You Found Me (The Bellamy Sisters #4)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

D ella Bellamy beamed at the seventy thousand faces in the sold-out arena as the last notes of the last song faded into the chaotic noise of the crowd. The can’t-get-enough feeling they radiated was contagious and she savored the moment. There was nothing like the connection created by music and shared experience. Nothing. But today it was extra-special. Today it was Christmas morning and every birthday ever celebrated and pure joy.

“We love you!” someone in the front row screamed. The girl looked late teens, maybe early twenties, and mascara ran down her face with the tears she hadn’t brushed away.

Della grabbed Piper and Mattie’s hands and lifted them in a happy, triumphant salute. “We love you more!”

The answering bellow was sweeter than it had ever been when she was performing solo. It was the last show of the tour, but it wouldn’t be their last show and that was the icing on the Bellamy Sisters Reunited Tour sundae.

This was exactly where she and her sisters belonged. On stage.

Together.

“Thank you for sticking with us all these years!” Della released her sisters’ hands and gave a little bow. “You’ve been there for us through all the ups and downs and even the sideways, and it means everything. Everything!”

“Thank you for being here!” Piper pointed at various sections like she’d picked out individual faces. “Every single one of you.”

“Thank you for your generosity and your joy!” Mattie waved with both hands. “You know we feel all the love you send out. Every single day.”

“Most of all,” Della said with a side glance at her sisters before they all said in unison, “thanks for being you!”

They turned to leave.

The screams intensified as the audience realized the show really was ending.

They’d done three encores already, including the never-before-heard song Mattie had just finished. Della found herself wishing they could do the entire show all over again, just so this feeling would never end.

“Until next time!” Mattie blew kisses and waved as she exited.

Piper pointed at the crowd on her way out. “Remember, you rock !”

The crowd knew what her sister would say, and they turned her simple statement into a mantra loud enough to shake the stars. “You rock! You rock! You rock!”

Della gave one last wave. “Thank you and good night!”

Screams, whistles, and applause chased them off the stage.

The energy wrapped around Della, lifted her up, and spun her around like clothes in a dryer, making her dizzy and giddy and toasty all the way down to her soul.

Now that was a show.

She linked arms with Piper and Mattie as they made their way to the backstage pass line. “What a great way to end the tour. They loved that last song, Mattie. It was brilliant. Bet it’s top of the charts by tomorrow morning.”

“I bet it’s there in an hour,” Piper said with a grin. “It’s an amazing song.”

“You two really sold it.” Mattie’s happy face brightened even more when she spotted her fiancé, Adam Brooks.

He swept her up in his arms and twirled her around and around. The fringe on her skirt flared out and caught the lights.

“Fantastic show, baby!” Adam told her. “If I didn’t know you were going home with me, I’d be so jealous right now. Saw three guys near the side of the stage try to get your attention.”

Mattie squealed as he lifted her, then gazed down at him with fond exasperation. “I didn’t even notice them. Now put me down. We have to work the line.”

“I’ll be in the green room when you’re ready.” Adam gave her a long, steamy kiss before he released her. “Party still on?”

“Absolutely,” Della assured him.

“There’s no way we’d cancel it now,” Renic, CEO of The Bellamy Sisters’ label, Self Evident Records said as he and her sister Lizzie strolled up to join them. “I’m pretty sure there’d be a mutiny.”

“Especially from me,” Della said.

Lizzie swept them into a group hug so tight it was hard to breathe. “I’m so proud of all of you. I can’t believe how well this tour has gone. I’m so happy I could cry.”

Della made a strangled sound. “Air!”

Lizzie laughed and released them. “Sorry. I’m just…I might be backstage, but I still get caught up in the moment.”

Della was astonished to see actual tears in her normally calm sister’s eyes.

Mattie gave Lizzie another hug. “We need to plan the next tour now. That way this won’t feel like an ending.”

“That’s a great idea!” Della nodded enthusiastically. “Maybe we could add a few smaller shows to the mix, so we can get closer to the fans.”

“You know I’m up for that,” Piper said.

“We’re already working on it,” Lizzie said, “but the next tour won’t start for, well, awhile, at any rate. Somebody has a wedding to plan first.”

