Chris's question hung heavy in the car. His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp, searching Bella's every move.
Bella's throat went dry. Her fingers twisted at the hem of her sweatshirt, a nervous habit she couldn't control. The image of the tattoo on the man's hand burned in her memory.
Chris leaned closer. "Ella. Don't lie to me. You know who he is. What did he say to you?"
Bella swallowed hard. She wanted to look away, but Chris's gaze pinned her in place. "I... I don't want to talk about it."
Chris's jaw tightened. "You don't have that choice. Whoever that man is, he followed you into a locked space. He frightened you. And from the look on your face right now, you know him. So tell me."
Bella shook her head quickly, her chest tightening. "If I tell you, everything will get worse. Please, Chris. Just let it go."
"Let it go?" Chris's voice was low, controlled, but edged with fire. "You nearly froze to death in that lavatory because no one found you in time. Now I find out there was a man with a scorpion tattoo hovering outside the door? And you want me to let it go?"
Tears welled in Bella's eyes. She hated seeing him so angry, but more than that, she hated the truth that was clawing at her chest.
Chris reached for her hand, his voice softening though his eyes remained firm. "Ella, I can't protect you if you keep me in the dark. Whatever he said, whatever you saw... tell me. Please."
Bella finally spoke, her voice trembling. "He... he told me he wasn't done with me yet."
Chris froze, his grip on her hand tightening. "Not done with you?" His tone dripped with danger.
"He whispered it as he walked past. His voice Chris, it was so familiar. I don't know from where, but I've heard it before. And when I saw the tattoo, I remembered something..." She paused, her breathing shaky. "I think I saw him the day I was attacked at the gala. I'm not sure. But it felt the same. The way he looked at me..."
Chris's eyes darkened, his entire body stiff with fury. "So he's been around you before."
Bella nodded, her eyes filling. "Yes. And if he's the same man from the gala, then... then this isn't random, Chris. He knows me."
Chris leaned back against the leather seat, fists clenched. He inhaled deeply before speaking. "From now on, you don't go anywhere alone. Not the airport, not the supermarket, not even down your street. If you so much as step outside without me or Elliot, I swear, Ella, I'll lose my mind."
"Chris..."
"I mean it," he cut her off, his voice steel. "This isn't just about us anymore. Someone out there has marked you, and I'll burn the world down before I let him touch you again."
Bella's chest tightened at his words. Fear still gnawed at her, but wrapped in Chris's determination, a strange sense of safety settled over her too.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to drag you into my fears."
Chris turned his face slightly, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Ella, you don't drag me into your fears. You are my fear. Losing you. That's the only thing I'm afraid of."
"Wow... this is serious," Elliot said quietly, scanning the blurred footage again.
Chris's jaw tightened. "It's worse than serious. That man didn't just scare her he tampered with her safety. He almost cost us the plane. And if he could infiltrate once, what's next?"
Elliot exhaled slowly. "I've already informed Cyrus. His men are moving in. They should be watching Bella's house by now."
Cyrus known publicly as Chris's personal guard was more than that. He ran a shadow network of highly trained operatives, men no one outside the Hampson circle even knew existed. And tonight, they had only one mission: Bella Walter.
Chris's mind, however, wasn't settled. How did this man know Bella's flight schedule? How did he know who she was at all? He tapped his fingers against the desk, then turned sharply to Elliot.
"Have someone watch everyone she speaks to. Her friends, her coworkers anyone who might unknowingly slip information. Don't question it. Just do it."
Elliot wanted to ask why Chris suddenly distrusted Bella's circle, but the steel in his boss's eyes silenced him. "Understood," he said, pulling out his phone to alert Cyrus.
At Cyrus's residence, ten men sat around a wide oak table. Cyrus stood at the head, his presence commanding.
"Boss just called. His woman's life is in danger. Four of you will rotate shifts on her protection, day and night. She must not notice you, and neither must the stalker. Fail, and you answer to me before you answer to him."
The room was silent except for the flick of lighter steel as someone shifted.
"You'll also tail her friends," Cyrus continued, showing them photos Elliot had sent. "Alexia, Lilian, Nadia, Liam. Track where they go, who they meet, and what they say. Report everything. No detail is too small."
He turned to four men. "Kelvin. Justin. Peter. Lin. You're on Bella's protection. Get your passports ready you'll fly wherever she flies. And you better hope she never sees you."
"Yes, sir," they chorused.
Kelvin and Lin headed out immediately, their destination: Bella's street.
By 6:20 p.m., Chris was upstairs, freshly showered and dressed. He glanced at his reflection. Light blue ripped jeans, a fitted black T-shirt, navy sweatshirt, layered with a dark winter jacket. Simple, but sharp. Elliot, waiting downstairs, smirked when Chris appeared.
"You know you look good in anything," Elliot said.
Chris only gave a half-smile, tugging his cap lower before slipping on a black mask. He wasn't hiding for himself he was hiding for Bella. She didn't deserve another tabloid storm.
Tonight he'd drive his newest toy, a black 2023 Tesla Roadster one of only five in the world.
By 6:57, the car purred to a stop outside Bella's house.
Inside, Bella was putting the finishing touches on her look. Navy trousers, pink top, a fluffy grey jacket, and black boots. She'd kept her makeup soft, her long hair tumbling beneath a snug head warmer. Her bag was packed with just the essentials wallet, phone, airpods.
Only the twins were home. Vera was still buried in wedding planning, and Joe was out. Bella had promised herself she'd take two days off soon to help her mum, but tonight... tonight was hers.
The bell rang. She knew without a doubt who it was. Smiling, she hurried to the door.
Chris stood there, hood up, eyes bright above the mask. Her heart flipped.
"Shall we?" he asked softly, extending a hand.
Before Bella could answer, Kayden's voice drifted from the hallway. "Mr Chris!"
Chris glanced over Bella's shoulder with a smile. "Hey."
Jayden leaned against the doorframe. "Is Christian here?"
"Right here," Chris replied warmly, stepping slightly inside to greet them.
Bella huffed, checking her watch. "Babe, it's seven already."
Chris laughed lightly. "You're right." He nodded to the twins. "We'll catch up later, guys." He reached for Bella's hand, lacing their fingers together.
When Bella stepped outside, her mouth fell open. Parked at the curb, sleek and gleaming under the streetlight, was a car she'd only ever seen in magazines.
"Chris..." Her voice caught in awe. "Is that?"
Chris's eyes twinkled above the mask. "A Tesla Roadster. Limited edition."
Bella blinked, still stunned. "You're insane."
"No," Chris said, opening the passenger door with a flourish, "I'm just taking my girl on a date."