Page 119 of The Bodyguard

“A slave? I gave you a job.” I cry, even though I know I should shut up.

“We were trying to get your money, you fucking stupid bitch.” Gina laughs, and there’s madness in her eyes.

“What?”

“Your entire family hates you.” She spits.

Literally.

Spit shoots out of her mouth.

“All you had to do was share your wealth and stay away from Nick.” She takes a few steps closer and little noises escape me.

“Nick?” I squeak as I process her words.

My family hates me.

I knew they didn’t love me, but to viciously hate me is another thing.

Did they all plan this?

Have they sent her to kill me?

I’m confused and terrified.

I don’t know what to believe, but all that matters is I stay alive.

“I know you got the notes.” Gina laughs, then pushes her arm out, the gun waving uncontrollably.

Jesus.

I tremble, watching the gun.

“But you didn’t listen. You had to tease Nick with your”—she waves the gun at my body—“superstardom shit. Well, newsflash, he doesn’t want you. He loves me.”

Oh god.

“Gina, he doesn’t love you. Please. I tried to protect you.” I cry, pleading with her. “He sleeps with a lot of people. I wanted to protect you from heartache when I could see how much you liked him.”

Now I’m starting to see that she is not the sound-minded person I once thought she was.

The gun is a good giveaway.

“He asked me to go as his date to the Globes. Not YOU!” she screams. “He loves me! Not fucking you.”

I cover my head with my arms as she waves the gun at me wildly, spit going everywhere.

“Gina, stop!”

Then the gun goes off.

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RYDER

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I scramble up the wall, Aidan and Marshall giving me a boost, and then I’m over it and dropping to the ground.

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