Page 53 of Stuck with the Billionaire Celebrity

He’ll come.”

I shudder, a cold sensation crawling up my spine at the thought. I hate that this is our reality now, that I’ve had to depend on Theo for security and protection from a man I’ve never even seen.

But more than that, I hate that it’s getting to me. I don’t like feeling helpless or vulnerable.

And Theo? He’s not helping. He’s too calm. Too collected. Tooin control. It drives me crazy how he seems to be able to compartmentalize everything, even when I know he’s just as on edge as I am.

"Can’t we just—" I start, but he cuts me off.

"No, we can’t just go back home and pretend like everything’s fine," he snaps, though it’s not harsh.

He sounds frustrated, and it’s not directed at me.

"Grace, we’ve been over this.

This guy needs to be stopped.

And if this is the way to catch him?—"

"—then we have to go through with it," I finish for him, sighing. "I know. I just… I feel like I’m in some sort of spy movie, except I don’t have any cool gadgets or martial arts skills."

He smirks, finally stopping his pacing. "You’ve got me. That’s better than gadgets."

I roll my eyes, though I can’t help the small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Sure. Because you’resosubtle."

He shrugs, adjusting his jacket. He looks sharp tonight in a tailored black suit and tie, every inch the intimidating, powerful man who’s made his fortune dominating boardrooms.

His hair is perfectly in place, but there’s a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes when he finally looks at me, and it’s that flicker that keeps me grounded.

"Alright, Mr. Bond," I say, trying to inject some humor into the tension filling the room. "What’s the plan again?"

He steps closer, his brow furrowing. "You know the plan, Grace. We go down to the gala, make our rounds, let everyone see you, and then wait for him to make a move.

The security team is set up all around the venue. The moment he steps into the building, they’ll know."

"And then what? You tackle him to the ground like some action hero?" I ask, crossing my arms. "Or is that your security team’s job too?"

"I’m not tackling anyone in this suit," he replies with a straight face, but a twitch at the corner of his mouth betrays his amusement.

"But don’t worry, Grace. You’re not leaving my side tonight. Not for a second."

There it is again—that seriousness. The determination in his voice is both comforting and terrifying at the same time. He’s not joking. He means every word.

"I don’t like this," I admit softly, looking up at him. "I don’t like that you’re putting yourself in danger for me again."

His gaze softens. He just stands there, watching me like he’s trying to read my thoughts and figure out how to reassure me when the situation is anything but reassuring.

Finally, he steps closer, closing the gap between us, his voice low and deliberate.

"I’d rather be in danger with you than know you’re out there without me," he says.

His words give me goosebumps, and the air between us shifts. Suddenly, the room feels too small, too quiet, and I realize just how close we are standing. I swallow hard, my throat dry.

Can we skip all this hullabaloo and just stay here so that he can ravage me for infinity?

"You’re serious, aren’t you?" I whisper, my voice barely audible.

He doesn’t flinch. He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear with a tenderness that catches me off guard. "I’ve never been more serious in my life."

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