He slowly shook his head.
“You really intend to marry me tonight.”
He slowly nodded.
“This is all real?”
He kissed my forehead. “Stay here out of sight. When you hear me call your name, it’ll be the time to make your grand entrance down the stairs into the ballroom.”
I clung to the lapels of his tuxedo for a moment before smoothing the silk. “Okay.”
He gave me a long look before stepping back and taking the carved wood staircase from the mezzanine down into the ballroom.
Pierce stood on the stage and took the microphone handed to him. “Good evening…”
I backed away.
One step.
Two.
Then I ran.
I wasn’t sure where I was going…I just needed some air. I needed to breathe. I needed space. I ran through the corridors away from the guests. I found myself running back toward the closed East Wing, away from the people and the noise.
As I entered the hall, I rested a hand against my side and took a deep breath.
“Hello, Madison.”
With a hand to my heart I let out a startled cry and turned to see Jameson lurking in the shadows.
CHAPTER 61
MADISON
The present
The butt of the gun rammed into my shoulder as it kicked, and the shot went wide.
I still hit him though.
Jameson swore as he reeled back, his hand clenching his shoulder. Blood spread across his white shirt. Then he came at me again.
It was just a graze.
I held the gun up, ready to fire again, when he grabbed the barrel and ripped it from my grasp, throwing it aside and seizing my face with his bloody hand, smearing blood over my neck and the beautiful wedding dress.
“You think you really get to shoot me, bitch? I am Jameson Motherfucking Worthington, and you are nothing!”
My back was pressed against the desk.
“Please,” I whimpered. “I did nothing to you. I will leave. You will never see me again.”
“Too late. You ruined everything.”
His breathing was erratic. Every flash of lightning outside the window gave me terrifying glimpses of his face twisted in rage as he screamed at me.
“Please,” he mocked, then laughed, grabbing my neck. “God, I am going to enjoy this. I’m going to fuck you like the whore you are and throw your broken corpse off the cliff. You wouldn’t be the first hopeful Mrs. Worthington to mysteriously die on the cliffs hours before she’s supposed to say her vows. I doubt you’ll be the last.”
