THE BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD

I WAS FORCED TO MARRY A MOB BOSS

The church bell rang, and with every ring, my heart gave a little jump, as Dad walked me down the aisle. The gaze of all eyes on me made me feel exposed, even though I was wrapped in a stark‑white wedding dress. The guests sat on wooden benches that were covered with lavender‑colored linen. Every face turned toward me. The air with the scent of fresh rose petals and lavender bouquets, was thick enough to make my stomach twist. I shifted my gaze enough to catch one last glimpse of Dad. The man who had built our empire, the man who had decided my fate… He stared back at me with a hollow pride. I would never forgive him for pushing me into this marriage with that infamously wealthy billionaire, running the most cruel cartels of Mexico.

I, Emily Arquette, the supposed heiress of the Arquette legacy… My whole life fell apart in a heartbeat. My father’s “noble” businessman reputation turned out to be a lie; the price of our wealth was my freedom. I never imagined I would walk down the aisle, dressed in a white gown, about to marry a man I have never even met.

It wasn’t that easy for me to surrender my fate though. I had planned my escape from this as soon as I found myself in this situation. I was this close to turning down all the wealth until my boyfriend’s betrayal was exposed and covered me with rage. I chose this wedding to get back at him. It was too late to go back when I realized the height of the cliff I was walking along the edge of. The price of bailing on this wedding would be my own life.

There I am, walking down the aisle as my breaths coming in shallow gasps, praying to God for mercy with every breath I took. I feel one tear slipping down my cheek. I was no longer scared for my own life though. I was terrified for the second heartbeat inside my womb, a secret I’d discovered in the bridal room.

At the front of the chapel, under a canopy of candles, he, ‘The Senior -something- Alvarado’ awaited by the priest. “He seemed too young to be ‘The Senior’ himself, as the title implied a more seasoned man. His posture, the aura that radiated even from behind, the suit he was wearing… His buzzed hair made it hard to discern his hair shade, but it seemed dark brown, like Eduardo’s. ‘But he has soft, curly hair, unlike the groom before my eyes.’ I thought to myself.

He pivoted slightly as I stepped next to him. My eyes slowly met his, and I shivered to my very core when his familiar gaze locked into mine. He greeted me with a nasty grin, as he leaned towards me to whisper in my ear.

He raised his left hand, covered with freshly dried blood, holding it slightly before my face.

‘‘Take a good look at this, Emily.’’ he whispered with a steel cold voice. ‘‘This is the first time I’ve shed blood from someone’s life and I did this for you. If you behave and be a good wife, that will be the last. Or else, you will be the butcher’s wife, instead of a billionaire’s…’’