Page 54 of Reckless Single Daddy

I take a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be,” I reply, and he chuckles a little. “Do you know who to look out for?” I ask him in a hushed tone as we’re ushered along, waiting to walk down the aisle together.

“Yes, but Cade gave me specific instructions to just focus on the wedding,” he says.

I sigh, shaking my head. Great, so my own brother is aware of who this potential stalker is, and I’m still left in the dark. Mike won’t betray his friend, especially when said friend is an ex-CIAoperative. If anyone knows anything about special ops, it’s Cade, right?

“Try and relax, okay?” Mike adds, watching the couple ahead of us walk down the aisle.

Yes, easy for him to say.

As we walk down the aisle, my eyes scan the church filled with guests. One of them is my stalker, and I’m supposed to pretend I don’t know it. It’s easier said than done, but I do my best to school my features because that’s all I can do. If I won’t be told who to watch out for, then I might as well do what I was told.

When I make it to the front, my eyes find Cade in the front-row pew. He’s watching me carefully, smiling up at me as I do my best to remain composed. The anxiety I felt before melts away as I stare at his perfect smile, his perfect face. Suddenly, things seem less terrifying. Even without knowing who is after me, I can at least breathe easier knowing Cade is there to protect me should anything happen.

I keep my eyes on him throughout the entire ceremony, allowing him to keep me anchored. He’s been the beacon I’ve needed since I returned to Rose Valley. I need him even more now than ever.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” the minister says.

Killian wraps his arms around Mia and kisses her, dipping her as he does. Everyone stands and cheers them on. Killian and Mia pull away, laughing happily, and I find myself getting teary at seeing my big sister getting married.

I look back at Cade, and I wonder if this is in my future. He’s done the married thing before; does he want to get remarried? We have a lot to talk about before I go back to the city, but tonight isn’t about us. It’s about Mia and Killian.

After the ceremony, I meet up with Cade in the banquet hall. He greets me with a kiss and takes stock of my dress, spinning me around in a 360-degree view. “You look beautiful, Sloane,” he whispers, pulling me close and kissing me once more.

I hum into his lips. “You’re looking pretty hot yourself, Mr. Hart,” I reply as he chuckles, kissing me once more before pulling away. “How are things?” I ask vaguely. I know better than to reveal anything that could be heard or recorded or whatever else. At any rate, he knows what I’m referring to.

He sighs. “All you need to know is that they’re here,” he says quietly.

He isn’t offering up anything more, and I guess I just have to accept that. He wraps his arms tighter around me as I hug him close. I need to trust that this plan will work. It has to.

Nikki, Mia and Killian’s wedding planner, approaches us. “Hate to break up the loving couple, but we have photos out in the courtyard.”

Cade and I pull away. He smiles lovingly at me and lets me go. As I walk away, I give him one last glance. He seems calm, so I guess it’s safe to assume that Nikki isn’t posing as anyone nefarious. I suppose I should take comfort in that.

We take our photos, and in the near distance, I can see David manning the bar, which is good. At least when Cade isn’t around, he’s here to make sure nothing happens. I prefer Cade, obviously, but that’s only because I know very little about David. All I know is that Cade trusts him, and that’s good enough for me.

I pose, beaming widely through each shot so my happiness for Mia is shown despite my continuing nerves. I take a few photos with my family, some with just the other bridesmaids, others with only Mia, and so on. I may not be the one who just got married, but this wedding thing is exhausting for anyone in the bridal party.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” I whisper to Mia, who nods absently as her friends occupy her attention.

I walk through the banquet hall towards the women’s restroom, looking to take a break from the chaos more than really needing to use the facilities. This thing is not for me. As much as I try toreason with myself that I’m keeping it together, the truth is, I’m struggling. I’m doing my best for Mia’s sake, but I keep looking over my shoulder, waiting for this person to pop out, not only to terrorize me but to also ruin Mia’s day.

I leave tomorrow afternoon to go back to the city, where I can finish my collection and get it ready for the curator. I don’t have the time or mental capacity to have this person following me all the way back home, especially when my protection will remain in Rose Valley.

I sit on the toilet in the stall, breathing deeply.

After a minute, I hear the door swing open, and under the bathroom stall, I see men’s shoes walking inside, coming to a stop before my stall. I smile as I think about that first night, Cade following me into the bathroom in O’Malley’s. It’s crazy that this is where it all started. But he couldn’t really be thinking of doing that here and now, with everything going on?

I bite my bottom lip. It would be nice if I had something to help me decompress. I can’t drink, after all, so if my man is willing to help me out…

I stand up and open the door, smiling devilishly, only to stop short.

“Theo?” I gape at my old art teacher. “I think you missed the men’s bathroom next door,” I say with an awkward laugh,though I’m also trying to save face that I was willing to have a bathroom hookup with Cade in the middle of my sister’s wedding reception.

Yeah, can’t get any more awkward than that.

“I was looking for you, actually,” he says as he steps forward.

I notice his purposeful movements and the fixed way he stares at me. A chill runs down my spine, and my hackles go up.

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