Say You Won't Let Go Google(27)

“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.”

I want to scream and run, but I have no idea if he’s armed or if I could even outrun him. I slowly spin, trembling.

Please, God, don’t let me die.

I stand here, without any idea if he’s going to hurt me. He touches my shoulder, and I start to scream, but his hand quickly covers my mouth.

His hot breath is against my ear. “Don’t scream or I’ll have to teach you a lesson.” I don’t even try to stop the tears that burn down my cheeks. “We could be so happy.” His nose moves against my neck, up into my hair. “You can make it all stop, baby. It’s only because you forgot about what we had.”

He pushes his body against mine, and another tear falls.

“Just give us our time back and get rid of the man who isn’t good enough. Do you want me to hurt him? Is that how you want me to get rid of him? Will that be how you finally believe how much I love you, Emily? Do I need to kill him to show it?”

The blood runs cold in my veins. I will not let Cooper be hurt by this man, and I will do or say anything as long as it gets him to let me go. So I shake my head quickly. When he drops his hand, I speak. “No, I’ll give us a chance.”

This can’t be real. This is just a nightmare. It has to be, because Wade would be here if it was real. He has to be coming here any second now.

“I knew you’d come around.” He grazes his teeth against my ear. “Your little protector may have found my cameras, but remember that I’m always listening. I won’t hesitate to remind you how much Cooper doesn’t love you if you tell the dog about our little chat. I love you. I’m willing to do anything to have you.”

He presses his lips to the side of my head, and I bite my tongue to keep from screaming out.

“I’ll see you soon, my sweet little nightingale. I’m always around.”

I feel the heat from his body disappear. I turn quickly, but all I see is the back of his head as he runs off the stage and out of view.

My legs go limp, and I fall to my knees. He’s the reason Cooper lost his herd. He’s been able to get in my bus not once but twice that I know of. There’s nothing he won’t do, and I know, deep down in my soul, that he’ll hurt Cooper if I don’t obey.

With trembling hands, I dial Wade’s number.

“Where the fuck are you?” he growls through the phone. “I told you to stay on the fucking bus!”

“The stage,” is all I’m able to say before I completely fall apart.

Minutes later, I hear footsteps and Wade’s voice. “Emily!” He rushes over.

My eyes meet his, and even in the dark, I’m sure he can see the tears. “Please take me somewhere. I can’t walk.”

“Are you hurt?”

“Not physically.” I go for a half-truth.

I can’t tell Wade about what happened just moments ago. Not here. Not now. The psycho is clearly listening, watching, and God only knows where he is. Being quiet is all I can do. There are times I believe in trusting my gut—this is one.

“Did you fall?” Wade’s hands brush over my arms and legs as if he’s checking for injuries.

Oh, I fell. I fell into the hands of a stalker who wants to kill my boyfriend.

I fell in love, only to have it torn away.

I fell into the depths of hell, and the only way out is a deal with the Devil.

Instead of saying any of that, I shake my head. “I’m tired.”

“You’re lying.” He studies me and then glances to the shadows around us. “Something has you rattled and you need to tell me what. Why did you leave the bus?”

“Luke was supposed to be right back,” I say as my lip trembles.

“What the fuck?” He looks around. “I’m going to kill him.”

Wade is a good man, and I wish I had trusted in that. He’s been here ensuring my safety for weeks, and I failed him.

Now, it’s Cooper I’m worried about.

If this guy is willing to go all the way to Bell Buckle to prove some sick point, I have no doubt he will make good on his threat if Cooper shows up here. I start to cry harder, each tear is an outward display of the pain I’m in. I don’t want to do this, but I don’t have a choice.

“Talk to me, Emily,” Wade urges.

I look up at him, and the knot in my stomach twists. “It’s over. It’s all over.”

“What’s over?” His voice drops to a whisper. “Is he here?”

I shake my head. “No. I mean me and Cooper.”

Another loud sob escapes my lips, and I cling to Wade. Everything is falling apart, and I have no hope left.