“Yes, darling?” She held on to the handle of the door.
“What happens now?” Faith’s voice was low as she glanced at me and then away.
Madam Alana smiled sweetly. “You get to know your fiancé, of course. Toodle-oo. See you in the morning, darling.”
I swallowed at the sound of the heavy door shutting against the frame.
Faith stood biting on those delicious lips, twisting her fingers together. Until the sound of an incessant buzzing came from the table where we’d signed our documents. On top of the table was a gold sparkly clutch that seemed to be where the sound came from.
Faith bolted toward it as though it was a lifeline. I grinned at her cute antics. Over time, she wouldn’t be so skittish. I looked forward to the time when she wouldn’t want to leave my presence so quickly.
She opened her bag, picked up the phone, and hit a few buttons on the screen.
My smile drooped as her back stiffened and her hand went to her mouth. She let out a little gasp as her body trembled where she stood .
I stomped over to her, put my hand to the small of her back, and read over her shoulder.
On her phone in black printed text was a phrase that had me filling with fury instantly.
I read the phrase out loud. “I know you’re in my town. I will find you. Watch your back.” I growled as rage grew hot and violent within my veins, threatening to boil over any second.
Faith snapped back from my touch, clutching her phone to her chest. She looked around the room as though she was assessing her options for escape.
“What the hell is going on? Is someone threatening you?” I demanded.
She shook her head a bunch of times, but her eyes were filled to the brim with pure fear. “Uh, I’m sorry. I need to go. I’ll um, see you in the morning for the meeting?” She tried grabbing her purse and shoving her phone into it.
I put my hands up in front of her in a stop motion as to not add to her fear by grabbing hold of her. Whoever had sent that text had clearly frightened her. I’d not have any person threatening my bride, or any woman for that matter. “Faith, there is no way you’re leaving my sight after receiving a threat like that. You’re coming with me.”
She swallowed and clutched her small bag to her chest as though she needed something, anything to hold on to. “W-where?” she asked as I ushered her to the door.
“My resort. The Alexandra.”
Her gaze continued to flutter around the room. “The, uh, new one?”
“Yeah, I own it. You’ll be surrounded by my security team and kept safe by me personally until you share with me what’s going on.”
“I can’t. I’m not ready to talk about it. I need a little time. This is so messed up…” She rubbed at her temples with her thumb and fingers.
I shook my head and turned to her before opening the door. “The moment you signed on that dotted line, Faith, you became mine. My fiancée. My future wife. Mine to protect and keep safe. If someone is threatening something that’s mine, I take care of it.”
“You don’t understand…” she croaked, her eyes filling with tears. “He has eyes everywhere. The minute we leave this building, he’ll find me.”
I smiled and took her hand, interlacing our fingers. She clung to my hand like a life preserver. I closed my eyes for a moment to soak in the trust it must have taken her to accept my touch.
“Any man who thinks he can threaten a woman under my protection will find out within minutes that he is no threat to me or my team.” I cupped her cheek and let my thumb trail over her tears, wiping them away.
“I’m sorry, Joel. You don’t deserve to be dragged into any of this.” Her words were a pained whisper.
I dipped my head and stole those words right from her lips. She reciprocated immediately, and once again, we got lost in our chemistry. We kissed for so long, I didn’t realize I’d pinned her up against the door until there was a sudden knock that broke our connection.
Faith jolted in my hold, her gaze frightened once more and blazing into mine.
“Mr. Castellanos,” my lead bodyguard called through the door. I’d been gone longer than anticipated and already Bruno was checking things out. Just as expected.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s my bodyguard,” I whispered for her ears only. “I’ll be out in a moment,” I said loudly enough for him to hear.
One of my hands was resting flat against the door, holding my body weight. The other was curled around Faith’s nape. Her lips were a swollen berry color after our heated kisses, and I vowed to make that color appear as often as possible.