Ella
"Who the hell are you?" Ade asks. His growl is so loud not even the helicopter noise drowns it out.
What's happening?
If Ade is acting this way, this can't be good.
I hold on to his waist from behind, leaning my cheek against his back.
My heart is racing.
I didn't see much before he shielded me behind his body. But I did spot other men in the chopper who weren't our chef.
"Apologies for intruding on your special day. It is entirely rude of me," a man says with an American accent. And by the way, he doesn't sound the least bit remorseful.
"I saw an opportunity, and I took it," he continues. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Niccolo Romero."
Ade tenses.
Does that mean he knows this guy… or at least of him?
Niccolo Romero… I can't say I've ever heard the name.
I hear two more sets of thuds from the helicopter… the other passengers jumping off, I presume.
"May I congratulate the bride?" the guy asks, and I stiffen.
He wants to talk to me?
Why would he want to talk to me?
"You may not," Aiden replies coolly, widening his stance. From his tone, I can tell that his Green Beret emergency response training has kicked in. He'll be observing everything, his mind working overtime on how to get us out of this mess.
"I understand you want to protect your lovely bride from me. It's justified, given who I am. But there is no need. I come in peace."
Yeah right. I don't believe this guy for a second… and nor does Aiden.
"Your gun in my face suggests otherwise," Ade deadpans, his tone so calm, I'm not sure if he's even the slightest bit rattled.
Me, however? My heart is working double time with the adrenaline rushing through my veins.
Still, I step out from behind Aiden to face the man who clearly is here for me.
Why, I have no clue. But I'll be damned if I cower from someone like him.
What did da always say? Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Aiden's body goes rigid when I appear next to him. I get he wants to protect me, but we're meant to face everything together, aren't we? The good and the bad.
Ade's jaw ticks, and I bet he wants to scold me and yank me back behind him, but he's not taking his eyes off Niccolo and his men. One of them is holding the Reverend's arm, his gun ready at hand, the other also pointing his weapon at us.
My heart surges into my throat, and I sway on my feet with the overwhelming fear I'm suddenly faced with. I want to grabAiden's hand, but I also don't want to show any weakness. Plus, Ade might need it to defend us.
Taking a deep breath through my nose to make it less obvious how shit-scared I am, I study the lead intruder.
Niccolo Romero is surprisingly handsome. He looks to be in his early twenties, but there is a maturity about him that shouldn't be there. Not yet anyway, if he was a typical twenty-something-year-old.
But something tells me he's anything but typical.
