Chapter 13
Chapter thirteen
Madeleine
As I step out of the Escalade, I lift my sunglasses to my eyes and adjust the belt around my jacket before heading into the private back entrance of My Something White, an exclusive bridal boutique owned by the talented Star Bamford, with Eli closely following behind me.
“I told you that you could wait in the car. This will only take a moment,” I say, turning to face him as the door swings open at our arrival. One of Star’s assistants stands there, holding the door open with a bright smile.
“No can do. Where you go, I go. You know the rules, Princess,” Eli replies, clasping his hands behind his back and staring straight ahead at the door like an obedient soldier.
He doesn’t understand.
Me standing in my wedding dress isn’t going to be an easy thing to witness—for either of us.
Not when we used to dream of a future together.
One where I would be walking down the aisle to meet him.
Not Alastor.
I internally shake my head and take a deep breath before I turn and step inside the warm space.
“Madeleine!” Star greets me with her arms wide open. “We’re so excited to see the final product on you.” She embraces me, kissing both of my cheeks before her eyes shift to Eli.
“And you must be the—”
“My bodyguard,” I answer quickly. How many times are people going to assume he’s my fiancé?
“Of course.” She gives him a once-over before facing me, her smile widening. “I’m so glad we could finish in time for your big day.”
I give a heartfelt smile, knowing it’s not this woman’s fault for the predicament I find myself in.
I had been postponing dress shopping for as long as I could until I finally had no choice.
Had I waited one more day, I would have had to settle for a dress off the rack.
“I appreciate your time. I’m honored to wear one of your designs on my… special day.” I internally cringe.
“It’s my pleasure. Having you in one of my gowns, well…” She waves her hands around animatedly. “It will be one of the highlights of my career.” She gestures for us to follow her. “I have your dress all steamed and hanging in a dressing room waiting for you.”
Eli’s hand rests on my lower back as we follow behind, and for a fleeting moment, everything feels like it might be okay.
That is until we reach the room, and he removes his touch to stand outside of the space as I enter through the threshold with Star.
The dressing room is the size of my bedroom, featuring sofas and chairs, scenic paintings covering the cream-colored walls, and a presentation of chilled champagne and hors d’oeuvres to cater to every guest’s needs.
It’s certainly an establishment that goes all out for their brides.
As I look around, my eyes catch on the wedding gown displayed in the back.
Anxiety slithers over my skin as I consider what this dress truly represents—a symbol of my loss of freedom.
“Isn’t it stunning?” Star asks, running her hand over the lace bodice.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “It sure is.”
“Would you like some assistance with putting it on?”
“No.” I remove my jacket, placing it over the back of a chair. “That’s all right. I’ll manage.”
“Excellent! Well, I’ll give you some space, but I’ll be back to check on you shortly. Let me know if you need anything.” Star beams as she closes the door behind her, her heels clacking against the tiled floor, disappearing toward the front of the store.
Hesitantly, I step toward the dress, examining the embedded diamonds and noticing the considerable effort that went into creating this gown.
It’s beautiful.
But I’m not standing here with butterflies in my stomach.
I’m not envisioning myself walking down an aisle in it.
I’m wondering how fast this material will burn.
As I reach for the dress, my sleeve slides up my arm, revealing the new bruise on my wrist I received just last night.
Alastor’s hand tightens around my wrist, yanking me down the empty hallway. There’s no one nearby. No one to hear or see anything that might transpire between us. I peek over my shoulder, hoping desperately that maybe Eli did follow us.
But he’s nowhere to be seen.
I truly am alone.
“Let go of me!” I whisper-yell, not wanting to cause a scene, as I use my free hand to try to pull his hand off me.
To my surprise, he releases me, but only to shove me against the wall. I stand straight, taking a deep breath. I cross my arms over my chest, trying to hide the slight tremble in my hands.
He paces, smoothing his gelled-back hair with both hands. His shoulders rise and fall with each furious breath he takes. “You won’t back out of this marriage, Madeleine. I won’t allow it. You won’t make me look like a goddamn fool in front of my family. In front of the whole fucking world!”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not—”
“I see the way you’re looking at him! Do you think I’m stupid?
You two probably fucked in the bathroom.
