Page 74 of Shattered Vows

Maybe Bastian was more broken than I’d originally thought. His brother lowered his eyes and I did too.

We ate in silence until Cade announced the drivers were there. The elevator took us to the car I thought we would all pile into, but two black SUVs awaited us, surrounded by security guards and men in black suits. I froze, not sure if I was going to die right there.

I glanced at Bastian and he rolled his eyes like he knew my thoughts. “They’re just here to walk the park with us. We got Katie’s kid and she’s infamous in certain parts. She wants her child protected.”

“Jeez,” I whispered. That was momma bear on another level. Yet, every aspect of this excursion was getting more and more stressful. “Are all of you that infamous?”

“In some circles, yes.” He hesitated, like he was weighing what to tell me. “You know we’ll be photographed today. The theme park with my family is good though. It will solidify our relationship. No one will bother you after today.”

We got there in good time considering it was a few hours’ drive. Bastian groaned about us not taking the jet most of the way. “It takes away from the experience,” Cade told him.

“Get real. You haven’t had a real experience in decades with your head in that phone.”

His grin was one of a Cheshire cat. “You’d be surprised, brother.”

When we arrived at the park, the SUV dropped us at the line for people who already had tickets. When we had to scan in, they took our fingerprints.

My normal life didn’t involve my heart beating fast about getting in somewhere. If they said no, we’d go to the other line and buy tickets. Just more waiting. Cade’s skills must have been golden though because we got that green light and went through the gate without a hitch.

Ivy danced around us in a little dress that fluffed out at her waist. I eyed it. “Who got her that outfit?”

Cade shrugged. “She’s got a million dresses back home like this. I packed a few for her.”

“You’re the perfect uncle, I think.” I elbowed him and he nodded.

“I probably would have been the perfect husband too. Sorry you got stuck with my brother.”

Bastian grumbled as we walked in but didn’t pay us much mind. He was probably just happy he didn’t have to make small talk with me.

“I see the castle! I see the castle!” Ivy screeched. “I’m going to be a princess! I’m going to be a princess!”

Bastian and Cade stared out at the park and I think the gravity of it hit us all at the same time. People were swarming in and out every which way like herds needing water.

“Have you ever been to this park?” I took a deep breath.

The guys shook their heads but Cade grabbed Ivy’s hand with a smile and they skipped ahead.

Before we could continue our conversation, he looked back at us. “Phones on. I’m going to get a stroller for our princess here. We’ll do some rides and meet up soon.”

“Why don’t we just go with him?” I asked Bastian, but my wonderful arranged partner was already waving them goodbye.

“We’ve already got eyes on us. We need to play up that we’re having a good time together.”

“What?” I glanced around. I didn’t see anyone who looked suspicious. There weren’t any cameras in bushes or people holding microphones like they were going to come ask us a question. “I don’t see any cameramen, Bastian.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, and I waited for him to calm down.

The crowd fanned out around us as they entered the park. The place was big but still not large enough to accommodate the massive swarm of excited theme park fans. People were dressed in character, some ran in like they needed to catch the best rides, and others snapped picture after picture of the castle in the distance.

“Most use phones now. And there are underground gangs, crews, other businessmen following us. They want evidence and the media want photos.”

My eyes darted uncontrollably around, trying to spot spies.

“You won’t see them, Morina. Cade’s good at security and so he just knows.”

“So when he said I looked nice today…” I trailed off realizing my question had been stupid.

“He means you look like you should. We’re just supposed to be dating. Hand holding and what not, okay?”

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