Page 1 of SEAL by Fate

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“TEN MINUTES, MISS West,” the tall brunette with a thick southern twang said from the doorway.

Stormy couldn’t get her voice to work as she stared through the cracked mirror at the wedding planner who was happily fluffing the veil hanging from a hook on the door. When she didn’t get a response, she looked around, nailing Stormy with an inquisitive gaze.

“Miss West?”

“Yes…okay, Tiffany. I’m sorry. Ten minutes. Any sign of my sister yet?” Stormy felt her knees wobble.

“No, I’m sorry. No sign. Maybe she got lost?”

The air deflated from Stormy’s lungs. The last time she’d spoken with Colette they’d argued which left Stormy puzzled. How could she go through today without her sister’s support? They’d been there for each other when times were down and when life was happy, even if they didn’t always agree with the other’s choices.

“Shall I stay?” Tiffany asked.

“No. No, thank you. I need a moment.”

The woman nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

Once the wedding planner’s footsteps faded down the hall, Stormy dropped into the chair at the vanity and rubbed her sore hand. The black and blue bruise on her wrist seemed stark against her pale skin, but at least the concealer she’d applied had helped some. She wasn’t sure how to hide it completely. Wearing a wrap over the cap-sleeved gown would raise suspicion.

Her shoulders slumped.

The tension in her body couldn’t quite be released.

Opening the drawer to the dressing table, she took out the crumbled piece of paper that she’d received that morning and read…

“He’s a monster. Don’t do this. You’ll regret it.”

Did her sister send the letter? The idea didn’t seem possible. Colette had never been shy about voicing her opinions in person.

Colette’s last words, “I know Duncan isn’t who you think he is. I’ll prove it” lingered in Stormy’s mind.

Shivers raced through her as she pushed the drawer closed, wishing she could close her doubts on the disturbing letter. This wasn’t the first one she’d received. Over the last three months she’d gotten two others. Why was someone trying to warn her? What did they know that she didn’t? What did her sister suspect that Stormy was missing?

Calling her sister’s number again, her heart sank when voicemail picked up. The long beep sounded and Stormy started to hang up, but instead decided to leave a message. “Colette, where are you? I need to speak to you. I-I’m starting to get worried. I know you hate him, but I need to have you here. We’re family and you’re all I have.” Clicking off, she dropped the phone into her purse and paced the small space in her bare feet. Why would her sister not show up for the wedding? Although there was no love lost between Colette and Duncan, Stormy had believed her sister would put aside all ill feelings and support this day.

More of Colette’s words pounded Stormy’s brain. “This isn’t where you wanted to get married. Neither of you even attend this church. Why is Duncan adamant about marrying here?”

Angry at the time, Stormy had brushed off the point, but it did make sense. She’d wanted to get married outdoors as the sun was setting. Surrounded by flowers and close friends and family. That had been her dream, but Duncan hadn’t cared.

In fact, she hadn’t seen one guest on Duncan’s side arrive today and at the rehearsal dinner no one showed up from his family. As forgiving as Stormy was even she couldn’t figure out why he didn’t seem to have any friends or family, or at least anyone he wanted her to meet.

With shaking fingers, she picked up the veil from the hook and slid the delicate comb through her curly updo, straightening and fluffing the material halfheartedly. Checking herself in the mirror she admired the job the makeup artist had done, but her gaze automatically sank to the closed drawer.

You’re marrying a criminal.

The words from the first letter were embedded in her thoughts. She wanted to believe this wasn’t true, that the man she’d been involved with for a year wasn’t a monster or a criminal, but she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Something was missing.

Colette had warned Stormy that Duncan couldn’t be trusted, and yet she’d never told her sister about the letters. And after last night…well, it hadn’t been the magical night before her wedding that she’d hoped for. She and Duncan had gotten into an argument after he was late getting to the rehearsal dinner, already tipsy and angry. When she asked where he’d been, he snapped and grabbed her wrist, tugging her roughly down the hall of the church where he sternly told her that he didn’t like her intrusion into his privacy.

Intrusion into his privacy and they were on the precipice of marriage…?

The incident had taken her for a loop and after she’d gained her equilibrium, she’d gone back to dinner and kept a smile plastered on her face, even making it through the meal without allowing her feelings to overtake her. When she and Duncan had finally left the restaurant, all the pent-up emotions had slipped and flowed. She’d told him she didn’t think she could go through with the wedding. Of course, he’d unloaded, explaining his staggering actions and apologizing, all the while her warning bells were sounding. She understood that he had internal and external wounds from his past life, but wasn’t he supposed to want to open up to her? Tell her his worries and doubts? Share his life?

She touched her bruised wrist and her eyes filled with tears. She wanted to wake up from the nightmare and be happy that she was getting ready to marry the man she once loved.

Once loved?

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