CHAPTER 28: Security Measures

Alexander was waiting in the penthouse when we arrived, his face dark with anger.

"I saw the post," he said without preamble. "Marcus is already working on getting it taken down."

"It's already been shared thousands of times," Victoria said, showing her phone. "Screenshots everywhere."

"Then we issue a statement. 'James Sterling's social media posts do not represent the views of Sterling Corporation or the Sterling family.'"

"That'll just make him angrier," I said quietly.

"I don't care." Alexander pulled me close. "He's crossed too many lines. This ends now."

"How?" I asked. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm getting a restraining order. And I'm hiring a full security team for you. Round the clock."

"Alexander, that's excessive—"

"Is it?" His eyes were intense. "He's drunk. Threatening. Unstable. And he just posted a public message that sounds like a threat to millions of followers."

Catherine spoke up. "He's right, Bella. James is spiraling. I know my grandson. When he gets like this, he's capable of anything."

"Capable of what? Hurting me?"

"I don't know," Catherine admitted. "But I'm not willing to find out."

Victoria was already on her phone. "I'm calling Dad's head of security. We need protocols in place by tonight."

"This is insane," I said, my voice rising. "We're talking about bodyguards and restraining orders. Against your son!"

"Against a man who's threatened you repeatedly," Alexander corrected. "Biology doesn't give him the right to terrorize you."

I sank onto the couch, overwhelmed. "This was supposed to get better after the interview. People were finally on our side. Now James is turning himself into a victim again."

"Let him." Victoria looked up from her phone. "Every time he does this—the drunk posts, the threats—he loses credibility. People see through it."

"Do they? Or do they see a heartbroken son pushed to the edge by his cruel father?"

"They see a man-child having a public meltdown," Victoria said bluntly. "Trust me. I'm monitoring the comments. Most people are saying he needs therapy, not sympathy."

Alexander knelt in front of me. "Bella, look at me."

I met his eyes.

"I know this is scary. I know you didn't sign up for bodyguards and restraining orders. But I need you safe. I need our baby safe. Can you understand that?"

I touched his face. "I understand. I just... I hate that it's come to this."

"So do I. But James made his choices. This is the consequence."

---

By evening, the penthouse had been transformed into a fortress.

Two bodyguards stationed in the lobby. Cameras upgraded. A security expert reviewing all entry points.

"This is insane," I muttered, watching a man install additional locks on the terrace doors.

"This is necessary," Alexander said. He was on his third phone call of the hour, this time with his lawyer about the restraining order.

My phone buzzed. An unknown number.

Against my better judgment, I answered. "Hello?"

"Bella." James's voice. Slurred. Drunk. "Did you like my post?"

I should have hung up. Instead, I said, "What do you want, James?"

"I want my life back. I want my father back. I want YOU gone."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"We'll see about that." His laugh was bitter. "You think you've won? You think a few good interviews and my grandmother's approval means anything?"

"James, you're drunk. Hang up. Sleep it off."

"I'm not DRUNK. I'm clear-headed for the first time in months. You ruined my life, Bella. And you're going to pay for it."

My heart pounded. "Is that a threat?"

"It's a promise. You want to marry my father? Go ahead. But don't expect to live happily ever after. I'll make sure of that."

The line went dead.

I stood there, shaking, phone still pressed to my ear.

Alexander appeared at my side instantly. "What's wrong? Who was that?"

"James. He... he threatened me."

Alexander's face went white with rage. "What did he say? Exactly."

I told him. Word for word.

He immediately called Marcus. "I need that restraining order filed tomorrow morning. Emergency basis... I don't care what it costs... Do it."

Then he called Victoria. "James just called Bella from an unknown number. Can you trace it?... I want to know where he is."

Finally, he called his head of security. "Double the detail on Bella. And I want James's location monitored 24/7. If he comes within a block of this building, I want to know immediately."

When he finished, he pulled me into his arms.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry you're going through this."

"It's not your fault."

"Isn't it? He's my son. I raised him. I created this monster."

"You didn't create anything. James made his own choices."

"Choices that are now putting you in danger." His arms tightened. "I won't let him hurt you. I swear to God, Bella, I will burn everything down before I let him hurt you."

The fierce protectiveness in his voice should have scared me.

Instead, it made me feel safe.

"We should move up the wedding," I said suddenly.

He pulled back. "What?"

"The wedding. Let's do it next week. Small, private, just immediate family and close friends. Before James can do anything else."

"Bella, you don't have to rush—"

"I'm not rushing because I'm scared. I'm rushing because I'm tired of waiting. Tired of letting James control our timeline. Tired of putting our life on hold." I took his hands. "I want to marry you, Alexander. I want to be your wife. And I don't want to give James another chance to ruin it."

He searched my face. "Are you sure?"

"Completely sure. Unless... do you need more time?"

"I've been ready since the moment you agreed to marry me." He kissed me softly. "Next week it is. We'll get married, make it legal, and then James can't touch us."

"That's not how marriage works."

"No. But it'll make me feel better knowing you're legally protected. My wife. My family."

Wife. The word sent a thrill through me.

"One week," I said. "Think we can plan a wedding in one week?"

"We have Victoria. She could plan a royal wedding in seventy-two hours if properly motivated."

As if summoned, Victoria appeared. "Did someone say wedding planning? Because I have a venue, caterer, and florist all on standby."

I stared at her. "How—"

"Please. I've been planning this wedding since Dad told me he was proposing." She pulled out her tablet. "I have three backup plans depending on timeline. For next week, I recommend the Sterling family estate in the Hamptons. Private, secure, beautiful. Holds 150 people comfortably."

"We're thinking smaller," Alexander said. "Fifty people maximum. Just family and close friends."

"Even better. Less logistics." Victoria was already typing. "Saturday or Sunday?"

"Saturday," I said. "Saturday afternoon. Golden hour for photos."

Victoria smiled. "You're learning. Okay, Saturday it is. That gives us exactly seven days."

"Can we really do this in seven days?" I asked.

"Honey, I planned a merger in three days once. A wedding is nothing." She looked at me seriously. "But are you sure? This isn't too fast?"

"It's exactly fast enough." I touched my stomach. "I want to be married when this baby comes. I want them to have married parents from the start."

"Then let's make it happen." Victoria hugged me. "Welcome to the family, soon-to-be Mrs. Sterling."

Mrs. Sterling.

Bella Sterling.

It still sounded surreal.

But as Alexander wrapped his arms around me from behind, his hand resting protectively on my stomach, it also sounded... right.

"One week," he murmured against my hair. "In one week, you'll be my wife."

"Nervous?"

"Terrified. Excited. Grateful." He turned me to face him. "Mostly grateful. That you said yes. That you're here. That you're giving me this second chance at happiness."

"It's not a second chance. It's a first chance. At something new. Something ours."

He kissed me deeply, and for a moment, I forgot about James. About the threats. About the bodyguards stationed downstairs.

All that mattered was this.

Us.

Seven days until I became Mrs. Sterling.

Seven days until forever started.

If we could survive that long.