Page 88 of Stitched Up in You
“Frank Stein has done us a great honor,” I hear the mayor say, his voice way louder now.
I smooth my hands down my dress, noticing the fabric bunched awkwardly at my thighs and gasp when hard hands grab me around my wrist, yanking me hard and tugging me into the room I just left.
“Ouch, let me go,” I snap, and rip my arm away from the man who forced me in here, not recognizing him and not liking the dark circles around his gaze.
He’s not very tall, only a few inches shorter than me, his dark hair greasy and clothes unkempt like he’s slept in them at least once, along with heavy hints of desperation about him.
“Bernadette Crenshaw, I’m with the Daily Dish and wanted to ask you a few questions,” he says.
I glare at him, getting more nervous and madder when he shuffles closer.
“Stay away from me,” I hiss and move toward the door, and he steps in front of me to block the way.
“Frank?” I call out, wondering if Mikael can still hear me.
“Bruno is on his way to you,” I hear Mikael say across the earpiece, making me feel somewhat better. Someone is coming if I can’t get myself out of this. My palms go clammy as I start wishing I’d hurried to the ballroom sooner.
“Yes, your engagement to Frank Stein. When is the wedding?” he says, holding his hands out nonthreateningly, one thumb curled around a small recording device.
Is this what Frank has to deal with? Less than sane people cornering him every chance they get because of who he is? I suddenly feel so much for celebrities and anyone who can’t walk through a building without being harassed because of the relationships they have.
“Get out of my way,” I snap, squaring my shoulders off against him as my nostrils flare.
Chapter 34
BERNADETTE CRENSHAW
Why is this room so small?The silly question pops in my head as I square off against my attacker, really wishing I weren’t wearing heels right now.
My arm smarts where he grabbed me, and nausea rolls my stomach so hard I want to puke.Why am I feeling this way?
“Just a few details about the wedding and I’ll get out of your hair, I promise. Pelican Group is paying top dollar to anyone who has the details, and I could even pay you for your time if you’re interested,” the greasy-haired reporter replies.
“No, I don’t think so,” I tell him, knowing if Frank ever does bring himself to propose, he wouldn’t want anyone knowing when it was. Outrageous bridal things have never been my style, and I’ve always thought I’d like a small, quiet wedding, if I ever found a man I could put up with me for that long.
Who can blame a girl when men like this exist.
I try to skirt around the guy, only for him to edge closer. I narrow my gaze at the intruder as my blood begins to boil. Asurge of anger snaps up my spine as my heartbeat pounds in my chest. “If you don’t get out of my way, I’m going to headbutt you,” I tell him calmly.
“Can you at least tell me when you two met? Everyone is dying to know,” the man says, blocking me again when I try to move around him as he thrusts the recorder in my face.
“I’m not telling you shit. Now get out of my way,” I snarl. An orange haze falls over my vision as I shove him with all my strength.
His back touches the wall just as a gigantic hand bursts through it and grabs the reporter by the nape of his neck.
Gasping, my jaw drops to the floor when in one smooth motion, the man is jerked through the wall, sending debris flying into the small room. I gape through the broken hole left from his body and meet Frank’s gaze, who bends low to see me through the hole left from the smaller man’s body.
He just Kool-Aid manned the wall. My heart melts as pleasure pulses in my middle.Dammit Bernie, this is no time for a lady boner.
“Did you touch her?” Frank growls, and reality catches up with me.
“He didn't touch me,” I say, trying to put him at ease.
“Are you alright?” he asks, as I blink at the reporter’s limp form in his grasp.
I'm shaking and my feet hurt, but other than that, “I’m okay,” I assure him.
Anger spreads from whatever spider senses I now have of Frank’s emotions, and I watch as Frank’s big hand squeezes the guy’s neck, before my brain catches up to stop him.
