I remember when I first wanted to be an actress. I was five, maybe six. I watched a show on Disney and rehearsed every word in my bedroom. I made my parents watch while I stumbled through my lines after dinner. They clapped and laughed, and I took that as I sign that I was destined to be a star.

No one really thought I’d go through with it. It must have been after I starred in my high school play when they realized I wasn’t kidding, and I wasn’t five any longer.

That seemed like a lifetime ago. I wished my parents were here to see it. To know that little girl’s dreams came true. I was a best actress nominee. And I was on my way to my first dinner to celebrate.

It wasn’t supposed to matter if I won any awards in the coming months. This was the first accomplishment. This was part of the journey.

Dante sat across from me in the stretch limo. He sipped a rum drink. He was nervous.

I expected Asher to have a bourbon in his hand, but he was back to bodyguard status. The revelation that my attacker was his ex had hit him hard. He wasn’t going to admit it until this was over.

I knew him well enough to let him have space to work while he dealt with the shock.

I ran my fingers over his knuckles. He brought my fingertips to his lips.

“Are you ok?” he asked.

I nodded. “You’re here. That’s all I need.”

“We can still cancel. I’ll have the driver take us back to the house, or even better, back to Big Bear. I still advise lying low until we have Claire in custody.”

“I know, but this is the biggest moment of my career. I’m a nominee for best actress. I can’t ruin this time in my life with fear. You understand something in that, don’t you?”

He nodded. “I do.”

“I don’t know what I’m witnessing.” Dante rolled his eyes. “This is worse than watching a bad Lifetime movie.”

“I’m happy.” I tilted my head. “That’s all you have to worry about.”

He kicked back the rum.

I wasn’t going to let his nervous jitters or doubts about Asher ruin tonight. I wanted to focus on the dinner. I’d drink champagne and mingle with stars. I’d pose for selfies. I’d laugh and congratulate the other nominees. I was going to have a beautiful night. And Asher was going to be there for all of it.

The car lurched and Dante spilled his drink. “Shit. Who is this driver?” He glared at Asher. “This is designer. Designer,” he emphasized.

Asher’s eyes darted to the front, but the car had taken a sharp turn and we landed in a pile on the floor as the tires screeched.

“What the hell?” Dante tried to help me back to my seat.

“No. Stay down,” Asher ordered, pushing me back to the floor. He pulled a gun from his belt and the car careened in the opposite direction. We shifted left then right.

Whoever was driving didn’t care that they were tossing us around like pinballs.

“Ouch.” I hit my elbow on the armrest.

Asher punched the call button. “Rick, what’s going on up there?” he asked.

We waited for an answer, but there was silence.

“Rick? Answer me. What’s happening? Why are we off course?”

I watched the realization hit Asher that something was terribly wrong.

“Don’t get up. Whatever you do, keep your heads down,” Asher choose his words carefully. I noticed his eyes scanned the lights blurring past us.

“Who is up there?” I whispered. “Where’s Rick?”

“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “Just stay down. Ok?”

After bouncing around for another ten minutes, we finally stopped. Asher looked at Dante. “This is it,” he announced. “Stay with her no matter what. Understand?”

Dante nodded.

“Wait. What?” I shrieked. “You’re leaving us in here?”

I wanted to grab on to him and tell him there was no way he was leaving us in this car. There was nothing good on the other side of the door.

“I have to. I can’t protect you like this.”

“But—” I protested.

“As soon as the door opens I’m going out,” he whispered. “If something happens to me, back up will be here in less than ten minutes. I’ve already triggered the Westbrook Securities alarm.”

“Ten minutes?” I panicked. I knew it only took two seconds to fire a gun. Ten minutes was an eternity when waiting for help. “Don’t go out there,” I begged. “Don’t leave me again.”

His eyes locked on mine. “I have to. I don’t have a choice. You can survive. I know you, Journey. You’re strong. You’re vibrant. You can survive this. If you do end up outside the car, you need to listen to me.” He paused. “No matter what, stay away from Claire. The longer you avoid her… just keep moving. Don’t get in her line of fire.”

“She’s here?” I creaked.

He nodded. “I’m sorry, I don’t think there’s any other reason the car detoured. She has to be behind it. I’m operating under that assumption right now. You know she’s armed. You know she will shoot. Keep her safe, Dante.”

The door opened and Asher hurdled himself forward, stepping over my back and throwing Dante out of his way. The door slammed behind him. I wanted to pull him back in and be the one to shield him from whatever was out there. He was strong and fast.

Dante and I huddled together. I couldn’t hear anything on the other side. I’d never regretted a decision so deeply before. The selfishness of my actions hit me like a smack in the face. Why was I determined to go to the awards dinner? Why did I put my spotlight moment ahead of our lives? What if something happened to Ashe? What if he died because I wanted to eat gourmet mousee and drink French champagne with Meryl Streep? I buried my face in my hands.

“Oh God,” I whimpered.

“He’s going to be ok, babe,” Dante whispered. “We’re going to get out of here. You’re not going to miss your first awards dinner. No way.” His teeth chattered, but I squeezed his hand.

I didn’t care about the awards dinner any longer. I just wanted Ashe back in one piece. I wished we were still in Big Bear in bed. Or fighting over who made the best pasta sauce. We should be anywhere but here.

“Just hang tight, babe. I’ve got you,” Dante repeated.

I didn’t know Dante had a heroic bone in his body, but I was glad it had decided to kick in right now.

I nodded, holding his hand. We had to make it through this. I hadn’t found Asher just to lose him to a crazy ex-girlfriend.