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It started scaring the people she performed with and made her a mess. She gave into her fears, trembled as she played, made mistakes, and the requests to be a guest with the top symphonies, operas, and even some pop bands stopped coming in. She gave up her own hard-earned accomplishment, bought a home in Traverse ten minutes from her supportive and loving parents and brother, and taught children. Then the random emails started coming in, never from a traceable address and always,I’m coming for you.She wanted to be strong and brave but it was terrifying. Being back in Traverse she also had the whispered, “Treven’s coming” whenever she went anywhere.
When Treven had briefly been released from prison he thankfully hadn’t approached her, but he’d left a gruesome reminder of his intentions on her porch. A dead collared dove, because he knew how much she loved them, with a note,Thank you for waiting for me, beautiful. If you would’ve dared marry any other man, they’d be as dead as this bird. Not much longer and your patience will be rewarded and we’ll finally be together.
She’d called the police, wishing she’d dare call Chief Jensen personally as he’d asked her to each time he’d stopped by to briefly check on her and her case throughout the years. The two officers who’d come by took the evidence and wrote down everything she said but then they both whispered to her as they walked away, “Treven’s coming.”
Of course Officers Bradford and Palmer both denied saying any such thing but Chief Jensen reassured her they were being watched carefully and wouldn’t come near her again.
After that her cousin Mia Burton’s husband, former Navy SEAL Captain Zeke Hendrickson had taught her basic self defense, how to use a pistol and knife, and installed her security system. She practiced her self defense moves every day. Still she was afraid to leave home and risk running into Naomi or William Rindlesbacher or one of Treven’s lackies.
She shuddered, closed her eyes, and said a prayer for strength. Treven was in prison and William and Naomi were on the run having finally been exposed for the sadistic psychos they were. Today she was going to be brave. She would confidently waltz into Prince Derek and Ellery Monson’s wedding this afternoon, not be afraid as General Raymond would have insane security even with the Rindlesbachers gone, and she might even get the chance to prove she was stronger than her fears and flirt with one irresistible chief of Augustine’s police force.
Chief Jensen Allendale. Whew … The dark-haired, dark-eyed, dark-skinned perfection in a human male form could make her entire body tingle with one look from those intense and beautiful eyes of his.
What would it feel like if he touched her? She leaned against the piano at the thought.
“Did you like it, Miss Livvy? Did I do all right?”
Her eyes flew open and she stared down at her student. “Oh, sweet child, it was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you.” Gabby smiled proudly. As she should. “What are we conquering next?”
Livvy laughed and searched through her stacks of sheet music. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto Number Five might be the ticket. She adored this girl and she would remember today how brave and hard-working Gabby was with her piano. Livvy was going to do that with facing the world again, and she wouldn’t even look over her shoulder for one of the Rindlesbachers to somehow be shadowing her. They were running scared or in prison. That gave her comfort and strength.
Four hours later, she was dressed in her favorite pale blue eyelet dress and in a shuttle traversing the narrow road that ascended to the castle of Augustine. The royal family were impressive, noble, and had made their country flourish. Livvy didn’t know any of the royals personally, but she knew General Raymond was close friends with Chief Jensen and her good friend Sophie Pederson had loved Prince Malik for years. Sophie and Prince Malik had reconnected at General Raymond’s wedding, through a series of crazy and terrifying events, of course involving the devilish William Rindlesbacher. At least the man had been exposed and was in hiding. She’d prefer him in prison.
Sophie and Prince Malik would surely be engaged soon. It made Livvy seriously happy. She wasn’t certain if Sophie was the reason she’d been invited to Prince Derek’s wedding or if Chief Jensen might have had some influence. The beautiful man came to visit her on occasion, checking in to see if Treven’s parents or friends had bothered her. She didn’t think she’d revealed the massive crush she had on him, but maybe he could read it in her eyes. She counted it a blessing every night that he didn’t commit to one of the many women chasing him.
A royal guard helped her out of the van. She murmured her thanks, clutching her small purse, that had been thoroughly searched at the lower gate before she’d been allowed in a transport. It only contained lip gloss, her phone, and some eyeliner in case hers ran when she cried at the wedding. She hadn’t been to many weddings but imagined she’d cry. Happy tears for the couple’s joy and sad tears for the fact she’d never be there. Not unless she agreed to marry the masochist Treven Rindlesbacher or he miraculously got killed. Now that was a cheery thought.
She teetered on her heels. They took her from five-two to five-five and she needed the confidence boost of a few extra inches today. Years ago she’d strutted onto stages the world over in formal gowns and heels to perform and hear the crowd’s praise through applause. Currently she didn’t even wear heels when she forced herself to sneak into the local church for Sunday worship every few weeks, trying to hide amongst the crowd and being short helped. Today was special and she was celebrating and hoping to look her best.
