Page 34 of Cooper’s Promise

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“Tanya, where is she?” Cooper demanded.

Brenna walked up behind Cooper and tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around and grabbed her in a bear hug.

“Brenna, you were supposed to be waiting by the elevators. Where were you?”

“I had to go to the bathroom.” She stepped back out of his arms and looked up at him. “Are you okay?”

“I am now.”

“Seriously, you look upset. What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine,” he said curtly. He bent down and picked up her computer bag and purse. “Let’s go.”

“Good luck,” Tanya called after them. Brenna stifled a giggle.

They went down to the parking garage, and Cooper opened the door to his truck and helped her inside. When he actually buckled her seatbelt, she knew something was wrong. She waited for him to pull into traffic before she questioned him.

“What’s up? And don’t tell me nothing.”

“I found out where Josiah is hiding out.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Not really. We still only have him breaking into your car. That’s not enough to really put him away. I talked to my boss today, and we’re considering using Athena as bait. I need the keys to your car and apartment.”

He sounded grim. His hands were gripping the steering wheel so tightly that she was surprised it didn’t break off in his hands.

“Cooper, what’s wrong. You’re really upset. Has he escalated?”

He glanced sideways at her. “Why do you say that?”

“Because I know that Hudson broke into his place before and he wasn’t this freaked out. You are. Did you find some pictures of me or something?” Brenna’s skin crawled just thinking of that.

“Yeah, I did,” he said reluctantly. “He’s fixated on you. I need to have him make a play for Athena when he thinks she’s you. That way we can put him away for a long while. She used to be a cop. She will be good as a decoy.”

Brenna thought about the tall woman with long hair.

“It won’t work. She’s eighty million feet taller than me.”

“She’ll wear a wig and sit down in your apartment. She won’t get up. It’ll work.”

“Cooper, either you get someone else, or you have to use me.”

He sighed. “Athena said the same thing. Goddammit. I’m not putting you in harm’s way. Right now Athena is talking to some other women on the force or who used to be on the force who can do the job. She should have a name tonight or tomorrow.” He rubbed his face with his hand.

Brenna hated seeing him so upset. She wanted to soothe him.

“Let’s order a pizza and take it easy tonight. It’s great that you found out where he’s staying. I take it you have someone staking out his place?”

Cooper looked over at her as he pulled into his driveway. “You know I do. Stay in the car, I’ll come get you.”

Brenna liked that Cooper was a Southern gentleman. It went with that sexy accent. Hopefully he could just stop waking up humming, and all would be right with her world.

* * *

The next night, Athena came through with a petite redhead named Diane, who could pretend to be Brenna as long as she was wearing the right wig. Brenna provided her keys.