Joan
“Can he not go with me, please? It’d make me feel… well, uncomfortable,” I said, pressing my lips together.
Aaron glanced at me briefly before turning his attention back to his laptop, fingers tapping away.
I crossed my arms in front of my chest. Oh, so now he was playing the silent role, wasn’t he?
“Aaron.” I called his name, and he sighed, finally lifting his eyes to meet mine.
“I thought we already talked about this?” He turned his seat around to face me fully. “It’s not safe for you or the baby to be out alone without a bodyguard.”
“It’s just dinner with my colleagues,” I pressed on.
“It’ll be awkward having a bodyguard hovering around like a shadow,” I added, watching as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Babe…”
“Just this once. I’ll be good, I promise,” I muttered, my voice softer now. He stared at me for a long second before exhaling a slow sigh. I took it as a yes.
A grin broke out on my face, and I quickly closed the distance between us, pressing a soft kiss to his lips before darting out of his study.
I headed straight for our bedroom to pick a dress.
Alessia had suggested we all catch up over dinner tonight before she left for Spain with Noah in a couple of days. They’d become like a second family to me.
Aaron was taking his sweet time warming up to Garrett, unlike with the girls. According to him, Garrett was a man-a full-grown one at that.
And Aaron didn’t like the idea of men being around me. Too bad for him, he didn’t get to decide who I spent time with.
We were getting married, so I’d have to make some adjustments, but for now, I was still allowed to have friends, male or female.
My phone rang from the bed, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen-Rhoda.
Reaching for it, I swiped the green button.
“Hey,” I said, making my way toward the closet. It was just dinner, finding a simple dress shouldn’t be hard.
“Hey. Okay, so I have some bad news,” she said, and my brow lifted. What now?
“The event planner canceled. She said she’s fully booked and won’t be available to plan a wedding by summer.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
Why was it so goddamn hard to find an event planner in New York who wasn’t already booked?
“So we’re still searching, then,” I muttered, rubbing my forehead.
“Yeah. She’s one of the best in the city, and her events are top-notch. It would’ve cost a fortune, but still…” Rhoda trailed off.
“Well, keep looking. Let me know if you find someone else,” I muttered, and after a few more words, she hung up.
Finding an event planner was proving to be harder than I’d expected, and I was starting to think my summer wedding might not happen.
Of course, Aaron had no idea I was still struggling to find one. As far as he knew, everything was going fine. If it were up to him, he’d hire one from out of state-Florida or somewhere else.
I’d have to tell him sooner or later.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Aaron asked as I applied the finishing touches to my makeup. I met his gaze through the mirror.
“No, sorry. You’ll put everyone on edge,” I said, and he pressed his lips together.
I grinned.
“I’m not that bad of a company,” he said, sounding mildly offended.
I snorted and turned to face him. I had tied my hair into a simple ponytail to keep from sweating too much, which was happening a lot these days.
My makeup was light and minimal-I wouldn’t want to look like a melting wax figure before the night even started.
His eyes traced my face, lingering on my lips. He scooted forward on the bed, inching closer.
“You’re great company… in bed,” I teased, and he furrowed his brows, feigning a hurt expression.
“Okay, now that hurts,” he said flatly, and I chuckled.
“They won’t be comfortable around you. You’re their boss, after all. And you don’t hesitate to fire anyone who gets on your nerves,” I pointed out.
He pursed his lips.
“Is there a way I could change your mind? Make you stay with me instead?” His hands rested on my thighs, his gaze locking onto mine.
My stomach did a small flip, but I brushed him off, standing to get my shoes.
I had settled on a blue dress that ended just above my knees. Aaron had said it looked beautiful.
“Are you trying to bribe me with sex?” I asked, slipping my foot into my sandals.
“When you put it like that, it makes me sound like a terrible person,” he said with a chuckle.
“Unfortunately, Thompson, I will take you up on your offer-when I get back,” I said, grabbing my bag.
I checked my reflection in the mirror one last time.
“How do I look?” I asked, doing a small spin in front of him.
His eyes glinted.
“Sexy. Gorgeous.”
I smiled. He stood, closing the space between us.
His hands ran down my arms as he sighed.
“You can still take the bodyguard. He’ll keep his distance,” he suggested.
“I thought we talked about this?” I countered, raising a brow.
He nodded before resting his forehead against mine.
“I just have a bad feeling,” he admitted, his voice softer.
I pursed my lips.
“I’ll be fine. I promise,” I whispered.
He leaned in, pressing a light kiss to my lips-careful not to smudge my lipstick.
“Okay. Call me when you get there,” he said.
I nodded. “See you in a couple of hours. Love you.”
And with that, I was out the door.
It was still early-6:30 p. m.
I walked out of the compound and onto the main street, hailing a cab.
I shot a quick text to Alessia. I’d be there earlier than everyone else since we were set to meet at seven.
Leaning back in my seat, I gazed out the window, watching the city blur past.
Until I noticed the driver glancing at the rearview mirror. Repeatedly.
I sat up a little straighter.
“Are you okay, sir?” I asked.
He met my gaze through the mirror.
“There’s a car trying to overtake us. It’s been following us for a while now.”
My eyes flicked to the back.
True to his words, a dark vehicle was tailing us closely.
I scoffed.
So Aaron really did send a bodyguard after me. So much for talking things out.
I sighed.
“It’s fine. It’s probably just one of my husband’s men,” I said, the words slipping out before I realized what I had just called Aaron.
Husband.
And damn, if that didn’t feel good.
I grabbed my phone, clicking on Aaron’s name to send him a quick text.
The driver turned onto a quieter street leading to the restaurant.
I thought we agreed. Why did you send the bodyguard after me?
A response came seconds later.
Mine: What are you talking about?
I rolled my eyes. Playing dumb now?
A car. It’s been following us since I left the house.
Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then reappeared.
The cab jolted to a sudden stop.
I looked up. A car had blocked our path.
My stomach knotted.
My phone vibrated with another message.
Mine: I sent no one. You’re being followed. Where are you?
Fear shot up my spine like a cold knife.
What?
My fingers trembled as I typed. But my phone rang and his call came in. I picked almost immediately.
“Where are you?” He asked, his voice sharp. It was laced with was it panic… I had no idea.
“I don’t know. I’m on the street towards the restaurant and…”
Two men stepped out of the car in front of us, their faces masked.
Panic set in.
“Aaron, two men stepped out of the car. They’re on masks,” I said and I could hear his breath.
“Stay with me, okay. I’ll be right there. Can you identify them?”
Before I could say anything, the car door flung open.
Rough hands grabbed my hair, yanking me out. My phone slipped from my grasp, crashing to the ground.
I screamed, kicking wildly.
“Let go of me!”
One of them lifted me effortlessly.
“Sorry, princess. We weren’t supposed to hurt you, but you’re one stubborn bitch,” one of them muttered.
A sharp pain exploded in my skull as the butt of a gun slammed against my head.
Blackness swallowed me whole.