Chapter 21

"Addi!! Kade is here!!!" Darby yelled through our apartment. I was busy getting ready and had lost track of time. It's been two months since our trip to Hawaii.

Everything has been going great ever since we got back. Darby and Matt have officially started a relationship. The newlyweds were enjoying decorating their new home Tyler had built them. Kade and I were closer than ever. Tyler planted our story in the tabloids and after a few weeks of being chased around by the paps, things had finally settled down. Everyone now knew who I was and all about our romance. It took some getting used to. I wasn't exactly comfortable with all of the attention I was getting. Although it was great for the company, we had more clients than ever. I had to hire two new girls to help after Tyler invested and I finally got the expansion I'd been dreaming about. I now owned one of the largest event planning companies in the state. It was wonderful and stressful at the same time. I had no choice but to divide up my workload I simply couldn't do it all myself anymore.

"Babe? What are you doing?" Kade got my attention leaning up against the doorframe of my bedroom. He still made my knees weak at the sight of him. He was wearing a light blue button-up with dress slacks. I grinned up at him. I still hadn't gotten dressed I couldn't decide what to wear. The paps had pictures of me in almost everything I owned. I really needed to go shopping but hadn't had the time.

"I was trying to find something to wear that's not already on a damn tabloid somewhere." I sighed and he laughed.

"It will be ok, baby you look amazing in anything it's just dinner." He walked toward me and pulled me up to him. He lightly kissed the top of my head as he held me against him. "Mmm, I've missed you. It's been too long since I last held you."

I smile up at him. "It's only been two days."

"That's two days of torture babe. I wish I could keep you with me everywhere I go."

"Sounds nice except you'd get tired of me pretty quickly," I smirk and he laughs.

"I never get tired of you Addison. Do we really have to go out to dinner? Can't we just stay here in your bed?"  He gives me a serious look.

"If it was up to you we'd never leave the bedroom Kade!  No, we can't skip dinner I promised your sister we would meet them at some damn restaurant opening.  I'm sure the paparazzi will be covering it and I seriously don't anything to wear!"  I whined.

"Babe calm down.  I've never seen you worry so much about your clothes before what's going on?"  He sat down on the bed looking up at me.

"Nothing it's just that they are always talking about what I'm wearing like I'm not good enough for you because I don't have a warehouse full of designer clothes and I don't want to make your family look bad.  I've already worn all the clothes you got me and they have seen me in all of my work clothes.  I just want to look like I belong with you..... " He sighed wrapping his arms around my waist.  "I hate feeling like I'm not good enough."

"Baby, you are way too good for me don't worry about what those assholes say about your clothes.  You know clothes don't matter don't let them get to you.  If it will make you feel better I'll have a whole damn closet of clothes sent over tomorrow."  He smiled up at me and I laughed.

"I can buy my own clothes Kade but thanks for the offer."

"Why don't you borrow something from Darby I'm sure she can help you or I can call Emma and have her send you over something for tonight?"

"No don't worry your sister I'll ask Dar."  I leaned over and place my lips against his lightly.  He kisses me harder deepening the kiss and pulls me down on top of him.  I giggle,  looking down at him.  "We are going to be late if we don't leave in the next fifteen minutes."

"So?  Em is used to us being late by now babe."  He squeezed my ass and rolled me over.  He smiled hovering above me, giving me chills.  "I love..."  Before he could finish Darby came rushing through my bedroom door.

"Addi!!! Oh shit, sorry to interrupt! But you need to come see this!"  She yelled at us.

Kade stood up taking my hand pulling me up with him.  "Dar, what is it?"  Her face was pale and she was shaking.  In all the years I've known her I've never seen her look so scared.   She shook her head and gestured for us to follow her.  She went to the kitchen table where a large cardboard box sat.   "Where did..."  But I couldn't finish asking her because as I looked inside the box I understood why she was so scared.