She followed the crowd through the open courtyard. The area was set up with tables, chairs, a dance floor, and flowers decorating or draping from anything they could cling to. The wedding guests were directed through a side door and onto a glass walkway. Her eyes widened as she looked down hundreds of feet to the greenery below. Stomach hopping, she swallowed and focused on the couple walking in front of her.Don’t look down, she begged herself, clinging to the railing with sweaty palms.
Finally clearing the terrifying bridge she gawked at the beauty of the royal wedding—flowers everywhere, an unreal setting with the towering granite castle on one side and the views of the gorgeous mountains and valley that were typical of their country. Every part of the scene looked even more beautiful on this early fall day with the colors of the deciduous trees already changed to vibrant red, orange, and yellows. The stately pines added their deep green to the contrast and the bright blue lakes throughout the small valley were picture perfect.
Her gaze swept around the wedding party and snagged on the exquisite frame and face of Chief Jensen Allendale. His dark gray suit fit his lean form perfectly, making her mouth go dry. He was talking to a breathtaking redhead in a low cut dress. Dang. Livvy hid away in her house and feasted on each brief visit from Jensen. He’d apparently made it his personal quest to check in on her and her case since she’d moved back to Traverse.
Sadly she knew he wasn’t a monk and the media loved to show that he dated, a lot. To see him flirting with her own eyes was a gut punch. She’d envisioned their gazes meeting and him rushing to her side, teasing with and tempting her, admitting she was the woman he’d been waiting for.
Her shoulders slumped and all her preparation and reasons for conquering her fears and not only leaving her house but facing this huge wedding party seemed to be a waste. Why had she come? She’d been so stupidly brave. Right now she just felt stupid.
Jensen suddenly looked away from the woman and straight at her. Livvy sucked in a breath as the world around them disappeared. There was only Jensen’s intense, dark gaze, the slight smile curving his intriguing lips, and the knowledge that this was the only man in the world who could keep her safe from Treven Rindlesbacher and love her like she’d always fantasized about.
He tilted up his chin to her, and miracle of miracles, he walked around the redhead and started her direction. Her stomach gave a happy flip flop and her pulse raced with anticipation. Were all her dreams about to come true? She licked her lips and automatically reached for the lip gloss in her clutch. She should meet him halfway, but her legs were too wobbly and she’d probably face plant in these three-inch heels.
The redhead darted in front of Jensen, pressing her red-painted fingernails against his chest and her tall, well-formed body against him. The redhead was only a few inches shorter than Jensen’s six feet. Not over half a foot shorter like Livvy was. They looked incredible together.
Livvy sucked in a breath of disappointment. Jensen’s gaze looked frustrated, or maybe she was only hoping to see that.
“Livvy!” Sophie Pederson rushed up to her and threw her arms around her neck. “You came! Malik and I were placing bets and I won.” Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an O. “I mean …”
“What my beautiful sweetheart is trying to say,” Prince Malik said as he shifted Sophie’s daughter Sunny to his left arm and wrapped his right around Sophie. “We are thrilled you are here to join in my brother’s happy day.”
“Smooth, Prince Malik,” Livvy said drily. “No wonder they call you the charming prince. Do you cover up for her all the time?” She grinned at her friend to show her there were no hard feelings and she was teasing. Sophie wasn’t a blunt or rude person. It did sting to think of them placing bets on if she’d show, but she wouldn’t have bet on herself. Only the strength of the Lord and Gabby’s example of perseverance and bravery had brought her teetering on her heels to this moment.
Oh, and an insane desire to see Chief Jensen and somehow show him she wasn’t a cowering victim of Treven’s threats. Fear suddenly coated her throat. What if Treven did get out of prison and come for her like he’d always promsied. What if he killed Jensen like he’d threatened to kill any man she dated? He’d had Sophie’s fiancé Jonathon killed from prison. Jensen was tough and brave but Treven and his lackies were disgusting and underhanded and always seemed to prevail.
She snuck another glance and saw that Jensen now had a group of women surrounding him. Her heart dropped. Her worries over Jensen didn’t matter. Jensen would stay safe from Treven because he sadly wasn’t interested in Livvy and had far too many women after him already. She wasn’t surprised to see that with her own eyes, the man was irresistible—handsome, confident, accomplished, fun to tease with. Why wouldn’t women chase him? Disappointment tasted like bitter castor oil coating her mouth and throat. No worse. Like she’d performed with Vienna Philharmonic and hit every note wrong.
