Chapter Eleven
TABITHA
My nerves are shot. It’s the only reasonable explanation of why I feel a little numb. I should feel jumpy. For a moment, I had clenched my hands so tight that I wouldn’t have been surprised if I had caused permanent indentions in my palms.
But that moment passed.
Sure, I’m on edge. I have been ever since Archie told me the news in the hotel room earlier. I’ve been processing ever since. Where do I go from here?
Thankfully, the company hired someone to do hair and makeup for the premiere. I don’t think I’d be able to focus properly. I normally love getting glammed up. It’s fun, and this would normally be a welcome distraction.
Yet, I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don’t feel hope or peace. I feel the opposite, in fact. Like a storm is brewing, and I don’t know how to prepare for it because I don’t know where it’s coming from.
Archie said we have to leave tonight. We can’t stick around.
I’m not arguing with him. He’s making arrangements for us to catch a flight out shortly after we’re spotted and photographed on the red carpet.
Our luggage is already in the trunk of a discreet car parked nearby.
I don’t know where we’re going. He hasn’t told me.
I know it won’t be my house, but it doesn’t really matter—I trust him.
“All done.” Kelsey, the makeup artist, stands back and spins the chair slightly so I can see in the mirror.
“It looks great. Thank you.” I’ve never considered myself a professional actress, even though that’s part of what cosplaying is.
Right now, however, I need to put on the best performance of my life—pretend everything is fine.
All I want to do is scream, but I have to put a smile on and push through.
I can do this.
Within minutes, I’m dressed in a pretty blue dress worthy of the red carpet, and we’re headed to the premiere. This will be my second time attending an event like this, and I’m bummed we have to leave before it’s over. I think I’m more disappointed that I have to miss the movie.
I plan to tell Max discreetly when we get into the theater and I excuse myself to the restroom. Archie said we can call my agent after we’ve already left. For safety reasons, he doesn’t want anyone to know we’re leaving or where we’re going. He said there can’t be a trace. Not that I can blame him.
It’s paranoia, but it makes sense. I’m freaking out. We don’t know where all Ryan’s reach is. The connections he and his family have could be anyone. First, I need to get through the event. Thirty minutes of a red carpet moment and pretending everything is great.
I’m still thrilled about the opportunity.
It’s exciting, and I have to have faith that one day, my life will be okay.
That this will all be over and I can finally close this chapter.
It’s the fear lurking in the shadows of my mind that are keeping me from enjoying this event like I should be.
Like a monster scratching at the back of a closet door or under the bed.
I know someone is there, watching and waiting.
Archie stands next to me in a suit. Originally, he was supposed to stand farther back, but he said he couldn’t look like security. They’ve put him in a mask that promotes the event in the hope he blends in with the rest of us.
He’s certainly built like a superhero. Those muscles of his aren’t exactly hidden beneath his custom-tailored suit. If he weren’t so gorgeous, he might fit in even more. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him so dressed up. Then I remember my wedding.
I didn’t think he would be able to be there that day. Then he surprised me—in uniform. I didn’t want to admit it to myself then. He looked good. Even my bridesmaids went on and on about the hot guy in the uniform. It was like the spotlight was on him and not the groom.
Archie is blending in surprisingly well. He can certainly put on an act. Posing and keeping a straight face or slight smirk. It’s too easy to see him blending in with my life, and I don’t know how I feel about that.
I get sandwiched between Max and Eric, his boyfriend, at one point. We pause and pose for pictures. Several others get thrown in, including Archie. Flashes and shouts go off as we make our way across the carpet.
Everyone disperses at various points, all pulling away for interviews and more photos. My mind floats away, as if I’m looking down on this moment. My body moves and turns. Hand on hip before pausing with a smile and saying hello. I know I’m being interviewed, but I don’t feel here.
The entire time, my head is elsewhere. Not that it’s surprising. It’s not like I have control over what’s happening. This moment of fake peace is about to come to an abrupt stop.
The next thing I know, we’re up the stairs and headed to the theater. I glance at Archie, and he nods. It’s basically time.
“Max.” I reach out and touch Max’s arm.
He smiles back at me briefly, but something must register on my face, just beneath the smile. “What’s going on?”
“I’m going to the restroom.” I hesitate, hoping he’ll pick up on what I’m really saying. He opens his mouth to speak, then narrows his eyes. I nod. “I’ll catch up soon.”
He leans closer to whisper in my ear. “Be safe and call me when you can.”
I spin around to move down the hall. Small signs with arrows point toward the bathroom.
I don’t need to turn around to know Archie is right behind me.
My breathing remains steady as my heart races.
One foot in front of the other as we round the corner.
We pass by the restroom and head toward the emergency exit.
“Wait.” Archie grabs my arm. He hesitates, looks behind us and then peeks out the door. “Alright.” He takes my hand and pulls me toward a small black car with black windows.
“Arch?” My hands shake once we’re inside. I grab the seatbelt and buckle myself in.
He rests a hand on my exposed leg. “It’s going to be okay.” He pulls the car out of the parking spot, then we take a back alley towards the road.
I’m so turned around by the time we pull out onto the highway.
But I trust him. Archie remains silent as we speed up.
His eyes occasionally glance out the rearview mirror.
I watch the whites of his knuckles as his hands tighten on the steering wheel.
My stomach drops as our speed increases and he maneuvers around other cars.
“Are we being followed?” I don’t dare turn around and peek for myself.
“I’m going to protect you.” His jaw ticks and his nostrils flare.
I don’t doubt him. It doesn’t stop my throat from feeling like it’s closing. My mouth goes dry.
He makes a quick exit as we approach traffic. Cars have backed up, so he quickly moves to pass them. Horns sound around us, but Archie doesn’t care. I don’t either. He turns under a ramp and takes another road.
After a few more turns, I notice his shoulders drop slowly. We’re headed in a different direction now, but he seems visibly relaxed.
I look around with wide eyes as we drive through an open gate of a small airport. Airplanes line the side. It doesn’t take long to see the one meant for us. We park right near the ramp, where a man stands waiting.