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.

"Congratulations, kiddo." A genuine smile splits his face in two.

He makes for the handles of the wheelchair in front of him, rolling my father forward. I don't look at my father as I walk down the aisle. It's hard to see him in that unconscious state.

The doctor said he's in there somewhere, but since I returned home, I can't seem to find him. The best he can offer anyone is a beating heart and a blank stare.

The decorator bordered the red-carpeted path to the altar in our courtyard with cute colourful flowers. The aisle also had three arched bougainvillaea stands encircling it. Alice, Tina's granddaughter, pours petals all over the path in front of us. Her walk is over quickly.

Our trio comes up next. The small crowd gathered here stands to welcome me. But I can only see Zane standing next to the officiant, looking as dashing as ever.

I get to call this 6 '2 hunk my husband in a matter of minutes.

My eyes water again.

"Who gives this woman to be wedded today?" the officiant asks.

"Her father," Daniel responds in his stead and quickly, they vanish from the front.

Zane takes my hand and brings me to stand in front of him. I'm extra careful with my dress now.

He mouths, "God, you are beautiful."

"And you are sinfully handsome," I smile, mouthing back.

The officiant starts speaking again, but as our eyes lock, Zane and I fall into our own little world. It is just the two of us, and it is pure bliss. My smile grows. I'm utterly incapable of controlling my love for this man.

"I love you," he mouths just before the officiant speaks again.

Ohmygod, the heavens really blessed me with him. I have never been religious, but I can't mistake this for anything less than a blessing. Zane is my best friend. The most compassionate lover. My soul mate. I found my other half, and he's the best human.

Time ticks awfully too slow. I'm impatient.

"If there's anyone here today who objects to the union of Eleanor and Zane, speak now or forever hold your pea-"

"Aye! I object."

I raise my head, taking it slow. There's a man I don't recognise walking down the aisle. Confidence licks at his polished dress shoes. He's storming towards us. My eyes narrow in confusion.

"Eleanor, do you know him?" Zane asks, and I shake my head, "No, babe. I've never seen him in my life."

I gasp in shock when he grabs my father's wheelchair without a flair of gentleness in his movements. The man rolls him to the altar again and no one dares stop him because he is not alone.

Foreign faces storm the premises. They all look like the man at the foot of the altar now. Hard masculinity vibrates in each of their tall steps. Before my eyes, they seize every cell phone and force everyone into their seats.

My heartbeat picks up. Zane puts me behind him at once, facing the man now climbing onto the wedding canopy.

"What do you want from us?!"

"Get outta me way." Even his calm, deep voice screams ruthless.

Zane grabs his shoulder and does the opposite. "I asked you a fucking question..."

A tense beat passes. The man moves in a flash. There's a struggle. I glimpse something shiny. And the next thing I know, Zane falls, lying in his own pool of blood.

Screams tear through the crowd, but I suspect mine is the loudest as I fall to my haunches, body shaking in horror. An ocean of tears pours out of me instantly.

Zane. No!

I try to crawl towards him.

But hands haul me to my feet. My legs wobble as I stare at my dead fiancé's pale face.

The man says to the frozen officiant, "Me name's Cian. Wed us now."