“TEN MINUTES, MISS West,” the tall brunette with a thick southern twang said from the doorway.
Stormy couldn’t get her voice to work as she stared through the cracked mirror at the wedding planner who was happily fluffing the veil hanging from a hook on the door. When she didn’t get a response, she looked around, nailing Stormy with an inquisitive gaze.
“Miss West?”
“Yes…okay, Tiffany. I’m sorry. Ten minutes. Any sign of my sister yet?” Stormy felt her knees wobble.
“No, I’m sorry. No sign. Maybe she got lost?”
The air deflated from Stormy’s lungs. The last time she’d spoken with Colette they’d argued which left Stormy puzzled. How could she go through today without her sister’s support? They’d been there for each other when times were down and when life was happy, even if they didn’t always agree with the other’s choices.
“Shall I stay?” Tiffany asked.
“No. No, thank you. I need a moment.”
The woman nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
Once the wedding planner’s footsteps faded down the hall, Stormy dropped into the chair at the vanity and rubbed her sore hand. The black and blue bruise on her wrist seemed stark against her pale skin, but at least the concealer she’d applied had helped some. She wasn’t sure how to hide it completely. Wearing a wrap over the cap-sleeved gown would raise suspicion.
Her shoulders slumped.
The tension in her body couldn’t quite be released.
Opening the drawer to the dressing table, she took out the crumbled piece of paper that she’d received that morning and read…
“He’s a monster. Don’t do this. You’ll regret it.”
Did her sister send the letter? The idea didn’t seem possible. Colette had never been shy about voicing her opinions in person.
Colette’s last words, “I know Duncan isn’t who you think he is. I’ll prove it” lingered in Stormy’s mind.
Shivers raced through her as she pushed the drawer closed, wishing she could close her doubts on the disturbing letter. This wasn’t the first one she’d received. Over the last three months she’d gotten two others. Why was someone trying to warn her? What did they know that she didn’t? What did her sister suspect that Stormy was missing?
Calling her sister’s number again, her heart sank when voicemail picked up. The long beep sounded and Stormy started to hang up, but instead decided to leave a message. “Colette, where are you? I need to speak to you. I-I’m starting to get worried. I know you hate him, but I need to have you here. We’re family and you’re all I have.” Clicking off, she dropped the phone into her purse and paced the small space in her bare feet. Why would her sister not show up for the wedding? Although there was no love lost between Colette and Duncan, Stormy had believed her sister would put aside all ill feelings and support this day.
More of Colette’s words pounded Stormy’s brain. “This isn’t where you wanted to get married. Neither of you even attend this church. Why is Duncan adamant about marrying here?”
Angry at the time, Stormy had brushed off the point, but it did make sense. She’d wanted to get married outdoors as the sun was setting. Surrounded by flowers and close friends and family. That had been her dream, but Duncan hadn’t cared.
In fact, she hadn’t seen one guest on Duncan’s side arrive today and at the rehearsal dinner no one showed up from his family. As forgiving as Stormy was even she couldn’t figure out why he didn’t seem to have any friends or family, or at least anyone he wanted her to meet.
With shaking fingers, she picked up the veil from the hook and slid the delicate comb through her curly updo, straightening and fluffing the material halfheartedly. Checking herself in the mirror she admired the job the makeup artist had done, but her gaze automatically sank to the closed drawer.
You’re marrying a criminal.
The words from the first letter were embedded in her thoughts. She wanted to believe this wasn’t true, that the man she’d been involved with for a year wasn’t a monster or a criminal, but she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Something was missing.
Colette had warned Stormy that Duncan couldn’t be trusted, and yet she’d never told her sister about the letters. And after last night…well, it hadn’t been the magical night before her wedding that she’d hoped for. She and Duncan had gotten into an argument after he was late getting to the rehearsal dinner, already tipsy and angry. When she asked where he’d been, he snapped and grabbed her wrist, tugging her roughly down the hall of the church where he sternly told her that he didn’t like her intrusion into his privacy.
Intrusion into his privacy and they were on the precipice of marriage…?
The incident had taken her for a loop and after she’d gained her equilibrium, she’d gone back to dinner and kept a smile plastered on her face, even making it through the meal without allowing her feelings to overtake her. When she and Duncan had finally left the restaurant, all the pent-up emotions had slipped and flowed. She’d told him she didn’t think she could go through with the wedding. Of course, he’d unloaded, explaining his staggering actions and apologizing, all the while her warning bells were sounding. She understood that he had internal and external wounds from his past life, but wasn’t he supposed to want to open up to her? Tell her his worries and doubts? Share his life?