A smile passed between Lizzie and Mattie that spoke of secrets and intimacies that only couples knew about. Della shifted and looked away, a little uncomfortable. Lately, it seemed like her sisters had all joined a club that single girls weren’t allowed to enter.

Renic patted Della on the back. “It’s a long line tonight, but it’s the last one for a while, so enjoy it.”

“I don’t mind,” Della told him.

“You used to hate working the line,” Piper pointed out, looking amused.

“Yeah. I know. I used to be a shit.” Della wrinkled her nose.

“Used to be?” Piper teased.

“Bite me.” Della stuck out her tongue. It was playful banter now instead of hurt feelings talking, and it warmed her heart to have it back.

The line of diehard fans snaked all the way down the hall and out the distant door at the end. They clutched backstage passes and held up their phones to record every second, even though all they could see was a slim portion of the backstage area and the security team.

The four guys dressed all in black at the entrance to the hall looked like they could each bench-press a truck, and they wore identical stony expressions.

“Wow, that is an epic line,” Piper said as she tiptoed to get a look past the guards.

“How long have they been waiting?” Della glanced back at Renic.

“Just the last two songs,” he assured her. “There’s video screens, so they still got to see everything.”

“Good,” Della said with a flare of relief. Her days of taking all of this, and the fans, for granted were over.

She, Piper, and Mattie worked their way down the line, spending quality time with each fan because they’d given up time and money to get this extra special attention.

By the time they were done, well over two hours later, Della’s euphoria had settled into a pleasant hum of tired satisfaction. She stretched her arms up to ease the muscles in her back. “Okay, let’s get the party started.”

“We need showers,” Mattie said with an exasperated smile. “Besides, the wrap party doesn’t start for at least an hour. Maybe longer. They have to finish the tear down first.”

“I want to get there first to make sure everything’s ready.” Della rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “I can’t wait to spring the surprise. I love parties.”

“You’re kidding. You love parties?” Piper rolled her eyes. “I could have sworn you preferred to hide in dark corners alone with your thoughts.”

“Where’s our coordinator in chief?” Della tip-toed to get a good look around.

“Over there.” Piper pointed to where Renic and Lizzie stood near the back wall. There was something about the way they looked at each other that made Della feel like they were all intruding on a private moment.

Beyond them, Piper’s boyfriend, Blake Ryan, Hollywood’s hottest actor turned hottest director, leaned against a crate with a bunch of flowers in his hands, waiting with cool patience. Blake made sure to stay out of line of sight of the fans, but nothing could have kept him from supporting Piper tonight. Della liked that about him. He always put Piper first.

“Hey, you two head on back,” Piper said with a little wave. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. I need to collect on a bet. Blake thought we’d be done an hour ago.”

Piper made her way to him, her expression shifting from fan-appropriate happiness to something softer.

It was only a matter of time before Blake popped the question because he’d already asked Della to help him pick out the ring.

“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Mattie said. “Adam’s been trapped by a reporter again. You go on ahead, Del. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Della watched her go, feeling a little left out.

She was surrounded by people, but she stood alone. Everyone had something to do, or somewhere to be. Everyone was paired up.

Except for her.

It stung. Just a little.

She shook her shoulders to rid herself of the negative thought and slipped down the hall toward the dressing room alone.

At least she could have first dibs on the shower.

When she opened the door, she was greeted by the sight and scent of dozens of red roses. An enormous vase full of them sat on her make-up table, blocking the mirror.

She stopped to sniff one, appreciating the sweet gesture, but knew they weren’t for her. Adam or Blake must have put them in the wrong place.

She glanced down and noticed a plain white envelope propped up against the vase with her name on it.

Curious, she opened the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of plain white paper.

Sweet Della,

You haven’t been answering my emails. Why?

They’ve been keeping them from you, haven’t they.

You’re surrounded by leeches. They drain your soul. Your light.

I’m sorry to say I’m a little disappointed in you for punching Blake. That’s not how a lady behaves, sweetheart. He didn’t deserve your anger or your frustration. He’s a good man.

But I suppose I can understand that you were having a hard time. You lashed out. You have passion, and no one to share it with.

I get that. More than you know.

I see you.

I see how alone you are. How sad. How desperately you long for something more.

