Page 93 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

I reach Tony, trembling, tears running down my cheeks, and my mind almost checks out.

I can’t.

I can’t.

He’ll kill me.

Even if he keeps me alive, he’ll kill my soul. What do I have to live for, anyway? I should just run and let him shoot me.

“Don’t even think about it bride.” He grabs me around the neck.

I gasp, letting out a cry. “Please.”

He turns to the priest and grunts. “Start.”

“Mr. Marino, I need to ask by law if Miss Voss is here of her own free will.”

Tony turns to me, evil pouring from his dark eyes. “Go right ahead. Stella knows what’s at stake if she doesn’t answer the way I need her to. Isn’t that right, my bride?”

My father’s life.

It feels like my entire life hits pause, and I see the morose suffering I’ll live through if I remain here with this man.

Yet, if I leave—assuming I can if I say no—he will murder my father.

Even after what he did, I don’t know if I can look myself in the mirror knowing I’m to blame for his death. Tony wouldn’t do it quickly; I can see it in the way he’s daring me right now. There’s a smirk on his lips, the devil gleaming from his globes.

“Stella Voss, are you here of your own free will?” The priest presses, sweat pouring off his forehead.

Oh God. What do I do? Please help me.

Please!

I know the answer. I don’t have a choice. He’d pull out the gun and shoot the priest and get a new one. He’ll terrorize me until I say yes.

The grip around my neck tightens, a smirk on his lips as if he sees that I’ve worked it out. “Answer him, wife.”

I’m not your wife.

I can’t do this.

I won’t spend my life locked in that room, restrained so he can sexually abuse me as he sees fit. There is one option I’ve never considered. That none of them considered. It’s the only way out.

Me.

My death.

“Fuck. You,” I grate out and close my eyes, awaiting the pain, the sound of the gun going off and saying goodbye to my life.

Pop, pop, pop.

“Stella, get down!” a voice screams, and my eyes fly open.

I know that voice. The one I dream about.

Declan?

Tony releases me and flies into action. I fall to the ground and start scrambling behind the edge of a sofa. Tucking my arms over my head, I try to peek as bullets go flying. One slams into the arm of the sofa, making me scream.