Page 120 of Clinch'd

“Oh.” Did she recognize him from being here? Fuck me.

Cooper’s brother would have had no idea who he was exposing himself to. He was doomed as soon as Cooper brought her home and opened his big fat mouth.

Whatever. He could regret what he did later. Now I had to figure out how to warn him.

While Minnie chattered above me, doing my makeup, I searched for a way to find out where they were taking him. It turned out that I didn’t need to ask because when we traded places in the chair, I wandered to the window just in time to see the goons lead him to a building farther back on the property.

I was running out of time, but it would be really fucking suspicious if I texted Cooper now and I didn’t know what Lorri would do if I tried.

The ceremony was quick and to the point without all the frill I would have expected of Lorri. I’m quite sure she wasn’t given a choice in the matter and despite my abhorrence of the events leading up to this moment, I mourned the loss of this girlhood dream for her.

Lorri’s complexion was ashen as she approached me after, and I summoned a smile that I nowhere near felt in the hopes of giving her something to remember from this wretched day.

Thankfully we skipped a celebration afterwards and now as the scenery flies by once more, I clench my fingers to keep from tapping them against my knee.

It would be foolish to assume I'm not being watched even now by the goon driving me home but as each minute ticks by, I know the chances of Hudson still being alive dwindle.

As Lorri said, she had to protect her baby and while I agree now that I’m pregnant, I hope I can live with the decision to wait. Maybe I should have thrown caution to the wind and contacted Cooper immediately.

As it stands, it’s not going to be difficult for Castinetti to pin the leaked information on me once I’ve informed Cooper but I’m hoping I’ve bought myself time to escape after.

I have some savings that I can tap and people from my inglorious past who might help with a new identity. It’s a long shot but the best I can do.

I hate the thought of leaving Cooper but I’m not sure where we even stand, and I’m torn over what to say or not say about the pregnancy. I have to do what’s right for my little girl or boy, but it kills me to deprive Cooper and the baby of a relationship.

Finally, we pull up to my apartment and I stare at the facade tiredly. There’s no time to waste but fuck I’m exhausted.

Once I’m inside the building, I head straight for my apartment with my phone clutched in my hand. Paranoia has me waiting until I’m inside to make the call, all of which is derailed when a warm hand wraps around my mouth and I’m picked up from behind.

With a muffled shout, I kick out my legs before sagging. My attacker swears and his hand slips from my face, but I recognize the voice and perk up, whispering, “Cooper?”

He gives me no time to protest before picking me up again and hauling me down the stairs. Since he’s the one I was hoping to speak to, I don’t fight him.

“What’s going on?” I ask but all I get is a grunt.

Beast is waiting outside an SUV parked at the curb and opens the back door when we emerge.

A trickle of caution slides down my spine when he avoids my eyes and Cooper unceremoniously dumps me on the floor inside before barking, “Move over.”

With a frown, I push up and onto the seat before sliding over.

“What’s going on?” I ask again but Cooper doesn’t bother to answer as he joins me in the back and Beast slides into the driver's seat.

“Coop—“

“I’m giving you one chance Minnie. One,” he says, and I fly back in my seat when his icy stare meets mine. “Where’s my brother?”

Holy shit. He is mad. I get it, I would be too but why do I get the feeling he’s angry with me?

With no little trepidation, I reach for his hand, but he recoils away and that’s when it hits me.

He thinks I’m involved in this. Why? How?

“Don’t fucking bother with the act. Just tell me,” he rasps and my stomach freefalls.

After everything I’ve been through with this man, he really believes I would betray him. Was it just a few days ago that he held me in his arms and apologized for his part in this sordid situation?

I came to him. I showed my vulnerability and sought his forgiveness and now this?

---