It’s obvious in the way you dress. Those skimpy, ridiculous outfits you wear on stage scream for attention. The dark blue one shows too much. I could see that lace thong underneath. I hate that. I don’t want anyone seeing your lovely body but me. You can understand that, right?

Soon you’ll never have to wear things like that ever again.

You’ve been lost for a long time. You need to be protected. Guided. I can show you a better way.

I know you want that, too.

The balcony of that overpriced penthouse in that filthy city wasn’t safe, my love. I’m glad you sold it. LA is the right place for us. You were made for sunshine.

The sadness on your face in the elevator at The Grand last night said everything.

You want a family.

You want a man to take charge.

Message received, loud and clear.

You can count on me.

Yours now and always

Della sucked in a breath as icy fingers of fear raced up her spine. The words “I see you” felt like they’d been whispered in her ear. Like someone was standing right behind her. Watching.

She whirled around, but nobody was there. “Who’s in here?” Her voice came out breathy and weak and not at all like the command she’d intended.

She cleared her throat and tried again. “Anybody here?”

Nobody answered.

Of course they didn’t. She was alone in here.

Right?

She crept toward the bathroom, unable to stop herself from checking to see if it was empty.

The door to the dressing room opened and she jumped, her heart lodged in her throat.

Laughter spilled in with Piper, Mattie, and Lizzie.

Della crinkled the paper in her hand. Her instinct was to get rid of it before her sisters could read it. They’d totally freak out. She shifted, hoping they wouldn’t notice anything unusual, but Mattie’s gaze found hers the second she stepped through the door, and there was no way Della could hide the look that had to be on her face. Not from Mattie.

Mattie froze in the center of the room. “What’s wrong?”

Piper and Lizzie stepped around Mattie to get a look at Della. The three of them stood shoulder to shoulder, staring at her with identical expressions of growing concern.

“What happened?” Lizzie asked.

“Somebody steal the Gatorade?” Piper asked.

“I guess I have a fan.” She kept her voice light as she waved vaguely in the direction of the flowers. The initial shock had passed, leaving her feeling a bit foolish at being so jumpy.

“A fan.” Piper peered at her like she suspected a lie. “What kind of fan?”

“What do you mean you have a fan?” Mattie asked, tension making her voice squeak.

Piper snatched the letter out of Della’s hand and started to read. Della tried to take the letter back, but Piper held it away.

“What’s it say?” Lizzie huddled over the letter with Piper.

Piper’s expression turned grim. “This guy knows where you live. He knows what hotel you’re staying in.”

“What?” Lizzie ripped the letter away from Piper and scanned it. One hand covered her mouth as she slowly sat on the nearby sofa.

“Sweet Jesus,” Mattie whispered.

Piper put a comforting hand on Mattie’s shoulder. “He didn’t sign it. Coward.”

Lizzie looked up at Della, worry etching deep lines on her forehead. “Do you have any idea who sent this?”

Della shrugged to ease the tension that had settled into her shoulders.

“This is…” Lizzie put her hand over her mouth.

“What emails?” Piper tapped the letter. “He says you ignored his emails.”

“I don’t know. Jordanna handles all that stuff,” Della shifted from foot to foot. Why did that make her feel so guilty? “She passes along anything important.”

“If the emails were like this, I’m sure she deleted them,” Lizzie said. “She wouldn’t want to scare you.”

“Can I see it?” Mattie asked.

Lizzie handed the letter to her and started texting. “I’m telling Renic. I want to know how someone managed to get in here past all the security in the hall.”

“It’s not like the door was locked.” Della could see this simple creepy letter was going to morph into a major overreaction and tried her best to pull her sisters back from that ledge. “It’s just a fan. We’ve all had someone get a little enthusiastic from time to time. No need to get all paranoid.”

“I’m not paranoid,” Lizzie snapped. “It’s not paranoid when someone sneaks into your heavily guarded private space and leaves this…this…”

“Enthusiastic isn’t the right word,” Piper said as she crossed to the door. “Delusional, maybe. Bat shit crazy, definitely.”

“Della…this isn’t a normal fan letter,” Mattie said slowly. “This feels obsessive. He has details about you. Personal details.”

“Nothing he couldn’t see on the internet,” Della pointed out. “It’s just a fantasy. It happens all the time.”