"Both of you go sit down! I don't want you looking at this anymore."  Kade speaks calmly but the look in his eyes told me he was anything but calm.   When I didn't move he turned me away from the box.  "I'm serious Addison!  You don't need to look at them!"

"I have every right to look, Kade!! They are my pictures!!"  I shouted as I leaned forward pulling the pictures out of the box.   There must have been hundreds of pictures of me.  Most of them were from the tabloids but a few I had never seen before.  In some, my face had been blacked out.  Different phases had been written on my pictures.   Whore, bitch, gold digger, you name it.  My hands shook as I looked through the pictures.  As I picked up a pile of them a piece of yellow paper hit the floor.   Kade reached and grab it before I could.  His eyes widen and he crumpled up the paper.  Darby stood there watching us both.

"Kade! Stop it! What does it say?" I reached for the paper but he wouldn't let go.

"Addison... I don't think you should..."  He began.

"It says I'll make sure you don't get your fairytale princess,"  Darby stated.  "Sorry Kade I know you want to protect her but she needs to know."

"What the hell does that mean?  I don't get my fairytale?! Is someone threatening me?"  I look at them both.

Darby finally spoke.  "I think someone wants to scare you Addi."

"They're doing a damn good job!" I yelled.   Kade put his arms around my waist protectively holding on to me.

"Where did this come from Dar?" Kade asked.

"I don't know someone knocked on the door and when I opened it this box was sitting there but no one was in the hall.  I even went down to the elevator but no one was around."

"I'll have the security footage pulled to see who the hell left this.  I'll find out who did this baby.  I'll make sure they pay."  Kade said still holding on to me.  I could tell he was pissed but he was doing a good job controlling it.   "It might take a few days though. I don't think you girls should stay here until we know who did this."

"Matt's still staying with his parents and my dad is out of town so I don't have much choice but to stay here."  Darby sighed.  She was in the kitchen reaching in the liquor cabinet.  She pulled a bottle of vodka down.  "This will calm my nerves."  She opened it and took a swallow.  "I'll let you know when it starts working."  She still looked pale but her color was coming back a little.

"You can both stay at my penthouse. There's plenty of room and security you'll both be safe there.  I don't want you two running around town until this jackass is caught either.  We don't know what this person is capable of.  They may come after Darby to get to you Addi."

"What do you mean, come after?"  Darby asked nervously.

"Don't worry Dar.  I'll take care of this.   Go pack your bags I'm going to make some phone calls."  When he let go of me his arms were shaking.

"Everything will be ok right?"  I ask Darby and she nodded weakly at me.   We packed up enough stuff for a few days while Kade called his security team and his lawyer to alert them of the situation.  I called Emma and canceled our dinner plans.  She was genuinely concerned and promised to stop by the penthouse tomorrow and check on us.  Kade had James come pick us up and Chinese food delivered to the penthouse.

"Damn I could get used to this."  Darby grinned looking around the penthouse as Kade bought in our bags.   The penthouse was a sight to see the view alone was enough to make you drool.  The whole city could be seen from up here.

"Dar you can stay in the guest room it's the first door on your right."  Kade pointed down the hall.  "My security team will be here around the clock so don't worry you'll be safe here."  He smiled at her.  I could tell Darby was feeling better she didn't look on edge anymore.  I on the other hand was a nervous wreck.  My stomach was in knots and the smell of Chinese food made me nauseous.  I hadn't eaten since breakfast but there was no way my nervous stomach would allow me to eat now.

"Thanks, Kade.  That food smells heavenly."

"It's the best in the city.  Help yourself the plates are in the second cabinet."  Kade placed the food on the kitchen counter and I left them heading for the couch.  I laid down trying to get away from the smell making my stomach turn.  A few minutes later Kade appeared.  He sat down on the floor next to the couch leaning over me.

"Are you ok baby?"

I nodded slowly looking at him.   No, I wasn't ok.  I was scared.  I was scared of what this person could do to me or Dar.  I was scared of what Kade might do in return.

