Page 172 of Risky Obsession

Rosalina screamed as she was pulled to her feet. He hooked his arm around her neck.

“Please, Cooper,” I said, battling the throbbing pain in my head. “Let her go. Take me instead. I’ll help you.”

He dragged Rosalina backward.

My legs felt like Jell-O beneath me, and the walls tilted and swayed around me.

“Where are those other bastards?” Spittle dribbled down his chin.

“They’re not here. They went to get help.”

“Start the fucking engine,” he yelled so loud, the tendons in his neck bulged.

“We can’t,” I said, raising my hands again.

Out the window, Archer’s rubber raft headed toward the yacht. My heart launched to my throat. Kane was at Archer’s side, and they seemed to be laughing.

Shit. I couldn’t let Cooper see them. I had to keep him talking. Stepping back, I gave him space, hoping he would keep watching me.

“Cooper, listen to me. You were a good soldier. Frank Morgan used you.” I tried to keep my voice steady despite both vertigo and fear threatening to overwhelm me.

“You know nothing.” He tightened his grip on Rosalina’s neck.

She choked out a strangled cry, and her eyes flared wide with fear.

“Start the boat!” he screamed and pushed the plate shard into Rosalina’s temple. “Now!”

“We can’t. We don’t have the keys.” A pounding headache thumped behind my right eye from the blow to my head, and a dark fog edged into my focus.

“You’re lying.”

I shook my head. “None of this is your fault, Cooper. Frankblackmailed you into taking that gold from your team.” I hoped I got that right. “If you help us, we can help you.”

“Bullshit! You’re lying.”

Rosalina scraped her nails along the arm around her throat, but he didn’t loosen his grip.

“Cooper,” I whispered, desperation seeping into my voice. “Let me help you.”

“Give me the fucking keys!” he roared.

“Did Frank Morgan threaten to kill you or your brother? Is that why you did what you did?” I skated on thin ice, but I had to keep him talking.

His eyes darkened, and I knew I'd crossed a line.

“Or was it Chui? Did he do this to you?”

My heart pounded in my chest as the rubber raft slipped out of view from the window, aiming toward the back of the boat.

Cooper yanked Rosalina tighter, and as she screamed, her fingernails scraped red welts up his arm.

“Cooper! Let her go! She didn’t do anything. It’s me you want. I’m the one who hurt you.”

“Shut up. Just shut up.” He slashed the shard across Rosalina’s temple.

She released a terrifying scream as a bead of blood dribbled down her cheek.

“Cooper! No!” I yelled, hoping Kane and Archer would hear me. “We can work this out.”