A/N: Thanks for the comments, max2013, Paulina Ann, Destiny in Smoke, Erin, Wendylouwho10, Cheryl and Guest! I'm so sorry I haven't responded personally, but I'm on deadline for three articles at the moment, and life is crazy here. My internet time is extremely limited for the next week. But know that I'm grateful you've taken the time to review! Hopefully things will be normal again soon! Well...more normal, anyway. Lol Thanks also to those reading!

Chapter 37

Iola sat in her office at the Daybreak studios the next morning. She was supposed to be organizing information for a segment on homemade children's Halloween costumes. Instead she was daydreaming about Cooper.

He'd been so perfect last night. So kind and sweet. They'd sat cuddled on her couch, talking and kissing, for hours. She'd opened up to him about so many things. Things about her captivity that she didn't feel she could tell her family and friends because they'd get upset. Or angry. Joe always got angry. But Cooper had simply held her and listened. And Iola had felt better about everything.

And in turn, Cooper had shared things with her about his own life. How he'd always felt shy and awkward, and had a difficult time getting to know people. How he'd never really been able to overcome that until he'd discovered acting. How surprised he'd been by his fame, and how hard it had been to learn how to handle it. How lonely he'd been a lot of the time, because he didn't have anyone in his life that he felt he could truly be himself with. Their conversation had been so open and honest, and by the time he'd left her apartment, Iola knew she was losing her heart to this man.

After their evening, Iola was glad that Callie and Vanessa hadn't come back to her apartment to spend the night like they'd originally planned. She knew that her friends were excited for her, but she also knew it would have been very 'fan-girly', with them wanting all kinds of details about her date with a 'celebrity'. Iola felt very protective of Cooper and what they had together now. She didn't want it to become gossip fodder, and she didn't want to objectify him any longer with her friends.

She knew they'd understand once they got to know him as a person, but it might be difficult to deflect their enthusiasm for personal details about him right now.

Iola's phone buzzed, and she glanced down at it. It was a message from the front desk. Joe Hardy was here to see her. What the heck? Iola sighed. She hoped he didn't want to grill her about Cooper...he wouldn't be put off as easily. She texted back to send him up. Better to just get it over with.

OOOoooOOO

The woman behind the desk in the lobby gestured Joe toward the bank of elevators that led to Iola's office. He headed over there, feeling underdressed. He was wearing a button down shirt, but he had jeans on. Nobody else in the lobby had jeans on except for the kids in an elementary school tour group. Oh, well. He wasn't the kind of guy who could stand wearing a suit and tie to work every day. It wasn't who he was, and he was fine with that.

He arrived on the Daybreak floor and was greeted by another reception desk. That was somewhat comforting. At least people didn't have easy access to Iola at work. Hopefully, that would go a long way toward keeping her safe.

After he'd identified himself to the receptionist, she buzzed him through the set of glass doors behind her and Joe found himself in the middle of what looked like controlled chaos. People were bustling everywhere, and he was happy to finally see some guys in jeans and t-shirts. They were carrying television equipment, but at least they weren't wearing suits.

He knocked on Iola's door and heard her call, "Come in."

Joe opened her door. "Don't do that. You don't know who's outside."

Iola chuckled. "Always the suspicious one."

"Yep." He looked around what seemed to be a combination office/dressing room. Iola was seated on a sofa, with her laptop. She looked comfortable…like she belonged here.

"What can I do for you?" she asked.

That seemed formal to him and it stung a bit. "Can't I just stop by for a visit?"

"Of course," she said, "but you look like you have something on your mind."

Joe took a seat next to her. "I do. Tell me what you know about the crown prince of Rei Ta Viti."

Iola's eyes widened. "He's a pompous, over-entitled, jackass. Why?"

"He's here in the country and we've discovered that he's made credible threats against you," Joe said. "We think he's going to try something, Iola."

"Try something? Like what? Kidnapping me back?" Her voice rose, and Joe could see the anger flash in her eyes.

"No," he said. "Like killing you. He keeps talking about his 'full diplomatic immunity' here in the States. Unfortunately, that status exempts him from prosecution of any crime, even if he commits it in broad daylight, in front of half of New York. All we can do is deport him."

"And you think that's what he intends to do?"

"I know he wants to hurt you, but we haven't figured out what his plans are. We've turned a member of his staff within the embassy, and the feds are in the process of interviewing him as we speak. We don't know how much usable information he has now, but we're hoping he'll be able to get us more."

Iola shook her head. "I'm not doing this again, Joe. I'm not going to live my life in fear. I can't. I won't hide."

"And that's why I'm not going to leave you alone," he replied.

Iola let out a harsh laugh. "You're not going to be my shadow. I don't want someone following my every move."

"You don't have a choice."

"That's where you're wrong. I most certainly do have a choice."

Joe knew she was going to be difficult about this. She didn't disappoint.

"You need protection. We're going to find the crown prince, and we're going to take care of him, but until that happens, you need protection. And this isn't just coming from me…it's coming from the feds. You're too high profile now. It would be a huge embarrassment to have something happen to you again."

"Glad to know it's only their reputation they're concerned about," she snapped. "They're the ones who insisted on telling the entire nation that I lost my virginity in high school in order to stop retaliation from Rei Ta Viti. Now, instead of trying to kidnap me back, the prince wants to kill me. I need that kind of help from the government like I need a hole in my head."

