don’t understand how the hell she could think this is fucking cool.”
Brookes’s eyes shift from Cooper to me, and his head bobs a little in agreement. “It’s why I’m so confused.”
“I’m right there with you.” Cooper shakes his head in disappointment. “If I knew you guys were this serious, I would’ve backed off.” He tilts to look at Brookes. “It’s the bro code and all.”
Brookes looks at me and huffs. “It could’ve been so easy.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” I pretend to be full of sorrow. “I thought...”
Cooper moves slightly, urging me to the side a little. “I know you love Emily.”
“She’s all I think about,” Brookes admits, and I fight back the urge to puke. “I thought she loved me. She’s a lying whore.”
This is the most insane conversation ever. He needs serious mental help. There’s no way a sane person would think after meeting maybe four times that we would be in love. Not to mention, I’ve only spoken to him one time.
“I’m going to turn around so we can talk man to man, okay?”
“Don’t fucking try anything.”
Cooper raises his hands as Brookes keeps the gun pointed at him. “I’m not stupid, man.” His back is to my front, and he still shields me from the lunatic before us. “I’m more than willing to step out of the way so you guys can be together, but you have to think about this…if you kill me in front of her, how will she ever be okay after? You know her, she hates blood.”
Brookes looks to me, and I nod.
“Let Emily go, and we’ll work this out, okay?”
My hands grip Cooper’s shirt. There’s no way in hell I’m letting him stay here alone. It ain’t happening.
Confliction paints Brookes’s face. He drops the gun slightly, and I feel a tinge of hope.
Cooper’s hands fall, he pushes my hip to the side, and we move so I now have a clear way to the door. He’s sadly mistaken if he thinks I’m going anywhere without him.
“Tell me, have you known Emily long?” Cooper urges.
“Long enough to know we’re meant to be.”
“When you know, you know, right?”
“I’m done with this conversation. She either leaves or I end this with her here,” Brookes warns.
“Em,” Coop says. “You need to go outside.”
I dig my nails in his back and tears pool. “Please don’t do this, Brookes. Please!” I plead. “If you love me, you won’t hurt me like this. You won’t make me live with knowing I’m responsible.”
I can’t move my legs. I can’t do this. I don’t know what the hell Cooper is thinking, but Wade should be back any minute. He’ll know what to do.
Brookes looks at me as the tears fall freely. I’m not pretending anymore, I’m truly terrified and broken by the idea of walking out that door.
He sighs, drops his hand more, and before I have a chance to blink, Cooper lunges.
Chapter Nineteen
Emily
Time doesn’t slow when you think you’re going to die. I don’t know who the hell says they’re hyper aware because nothing is registering right now. I can’t see whose hands are where. I can’t decipher who is making what noises. All I see are limbs moving and punches landing. Brookes and Cooper battle. I stand in horror, not knowing if Cooper is hurt or where the gun is.
I hear Cooper grunt, and the sound of cracking turns my stomach. “Cooper!” Tears fill my vision as I see his head fall to the side.
“Go, Emily! Run!” he yells, but I can’t walk away from him.
“I’m not leaving you!” I cry out.
I have to help him. Brookes lands another punch, but Cooper fights back.
Where the fuck is Wade?
Then I remember my panic button.
I turn and dive for it. I press the red button, knowing the alarm will blare out to the whole security team.
Sure enough, Brookes’s radio shrieks.
“Fuck you!” Brookes says as he hits Coop again.
“I’ll fucking kill you for touchin’ her!” Cooper replies, and my eyes catch the reflection off the shiny metal barrel that was lost in the scuffle.
I move forward and grip the handle. “Stop!” I scream pointing the gun at them. “Stop moving or I’ll shoot!”
Both men go still.
Brookes looks up and fear fills his gaze. “Baby.”
“I’m not your baby. I don’t even know you, but you’ve tormented me for weeks. You’ve made my life miserable, and now you tried to kill the man I love. So don’t you dare speak to me. Get up!” I nudge the muzzle upward, indicating he needs to stand.
He obeys, and then Cooper lands a punch on his face, blood sprays, and I scream.
He hits him again and again, until Brookes’s body goes limp.
My gun is still pointed, and my hands begin to shake. I’m standing here, but emotionally, I’m gone.
Then he’s in front of me, his skin warm as his fingers gently wrap around my wrist, slowly lowering the weapon.