“No it doesn’t. Not like this.” Piper opened the door. “Romi? Come take a look at this please.”

“Oh come on,” Della protested. “Don’t get Romi involved. She hates me.”

Piper’s personal protection officer always looked at Della like she was something stuck to the bottom of her shoe.

“It’s her job to protect us, Della. All of us.” Piper stepped back to let Romi enter.

The woman radiated quiet danger as her gaze scraped the room for threats before it landed on Della. Her eyes narrowed in an of-course-it’s-you-causing-trouble way. “Look at what?”

Mattie gave her the now-crumpled piece of paper.

Romi held it like it might have been dipped in acid and peered at it front and back before she actually read the note.

“It was the last show of the tour,” Della said in what she thought was a perfectly reasonable tone. “We have a nice long break coming so no more dressing rooms will be invaded by dangerous flowers. This isn’t a big deal.”

“What emails?” Romi looked from Piper to Della.

“She doesn’t know,” Piper supplied before Della could open her mouth. “Her manager handles that.”

“I’m right here, you know.” Della glared at her well-meaning but definitely out-of-control family, and Romi.

“He knows what color your underwear is, Della.” Mattie sank down on the sofa next to Lizzie as if the mere idea made it impossible to remain standing. “How would he know that?”

“He might have been at a concert,” Piper pointed out. “The front row looks straight up. That’s why I wear pants.”

“I don’t wear thongs, and I wear shorts under my dresses on stage. You know I wear shorts. It’s delusional, like you said.” Della could see her sisters overreacting in slow motion. She’d been looking forward to the wrap party for weeks. She had special gifts for everyone, including the crew, and she wanted to see their faces when they saw the performance bonus hidden inside. She could see her grand gesture poofing into dust. “There’s no need to freak out over a silly fan letter.”

“It’s not just a letter,” Lizzie said firmly. “Whoever wrote this was motivated enough to sneak past a line of people who are paid to keep him out just to make sure you know how he feels.”

Mattie sucked in a breath and put a hand on Lizzie's thigh. “What if she’d been alone in here when he came in?”

Della swallowed and tried to ignore the fact that she’d worried about the same thing. “I wasn’t.”

Renic walked in mid-conversation on his phone. His tone was the no-nonsense, in-charge, get-things-done command that he’d perfected when he started his own record label years ago. “Pull everything. I don’t care how long it takes, we need to ID this guy and we need to pinpoint exactly where the hole in security was so we can plug it for next time.”

Jason, the head of security, followed behind him with a tablet. His gaze flicked to the vase of flowers, then to Della, and his lips pressed together in a grim line.

Renic hung up and turned to Jason. “What did you find?”

Jason held up the tablet so they could see the video that played on a loop. “We got a guy with flowers coming through the hall about thirty minutes ago, but he kept his head down. No clean shots. Got somebody running the ID list now but doubt it helps.”

“The ID was probably fake anyway,” Romi said. She picked up the envelope from the vanity and studied it. “The man with the flowers may simply be a delivery boy, not the author of the letter, though the timing is suspicious for it to be anyone else. This took planning and excellent timing. This speaks of someone fast and clever. A dangerous combination.”

“Agreed,” Jason said with a nod. “He came in here when we shifted coverage from the stage to the hallways. I’d say it took maybe five minutes for the team to get into position, tops. He never would have made it in otherwise. We don’t let delivery people through after a show starts.”

“His goal, it seems, was not to attack,” Romi said. “Not this time at any rate.”

“Can we track the florist?” Renic asked.

Piper peered at the flowers. “There’s no logo on the vase.”

“And no imprint on the envelope.” Romi handed the envelope and letter to Renic. “I doubt there are any prints on this paper. It is textured.”

“He talks like he knows her somehow,” Mattie said.

“Maybe they’ve met before?” Lizzie put her hand over Mattie’s. “Maybe it’s someone we all know?”

“Hello. Over here.” Della waved her hand to get their attention. Mattie and Lizzie glanced at her, but she could tell they didn’t really see her. “If you’re done overanalyzing things, I’d really love to get into something less smelly before the party.”

