Page 30 of Hacker Identified

“Okay. For a split second, I remembered coming here once with my father. Dad didn’t think I overheard the conversation between him and the pastor then. This was where my father recruited people, but the pastor’s name was different.”

My stomach turned for a moment, and I wondered if we should find another person licensed to perform our ceremony. Unfortunately, Hannah hadn’t given me time to decide, because she jumped out of the vehicle and headed for the double white doors. I got out and jogged to catch up. Her phone rang when we reached the front door.

Chapter9

Hannah

Itook a deep breath and stepped inside the church; my heart thudded against my chest. This was it, in less than an hour, I would be married to the former President of the United States. Zack had given me the option to go back to D.C., and live the rest of my life in witness protection. Instead, I got lost in those damn gray eyes of his and decided to go through with the wedding.

My phone vibrated the moment we were inside. “I’m going to go use the restroom.”

Zack squeezed my hand before he let it go. “Let me go find Pastor Emerson. And you better text Gibs back before he blows up my phone. He worries about you.”

“How do you know it was him? It could be my other fake fiancé?”

Zack grabbed my wrist and pulled me against his chest. “I want one thing to be clear. What we have is not fake. My cock aches each morning when I wake up with your sexy ass pressed against my body. I think about you every second of the day. Our relationship might have started as an arrangement, but it’s something more to me.” My phone vibrated a second time, and Zack quickly kissed my lips. “Now go answer him. I’ll find the priest.”

My eyes were glued to Zack's ass as he strode down the church aisle toward the podium.

Gibs: How are you?

Gibs: Are you okay, or do I need to take someone out?

Me: I’m okay, at the church for marriage attempt number two.

Gibs: I’m happy for you, kiddo, but if you don’t want this, I will bust out of this hospital bed and get you.

I smiled, grateful for his thoughtfulness, and continued down the dark hallway. No light came on after I flicked the switch with my finger. I tried a couple more times, and nothing. Only a single ray of light illuminated the door at the end of the hall.

Gibs: It’s been a few years since I went toe to toe with the secret service. It could be fun.

I leaned against the wall and typed out my reply.

Me: No. I want to be with him, but at the same time, I’m worried I haven’t thought about what that means for my future. Zack is an amazing man. But I worry this is all temporary.

Gibs: I bet it’s not temporary. Men like Zack have figured out the next ten steps before most people even understand they are playing a game of chess with a powerful man.

Me: He’s just doing this because he feels bad about blowing my cover.

Gibs sent a stream of crying and laughing emojis.

Me: You never use emojis. How much morphine are you on?

Gibs: None. Anyone who has spent more than a few minutes with you knows how special you are. Zack has the means and money to do anything. I don’t think he will ever let you go. That said, I expect an invitation to the baby shower.

Me: We haven’t even had our fake wedding yet, and you have me barefoot and pregnant.

Gibs: I know things. Be safe and tell Zack I’ll kill him if he hurts you.

I sent him an emoji with its eyes rolling.

My heels clicked against the old hardwood as I made my way down the hallway. The door creaked as I pushed it open. But then, disaster struck the moment I stepped into the dark room. My shoe slipped on the smooth tile floor, and I fell backward with a sickening thud. My hand felt wet when it hit the ground, and I immediately knew something was wrong. I scurried to my knees and felt around for my phone. The floor was wet as I slid my hand around, searching for it. That’s when I felt a hand, one that wasn’t mine. My scream echoed off the small room’s walls as I slid around the floor.

Faintly, I heard Zack yell my name, but I had to find my phone. I sighed when my fingers touched the smaller object and not another person’s. When I activated the phone’s flashlight, it illuminated the small bathroom and my heart nearly stopped. Blood covered my white dress, and fingerprints marred the floor beside the knife.

It was the priest. His body lay there, lifeless and bloody. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. But then, I glanced up and noticed the writing on the wall. ‘You will pay just like your sister did.’

“Hannah!” Zack’s voice echoed outside the door.

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