Page 8 of The Bodyguard Situation

We drive down the dark streets, and the silence makes my anxiety worse. Billie’s frantic face pops into my mind. Micah’s thumb strokes my palm, but it doesn’t do much to calm me.

“What if I tried for you?” Micah asks.

“That would be amazing,” I reply.

“I love you. Anything for you,” he whispers.

A mix of hope and uncertainty fills my heart.

“I want the absolute best for our future.”

“I love you too,” I say, but I ask myself if that’s true.

Do I love Micah Rhodes? Or do I love the thought of not dying alone in my penthouse with fifteen cats?

As we settle into the quiet, Micah reaches over and turns on the radio. Soft music fills the car, and I take a deep breath, trying to untangle the knotted thoughts in my mind.

My phone vibrates, breaking my fragile calm. I hesitate, my hands shaking as I check my messages.

Billie

YOU’RE IN DANGER! WAKE THE FUCK UP!

My heart races as a chill runs down my spine. Panic washes over me. Billie’s blunt warning is so sharp that it cuts deep. I quickly delete the message, anxiety flooding through me as I switch off my phone. My chest tightens, and I struggle to breathe as I give Micah a weak smile.

“Everything okay?” he asks, watching me closely.

“Just a spam message,” I lie smoothly. A lie. Why do I even have to lie right now?

His gaze lingers on me for a moment too long before he turns back to the road.

“Are you absolutely sure you’re okay?” Micah’s voice is more stern this time.

“Of course, babe.” I smile, but it feels forced. “Just tired after everything. Happy to be spending some alone time with you.”

Right now, I don’t feel like I know the man sitting next to me. After seeing Billie’s expression, followed by her text, I’ve been jolted awake.

“You’re such a good girl, Harper.” His voice softens, almost easing the panic in my heart. “The best girl. Just close your eyes and relax.”

Micah’s grip on my hand tightens, and the possessiveness feels unsettling. My mind fills with confusion and dread as I do what he said. I lean back and see Billie’s message burned behind my eyelids.

“Micah,” I say, needing to know more, “when you said you wanted to marry me soon, how soon are we talking?”

His eyes light up with real happiness. “This upcoming week.”

Shock hits me like a wave. “This week?”

He nods calmly, his gaze both gentle and serious. “I’m forty-four, Harper. I’m not getting any younger. Unless you’re having second thoughts …”

“No,” I reply quickly, seeing a glimpse of a monster behind his eyes.

YOU’RE IN DANGER!lingers in my mind like a ghost.

“Good. We’re on the same page then,” he says, relief softening his tone. “Now, get some rest, baby girl. We’ll be home in a few hours.”

Home.

The word feels as foreign as the ring on my finger.

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