“Oh, I don’t think we should go,” Lizzie’s frantic tone caught Della’s attention. Lizzie was the calm one. She never panicked. Never. “If he snuck in here, what’s to stop him from doing something worse? How do we know he’s not waiting for her at that party, or back at the hotel? Or outside, right now?”

“Excellent point,” Romi said. “We should skip the party and change hotels, and do a security sweep at both places, in case he left traces.”

Jason nodded. “I can handle the sweeps.”

“No.” Della resisted the urge to stomp her foot. “We’re not skipping the party. We can’t. We’ve waited all year for this, and we have to say goodbye to the crew. We have to give them their bonus. We can ’ t miss it.”

“They’ll still get their bonus, Della,” Piper said. “The party will go on, and the crew will have a good time. But she’s right. We shouldn’t go. Or at least, you shouldn’t.”

“I am not.” Her voice squeaked and she cleared her throat. “I’m not missing this party.” The idea of being left behind filled her with far more panic than a bunch of flowers and a strange note.

“Della.” Lizzie’s voice trembled. “He could do worse than leave a note next time. He could have a gun, or…” She clasped her hands on her stomach and sniffed. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being emotional. I’m…worried. I’m just…really worried.”

Renic moved behind the sofa and put a calming hand on Lizzie’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay. We’ll handle this. We’ll bring in extra security for all of you.”

Della frowned at her oldest sister. Something was definitely off. Her eyes were rimmed with red and she kept rubbing her stomach like she felt sick, and her reaction to all of this was over the top for someone who’d dealt with crazy fan crap since she was fourteen. “What’s going on with you? You don’t fall apart in a crisis. You usually wait until it’s over and then melt.”

Piper tilted her head, considering their oldest sister. “Yeah, you’ve been really weepy all week. What gives?”

“Is something wrong? Or…” Mattie’s lips formed a small o as if she’d just solved a puzzle.

Renic and Lizzie exchanged glances. His tender concern for her morphed into something else. Something…twinkly.

“What? What’s going on?” Della looked to Mattie for an explanation.

Mattie slapped her hands over her mouth as if words might explode out.

Lizzie raised her eyebrows ever so slightly in an unspoken question. Renic raised one shoulder in an it’s-your-call half shrug.

Lizzie cleared her throat. She put one hand over Renic’s while the other rested possessively over her stomach. “Well, we were going to tell you at the party, but if we don’t go…I guess now’s the moment. I’m…we…”

Della had never heard her sister sound so unsure and nervous, or was it excitement that made her all breathy? Whatever Lizzie’s news was, it was big with a capital B. Della’s stomach twisted with anticipation.

Lizzie looked up at Renic, and whatever she saw on his face seemed to steady her. “We’re going to have a baby.” Her voice went soft and squishy on the word baby. Lizzie looked from Renic to the rest of them, and a beaming smile transformed her face from worry to glowing excitement. “I’m pregnant.”

Della stared at her sister, stunned. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected to hear, but it wasn’t this.

She should have, she realized. Lizzie was the only mother Della had ever known, but raising a kid sister wasn’t the same thing as having a child of your own. They’d all expected Lizzie to be the first one to start a family someday.

Someday, it seemed, was today. Just like that, the world shifted.

Lizzie had gone from being her big sister to someone else’s mother.

Mattie threw her arms around Lizzie. “Oh my God! I knew it! I just knew it! Congratulations! This is so fantastic! You’re going to be an amazing mother. I can’t wait. How far are you? Should we postpone the wedding?”

“I’m only three months,” Lizzie said with a happy, tear-filled laugh. “The baby isn’t due until after your wedding.”

“This is so cool!” Piper squeezed onto the couch next to Lizzie. The three of them were a jumble of arms and giggles and squeals.

“Congratulations,” Romi said. She offered a rare smile that lifted the corners of her eyes and made her seem a little more human.

Was it Della’s imagination or did Renic stand a little taller when Jason shook his hand and slapped his back?

Renic’s gaze fell on Lizzie, and the look they exchanged was so full of joy it made Della’s heart ache.

Once again, for a fraction of a second, Della felt like she was on the outside looking in at something she couldn’t quite reach. It was stupid, she knew that, but she couldn’t help that stab of jealousy or the uncertainty that followed.

She was happy for Lizzie. Her sister finally had what she’d always wanted.

