TITLE:RUNAWAY BRIDE

Chapter 15: THE ISLAND

The island was beautiful. And a prison.

White sand. Blue water. A huge mansion with no locks on the inside... but 12 guards on the outside.

"Mr. Smith’s orders, ma’am," the head of security said. "You don’t leave the property."

I nodded. Walked to the biggest bedroom.

My phone had one contact: Alex.

He called at exactly 8pm. Every day.

"Are you okay?" His voice was tired.

"I’m safe," I said. "Are *you* okay?"

A pause. "Working on it."

"Have you... dealt with him?"

"I’m handling Daniel legally first," Alex said. "Restraining order. Harassment charges. Then other options."

"Other options" sounded scary.

On day 3, I found a package at the door. No sender.

Inside: a photo of me at the airport.

And a note: *Pretty island. Won’t keep me out.*

I called Alex immediately.

He was on a plane in 2 hours.

He burst into the house at midnight. Suit wrinkled. Eyes wild.

"Show me," he demanded.

I handed him the photo.

Alex crumpled it. "I’m moving you again."

"No," I said. "I’m tired of running."

Alex stared at me. "Then what do you want to do?"

"I want to stop being scared," I whispered. "I want to fight back. With you."

For a long time he just looked at me.

Then he pulled me into his arms. No hesitation this time.

"If we do this," he said into my hair. "We do it together. No more secrets."

"Deal," I said.

Outside, the waves crashed.

And somewhere out there, Daniel was watching.