Four

Brielle’s POV

My dad led me back inside, one arm around my shoulders, the other already dialing someone—probably the FBI. Or the President, who knows. Being a diplomat came with a lot of power, and tonight, he looked ready to use every bit of it.

Desmond stayed close behind, eyes sharp, checking every shadow like he was ready to take a bullet.

The second we walked in, Mirren rushed toward me.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” she whispered, grabbing my arms like she was checking for bullet holes.

I nodded. “Just…shaken.”

She looked at me like I was crazy. “Girl, someone literally fired shots at your house. On your birthday! You’re allowed to be more than shaken—you should be freaking out.”

She wasn’t wrong.

And she definitely wouldn’t calm down if she saw the texts I got right before the shooting.

“I know that look,” she said, narrowing her eyes.

“Huh?”

“Don’t play dumb, Bri. You’re hiding something. Spill.”

I let out a long sigh and handed her my phone.

Her expression twisted as she scrolled. “No freaking way.”

“I got them a minute before the shots,” I said quietly. “From an unknown number.”

Mirren’s voice dropped. “You looked stunning tonight. Shame it’s your last birthday with all of them?” She blinked, hard. “Okay, that’s not just stalker creepy. That’s a warning.”

I crossed my arms tightly across my chest. “The second one said, Tell your father the past doesn’t stay buried. What does that even mean?”

She looked down at the screen like it might burn her fingers. “It means someone knows something. About your dad. About Desmond. And maybe even about you.”

We both fell silent.

Something about tonight felt… bigger than just a scare. I could feel it in my bones.

“They’re not just after my dad,” I whispered. “They’re after me too.”

Mirren grabbed my hand. “Okay, no. We’re not spiraling. You’re safe. Your dad has the entire government in his back pocket, and Desmond? That man would walk through fire for you.”

Her tone changed when she said his name, and I didn’t miss it.

“You think he’s involved?” I asked quietly.

“I don’t think that. But I do think he’s keeping stuff from you.”

Before I could reply, she stood. “Let’s get upstairs. Get out of this dress. Breathe. I’m not leaving your side tonight.”

I nodded and followed her, still moving like a robot while my head spun in a thousand directions.

Back in my room, I peeled off the silk dress and slipped into one of my oversized tees. Mirren handed me a glass of water and crawled into bed next to me, my phone still in her hands.

“Whoever this is,” she muttered, “they’re smart. No number. No name. No fear.”

“But they messed with the wrong girl.”

I smiled faintly, grateful for her fire. But even she couldn’t chase off the cold crawling under my skin.

I had just started to settle under the covers when there was a soft knock at the door.

Before either of us could say anything, it creaked open.

My mom stepped in first, wrapped in her silk robe. Her face looked tired but calm. My dad was right behind her, his jaw tight like stone. And then there was Desmond.

He stood in the doorway, a little apart from them, leaning against the frame. His face unreadable. His eyes locked on mine.

“Brielle,” my mom said gently, sitting beside me. “Are you alright?”

“I’m okay, Mom. Mirren’s been with me.”

My dad scanned the room and nodded once. “Sweetheart, we need a moment with Brielle. Alone.”

Mirren stiffened but stood. “Sure. But if they stress you out, text me. One emoji and I’ll burn this place down.”

I smiled weakly. She gave my shoulder a squeeze before walking out and softly closing the door.

Desmond stepped in, just a few paces. His hands were in his pockets, but his eyes never left mine. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

My mom took my hand. “We didn’t want to do this tonight, but we have to.”

My dad stepped forward. “The texts, the shooting… whoever did this, they’re not trying to scare us. They’re sending a message. They know where we live. They know our habits. And they’re getting bold.”

Of course Desmond told him about the messages. I didn’t even care at this point.

“So what now?” I asked. “What are you going to do?”

“We’re going dark for a bit,” Dad said. “Safe house. Government-protected. It’s already arranged.”

My chest tightened. “You’re going into hiding?”

He nodded. “Just until we figure out who’s behind this.”

I swallowed. “What about me?”

He turned to Desmond, and I already knew what was coming.

“You’ll be going with Desmond.”

My heart dropped. “What?”

“It’s the safest option. He lives off-grid. No one knows the address unless he gives it to them. Not even the government.”

“But—”

“It’s not up for debate,” he said, his voice final. “You’ll have your own room. He’ll protect you.”

I looked at Desmond. His jaw was clenched, fists deep in his pockets. He didn’t look happy—but he didn’t say no either.

“Do you trust him?” I asked softly.

“With my life,” my dad said. “And more importantly, with yours.”

I looked back at my mom. She nodded once. Then at Desmond. His eyes were unreadable—like he was holding back a hundred things he couldn’t say.

“I’ll go,” I said finally.

My mom gave my hand a squeeze. “We leave at dawn. Cam can help you pack.”

They stood, both of them looking like they hadn’t exhaled all night.

“Try to rest,” my dad said.

They left together.

But Desmond stayed.

He didn’t move. Just stood there. Watching me.

“You okay with this?” I asked quietly.

He hesitated. “No. But I’ll protect you. Even if it costs me everything.”

His words landed somewhere deep in my chest.

Then he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.

Tomorrow, I’d be waking up in this room for the last time.

And moving in with the man I’d been dreaming about. The man I could never have.

Maybe the universe was cruel.

But some part of me… didn’t mind.