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.”

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.

“I’m sure you’ll work it out.” Wade tries to comfort me, but he’s not very convincing, and I cry harder. “Cooper won’t let you go, not without fighting the world. I’ve seen what a man will do for the woman who owns him.”

Too bad it isn’t Cooper’s choice. I’m the only one who knows his life is in danger at the hands of a psychopath. One who will stop at nothing to get me.

There’s only one option.

I have to walk away from the only man I’ve loved to keep him safe.

“Please, just take me away from here,” I beg.

Wade doesn’t hesitate. He hooks his arms under my legs and pulls me to his chest. My arms wrap around his neck, and I hold on.

I’m lost inside my hopeless thoughts. My eyes are open, but I don’t see anything. His words ping pong around my head, bouncing from one terrifying thought to another. I’m going to have to hurt Cooper.

I’m going to lie to him.

I need to find a way to make him stay in Bell Buckle because he won’t listen if I just tell him to. He’ll fight back and show up regardless.

Wade carries me back to the bus without complaint. He climbs the stairs and sits me on the couch. I immediately curl into myself.

“Emily.” He touches my face, and my tears continue to drop.

Something hits me. Wade works for Cooper. I lift my head and sit up quickly. “Will you break the contract with Cooper?” I ask.

“What?”

“Will you end your contract with him and work for me?” I clarify.

Wade scratches the back of his head with his ball cap. “I’m telling you there’s no way he’s going to fire me.”

I shake my head. “I didn’t think he would. I’m asking you to work for me. I don’t want Cooper involved.”

He takes a seat next to me. “This is going to blow over.”

“No. It isn’t.” I wipe my face and look away.

I can’t let it.

“I know you’re upset, but he is trying to protect you.”

I can’t talk about this. I don’t know if the crazy man who wants to hurt Cooper to win me is listening. The pain of what I’m about to do slices through me. My chest aches, and I try to hold myself together.

“Can you please let me have a few minutes to myself?” I ask Wade. “I want you to stop relaying anything about me to Cooper. Can you do that?”

He sighs and drops his head. “Sure.” I hear the disappointment in his voice, but it’s vital they don’t communicate.

“Thank you. I’ll pay the fees for my protection if you need it to be black and white. I need you to ignore Cooper’s calls because this is no longer his concern.”

Wade’s eyes meet mine. “I technically work for him.”

“Do you want me to fire you?” I ask, praying he’ll say no. I need Wade more than ever. Even if I’m lying to him.

“Fine. Twenty-four hours, but after that, I’ll need to figure out how we’re going to handle this.”

He walks off the bus with frustration radiating off him.

Now to make the phone call that will officially destroy me.