Page 1 of Let Me Protect You

Chapter 1

Harmony

An earsplitting chime shatters the illusion of my sham of a wedding, throwing my heart into overdrive. I shift my gaze over to the vanity where my phone rests. My entire body begins to tremble. The screen is still lit up.

No more messages, please.

With sweaty palms, I grab my phone and swipe the screen open.

Unknown Number

This is your last reminder. If you marry him, you and your family are dead. Don’t forget what I told you to say when you say no.

There’s no way in hell I’ll utter the words I’m “supposed” to say, even if it puts me on their shit list. But maybe doing the first half of their demand will be enough for them. I peek out the door, looking for the bodyguard my old boss, Sully, said he’d send when I called him in a panic, but only a crowd of fans waits. Maybe I was a little hasty in calling him.

Before I called Sully, I went to the police, but they shrugged it off because apparently a lot of famous people get death threats daily. But no one “usually acted on them.” Those were their words, not mine.

My gown tangles around my feet as I turn back around, and my heart jumps when my sister, Serenity, moves in front of me with her bright bouquet hanging at her side and her other hand holding her daughter’s. Serenity’s watchful eyes take me in as I drop my phone back down. I throw my mask up or else she’ll figure out something is wrong.

She opens her mouth like she wants to say something but snaps it shut. A long sigh escapes her red painted lips.

We both already know what Serenity wants to say. “Don’t go through with this wedding.” She has already told me fifteen times in the two hours we’ve been getting ready. “You don’t love him. You’ll be miserable for the rest of your life.”

“I know,” I say to her silent pleading.

“For five years in a row, you were a bride for Halloween, and two of those, you made me be your bridesmaid.” She laughs softly. “I don’t know how many ‘wedding ceremonies’ you held for your stuffed animals.”

I give her a sharp look. Being here on the reality TV show, Everlasting Love, is for her and Summer, but I can’t tell her that.

Before I can reply, a producer pops her head inside. I think her name is Clara, but at this point, they all blur together. “Are you ready to go?

I nod.

“Remember to smile.” Clara tsks. “You always frown.”

“Sorry.” The word is forced, but my entire time being here has all been fake. A show, literally.

“You look like you just took a bite out of a lemon.” She shakes her head. “Do you know how many women would kill to marry a billionaire.”

Her words are like a punch straight to my gut but not because of jealousy. If she’s right … could the person behind the texts be a jealous woman? Or even a jaded ex? It hasn’t occurred to me until now that I know nothing about Victor’s past relationships. We always skated around the topic like a couple at a rink.

Clara turns away and says something I can’t hear to someone outside my dressing room. When she turns back to me, she says, “Okay, they’re ready for you. Try to ignore all the flashes. They have extra cameras for your big day!”

“Awesome,” I mutter, low enough for her not to hear.

She dashes off, and Serenity takes her place by my side.

She pulls me in for a three-person hug with my four-year-old niece in the center. Serenity places her hand on my cheek and says, “You know what’s right for you. Now let’s go give them the show of their life.”

When Serenity turns to Summer, I huff out a laugh, and a single tear breaks free, streaming down my cheek. That’s all I can allow for now. I can finally stop pretending after this one last episode. Wiping the wetness away, I take a deep breath.

Serenity finishes positioning Summer so she can go down the aisle before us.

“Mommy, I want to walk with you,” Summer says, clutching to the folds of her mother’s ruffly—almost birdlike—burgundy Maid of Honor dress.

“Once we’re at the end, we’ll be together. And don’t worry, Auntie and I will be right behind you. Can you be my brave girl?”

Summer nods, but tears streak down her cheeks. Clara cues for Summer to go down the aisle, and Serenity gives her daughter an encouraging smile before she takes her first step.