Page 75 of Deceptive Lies

July 14th

8:34 P.M

“You what?” Cooper asked, voice low and dangerous.

Willow fought the urge to shrink down, to pacify the obvious fear billowing off Cooper.

It was a new experience for her. She had basically been on her own since she was eight years old. Maybe her mom was physically present but that was it. Not only wasn't she emotionally and psychologically present, but she didn't take care of any of her parental responsibilities.

So, Willow had learned to do it all herself.

Learned to become self-sufficient.

Even as an adult, she rarely found herself relying on other people except for the most basic things like doctors, dentists, mechanics, and pilots. Any skill she couldn’t do herself she sought out an expert, but that wasn't working as a team, that was just them performing a skill she didn't have.

This was the first time she had a team at her back.

The first time someone else’s opinion mattered to her as much as her own.

But just because she didn't want Cooper to be angry, didn't want him to be scared, she also didn't want to let a dangerous man walk free when she absolutely did have the skills needed to do something about it.

Writing the article wasn't enough.

Sure, it might wind up ruining Professor Mahmoud’s reputation and hopefully get warrants put out for his arrest. But the professor had a huge head start. He knew he was at risk and would have gone to ground. He had enough resources and enough people backing him to stay under the radar indefinitely.

Unacceptable.

This was the fastest and most efficient way to get Mahmoud to show his face, with the best odds at working.

To that end, Willow straightened her spine and met Cooper’s gaze squarely. “I play bait. We all know there is no way the professor will pass up a chance at snatching me.”

Silence echoed around her.

None of Cooper’s brothers said anything. It was clear even to her that they were letting this one be Cooper’s call.

Only it wasn't his call.

It was hers.

“I'm not asking permission,” she added. “I'm telling you what I'm going to do.”

“Unless I have Cole sedate you and we throw you on a plane back home,” Cooper muttered under his breath.

“Dude,” Connor groaned with a roll of his eyes.

Willow’s lips quirked up. “It’s okay,” she told Cooper’s twin. “I know he’s just joking. He’d never do something like that to me knowing what I've just been through. He’s just scared. I am, too, Cooper. But we all know I have to do this. I will literally never be safe again if we don’t make sure that Professor Mahmoud is taken care of.”

The hand that rested on her hip tightened its hold on her, his fingers digging into her flesh almost to the point of pain. His other hand rubbed tiredly at his eyes. They were both wiped out and needed proper rest, but they only had a short window of time if they were going to make a move and end this once and for all.

“I'm not just scared, Willow. I'm terrified to let you anywhere near that man,” Cooper said. The hand that had been rubbing at his eyes moved to palm her cheek, fingertips whispering across the bandage taped to her temple. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“And I don’t want to lose you. But if we don’t do this, I could lose everything. Including my life. I'd rather deal with this now while I have a whole team at my back.” Her gaze roamed the room to include everyone. These men might be Cooper’s family, but they knew she was important to their brother and that meant Willow was confident they would do whatever it took to have her back.

“You got it, sister,” Cole said, grinning at her.

“I don’t disagree that if we don’t take this opportunity to get Mahmoud, we might not get another, but I think I should be the one to play bait,” Cooper told her.

Fear gripped her heart in an icy hold.

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