"Whatever works to keep you on FBI radar. And it's not the only thing I'm concerned about. If anything happened to you again, Iola…"

He couldn't finish. His throat had tightened and he couldn't swallow beyond the lump in it. Just imagining losing her again was too much.

She reached over and squeezed his hand. "Nothing's going to happen to me."

"Damn straight it's not," he managed, in a shaky voice. "Because I'm not going to let it."

OOOoooOOO

Frank had taken an early morning flight to Washington D.C. so that he could be at a meeting with the agents involved in Iola's case. He was now seated in a nondescript conference room, fluorescent lights humming overhead, while he nursed his second cup of government coffee this morning. Agent Castellano was speaking at the head of the table.

"The prince's attendant has said that the prince made very clear and specific threats to harm Miss Morton. In his words, he said the prince would 'make her suffer' for what she's done. This occurred after Miss Morton's television interview." The agent shuffled through some papers. "The prince did not say he would kill Miss Morton, and did not threaten outright physical harm."

"'Make her suffer' doesn't indicate he intends to physically hurt her?" Frank asked.

"Not necessarily." Agent Castellano looked up. "We need to get something more concrete."

Agent DeMarco, one of the D.C. team, spoke up. "Frank, full diplomatic immunity is a tricky thing. We need proof…real proof…that a grave crime is about to be committed before we can legally take any action against the prince. We can't question him, detain him, search his residence…nothing without that proof."

"The operative word in that sentence being 'legally' I presume," Frank said, taking another sip of his coffee.

"I didn't say that." DeMarco smiled at him. "If the prince's attendant can get that proof for us, we can act. But he's telling us he has no idea where the prince is at the moment."

"Do you believe him?"

Agent DeMarco nodded. "I don't think our informant is in the prince's innermost circle, but that doesn't mean he can't get the information."

"It just means it might take a while," Agent Castellano said.

"Do we have the time?" Frank asked.

Agent DeMarco sighed. "I'm not sure."

Frank doubted it.

OOOoooOOO

Another knock sounded on Iola's dressing room door. "Come in," she called.

Joe leveled her with a look. "What did I just tell you ten minutes ago?"

"The studio is safe," Iola said. "You saw the security you had to get through to get up here."

"I don't care," he said with a scowl.

The dressing room door flew open, and Jessica and Amber, two of the studio receptionists, bounced inside. They were waving some sort of newspaper and giggling.

"Oh my gosh, did you see this?" Jessica asked.

"See what?" Iola asked. She'd been in her office all morning trying to prepare for her segments this week. She hadn't looked at the papers yet.

"You and Cooper have made the gossip page. There's a whole article." Amber held it open to Iola with a triumphant air. "Hollywood's Newest Glamor Couple."

"What?" Iola cried, reaching for the paper. "Shut up. Let me see that."

Amber pointed to the article. Yep, it was her and Cooper all right. A photo of them exiting Crooner's last night was featured prominently. Iola snuck a glance in Joe's direction. He was still scowling.

"Gorgeous," Jessica breathed, staring down at the photo.

"Yes," Amber said with a laugh. "So damned gorgeous. You look good, too, Iola."

"Is she in that photo?" Jessica teased. "I didn't notice. I was too distracted by the sex god."

"Have you shagged him yet?" Amber asked. "Because I want to know every single detail when you do."

"I won't be sharing that information," Iola said, shaking her head and smiling.

"You're no fun, Iola," Jessica said. "Think of it as a public service to women everywhere. It's only fair."

"You guys, stop." Iola knew she was blushing, and Joe was fuming. She could feel the anger coming off him in waves. "I have work to do."

Jessica snatched the newspaper out of Iola's hands. "So do we. We have to plaster copies of this article all over the office."

Iola's jaw dropped. "You're kidding, right?"

"Nope," Amber said. "It's how things work around here. We have to snark about this. Otherwise we might kill you. We're that jealous."

"But we still love you," Jessica said in a sing-song voice as the two of them waltzed out of the dressing room. "Don't forget you have a lunch appointment with Deirdre Simpson at one this afternoon."

Iola turned to Joe, feeling embarrassed. "Sorry about that."

"Have you slept with him?" Joe's expression was neutral, but his gaze was intense.

"Um, that would be absolutely none of your business." Iola was not having this discussion. Not now. Not ever.

"Don't do it, Iola," Joe said. "You said you weren't interested in a relationship right now, so I'm not sure what game you're playing here. But you're vulnerable and naïve, and he's a celebrity looking for his next conquest. Don't be stupid enough to fall for it."

Anger surged through Iola. Who the hell did Joe think he was? She took a deep breath, because she wanted to be in control when she spoke.

"I'm not playing games. I want to be with him. And I'm not interested in your opinion of my relationship with Cooper. Again, it's none of your business. You don't get a say in my personal life. If you continue to act like an ass about who I'm dating, I will throw you out of my office and out of my life. Are we clear on that?"

Joe stared at her, and Iola caught the look of fear in his eyes. It was only there for a second, and then it was gone.

"Iola, I'm trying to look out for you. I don't want you to get hurt. What do you think Cooper is going to do when he finds out you have someone after you who wants you dead?" Joe asked. "Do you think he's going to want to hang around? Do you think he's going to be willing to put his own life at risk for someone he's known for exactly three weeks? Do you think he needs this kind of bad publicity? I don't."

A chill ran through Iola, followed by panic.

She couldn't lose Cooper.

The truth hit her hard. She was falling in love with him.

Joe couldn't be right.

Could he?