Her Mafia Bodyguard

ELLIE

"You, my cock, tonight." 

I'm reading Zane's letter and giggling loudly in my dressing room upstairs. He's been leaving me risque notes all week. It's a silly gesture, but I love his silliness so much. I just have to walk down the aisle now, and all the clues about tonight will no longer be fantasies. Zane will have me. 

On instinct, I reach for the Jameson to have an innocent glass, but my fingers halt before they can grab it. It's been just a month since alcohol messed with my head really bad.

The night after I landed in the city, I ended up sleeping in the middle of nowhere. All night. A shiver slithers through me at the mortifying thought.

I still can't remember how I ended up doing that. I only remember walking into the Crown nightclub to hang with Sophie and her girls, but when I try to recall what happens after, my mind switches off.

And the worst part is, Sophie's been missing since that night. Not even the cops have been able to make headway.

Her father thinks she's throwing a tantrum. He thinks she will show up soon. I don't know what to think. An ominous feeling has been lurking in the back of my mind ever since.

I jerk my hand back from the bottle.

"Ellie! There you are," Tina gushes at the sight of me in my wedding dress, inviting herself in, "My God, you look so beautiful."

The feminine room feels larger now that my wedding planner, hair stylist, makeup artist, photographer, and bridesmaids have all gone to their seats outside.

I dismissed them because I wanted alone time to surf the net last minute for panic questions and answers about marriage on Quora. But I couldn't find a signal. I was frustrated and about to leave when I stumbled upon Zane's letter, peeking out under the white flower vase on the table. I had almost missed it.

I hold her hands, forcing myself not to cry when I see she's in a similar battle. She takes a hand back to fan her eyes, but a drop wets the corner of her eye.

"These are happy tears." She laughs, sniffling as she flicks her thumb over the wetness.

"I know." 

"Come here." 

She moves to the large sofa behind me, leading me with her. I'm careful not to trip over my long strapless wedding dress. Tina helps me move it out of the way when I dip to sit.

I mutter, "Thank you. My dress and I still haven't agreed on that part."

We laugh. She takes my hand, links it with hers, and places it on my knee. The smile she gives me is wistful.

"Freddie will be so proud of you. Don’t doubt that for a second."

My chest tightens, and I shut my eyes, practising my breathing. The memories of my father and I rise like the dead in my head. Unwelcome. Grating. Scary as hell. A shiver skitters up my spine as his exuberant face and voice invade my thoughts. 

But gone now. Like the wind. The past is gone. A tear falls, and I lower my head, hoping she doesn't see it, but that's wishful thinking.

"I know he will be, but if it wasn't for Zane…he gave me the courage to come back here. I don't...think..." My bottom lip quivers.

She pulls me in for a long hug. Her tears wet the bare skin of my back. I know my make-up is waterproof, but I really shouldn't try to waste the while it took to get it done. I suck in a rush of air, blinking past the sadness that embraces me with ice-cold arms.

"It's complicated, but you know Freddie had his reasons, so never fault yourself because of them."

"But if I didn’t leave—"

"Shh. There was nothing you could have done, Ellie. Those bad people wouldn't have spared your life." Her leathery hand pats my back leisurely. "Now, we can all put the past behind us."

I nod, pulling her close again. Tina, our housekeeper, is the only mother I've ever known. She didn't bring me into this world. My real mom died while trying, but Tina has been by my father's side ever since, watching over me. 

Her husband and kids are outside. Trey and Maria are like siblings to me. And I remember Daniel always liked drinking with my father whenever he would switch places with his wife because she had an important meeting to attend to. Their love is an epitome of devotion. I just hope Zane and I can live up to that someday.

"Let's go outside, sweetie."

She tucks my hair behind my ear and spares a comforting smile.

♡

The courtyard looks like a scene cut out from a fairytale. I'm starring as the princess and my handsome prince awaits me at the end of the aisle. Daniel stands and hugs me. It's been five years since I last saw him and his children. Five years since I fled to California on my father's orders. Daniel pours out his emotions as he clings to me. I've missed him, too.