A Soldier For Bella (Love Conquers Life #4)

by Alison Mello

  Bella

  The last few days have been absolutely horrible. I’m a complete mess without Derek, and he hasn’t spoken to me other than leaving me messages on the wall of my social media page. I know he’s purposely trying to piss off my stalker, but I also wholeheartedly believe he means every word of what he’s written.

  I shake off my thoughts as I step into the shower. I need to get to the studio for a retake on some of the photos we shot last week. There was an issue with the computers, and some of the images didn’t save properly or something crazy like that.

  I chuckle as I wash up, thinking about the panic in Kelly’s voice when she called me. She thought I was going to freak out on her because I had to go through some of the photos all over again. Apparently some of the other models weren’t as understanding as I am. I told Kelly not to sweat it. She does enough favors for us, and she makes us all look awesome with her clean up, so they shouldn’t be complaining.

  I quickly dry my hair and then throw on a pair of lounge pants and a shirt. When I look in the mirror, I see bags and tired eyes. Sid has his work cut out for him today. I grab my stuff and get to the studio. I want to get this over with. I look out the peephole to see Jordan standing there, so I open the door.

  “Good morning, Jordan. I’m ready to go.”

  “Good morning, Bella. Let’s get this over with,” he says as we stroll down to the car. Sandra has had a car service at the ready for me since I told Patty about the messages my stalker put on his wall about taking me on vacation. She’s adamant that I be driven everywhere with my security in tow to keep me safe. I sigh as I climb into the back of the car and Jordan closes the door behind me. My driver's name is Cameron, and as usual he greets me with a good morning. I, of course, return the greeting, and when he sees Jordan flash his lights, we leave.

  I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the car service, but I’ve always relied on myself, so now I find it hard to rely on others. I’m sure that’s part of the battle Derek and I are currently having. He’s one to care for people and make sure they have what they need, which is why he’s so good at his job, but I, on the other hand, have had to care for myself for so long, I don’t know how to let someone care for me. I miss him so much, though. A tear runs down my cheek. I think it’s time I let him know that, so I send him a text.

  Bella: I miss you :-(

  Derek: I miss you too baby. When can we talk?

  Bella: Soon. Are you going to dinner at Patty and Carter’s tomorrow?

  Derek: Yes are you?

  Bella: Yes, see you there.

  I’m not sure if I should be happy, nervous, or sad that I’m going to see him tomorrow night, but I can’t think about it now because we’re pulling up to the studio. It’s show time, and I need to put my game face on if I’m going to pull this off.

  The car has come to a stop, but per the new protocol I’m not allowed out of the car until Jordan opens the door for me. I find myself bouncing my leg with anticipation when he finally opens the door to let me out. There’s media standing outside the studio.

  “Ms. Campbell, do you care to comment on the stalker situation?” one reporter shouts.

  “No, I don’t.”

  Jordan is trying to block me, but he’s alone so it’s not working.

  “But clearly it’s gotten worse since you’re being driven to work with security.”

  “And? That’s not a question. It’s a statement. I have nothing to say other than I wish he would move on.”

  “Is it true you and Derek Thompson are taking a break?”

  I smile at her. “No, it’s not.” I walk inside, totally ignoring the remainder of their questions, but once I’m through the door I panic.

  “What’s wrong?” Jordan sees my concern.

  “I just may have put Derek in harm. You have to call him. If that comment makes the news and he sees it, then he’ll go after Derek.”

  “Bella, calm down. I will get a hold of Derek and talk to him. If we need to get him security, we will, but you can’t freak out right now. You have work.”

  I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself. “You’re right. Please let him know. I’m going to go find Sid and pull myself together.”

  “Good, go,” he says, pulling his phone from his jacket.

  I walk into Sid’s makeup room. He’s sitting in his chair, waiting for me. “Come here. I heard.” He wraps me in a hug, and I nearly lose it.

