I turned her and followed her into the tavern—away from the church, away from the man who thought she belonged to him.
And whatever hell she’d just escaped.
4
Rylie
The moment the tavern door shut behind us, my knees stopped working.
I didn’t collapse because Trigger didn’t let me.
His arms were iron around me—warm, steady, real.
For a second, I let myself breathe.
The tavern only had a few customers—the music was turned down low. I could smell beer and fried food.
Normal for this place. I missed it. It felt like it’s been years since I’ve laughed and simply enjoyed being alive.
It made me want to cry.
Trigger helped me onto a barstool like I was something precious. Like I mattered.
I didn’t deserve it.
Not after dragging this nightmare into their lives.
“Do you want a beer?” Saint asked.
“No, I need a clear head.”
Nora appeared from the crowd like a miracle, her eyes widening when she saw me in my ruined dress.
“Oh my gosh—Rylie,” she breathed, and then she was there, hands on my shoulders, looking me over. “Are you hurt? Whathappened? I take it you don’t want to get married, since you ran away from your own wedding.”
I opened my mouth, and nothing came out.
My throat was tight, like it still remembered Thomas’s fingers around it.
Trigger’s hand came to my back—just there, firm and grounding.
“He followed her,” Trigger said, voice flat. “Suit. One bodyguard. They’re outside somewhere.”
Nora’s face went white. “What do you mean they’re outside? I didn’t see anyone out there. He must have left.”
Saint appeared, already pulling his phone out. “We’ll clear the room. Quietly. Everyone out the back.”
“No,” I said too fast, panic snapping. “No—if we make a scene, he—”
Trigger’s gaze locked on mine. “Rylie. Who is he?”
I swallowed so hard it hurt. The room tilted slightly.
“He’s… Thomas Thorn,” I forced out. “He’s… a lawyer.”
A flicker of disbelief crossed Saint’s face. “We know that, but why are you scared of your fiancée? A lawyer doesn’t usually show up with a bodyguard.”
Trigger didn’t speak. He just watched me with those eyes that made me feel seen in a way I didn’t want right now.
