Chapter 286
ARIA'S POV
"Left a little bit, please! No, the other left!"
I stood in the center of the mansion’s back garden, gesturing toward two workers hanging a bright, colorful banner between the marble pillars of the patio. The giant glittery letters spelled out: HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY AMELIA!
"Like this, ma'am?" one of the decorators asked, holding the edge of the rope higher.
"Yes. Right there. That’s perfect," I called out, wiping my hands on my jeans. I took a step back to admire the setup. The wide green lawn was already filled with round tables, soft pink balloons, and a small bouncy castle near the old oak trees.
It looked like a fairytale. My parents had built this estate to be a place of joy, and for the first time in years, it actually felt like one. Brandon had spared no expenses for Amelia's party.
She was his perfect little princess and she deserved the best no matter how spoiled he made her. And my heart was full because he treated her that way. Like she was his own flesh and blood.
He did so much for us. But then my eyes drifted past the bright balloons toward the edge of the property. Standing near the tall iron gates were four men in crisp black suits. They weren't party planners.
They had dark earpieces tucked behind their ears, and they kept their hands folded firmly in front of them, scanning every single vehicle passing by on the main road outside.
"You're frowning again, Aria."
I turned around to see Brandon walking out onto the patio. He held a glass of cold iced tea in his hand, looking relaxed in a dark blue polo shirt and jeans, though his dark eyes were as sharp as ever.
"I'm not frowning," I said, taking the glass he offered me. "I'm just... looking.”
"Looking at my men? If you don't stop, I might get jealous that they're taking all your attention, baby," Brandon said softly, stepping closer and placing a gentle hand on the small of my back.
I scoffed slowly and turned to him. "Brandon, there are twelve guards on the lawn," I whispered, leaning toward him so the decorators couldn't hear us.
"There are biometric scanners at the front gate. Even the lady delivering the birthday cake had to show her ID three times before they let her drive up the driveway. Don't you think it's a little too much?"
"No," Brandon said flatly. "I don't."
"It's just a six-year-old's birthday party," I said, looking up into his face. "I don't want Amelia to feel like she's living inside a fortress."
"Amelia thinks they are extra staff for her party," Brandon replied, a small, reassuring smile touching his lips. "I told her they were here to make sure no one steals her presents. She was completely fine with it."
I couldn't help but laugh softly. "Of course she was,” I said and rolled my eyes.
"Look at me, Aria," Brandon said, his tone turning serious. He cupped my jaw gently, forcing me to meet his dark eyes. "I know it looks like a lot. But after what happened with Julian on live television... After everything we know he's capable of when he loses his temper, I am not taking any chances. Not on your birthday, not on hers, not ever."
I sighed softly, resting my hand over his face. "I know. I'm sorry. I trust you. It's just... I keep expecting something to go wrong. Julian lost his career. He has nothing left to lose. That scares me more than when he had money and status."
"He won't touch this house," Brandon promised, his voice low and steady. "Dominic and Antonio landed early this morning. They are downstairs right now in the guest room with Marcus reviewing every single name on the guest list. No one gets near this property without me knowing about it."
"Are they staying downstairs the whole time?" I asked.
"Dominic will be at the front gate during arrival," Brandon explained. "Marcus is running the camera feeds inside, and Antonio is taking the back perimeter. We have every angle covered."
"Mommy. Look!" Amelia’s excited voice cut through the air. She came running out of the double glass doors, her little pink dress puffing out around her knees.
She was wearing a tiny plastic birthday crown on her head, her brown curls bouncing wildly with every step. "Look at my dress, Mommy. Look,” she shouted, doing a quick little spin on the grass.
The heavy knot of worry in my stomach melted away instantly. I knelt down on the grass, catching her in my arms and hugging her tight. "You look like a real princess, sweetie," I said, kissing her soft cheek.
"Daddy bought it for me," Amelia beamed, pointing a small finger up at Brandon. "He said princesses get to wear crowns all day on their birthday!"
Brandon chuckled, crouching down beside us on the lawn. "That is the official rule, yes."
"Are the ponies here yet?" Amelia asked, bouncing on her heels. "The man at the gate said the ponies were coming.”
"They'll be here in an hour, sweetheart," Brandon said, tapping the tip of her nose. "Go inside and show Mrs. Gable your dress while we finish setting up the tables."
"Okay," Amelia squeaked, turning around and sprinting back toward the house, her little shoes clicking against the stone steps.
I stood up, watching her disappear inside. Brandon stood up beside me, slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me flush against his side. "She's happy, Aria," Brandon whispered into my hair. "That’s all that matters."
"I know," I breathed out, leaning my head against his broad shoulder. "Thank you, Brandon. For making her feel so safe. For making me feel safe."
"Always," he said softly.
He kissed the top of my head, but as I looked back toward the high stone walls surrounding my parents' estate, a tiny voice in the back of my mind whispered that Julian wasn't the type to go down alone.
He was out there somewhere, and the quiet wouldn't last forever.