  “Sid, I love you, but I can’t talk about it right now. Look at me! I’m a mess, and I have to be in front of a camera in about an hour.”

  He smiles at me. “Yes, but you’re working with Sid. You will be beautiful and ready to go, so don’t you worry about a thing.”

  I smile and take my seat in his chair so he can work his magic. As usual he starts with makeup and then goes to my hair. He’s doing his thing when Jordan comes in and informs me that he’s spoken to Derek and all is fine.

  “Derek wants you to focus on work. He says he’ll be fine,” Jordan says, looking at me through the mirror.

  I smile as I look back at Jordan through the mirror. “He’s as stubborn as I am.”

  Jordan chuckles. “And that’s why you two are great together.”

  “Thank you, Jordan.”

  He nods and, if I’m not mistaken, blushes slightly as he walks away to take his place at the door. I’m glad I got Jordan as my security guard. He’s sweet, professional, and truly cares about my safety.

  “You, my gorgeous girl, are done and ready to go,” Sid says to me.

  I look into the mirror one last time. “You are a miracle worker,” I say as I get up from the chair to hug him.

  “Yeah, yeah. Go change and do your thing.”

  He chuckles as I head to my changing room. I love that I have my own room here. It’s not big, but I do so many shoots here they made it mine. Most of the models share one, but I guess it’s one of the perks of busting your ass to get to the top.

  I open my changing room door to find roses on my vanity. I walk over with a smile until I realize they’re not from Derek. They’re from my stalker.

  I scream, “Jordan!”

  He runs in. “How did these get in here?”

  There’s a note attached to them.

  My love,

  I’m sorry that you are not capable of telling Derek to back off and if you did then he’s not listening and that’s a problem for me. You see I won’t share you. You are mine and mine only and trust me when I tell you I will be sure to relay that message to him for you. I hope your shoot goes well today. You look beautiful as always.

  Xoxo

  Your love

  I’m shaking when Sid runs in, taking my hand he walks me to a bench. Jordan calls Kelly over as well as the woman who runs the building. He questions them, asking if there were any deliveries. They both tell him no and that only models have been in and out of the building.

  “It has to be him.”

  “Who?” Jordan asks.

  “The guy who was acting weird the other day. I don’t know his name.” I struggle to fight back my tears.

  Jordan is barking out orders that he needs the security footage from the last time I was in the building. He calls the police to let them know what’s going on. A few minutes later, the police are at the studio. They bag the flowers, vase, and note from the guy. One of them starts asking me questions. I let them know that I touched nothing and explain about the model who was talking to me the week prior.

  As I’m finishing up answering their questions, Derek runs through the door. I jump up and run into his arms, bawling uncontrollably as he hugs me and rubs my back.

  “Derek, he’s coming after you. You need to be careful.”

  “Shh, I know, baby. Don’t worry about me.”

  Pulling away, I look into his eyes. “You need to let me announce that we’ve broken up so that he’ll leave you alone. I can’t let him hurt you.”

  “He’s not going to hurt me, and I’m sorry baby, but I don�
�t think you making that announcement will matter to him. He knows I’m not giving up on us. I’m a threat to him, and he wants to eliminate the threat. Well, he can try, but I promise you I will be prepared.”

  “So what do we do?” I ask him, concerned.

  “We show up to Patty and Carter’s tomorrow separately and we leave separately. We have an idea who the guy is, so let’s give the police some time to do their jobs. At this point, I think you’re safer at home with Jordan and Jared watching over you.”

  “I’ve already called in to my boss. He’s calling her agent. I want two of us watching her at all times,” Jordan chimes in.

  “If her agent doesn’t approve it, then I’ll pay for the added security. Tell your boss he can bill me for the difference,” Derek tells Jordan, who nods and walks away to give us another minute of privacy. “Do you want to work your shoot?” Derek asks me. I nod. “Good girl. Sid, she’s ready for you to fix her up again,” Derek shouts over his shoulder, but Kelly runs over.

