Page 78 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

“Fair enough, but you can’t kill him.”

“We’ll see,” I say under my breath, but I know he hears me.

I also know, if it were his wife and he needed to protect her, Josh would do everything in his power. Including putting a bullet in a man who was a threat.

I’ll do what’s necessary.

But if it costs the life of someone Stella loves, will she forgive me?

Fuck.

We need to know what the threat is.

CHAPTER TWENTY

STELLA

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While phoning Charlotte to see if she’s okay and can forgive me, I pack a suitcase. I know deep down I’m not courageous enough to flee, but it made me feel better.

Dad messaged to remind me to bring the wedding dress, so I kicked the damn thing down the steps to the elevator.

Fuck him and the stupid dress.

Declan, please steal me away from all of this.

“Of course, I forgive you. I’m worried about you,” Charlotte says, “Hey, there are men standing guard outside my apartment and they won’t answer my questions. Are you in danger? Am I?”

Declan mentioned BHS had a team protecting her, but I don’t know whether I should tell her.

“God, I’m so sorry. Just let them do their job. Please, Char.”

Dread fills me as I think of something happening to my best friend in the world. This is why I’m doing this. To keep everyone safe.

“Are you safe?” she whispers.

“You are safe with them; that’s all that matters.”

“Stella! Do I need to ring the police, because this is not all right. You cannot marry someone against your will.”

“I’m...not.” My voice is barely audible.

“Oh, come on! I’m not going to sit back and let you marry someone you don’t want to. I’m your best friend. I don’t know why your family is letting this happen, but...tell me or I’m ringing my father.”

I drop the T-shirt I’m folding and panic.

Fuck.

“No. Char. No. Please. That’s the worst thing you can do. Someone will get hurt,” I stammer.

“Well, it won’t be you, and that’s all I care about.”

I press my eyes closed tightly. I never thought this would be easy, but I definitely didn’t think it all through.

“I love you Char. God, we were only twelve when we met, and you said you liked my pink Converse. Then, the next day when we pranked Billy Shaw by filling his locker with a blow-up doll because he was tripping kids in the hallway, I knew you and I would be friends for life.”

I hear her sniff and let out a sad laugh. “Life isn’t over. We’re only twenty-five.”