Chapter 15 Adrianna
Chapter Fifteen
Adrianna
My heart is hammering like a wild thing trapped in a cage.
I cannot believe what I just said.
“I think maybe I need a husband.”
I meant it as a theory. A desperate half-thought. A terrified calculation shouted into the void.
Not a plan.
Not a command.
Not a literal action item.
But Nathan?
Nathan hears it and doesn’t even blink.
“Done,” he says.
And then he’s on his phone.
“Wait. What? Nate—”
He holds up a hand. Shakes his head. Keeps talking. Fast. Calm. Efficient.
Like this is normal.
Like arranging emergency elopements is something he does between coffee runs and studio sessions.
I stand there, jaw dangling, as he makes calls.
Private plane? Booked.
Destination? Vegas.
Timeline? Two hours.
Two.
Freaking.
Hours.
I think I dissociate for a solid twenty minutes.
Because the next thing I know, I’m climbing into a limo with my mother and Bella—who we picked up early from school because of a “family emergency” that’s just conveniently vague enough to get away with—and Nathan is chatting with both of them like they’re all old friends reuniting over brunch instead of whatever the heck THIS is.
Bella is starstruck.
Mom is giddy.
I am dying slowly and dramatically inside.
I told Mom the truth—or, well, a truth—after Nathan drove me home and casually announced that we were getting married.
Getting married.
As in, me.
Marrying Nathan Thorn.
Rockstar, heartbreaker, global phenomenon, destroyer of my teen soul.
In a few hours.
For real.
And I’m trying not to freak out, but every cell in my body is vibrating like a shaken snow globe.
Mom, meanwhile, is thrilled.
“This is so exciting!” she keeps saying, patting my knee. “What a whirlwind! I should call Lorraine—no, wait, she’ll tell everyone, better not—but oh! Should I get a new dress? Adrianna, should I get a new dress?”
“No, Mom,” I croak. “We don’t have time to invite any more chaos.”
Nathan just smiles charmingly at her like this is all some precious Hallmark moment and not a legal strategy to protect a child from a dangerous man.
And the thing is, he hasn’t been alone with me. Not for more than a couple seconds.
Every time I try to catch his eye, he turns and asks Bella about her science project or compliments Mom’s earrings or checks with the driver about the ETA.
Slick bastard.
He knows if we’re alone, I’ll panic.
I’ll think too much.
Maybe back out.
And he’s probably right.
Because this is insane.
But I’m desperate.
Desperate enough to go through with it.
Because I can’t lose Bella.
I won’t.
But then a voice in my head—my own smug, evil subconscious—whispers, Is that the only reason?
And I clear my throat, staring HARD out the limo window.
Because no.
It isn’t the only reason.
But I will NEVER admit the other one.
Not out loud.
Not to anyone.
Not in this lifetime.
Because Nathan Thorn broke my heart once upon a time, and I’ll be damned if I give him the power to do it again.