Page 2 of SEAL by Fate

Her head swarmed. Her stomach turned. Did she not love him any longer?

Confusion gurgled up inside her.

Stormy needed her sister.

Duncan wasn’t the same man she met. The charming and affectionate one. Now he spent most evenings working late or traveling for business, and when he was with her he was distant and easily irritated.

She had mentioned to Duncan that his behavior was odd and they were drifting away from one another. He’d made up the excuse that his job as an import/export buyer had been stressful and he’d been traveling too much. He never talked about his family, childhood, nothing but the present, and because he’d made it clear that he was a private person, she’d respected his wishes and didn’t pry. Yet, how does a marriage work between two people who barely know each other?

She was at fault for saying “yes”. The day he’d proposed had been the first romantic evening they’d had in months and she’d been hopeful that he’d be the man she once knew.

The door opened, and Tiffany peeked through the gap. “Miss West? Everyone is ready. It’s time to take your place.”

Stormy nodded. “Okay.” Her stomach knotted and she thought she might vomit. Everyone said pre-wedding jitters were normal, but what she was experiencing was more than a case of nerves.

“Need any help?” Tiffany asked, but Stormy lifted a hand to stop her from approaching. “Okay. I’ll give you a few more minutes.” The door started to close, but it came open again and the worried-looking planner stepped in, closing the door with a soft click behind her.

“Tiffany?”

The planner clasped her hands together, showing a slip of her own nerves for the first time. “Did you know there’s a man standing at the end of the hall?”

“A man? Do you know who he is?”

“I saw him speaking to your fiancé earlier, but I wasn’t introduced. I just thought you should know.”

Who would be downstairs when all the guests should be seated? “Thank you. I’ll be out in just a few minutes.” Stormy offered a plastic smile, hoping the woman would take her leave.

Waiting a short time after Tiffany excused herself, Stormy finally opened the door just enough that she could peek into the hallway without being noticed.

Just as Tiffany had said, there was a man standing at the end of the corridor. He was a large man with very short hair and a steely jaw. She’d never met him before, but he didn’t look friendly. His twisted expression and warrior-like stance made him seem more like a bodyguard than a guest.

Her head was now spinning. She had to lean against the wall to stable her wobbly knees. Stormy had a crushing feeling that the man outside was here to make sure she followed through with the wedding. Did Duncan think she’d bail out after his twist of character last night?

What type of man would send his buddy to watch her?

A monster.

Her knees threatened to give out. Sweat beaded between her breasts and the gown suddenly was too tight and suffocating.

Tiffany appeared in the hallway and Stormy backed up, wringing her hands together, and when the other woman stepped inside the room Stormy started pacing the floor.

“I’m not sure I can stall any longer.”

“What man would send a guard to watch his bride’s door?” Stormy muttered.

“Pardon me?”

Meeting the concerned gaze of the planner, Stormy whispered, “I don’t think I can do this.” What would their marriage be like?

“Forgive me, Miss West, but now’s the time to decide.”

“The man outside…I think he’s watching me. Making sure I don’t back out.” Stormy shot a nervous gaze over the planner’s shoulder to the closed door.

“You should go now.”

“I said I don’t think—”

“Through the back door. Run away. I’ll take care of the man down the hall. Give me just a few minutes. But be careful. It’s a mess outside so you won’t get far. Don’t forget your shoes.”

“I-I can’t go home.” The words fell off Stormy’s trembling lips.

“Right.” Tiffany crossed her arms. Stormy could practically see the wheels turning in the woman’s deep gaze. “That’ll be the first place he’ll look.” She pulled out a key from her pocket. “Go here. You’ll be safe for a few days. The address is on the keychain. Use your GPS or you’ll get lost.”

“Why are you—”

Tiffany shook her head. “We don’t have time for questions. Just go.”

Stormy was being thrust into a world of uncertainty and she either had to take a leap of faith or walk down the aisle.

Without a doubt, she couldn’t marry Duncan.

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