Page 36 of Vows of Silence

It was stunning, but it made me feel like a child playing dress-up with their mother’s possessions.

“We need to be making a move now,” Frank told me, gesturing for me to exit the bedroom. “We don’t want to be late.”

Oh, no. We couldn’t be having that!

Because somewhere downtown, an entire ballroom of people were waiting for me. No doubt Adrien was already there, smiling for the cameras, spinning his web of lies about his eagerness to marry his child bride. It made me feel sick.

They weren’t attending tonight to celebrate with us. They were there to gain something. New relationships would be formed tonight, new gossip to be found, new businesses to venture into.

It was all one big merger wrapped in white roses and champagne, and I wanted no part in it.

Luca:This is your last chance, Isabelle. I can’t protect you if you shut me out.

I rolled my eyes and turned my phone off. I wouldn’t need it tonight anyway.

The text was nothing new. Luca had resorted to vague threats for the past few days now. I didn’t feel protected regardless, but if I had to choose, I’d choose the man with the rifle, not the man god only knows how far away, hiding behind cameras and technology.

Frank lingered in the doorway, his broad shoulders almost filling the frame. He looked uncomfortable in his suit, like he belonged in tactical gear with a rifle slung over his shoulder instead of standing guard outside a rich girl’s bedroom whilst she prepared for her engagement party.

“You ready?” he asked.

No. Not even slightly.

But I forced myself to stand anyway, smoothing my hands down the fitted material of my dress before reaching for my heels.

“As I’ll ever be.”

Frank moved immediately, stepping forward to help steady me before I could wobble. His hand hovered respectfully near my elbow without quite touching.

“You’re nervous,” he observed.

“That obvious?”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about, Miss. I’ll be here all night. You won’t be alone for a second.”

I glanced toward the dark windows instinctively, and the feeling hit me again.

Watching.

Always watching.

Even after covering cameras. Even after shutting Luca out. Even after days of silence, I still felt eyes on me.

I wasn’t alone whether Frank was with me or not.

Frank noticed the direction of my stare, and his jaw tightened slightly.

“We swept the grounds twice,” he said quietly. “You’re safe tonight.”

Safe.

The word should have comforted me. Instead, it made something cold settle low in my stomach.

Because deep down, I didn’t think I’d been safe for a very long time. It was only now that I was beginning to open my eyes to the truth.

The drive to the venue was quiet.

Rain hammered softly against the windows of the car as London blurred past outside in streaks of gold and white. Frank sat beside me in the driver’s seat. It wasn’t often I was allowed in the front, but I had insisted. I didn’t want to be alone in the back, and Frank was too much of a control freak to allow anyone else to drive him. So I won the small battle and was told to sit up front. Ahead of us, another two guards travelled in a separate vehicle, just in case I needed added protection tonight.