Page 36 of Trust My Bodyguard

“Right.” Nick is uncharacteristically serious. “The wordings used were personal. A lot of accusatory ‘you-s’ and self-referential ‘me-s.’ I’m aware that when fans form parasocial relationships with their idols, they tend to believe they have a direct relationship with them. But this one wasn’t like that. They referred to details the public shouldn’t know about. Things restricted to someone in your private employ or with close access to you.”

Iris looks up at Ivy. “I can’t think of anyone who’d send those threats.”

She didn’t know her parents were stealing from her either. No one expects her to know the perpetrator. But saying so would surely earn me a terse reprimand from Ivy, so I keep my thoughts private.

“We think it’s someone from your former label or closely connected to it at the very least,” Zane says.

“How do you know?” Iris’ brows pucker.

“It’s in the letters,” Nick says.

All eyes focus on him.

“What? You want to hear what the letters say?” He looks pointedly at Iris. “It’s not pretty.”

“I can handle it.”

Ivy grips her shoulder. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to know. I may be able to tell who it is.”

“Brave. I like that.” He signals to Zane.

With an indifferent expression, Zane clicks on the laptop and hands to Nick.

“Ready?” Nick raises an eyebrow.

Iris squeezes her sister’s hand. “Yes.”

“‘My love, Iris, what’s happening right now is messed up. I never imagined it would turn out this way. Seeing you every day, being close to you, and touching you, I took it for granted that our days were numbered. I thought we had years together, but you had to go and ruin everything. You left. We were going to conquer the world, but you chickened out like a little bitch. Come back. I miss you. I miss the way you drank from your favorite checkered cup. I miss how you gasped at the little gifts from your fans. You are so innocent, aren’t you? Sometimes I want to cuddle up next to you and…’”

Nick cringes. “I’ll just skip that part.” Clearing his throat, he continues, “’I can’t let you go, Iris. I need you. You need me too. I will get you back. Even if I must take you from your sister’s side kicking and screaming. Yes, I know where you are. I’m watchingyou. Always. Take your time, but you’re going to come back to me.’”

Even though I’ve read them before, the unhinged words make me cringe, and the faces around reflect the same feeling. That person is one sick bastard.

Iris’ face drains of color. “What do they others say?”

Nick clicks on the laptop. “Uh… basically the same level of crazy with this very telling line—‘I’m coming for you, Iris. Get ready for me.’ They sent this two days before someone broke into your apartment.”

She sighs, pressing her hands to her forehead. “I can’t think of anyone who would say something like this.”

Ivy rubs her shoulder, whispering something in her ear.

“That’s where I come in,” Nick says. “I’ll be going undercover to find out who.” He smirks. “Don’t look so worried for me. This is my job, remember?”

Iris breaks the silence first. “Thank you.”

Ivy nods and maintains eye contact with him.

“Good.” I sit up, bringing the attention to myself. “We are all caught up.”

“That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” Ivy says.

I don’t glance at her to find out if she’s speaking to me. Once everyone leaves and her little charade with Nick ends, I’ll still be saddled with her.

Best to save my mental strength for when it really matters.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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