Page 19 of Harboring Shantae

"I thought coming here meant we didn't have to use that plan?" Shantae asked.

Ouch! That stung. He wasn't entirely on board with the suggestion, but she didn't have to sound like the thought of marriage to him was repulsive.

"Ah, what plan?" Ray, the ever-loving nosy one on the team, asked.

"The one where Shantae marries Panther so she can't be forced to marry the asshole her father wants to shack her up with," Trista helpfully replied to Ray before turning back to Shantae. "That was the plan, but now that your father reported you missing, it would be best if Panther didn't become an accessory. We wouldn't be able to hide you here because it's the first place they would look."

Confronting Shantae's father now seemed like a really bad idea. It was his fault that the senator even knew where to look. Constantly fucking up people's lives was becoming a trend for him.

The knife twisting his gut dug a little deeper when Shantae looked at him. There was so much hope and trust in that one look. Neither of which he deserved.

"So, it's either a life on the run forever or marriage?"

He took a big gulp before he answered Shantae's question with a simple nod. Despite not wanting to get married, he held his breath while he waited to see what her decision would be.

"Okay. When's the wedding?"

Chapter 9

Holyshit,shewasgetting married.

Barely two seconds after the words left her mouth, Trista and the rest of the women swept in and carted her away. Shantae didn't even get the chance to see Camron's reaction to what she decided.

Was he mad? He had said he couldn't marry. Oh God, was she now forcing Camron to marry her the same way her father was forcing her to marry Zion?

Camron was going to hate her. He was going to think she was insane or, better yet, trapping him into something he didn't want. She needed to find him and talk about it. Maybe there was something else they could do.

"You're freaking out." Trista grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently. "I can see you're having a major freak-out right now."

"Camron doesn't want to marry me." She was one step away from a full-blown breakdown. "You heard him in my townhouse. He doesn't want to marry me and what did I do." She clutched her chest. Was her heart beating too fast? "I just blurted out when was the wedding without even asking his opinion. Holy shit, I'm a horrible person."

She slid down the wall of whatever room Trista and the women had taken her to. She didn't even know everyone's name. She thought someone mentioned Ash, the event planner, but she couldn't be sure. Other names were certainly thrown around, but not one of them she could recollect as she sat with her head between her legs.

"I told you we should've let her talk to Panther before kidnapping her for some wedding planning. You dragged her out of there like the place was on fire."

Shantae had no idea who that voice belonged to, but she was grateful nonetheless. She needed at least one person on her side. Not that there were sides. She didn't want to pit anyone against anyone else, but someone had to think this was all baffling and moving way too fast.

"And let these two lovebirds talk themselves out of it because Panther has some commitment issues?" Trista snapped. "No way. These two were meant for each other. They just don't know it yet."

"Trista, you know I love you. You are not only my boss, but also my best friend. I would do anything for you, but you need to realize you aren't always right. If Shantae feels she needs confirmation that Panther is okay with this, then I think you need to respect that."

Yes, that was exactly what she needed. A conversation with Camron would make her feel a million times better.

"Fine. I'll call Falcon, but I think we already know what Panther's going to say."

Trista pulled her phone out and made quite the production of stabbing the buttons until Falcon's voice filtered out of the speakers.

"Let me guess. Shantae isn't happy you whisked her away and is second-guessing her choice."

"Shut it, big boy, or no blow job for you after the wedding."

Falcon didn't seem the least bit concerned by the threat; he laughed at his wife's audacity.

"We'll see about that. We both know you can't keep your hands off me when I'm in a tux. Now tell me why you called."

Shantae could've sworn Trista grumbled something about the cocky bastard being right, but considering Falcon's laughter was drowning everything out, she couldn't be sure.

"Just ask Panther if he's okay with the wedding or if he's feeling forced."