” He sneers down at me. “Let me remind you that as soon as you say I do, you belong to me. No one else. Just me. Your brothers may have assigned him to you now, but I promise you he will not be joining us in Italy. Mark my words.”
Anxiety spreads over me at the thought of truly being alone with Alastor in another country. But I won’t back down without a fight. Squaring my shoulders and raising my chin, I say, “I belong to no—”
He lunges for me, his hands tightening around my throat, pushing me against the wall. “Do I need to refresh your memory and tell you what’s at stake here? What you risk losing should you not follow through with this wedding?”
I shake my head, clawing at his hands.
I know what’s at stake.
Everything.
“Good.” He releases his grip, and I fall to the floor, gulping down air and savoring every breath I can take.
“You’re the one who came crawling on your hands and knees to me, looking for my help.
It wasn’t the other way around.” He leans down, crouching over me.
“I followed through on my end of the bargain. Now it’s time for you to do the same. ”
With trembling hands, I remove my clothes and mentally prepare for what I’m about to put on.
After struggling for several minutes to wrestle myself into the dress, sweat coats my forehead, adding to the sense of impending doom in my stomach.
Rotating in the room, I realize there’s no mirror in here and groan in frustration, knowing what I have to do.
Opening the door, I see Eli a few feet away, facing the wall as he speaks on his phone. It’s probably that supposed “Angel” he misses so damn much while he’s stuck babysitting me. Blah… I roll my eyes in irritation, shaking my head.
Maybe if I’m quiet, he won’t even notice me.
Quickly, I gather the tulle and hurry toward the black podium, which is surrounded by a three-way mirror.
Stepping up, I brace my shoulders and put on the smile I’ve been practicing for my wedding day, but as my eyes catch my reflection in the mirror, my smile instantly fades.
I tilt my head to the side, taking in the sight before me: the enormous tulle gown engulfs my lower half, making me look like the top of a cupcake while an itchy lace fabric covers my upper body.
Red splotches appear across my chest as the itching intensifies, and a bead of sweat trickles down my back.
From the other side of the wall, I can hear women laughing blissfully amongst themselves.
“I can’t wait for John to see me in this dress when I walk down the aisle,” one woman says.
“You’re so lucky you found someone who loves you like he does. That man would do anything for you,” another woman replies.
“Anything,” a third woman adds with a chuckle.
“I love him so much. My wedding day can’t come soon enough,” the bride remarks, and I can hear the love and longing oozing from every word.
Love… Who needs it anyway? Who wants to be with someone who would do anything for them? Who looks at them as if they hung the moon? Who puts the other person’s needs before their own? Who holds them when they cry? Who promises forever and means it?
I do.
My breathing quickens, and my chest feels strained against the tightness of the fabric. My trembling fingers reach hastily for the zipper while tears threaten to spill from my eyes.
I can’t breathe.
“Come on, please don’t do this to me,” I plead with the dress, my fingers fumbling as I struggle to reach the clasp. “Please,” I beg, letting out a low sob.
“Madeleine.” My eyes dart to the mirror, finding Eli behind me. “What’s wrong?”
“Off.” I let out a shaky breath. “Get this off of me,” I practically beg, my voice cracking.
He doesn’t hesitate as he pulls down on the hidden zipper, loosening the top of my gown. I remove my arms from the sleeves and push the fabric down, gathering it at my waist, leaving me in just my strapless bra.
Suddenly, my knees give out, and I drop to the floor. But before I completely fall, Eli catches me. He allows me to sink to the carpet, the tulle surrounding me like a cocoon, as he sits beside me and pulls me against his chest.
“Breathe, Princess,” he commands in his authoritative tone.
I press my hands to my chest, my lips parting as I try to speak, but I feel like a fish out of water.
It’s too much.
Everything.
All of it.
I can’t do this.
But I have to.
I don’t have a choice.
“Breathe,” he repeats.
“C-can’t,” I gasp as black dots start to cloud my vision.
Oh my God, I’m going to pass out.
Suddenly, his hands grip my waist, lifting me out of the tangled tulle and into the air.
My bare legs wrap around his torso as I bury my face in the crook of his neck.
He adjusts one hand firmly against my back while the other finds the underside of my thigh.
With strong strides, he carries us back into the dressing room, shuts the door behind us, and then reaches for something on the table before sitting on the couch with me straddling his lap.