His Hostage

“Two inking companies left. Two.” He shakes his head again. “That’s five that have gone under because of Monte and his dirty fucking deals with his dirty fucking money.” His eyes come back to mine in the mirror. “I won’t let him own this city.”

If I understand what he’s saying that would mean almost everyone would have to come to Monte for ink. That is a big deal. He could have the whole printing industry here in his hands because they have to have the ink. I haven’t been here long enough to know how many other ink companies were our competition, but I did hear about one going under. “Going under” isn’t the right phrase, though, because it literally went up in flames.

I was amazed at all of the things you never think about coming from warehouses like these, but it takes barrels and barrels of ink each day to keep them running. Is Monte trying to create a monopoly here? Some of the biggest companies in the world have their stuff made here, but I don’t understand why Cooper wants the monopoly for himself.

“Is it because you think it belongs to you?” I start to roll my eyes, but his response stops me.

“No, we all do. The people here have worked hard to build this industry and we’re going to make sure it stays that way.”

Chapter Four

Cooper

“So tell me your name.” I turn onto another back road and keep on driving until it’s time to meet the boys.

“I think the less you know the better.”

“I could take your purse again and find out for myself.” I cock my head to the side as I look at her in the back seat. Night has fallen and it’s too dark to see her facial expression and I don’t like it.

As if she thinks this over for a moment she sighs and her shoulders drop. “Jules.”

“Jules,” I repeat, and I like the way her name feels on my tongue.

“Is Cooper your real name?” She sounds skeptical, and I smile.

“If I could have changed it to something more badass, I would have, but by this point it’s stuck.”

“It’s sweet.” Her voice is soft and I see her turn to the window and pretend to look out.

“It’s time for me to go to the meet-up spot.” I pause, waiting for her to start bargaining, but it doesn’t come. “These guys we are going to meet, they’re important to me.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Her tone is cautious and questioning, but not hostile like before.

“Because I want you to understand that to all of us, you’re the outsider. We’re the ones trying to do this for the right reasons. For all we know you are part of what Monte is trying to do.”

“I’m not. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

“All I’m saying is that I’m putting my trust in you by introducing you to these men. They are my brothers in every way that counts and I wouldn’t bring you with me if I had another choice.”

“There’s always a choice.” She crosses her arms and looks away again, and I curse the darkness.

“There’s one way to keep you safe and that’s far away from Monte. I’m choosing to believe you and I need you to choose to believe me.”

I watch as she imperceptibly nods and looks at me out of the corner of her eye.

“I’m going to protect you, Jules, so no matter what happens you stay with me. Got it?”

“Will your friends try and hurt me?” she asks softly, and I shake my head.

“No, they won’t, but if someone showed up and tried to, I would protect you.” My words are clear and I stand by every one of them.

Watching the panic attack hit her earlier was almost too much to bear. I saw it coming and had to pull the car over and get her out so she could feel the cool night air in her lungs. I’ve seen it happen to Jonas a few times and we are usually able to help him calm down. I can’t imagine what she’s been through today and I hate that I scared her. It’s true I didn’t know who she was to Monte at first, but now I can see that she’s just an innocent caught in the crossfire.

“You really mean that, don’t you?”

“I know you don’t know me, but I don’t have a reason to lie to you.”

I see the dark cabin up ahead as I turn down the gravel driveway. Once I get to the end of it I put the SUV in park and then shut it off. I get out and open her backseat door and hold my hand to help her down.

“Come on, buttercup, let me introduce you to my family.” I wink at her and she rolls her eyes, but I can tell she’s fighting a smile.