Say You Won't Let Go Google(26)

“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.”