"I will always protect you Addi.  I will take care of this baby.  This person won't get near you I promise."

"I know you will but what will you do to them, Kade?  What if you can't control yourself?"

He looked at me for a moment and then sighed.  "I can't promise I wouldn't kick their ass."

"Promise you won't do anything crazy? That you'll let the police handle them?  We should call the police Kade."

"The head of security has notified the police and yes I'll let them handle it ok?"  He held my hand tightly and kissed me gently.   As he pulled away he smiled.  "It's going to be nice having you here all the time."

I grinned.  "Did you do this so you could get me here?"

"I wish that I had babe then you wouldn't be in danger." He sighed, concern filled his face and he looked overwhelmed with sadness.   "This is my fault whoever this is, is after you because of me."

"We don't know that don't blame yourself, Kade."  He just simply nodded.

"You should come eat."

I shook my head.  "No, I'm ok."

"Addison you need to eat something."  He held out his hand and instead of arguing with him, I took it.

I actually did feel better once I ate a little bit. Kade was in his office on the phone so Darby and I decided to watch a comedy. We were on the couch when someone knocked on the door. We both looked at each other. "Should we answer it?" I asked her.

"Hell no, I'm not answering any more doors." Whoever it was knocked again. Wasn't there a damn security guard out there? Kade came out of his office.

"It's ok I'll get it." He reached the door and opened it slowly. Once he saw who it was he laughed.

Matt's voice filled the room and Darby jumped up to greet him. "What are you doing here?!"

"I couldn't stop thinking about what was going on after you called earlier so I thought to hell with this I'll go check on her." He wrapped his arms around her holding her tightly.

"Awww that's so sweet. But I'm fine. Kade has some security guys watching out for us." She smiled up at him. I don't know if she's told him she loves him yet but she is definitely in love with him. He makes her smile more than she ever has.

"Security? Where are they? I didn't see anyone I walked right in here!" Matt gave Kade a concerned look to which Kade laughed.

"Relax man. The only reason they didn't stop you was because I told them you were ok to visit. They have a list and pictures of a few people who are allowed up. My dad, Emma, and you."

"Oh well that's ok I guess. You got the best security guys money can buy right? With guns and military training and all that shit right?" Matt questioned and we all laughed.

"Do you honestly think I'd hire anything less to protect Addison?" Kade gave Matt a serious look and walked toward me.

"I know you love her so I'm sure you got the best I just wanted to make sure Darby was in good hands." Kade simply nodded to Matt as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

"You are welcome to stay and keep an eye on her if it will make you feel better. I know I would be crazy if Addi wasn't with me right now."

"You wouldn't mind? Because I actually had no intention of leaving." Matt smirked and Kade laughed.

"It's cool, I wouldn't leave Addi either. Stay as long as you like."

"I'll just go get my bag out of my truck then." Matt grinned and let go of Darby.

"You brought a bag?" Darby laughed at him.

"Of course I said I had no intention of leaving." He smirked and went out the front door.

Darby grinned from ear to ear. "I'm going to take a shower I have a feeling I'll need it."

A few hours later everyone in the penthouse was asleep. Kade was snoring softly beside me. I tossed and turned, no matter what I tried my mind wouldn't shut up. I just couldn't seem to wrap my head around any of this, why would someone send a box full of pictures? And what the hell did, I'll make sure you don't get your fairytale mean? Was that a threat to my life or my relationship with Kade? My mind was spinning and refused to stop. I sat up and groaned holding my head in my hands.

"Babe? Are you ok?" Kade sat up and pulled me to his chest.

"I can't sleep. Sorry, I woke you up." I rest my head against his chest and sighed.

" I will take care of this I promise. Stop worrying you need to rest." He laid back taking me with him. I wrapped myself around him. He ran his fingers up and down my back soothing me. "I love you, go to sleep." He whispered as I laid in his arms.

"I love you too." I closed my eyes and surrendered to the darkest.