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There would be dozens of soldiers hiding, waiting for the perpetrator to make his move. Even now, I was more protected than I’d ever been, several of Gabriel’s men waiting for me to finish getting dressed.
He’d allowed me to spend some time with Carrie at her house, so few people knowing where she lived. I had ten minutes left before it would be time to go, chauffeured in a bulletproof SUV to the rehearsal itself.
“I know. I’m just thinking about everything.”
“You’re certain you want to do this?”
The last two weeks had been difficult emotionally, Gabriel trying to hold in his anger at everything that had occurred. He’d worked long hours, requiring my constant surveillance. While I’d been back to work, the tight security had been oppressive. Plus, he was still holding guilt as well as anxiety for his mother’s condition. What that had shown me was the depth of his many layers, his personality changing right before my eyes almost every day.
“Yes. Without any shadow of a doubt.”
“Are you okay?” Carrie asked.
“Stop worrying. I’m fine.” I twisted back and forth as I looked at myself in the mirror. The dress was another one he’d picked out, his taste incredible. I looked like a princess in red, his favorite color.
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“Because that’s the kind of woman you are.”
We laughed and she grabbed our two glasses of wine. “You look beautiful. Do you love him?”
I didn’t need to think about the question, but I did. “I know it sounds crazy, but I do.” I moved to the table, pulling the knife Gabriel had given me into my hands.
“Who wouldn’t love a man who kidnapped you?” she asked then gasped slightly. “Are you taking that?”
“I’m wearing it.”
“You’re kidding.”
I shook my head and eased it into position in the holster strapped around my thigh. Gabriel had insisted since I’d refused to take a gun.
“This is nuts,” she whispered.
“Protection.”
“I don’t care. It’s… crazy.”
“Relax, sweet sister. Gabriel knows what he’s doing. I trust him.”
I gave her a hard look in the mirror, and she shrugged. She was only partially teasing. She still couldn’t understand everything, mostly because I could only tell her but so much. What I hadn’t realized was that she’d already known our father wasn’t the decent human being he portrayed himself to be, happy our mother was trying to find a life of her own.
“He’s my Prince Charming, in a different package.”
“Uh-huh. As long as he’s good to you. That’s all that matters.” I took a sip and twisted my ring. It was gorgeous, a shock when he’d given it to me. We’d had so many nights of passion, including my full surrender. I tingled from the sensations that remained from the night before. The man was a powerhouse in bed.
And out.
That’s what concerned me the most. Would I need to worry about him every day? Only time would tell.
As we heard a knock on the door, she smiled. “I think your future husband is waiting. Let me grab my purse and coat.”
I gave myself another onceover and touched the necklace he’d given me the night before. He said it was my good luck charm. I knew he’d hidden a tracker in the charm. He couldn’t fool me. As I backed away, a series of tingling sensations flowed through me.
Maybe Valentine’s Day was the perfect choice.
And no one would dare interrupt such a glorious occasion for fear of facing wrath.
My wrath.
