Page 55 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

No.

Because he’s not.

He’s blackmailed me instead. It’s either marry Tony, or he kills me.

“No, he’s not. I just needed to tell someone how I felt. This is normal...for arranged marriages. I’ve tried to put on a smile,” I lie, hating myself for it. “Thank you for the hug.”

She doesn’t look convinced.

Returning to her seat, Charlotte watches me.

Not knowing what will happen after I’m married is worse. I don’t know if Tony will be controlling and stop me seeing my best friend. As she said, her parents are judges. I doubt The Blade would be happy about that. I’m almost certain he’ll force me to cancel my private security contract.

Declan.

I don’t know if I can have him around me in that house. Seeing me married to Tony. It would be torture. Not being able to kiss him as I can now in private. Not being able to make love. Or perhaps we could, and it would be this secret forbidden romance between us that no one needed to know until I was free. He’d keep me safe...Declan would never be able to stand back and watch you with Tony.

I know.

One thing’s for sure: I’ll need a lifeline, and it may be that it’s my mother. Which...God.

“You shouldn’t have to put on a smile.” Charlotte frowns, looking heartbroken for me. “You look like you’re about to attend your funeral, not your wedding.”

That’s fairly accurate.

“Nerves.” I smile, and it falters. “It will be fine.”

“Stella, what is going on?!”

I look over at Declan, who sips a glass of water as his gray eyes bore deep into my soul.

“I want to be there. Just tell this man how you feel. God, you haven’t even told me his name.”

Shit.

No, I don’t want her anywhere near him. It’s far too dangerous, and the last thing I need is for him to know he can threaten me with someone else I love.

“No,” I snap. “No, absolutely not. I’m just emotional. Wedding jitters and hormones.”

“Jitters? When is it?”

“Ah, Thursday.” I feel terrible lying, telling my best friend she can’t be at my wedding.

“THURSDAY!?” she yells, slamming down her menu. “Something isn’t right.”

I push away from the table, realizing I should never have come. That if she talks to her parents, and this gets out of hand, someone could get hurt.

“I can’t. Sorry, Char. I love you. You are my best friend, but you need to drop this.” I stand, and Declan is beside me in a flash.

Charlotte's mouth falls open. “I’m going to call the police. Something is—”

As she reaches for her phone, Declan grabs her hand, and we all freeze. “Do not make that call, Ms. Kensington. I am a Navy SEAL, and I need you to trust that I have Stella’s best interests at stake.”

What does he mean by that?

Her face pales as she swallows nervously, eyes darting between us; then she nods and whispers, “Please help her.”

“I promise,” he replies roughly, then leads me out of the restaurant and into the back of my car.