  “Are you sure you can do this?” Kelly asks me.

  “Yeah, I want to do it. I need to take my mind off of this.”

  “Come on, sweetie,” Sid says, putting his arm around my shoulder.

  “Hey, Bella, I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Derek says.

  I smile and nod. He gives me a huge smile and heads out the door. I wonder for a second if he’s going back to work or if he is preparing himself for this guy to come after him.

  I can’t think about that right now. I shove my thoughts to the back of my head and take my seat in Sid’s chair once again. This time he has to clean my face and start all over because I have black mascara and fake eyelashes running down my cheeks and it’s not a pretty sight.

  Luckily, I didn’t screw up my hair. About thirty minutes later, I’m walking from my changing room in my first outfit, ready to start the session.

  I make the poses Kelly asks and work the camera as we go. I have two outfit changes to go through today, but the last two sessions are with Matthew, who walks in for makeup as I’m finishing my first round of photos.

  “Hey, Matthew. How’s it going?” I nod as I pull a water from the fridge.

  “Good. You look great!” he says with a huge smile. If he weren’t gay and dating Sid, I’d wonder if he was hitting on me.

  I grin. “Thanks. Go let Sid take care of you…” I giggle. “Sorry, poor choice of words.”

  He laughs with me. “Not at all. I like how Sid’s taking care of me,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows. I burst into laughter as he walks off toward the makeup room.

  “Are you changing?” Jordan approaches me.

  “Yes. I have two outfits worth of pictures to retake with Matthew and then we’re out of here.”

  “Okay. I can hear your phone chirping in your bag. You may want to check it.” I run to my bag to see it’s Patty completely freaking out, so I take a break to give her a call.

  “Oh my God, are you okay?” she screams into the phone.

  “I’m fine. How do you know what happened already?”

  “Carter called me and said that Derek left work to run to the shoot, but he didn’t know anything more so I’ve been freaking out.”

  “He left me flowers and a note saying he would take care of Derek since I couldn’t.”

  She gasps into the phone. “Where is Derek now?”

  “I don’t know. He left me here with Jordan and said he’d see me at your house tomorrow.”

  “You should come here tonight. Spend the night in our spare room and hang with me tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know, Patty. I’m still at the studio…” She cuts me off.

  “I don’t care. I need to know you’re safe. Please stay with us tonight.”

  “You’ll have to arrange for the security to be in the building,” I warn her. Jordan’s brows rise.

  “No problem. I’ll take care of it right now,” Patty promises.

  “Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I’m done.”

  Cutting the call, I turn to Jordan and quickly fill him in on my plans for the evening. Once we’re good, I head off to get changed.

  As I’m walking out of my changing room, Matthew is walking out of the men’s changing room. We both smile as we take our place in front of the camera so we can get this done.

  Two hours later, we’re finished with the shoot and Kelly promises us this round of photos won’t end up damaged. We say our goodbyes, and Jordan escorts me out to my waiting car. Of course the media is still here because I’m sure they saw the cops arrive.

  “Ms. Campbell, why were the police here?”

  I say nothing as Jordan opens the door to my car so I can climb in. He closes it, shutting out all the shouting.

  “Where to, Ms. Campbell?” Cameron asks.

  “My home, and then we’re going to Patricia Montgomery’s house. I’ll be spending the night there.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he says as he pulls away from the curb.

  We pull up to Patty’s about two hours later, and as I’m walking through the door, Darryl says, “Good day, Ms. Campbell.”

  “Good day, Darryl.”

  “I’m told your security will be in the building all evening. Here is my card. I’m on the night shift. Please have them let me know if they need anything.” Darryl hands me the card as Jordan walks through the door.

  “Jordan, this is Darryl. He’ll be here all night. This is his card shall you need anything,” I say, handing the card to Jordan.