So why did this news also make her feel sad? It didn’t make any sense.

Della shook off her ridiculous reaction and rushed forward to wiggle her way in, half on Piper’s lap and half on Lizzie’s. She wrapped her arms around her eldest sister’s neck and squeezed, hard. If a tear escaped, well…happy tears were a thing. Right? “I’m going to plan the most amazing baby shower ever.”

Soon, all four of them were crying and laughing and talking all at once just like they used to do as kids. It eased the irrational what-about-me panic in Della’s chest.

There was no reason to envy the way everyone else seemed to be moving on with life while Della remained in perpetual party mode. No reason at all. Her life was good. Great, even.

“We need to celebrate. Let’s get out of here,” Della suggested finally. “I want to raise a toast to my future niece.”

“Or nephew,” Mattie pointed out.

“Right, that too.” Della grabbed Lizzie’s hands to pull her off the couch. “Come on. Let’s head to the wrap party.”

Romi cleared her throat. “I hate to be the party popper, but we still have Della’s stalker to deal with.”

Della glared at the stuck-in-danger-mode woman. “It’s pooper, not popper, and we don’t need to worry about that right now. We have more important things going on.”

Lizzie squeezed Della’s hand, and her face held genuine regret. “No, we don’t. I won’t be able to relax knowing someone might be after you. We have plenty of time to celebrate before and after the baby gets here.”

“I think we should definitely push back the wedding,” Mattie said. “This thing with Della needs to get sorted first, and I’d rather wait until the baby can be there too.”

Renic looked at Jason. “How’s your schedule for the next couple of months?”

“Months?” Della tried hard to keep the panic out of her voice. She could see quarantine coming. Isolation was never a good time, especially when it didn’t have an expiration date.

Jason tapped on his tablet. “We’re booked pretty solid with that Nelson tour. I could spare a couple of guys, maybe, if they coordinated with Della’s personal security, but we might need to bring in a few contractors.”

“Wait a second.” Della’s frustration bubbled up again. They were arranging her personal life for her without even asking. “I have plans for the break, you know, and they don’t include being surrounded by an army of bodyguards.”

“Do your plans include being kidnapped?” Romi asked with you’re-an-idiot contempt.

“It probably won’t take that long to lock this down,” Renic said. “But we should be prepared.”

“Greg will be back on Monday,” Della said. “He’s more than capable of keeping one overzealous fan away.”

“If he is so capable, why is he not here right now?” Romi asked.

“I gave him the weekend off,” Della said. She met Romi’s challenging gaze. “After all, there should have been plenty of security here.”

Piper put a restraining hand on Romi’s arm. “I know this is frustrating, but there’s no need to get pissy.”

“I’m not getting pissy. I’m just…frustrated.” Della tried her best to sound reasonable and firm, but she was worried it came out petulant. They kept treating her like the child she used to be instead of the woman she was now. “I know where this is headed. Remember the last time we had a stalker? We holed up in that hotel in backwoods Florida forever!”

“You make it sound like it was a decade,” Piper said. “It was only a couple of weeks, and it was Tallahassee, not a third-world country.”

“We were nowhere near a beach or anything else interesting,” Della said. “And it turned out to be a twelve-year-old kid who’d only sent that letter on a dare from his friends. It was nothing.”

“Yeah, but the guy before that actually swam across the bay to get to that vacation house I rented, remember?” Piper said. “He’s still in jail, I think.”

“He didn’t get inside, and all he wanted was to meet you,” Della pointed out. “He was harmless.”

“What about the guy who camped out on my front porch?” Mattie asked. “If he even caught a glimpse of me, he started singing loud enough to wake the neighbors. I was trapped in my house for months until his family hauled him off to rehab.”

“It was creepy, but it wasn’t exactly dangerous.” Della could see her arguments were falling on deaf ears. “Poor guy just needed some mental help. Which he got. He never came back, did he?”

“It makes sense to take some extra precautions until we know exactly who we’re dealing with,” Renic said in a deep, firm tone that reminded her very much of her father when he told her what time she had to be home from a date.

“Come on, Del, it’s not like you live in a secure condo building in New York anymore,” Piper said.

“No,” Della said as patiently as she could manage, “but the hotel I’m in right now is perfectly safe.”

