TITLE:RUNAWAY BRIDE

Chapter 7: THE WARNING

Back in the penthouse, I couldn’t breathe.

I kept staring at that text.

*I see you, Lily. You can’t hide behind him.*

My hands were shaking so bad I dropped the phone.

"Problem?" Alex asked. He was pouring another drink.

I showed him the screen.

Alex read it once. His jaw ticked.

"Give me the phone," he said.

He typed something, then handed it back. "Done. They can’t trace you now."

"Who is it?" I whispered. "Is it him?"

Alex walked to the window. "Could be. Could be anyone who wants money."

"Don’t lie to me," I snapped. "You promised protection."

"I am protecting you," Alex turned. "That’s why you’re here. That’s why we got married."

"Married," I laughed bitterly. "On paper."

Alex stepped closer. For the first time, he actually looked at me. Really looked.

"Listen to me, Lily," he said low. "Whoever sent this... they’re not done. They’ll try again. And next time it won’t be a text."

A knock at the door.

Two bodyguards walked in.

"From now on," Alex said, "you don’t go anywhere without them. You don’t answer unknown calls. You don’t leave this building."

"You're locking me up?"

"I’m keeping you alive," Alex said. "That’s the deal."

He walked past me to his office.

Left me standing there with two strangers at my door.

The marriage certificate was in my bag.

The threat was in my phone.

And the man who was supposed to save me... was the coldest person I’ve ever met.