  They shake hands, and Jordan explains that Jared and another guard will be coming for the night shift and he’ll be back in the morning with another guard, but he’s not sure who it’ll be yet.

  Darryl nods. “Still, if there’s anything any of you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “Thank you.” Jordan shakes his hand one more time and we go up to Patty’s place.

  As soon as she opens the door, Patty wraps me in a huge hug and is on the verge of tears. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”

  “I’m fine, just a bit shaken up,” I say, trying to give her a big grin so she’ll believe me. Jordan takes my bag and asks for permission to deliver it to my room.

  “Sure. It’s down the hall, on the right,” Patty says to him. I know Jordan really wants to check out my surroundings without insulting Patty, but I say nothing and just let him do his thing.

  “What did Derek say?”

  “Just that he thinks I’m safer at my place for now. He’ll be here tomorrow, but we were not planning on coming or leaving together.” I look down. “I’m worried about him. I love him and haven’t even told him yet.” Admitting that makes my eye fill with tears, and just as I’m looking up, one escapes me.

  “You have plenty of time for that. He knows, trust me. Besides there’s more than one way to tell a person you love them.”

  I nod, remembering the night we made sweet love in the tub. I truly tried to pour my all into that night by looking him in the eye as I made love to him, trying to tell him through my body language how I really felt. Now part of me wishes I had actually told him. I just hope I’m not too late and he’ll take me back after all of this is over.

  “Come on. I ordered us some take out. Carter will be home late.”

  “What’s our plan?” I ask her as I kick off my shoes and plop down on her couch, folding my legs under me.

  “Netflix, food, and wine,” she says, full of pride.

  There’s a loud knock on the door, and I jump. Jordan looks out the little peephole and opens the door. We see it’s my new security guy holding our food. Jordan takes it and hands it to us and continues to speak with the guard for a minute. He tells him to keep watch outside the door and he’ll be in here with us.

  Patty pours us some wine while I set up TV trays in the living room with our containers. She’s awesome. She ordered me grilled chicken and veggies over rice from our favorite restaurant up the street. The smell makes my stomach growl as we sit to eat. She flips through Netflix, and we pick ou
r movie line up.

  It’s been a quiet night. As the first movie finishes, we agree to clean up the mess from dinner and change into pajamas to get comfortable for the night. As soon as I’m done changing, I go into the kitchen to pour another glass of wine. I’ve got a pretty good buzz going, and I’m hoping it’s going to help me sleep through the night. It’s been a long day.

  We both get settled back on the couch for the next movie, and as it starts I practically down my wine. Placing my glass on the table, I snuggle up on the couch with the blanket that’s draped over the back. I must have been too comfortable because I remember nothing more than the first scene.

  I’m startled awake as I feel someone picking me up.

  “Shh baby, it’s me,” Derek whispers in my ear. Confusion settles in. I’m at Patty’s house. What is he doing here? “I’ve got you baby. You’re safe,” he whispers as he kisses the top of my head. I snuggle into him, wrapping my arms around his neck as he carries me to bed.

  Chapter 10

  Bella

  When I awake the next morning, I have a slight headache and I’m completely confused. I feel like Derek was here last night, but he couldn’t have been. It must have been a dream, because it was just me and Patty last night. I know I drank a few glasses of wine, but I didn’t think I drank that much. Shit, how did I get to bed?

  When I realize it’s early and Patty and Carter are still in bed, I decide to lie back down and rest. That’s when I smell Derek on the pillow next to me. I notice there’s a note on the nightstand. With a huge smile on my face, I scoop it up.

  Hey baby,

  I want you to know you weren’t dreaming last night. I was here with you all night to make sure you were safe, but I had to sneak out early in case I was being watched. This was all part of the plan. Carter and I went out for a guy’s night and I drove so it would look like I was dropping him off and just running up. When I found you asleep on the couch I couldn’t resist, so I carried you to bed and snuggled you until you fell asleep.