“Em?” His voice is soft.
My eyes meet his, but I still don’t speak.
“Darlin’, I need you to go get Wade,” Cooper instructs me. “I’ll hold him.”
I stand, looking at Cooper with blood on his shirt.
“I’m okay, Emily. It’s over now.”
Will this ever really be over?
Before I can even breathe, the door opens, and Wade is the first person through, gun raised. He grabs me, pushing me behind him. A different bodyguard lifts me and pivots to take me down the steps, but as soon as I can’t see Cooper, I snap. My arms flail as I fight against his hold. “Let me go!” I claw my way out of his arms.
I don’t trust any of these people. Strength I never knew I had flows through me, and I manage to push my way out of his grasp. “Cooper! Wade!” I scream and move toward them.
“It’s fine, let her go.” Wade holsters his weapon, and I position myself behind him. “Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes. No. I don’t really know.”
He turns to Cooper, and his voice is hard. “What the fuck? Brookes? Are you... Un-fucking-real,” Wade says as he crouches down.
“A little help?” Cooper huffs as he shifts his weight and Brookes starts to wake.
“Man, you get all the fun.” Wade huffs and drops to his knees to secure Brookes’s wrists in a set of handcuffs.
Cooper shakes his head and laughs. “Nice of you to show up.”
“Next time, don’t start the party early. It’s not my fault I was out looking for the guy while you were supposed to be keeping her occupied.”
“I was trying until your psycho friend came in with a gun.”
Wade brushes his dark hair back and scratches his neck. “Cock blocked by your girl’s stalker. Bad timing.”
“Are you two serious?” I ask in complete shock. I can’t believe these two are joking about a party when two minutes ago Cooper was being attacked and had a gun to his head—literally.
“Get him the hell out of here and call the police to come get him,” Wade orders the guy who tried to carry me off the bus.
Cooper’s eyes meet mine as he wipes the blood from his hands. I focus on the tiny speckles of dark green against the lighter shades, and my heart races. He saved our lives. In so many ways, he’s my savior. I’ve waited my entire life for someone to love me enough, and here he is.
Two hours later, after statements, police questioning, and retelling the horror story we just lived, everything is quiet. Brookes is going to jail, and thanks to the cameras Wade had installed, everything is on tape. Wade and the guys have cleaned the bus back up, but
I’m not staying in it again, no matter how much anyone pays me.
Wade walks us to the hotel door, much more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. “You guys all right?”
“We’re going to be fine now that it’s over,” Cooper says to Wade, but he watches me.
I give him a soft smile. “Thank you,” I say, touching Wade’s arm. “Thank you for everything.”
“It was my pleasure.”
As resistant as I had been to Wade, he’s become my friend as well. He’s kind, funny, bossy as all hell, but has a heart hidden under all his tough exterior.
“I’m actually going to miss you.” I laugh. “You better find a good woman who will take care of you.”
He laughs with his whole body. “Last thing I need is a woman.”
Cooper’s arm wraps around my shoulders, tucking me in to his side. “You’ll change your mind.”
Wade rolls his eyes. “Not many girls want a battered ex-Green Beret who doesn’t like insubordination.”
I move out of Cooper’s arms and pull Wade into a hug. “You’re not battered. You’re a good man, Wade Rycroft. Don’t sell yourself short.” My fingers press against his cheek, and he grins.
“You be good to him.” He lifts his chin toward Cooper.
“I will.”
He pulls me to his chest and kisses the top of my head. “Freaking women.”
Cooper claps his hand in Wade’s, and they give a man version of a hug. “Be careful and don’t be a stranger.”
I move back to Cooper, wrapping my arms around his middle. We watch Wade get in his pickup truck, and I wave goodbye, hoping we’ll see him soon.
Chapter Twenty
Emily
We enter the room, both remaining silent for several minutes. My arms stay around him, needing him to anchor me.
This nightmare is finally over.
The shock of everything comes crashing around me as we stand here alone in the room, looking at each other. He could’ve died. I would’ve seen the only man I’ve ever loved taken from this earth. All because that psycho was living in some twisted version of reality.
“You almost…” I whisper as I shake my head, taking a step back. “You could’ve—”
Say You Won't Let Go_A Return to Me/Masters and Mercenaries Novella Page 11