“I can think of a dozen ways someone could sneak into that hotel room,” Romi said.

“Not helpful,” Piper muttered.

“She’s right,” Jason said. “If someone wanted to get to her, the hotel’s probably the best place for him to try. Too many moving parts, too many access points.”

“It’s not like I’m alone in that hotel,” Della pointed out. “Greg’s there. Nobody’s going to try anything with him right next door.”

“This will require more than just one meat shield.” Romi somehow packed everything she thought about Della, her personal bodyguard, and the entire situation into a soft, derisive huff.

“Greg’s not a meat shield,” Della snapped. “Don’t talk about him like that. He’s my friend.”

“That is the problem,” Romi said. “He is so wrapped around your little thumb he will be no good for this.”

Romi turned to Piper. “We need someone who will tell her no, not yes.”

Piper nodded, looking thoughtful. “It’s not a bad idea to bring in extra help. At least until we get this sorted.”

Della started to protest, but Renic cut her off. “Greg’s good. Nobody’s saying he isn’t. He’d take a bullet for you, no question. But it can’t hurt to have some extra eyes on the problem. Question is, who?”

“I suggest you hire someone who specializes in close contact personal protection,” Romi said. “Someone with a background in investigation and strategic planning.”

“Do we know anyone like that?” Lizzie asked.

“I do.” Romi took out her phone and tapped on it. “His name is Donovan Ward. I am sending you his contact information now.”

“You trust him?” Mattie asked.

“If I needed personal protection, he is who I would call,” Romi said.

Della watched the ripple of decision and approval travel through the room.

“Hey. Hello.” Della waved her hand. "Still here.”

“Della,” Renic said. “Guys like this don’t usually stop at one letter. He’s escalating. We’re not going to ignore this.”

“His next target might be one of your sisters,” Romi said. “You must think of someone other than yourself.”

The “for a change” hung unsaid in the air, along with a healthy dose of disapproval.

Della bristled at once again feeling like the selfish prick of the family, but dammit, it was her life, wasn’t it?

Except it wasn’t.

It was Piper’s and Mattie’s and Lizzie’s, and now…the baby. Her niece or nephew.

Della took in a deep breath and held it. She didn’t want to be the cause of yet another family argument. She let the breath out, slow and deliberate.

“Della.” Mattie rose from the couch to put a soft hand on her shoulder. “Aren’t you scared? Just a little?”

Piper stood in front of Della with that look she’d used since they were kids, the one that talked Della into doing things she didn’t want to do, like the dishes. “What’s so horrible about contacting this Donovan guy and asking him to do a risk assessment? In the meantime, you can move out of that hotel and into my house. The security was set up by Romi, so you know it’s solid.”

Piper’s suggestion sounded reasonable and logical and not at all heavy-handed, which made Della want to put her foot down even more.

“Please, Della?” Lizzie asked in a voice so quiet that it grabbed Della’s attention more than all the shouting in the world could have. “Please let us keep you safe?”

“Oh, come on,” Della swallowed, hard, and tried to avoid everyone’s gaze. “That’s not playing fair. You’re making a baby and using it against me.”

Lizzie sniffed, but a smile quirked her lips up a little.

Piper’s eyes glinted with determination.

Mattie’s face had gone blank. She only looked like that when she was really, really upset.

Her sisters were gathered around her, determined to protect her despite herself.

This was what family did. They had your back, even when you didn’t have your own. It was what she loved the most about them, even if it was a real pain in the ass sometimes.

“Fine,” Della said, drawing the word out a little longer than necessary. “Let’s give him a call. But we’re going to do a live stream into the party so we can still tell them thank you in real time. And then we can go to Piper’s to toast the baby.”

As people came in to set up the equipment for the live stream, Della made her way to the shower. Now that she had a quiet space to think and hot water to hide under, a line from the letter twisted around in her head.

I see how alone you are.

She wasn’t alone.

Whoever wrote that letter was dead wrong. She wasn’t alone and she wasn’t lonely.

The unwanted image of Renic and Lizzie gazing at each other with that we-have-a-secret twinkle in their eyes flashed through her mind.

She was surrounded by people most of the time, but…she didn’t have that.

All she had was a stalker.

A shiver crawled up and down her spine, despite the hot water.