Page 101 of Protecting Hailey

He kissed me gently. “That sounds perfect. I’m excited to start up an L.A. office of our bodyguard business, and I’ll get to see my family for the other half of the year.” He pressed a kiss on my forehead. “I never imagined loving someone could be this easy.”

“It hasn’t been easy,” I said, thinking about the stabbing and the kidnapping. “But I know if we can communicate, we’ll get through anything together.”

“I promise you that, Hailey. I’ll always tell you what I’m feeling. And I want you to do the same. I love you and will protect you for the rest of my life.”

I threw my arms around him and squeezed until my chest burned. “I love you more than I ever imagined I could love someone.”

“Who’s going to break the news to Jake that I’m coming back home? I think he was looking forward to being the biggest one in our lineup of bodyguards.”

I chuckled. “You guys tease each other, but you know you love him.”

“I do. I am lucky to have them in my life. They prepared me for you.”

He kissed me and we fell back on the couch, excited to start the next chapter of our lives together.

27

Hailey

Three months later…

My arms glistened beneath the spotlights. The cries of the guitar squeezed my heart, and I closed my eyes to prevent the tears. This song still evoked strong emotions all these months after I wrote it.

I brought the microphone to my mouth and the thousands of fans standing in front of me went wild. They recognized the number one single for the past three weeks.

You tried to take it from me.

You thought you could break me.

I see who you are, but I don’t hate thee.

You just don’t know me.

You don’t even know thee.

Next time you see me, I will be free.

I breathed through each raspy word, knowing I was finally free. I was no longer afraid of the haters. I wasn’t afraid of losing my career because of something someone said online. I was free to be myself.

I wrote this song for myself, but it signified much more than that. Thanks to Fitz, the song had raised millions for so many in need.

I lowered my microphone and listened to the solo. My guitarist hit the notes so beautifully. This time, I couldn’t hold back a tear.

This was my last concert, and while I may miss the energy, love, and support of thousands of people, I knew having it from Christian, the one person I loved the most in the world, meant just as much to me. Maybe even more.

After the first verse, I spotted Kendra backstage and smiled. She had said she wouldn’t make it in time, but she did.

The piano played in the background and the crowd turned to one another, wondering what was happening. I hadn’t finished the song.

“I have a special surprise for everyone here tonight. A friend just arrived, and I think she’s here to help me finish the song we composed together.”

I turned backstage, and she nodded.

Raising my arm in the air, I shouted, “Everyone, help me welcome Kendra!”

My friend walked onto the stage as though it were a catwalk, confident and beautiful. She raised her microphone and belted the next verse.

You thought I would cry

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