“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.”