Page 9 of To Have and To Hold

“Linnel, let’s go to the boardroom and cool down. We can get our answers once they have finished getting ready.” Mrs. Hunt’s voice was subdued; she did not look at Colin.

“I—” Linnel opened his mouth a look of stubbornness reflected on his face, a reminder of where Coco got it from.

“Coco’s rubbing her temples, love.” Mrs. Hunt gaze was on her daughter, a look of concern on her face.

Everyone’s eyes now turned to Coco, and she gave them a weak smile.

Linnel took a deep breath; his burly chest expanded, and he nodded.

“This way.” Jackie, who had been quiet during the whole exchange, finally spoke.

Both Hunts turned to follow, but then Mrs. Hunt walked back to Coco, who leaned down and embraced her mom, giving her a kiss. “Hi Mom.”

“Hi sweetheart,” she said warmly, but also sounding tired to Colin’s ears.

Then her eyes met his; she looked at him assessingly before returning to her husband and taking his hand. They followed Jackie’s lead, and passed her at the door.

Once her parents exited, he felt the cold fury of Coco’s best friend and once his eyes met hers, she threatened, “I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but Coco, you know I have your back and will help you bury a bitch if I have to.”

“Noted.” He said with a chuckle.

She made a face of disgust and rolled her eyes. “You are going to have to go out and get coffee, Colin, and green tea for Mrs. Hunt. Cafeteria is closed as it is a Saturday.” Her grip onthe door handle tightened. “I will leave you a list on my desk on what to get for the Hunts, myself and Coco. You can grab it off the reception desk when you are finished getting dressed.”

Colin’s eyebrows rose at Jackie’s bossy nature, but he wasn’t surprised; she was like this in school too, always giving orders during assignments to her class partners.

Jackie finally left them alone to guide the Hunts down a corridor. Before they left his sight, he turned back in time to catch Coco in his arms. She’d tripped on the sheet trying to move off the bed.

They both uttered a small grunt when she hit his chest. Colin’s arms wrapped around her, holding her warmth against him. He could feel his body reacting again to the feminine curves against his muscles. And when she wiggled to get free, he lowered his mouth to hers and gave her a gentle kiss, pulling back to see her eyes widened in surprise.

“What was that for?” She asked, her voice now raspy.

“For saying yes. You will not regret this.”

She scowled at his reminder.” Well, we will see when we tell my parents.”

He nodded grimly and released her. “Go take a shower and I will get breakfast and coffee and maybe something stronger to drink for me and your parents.” The last part he kept under his breath. He was going to use this time to think of something that would allow her father to agree to all this.How hard could it be?

He got his answer after coming back to Coco’s office and sitting across from her and her parents.

For the second time that day, Coco’s dad came at him like an angry bull.

“Linnel!”

“Dad!”

Coco turned her angry expression on him as she rose to get in between the two of them.

Okay, maybe trying to bribe him wasn’t the way to go because not only did he piss off Mr. Hunt but also Coco; he could see from her expression that she was ready to tell him no again and back out from the obvious anger from her parents.

“I am sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt. I should not have said that, and I know better.” Colin adjusted his approach, keeping his tone contrite. “From what I know of you both, you are an accomplished and admired family in Barbados and that Mr. Hunt is recognized for his past playing cricket professionally.”

Colin admired that Mr. Hunt had set up a boy’s junior cricket team for the youth there and raised money every year to keep the club open. He continued, “I just thought donating money would help to continue to grow your charity work and the club.”

“Except it is not a donation but a damn bribe. Not at the cost of my daughter’s freedom!” Linnel countered, standing back at the behest of his loved ones. Colin raised his hands in a peace gesture.

Mr. Hunt then turned to his daughter. “You said you would only go through with this as long as I agree to this.”

Colin felt a knot in his stomach and in his head, his thoughts shouted,No I’m so close to getting what I want.

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