She touched her bruised wrist and her eyes filled with tears. She wanted to wake up from the nightmare and be happy that she was getting ready to marry the man she once loved.
Once loved?
Her head swarmed. Her stomach turned. Did she not love him any longer?
Confusion gurgled up inside her.
Stormy needed her sister.
Duncan wasn’t the same man she met. The charming and affectionate one. Now he spent most evenings working late or traveling for business, and when he was with her he was distant and easily irritated.
She had mentioned to Duncan that his behavior was odd and they were drifting away from one another. He’d made up the excuse that his job as an import/export buyer had been stressful and he’d been traveling too much. He never talked about his family, childhood, nothing but the present, and because he’d made it clear that he was a private person, she’d respected his wishes and didn’t pry. Yet, how does a marriage work between two people who barely know each other?
She was at fault for saying “yes”. The day he’d proposed had been the first romantic evening they’d had in months and she’d been hopeful that he’d be the man she once knew.
The door opened, and Tiffany peeked through the gap. “Miss West? Everyone is ready. It’s time to take your place.”
Stormy nodded. “Okay.” Her stomach knotted and she thought she might vomit. Everyone said pre-wedding jitters were normal, but what she was experiencing was more than a case of nerves.
“Need any help?” Tiffany asked, but Stormy lifted a hand to stop her from approaching. “Okay. I’ll give you a few more minutes.” The door started to close, but it came open again and the worried-looking planner stepped in, closing the door with a soft click behind her.
“Tiffany?”
The planner clasped her hands together, showing a slip of her own nerves for the first time. “Did you know there’s a man standing at the end of the hall?”
“A man? Do you know who he is?”
“I saw him speaking to your fiancé earlier, but I wasn’t introduced. I just thought you should know.”
Who would be downstairs when all the guests should be seated? “Thank you. I’ll be out in just a few minutes.” Stormy offered a plastic smile, hoping the woman would take her leave.
Waiting a short time after Tiffany excused herself, Stormy finally opened the door just enough that she could peek into the hallway without being noticed.
Just as Tiffany had said, there was a man standing at the end of the corridor. He was a large man with very short hair and a steely jaw. She’d never met him before, but he didn’t look friendly. His twisted expression and warrior-like stance made him seem more like a bodyguard than a guest.
Her head was now spinning. She had to lean against the wall to stable her wobbly knees. Stormy had a crushing feeling that the man outside was here to make sure she followed through with the wedding. Did Duncan think she’d bail out after his twist of character last night?
What type of man would send his buddy to watch her?
A monster.
Her knees threatened to give out. Sweat beaded between her breasts and the gown suddenly was too tight and suffocating.
Tiffany appeared in the hallway and Stormy backed up, wringing her hands together, and when the other woman stepped inside the room Stormy started pacing the floor.
“I’m not sure I can stall any longer.”
“What man would send a guard to watch his bride’s door?” Stormy muttered.
“Pardon me?”
Meeting the concerned gaze of the planner, Stormy whispered, “I don’t think I can do this.” What would their marriage be like?
“Forgive me, Miss West, but now’s the time to decide.”
“The man outside…I think he’s watching me. Making sure I don’t back out.” Stormy shot a nervous gaze over the planner’s shoulder to the closed door.
“You should go now.”
“I said I don’t think—”
“Through the back door. Run away. I’ll take care of the man down the hall. Give me just a few minutes. But be careful. It’s a mess outside so you won’t get far. Don’t forget your shoes.”
“I-I can’t go home.” The words fell off Stormy’s trembling lips.
“Right.” Tiffany crossed her arms. Stormy could practically see the wheels turning in the woman’s deep gaze. “That’ll be the first place he’ll look.” She pulled out a key from her pocket. “Go here. You’ll be safe for a few days. The address is on the keychain. Use your GPS or you’ll get lost.”
“Why are you—”
Tiffany shook her head. “We don’t have time for questions. Just go.”
Stormy was being thrust into a world of uncertainty and she either had to take a leap of faith or walk down the aisle.
Without a doubt, she couldn’t marry Duncan.