Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

" T he more a daughter knows the details of her mother's life… the stronger the daughter."

—Anita Diamant

Kenya

It had been a long time since I'd thought about my mother but on this day of celebration, I was missing her terribly. I could only imagine the joy in her eyes at seeing her baby daughter getting married. She'd always wanted the best things for me, her nurturing ways and love something that had easily countered my father's brusque attitude and the fact I knew he hated the fact I was a girl.

Maybe lamenting and reflecting was what every girl did on her wedding day. Or maybe seeing the way Beckham's mother beamed during the entire planning process had reminded me of my loss. Elle Kennedy was the epitome of a sophisticated woman who had no issue laughing out loud and enjoying a glass of wine while fawning over her family. I'd seen it at least a half dozen times. She'd made me feel special just like she was doing right now as she handed me my bouquet, adjusting my veil and clasping her hands together.

"You look beautiful. Such a lovely vision, my daughter," Elle said with tears in her eyes.

"You're going to make me cry. Stop it."

"Well, it's not every day my son gets married and I gain a daughter."

"You already have a beautiful daughter." Who just happened to be in charge of the food for the day.

"And I love Briana dearly but who said I can't love another? Welcome to the family."

While she'd been told part of the reason we were getting married and so quickly, she'd ignored the possibility we'd get it annulled or eventually file for divorce. She was old-fashioned that way, believing that even love at first sight was possible but that all marriages needed work, patience, and a hard-core nature—at least by the wife.

She'd even taught me a trick or two in how to handle what she called her wild child son. Whatever happened, I would also cherish the time I'd spent with Beckham's family. It reminded me that even those considered ruthless had a core value system, including the love of their families.

"I better go sit down. I think our guests are getting antsy." She kissed my cheek before adjusting my veil one last time.

I glanced to the side, smiling at my husband to be. He'd stood off in the corner, watching the two of us interact without interjecting. And at that moment, my heart swelled. I wanted this to last. I didn't want our whirlwind fake romance to be just that. Fake. I believed in fairytales after all.

Even if my father had done everything in his power to shatter my dreams.

He moved closer, taking my arm. "Are you ready to become my wife?"

"Let's do this."

I wasn't certain what I was supposed to feel as I walked down the aisle with the man I was marrying. Almost everything fell into a huge blur as our guests stood, offering reverence and support as we walked down the velvet carpet. I was vaguely aware of the crowd, the only people I knew those I'd met days before. But I'd heard most were soldiers faking being actual guests. That didn't diminish the reality I was getting married.

Neither my friends nor any family members were here, no colleagues from my former life either. I felt strange, a sense of being hollow inside had yet to escape me. But the closer we came to the minister, the more I allowed the entire event, the beauty of the late morning to overtake my feelings of sadness.

The ocean pounded against the shoreline, the sun creating the most incredible golden shimmer across the pristine waters and for a few seconds, I almost believed this was real.

Every word the minister said seemed firmly planted inside a vacuum, but I only had eyes for the man who held both my hands. As vows were recited, rings exchanged, the marriage suddenly became very real.

"May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Beckham Kennedy."

Every syllable hung in the back of my mind, focusing becoming more and more difficult. I didn't want to faint on my wedding day or fall into some crazy case of being sick to my stomach, but I could no longer feel my feet as my now husband cupped my face, tenderly kissing me.

I was surprised I was the one who turned the chaste moment into something more intimate, the passion we both experienced bursting through the seams of decency.

We were both overwhelmed by our needs, trying hard not to lose ourselves in the moment even as he swept his tongue inside. I was clutching his shirt, likely wrinkling the material. As if I cared. Every sound became muffled except the rapid pounding of my heart.

Yes, I loved him.

Yes, I craved him.

And God, yes, I only prayed we would have a future.

"Get a room!" someone shouted, which broke the obvious trance we were both in.

Beckham pulled back, his eyes lighting up like firecrackers.

I grabbed the bouquet his sister was holding and we both turned toward our guests. Hearing the band start to play something more festive than the wedding march allowed me to smile all over again.

"Time to party," he whispered in my ear even as I was searching the crowd.

Was I hoping my father and brother had somehow managed to sneak onto the grounds, paying homage to a family member? Maybe. Or maybe the real truth was I was thankful they hadn't showed, pushing this amazing experience into the dumpster.

The next thirty plus minutes were another fabulous blur of being congratulated, pictures being taken, and a glass of champagne being shoved into my hand. Through all the well wishes, the guests truly enjoying the reception as they should, I found myself wandering off toward the beach. I took off my shoes, enjoying the feel of the cool sand beneath my feet.

It was just a little private moment I needed, time to reflect on the life I'd been determined to leave behind and the one facing a newly formed union.

Maybe everything could be alright, allowing us both to make memories we'd cherish in the future.

I wasn't surprised I felt a presence a few minutes later, but I was surprised my husband hadn't attempted to find me. Of all the women, the wives of members of the Brotherhood, Jade seemed the most reflective. I'd listened to her stories, I'd known it hadn't been an easy relationship with Constantine, but she'd refused to back down or allow the powerful mafia Don to rule her life. In my mind, they had a very strong relationship, something to admire.

She stood staring out at the ocean. "You know, it's funny. I love where we live, the beautiful countryside perfect to raise a family. And of course, we own several houses in various parts of the world, including a fabulous villa in the Caribbean. But with trying to keep the kids on a regular schedule, I can't remember the last time we were at the ocean."

"What about summer vacations?"

Shaking her head, she threw me a look. "The love of my life wanted to take the kids on a glorious adventure last year, which meant a dude ranch in Colorado. I'm not knocking it since we own horses, but we spent night after night under the stars in sleeping bags. The kids loved it. Meanwhile, the bugs feasted on my skin. Apparently, I'm super sweet."

Laughter with the woman came easily. She wasn't frilly by any means, easily capable of taking on any man, but she had her priorities straight, which I adored. "Think of it this way. This year is your turn to choose the summer vacation spot."

She narrowed her eyes, glancing toward me. "You know what? I didn't think of it that way. You're right. Damn right. I am going to start planning as soon as we return."

We were still laughing, both paying more attention to the beautiful landscape until something caught my eye on the left. Whatever I was seeing appeared reflective. I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out what I was seeing. There was a small beach in front of the bank of trees that lined both sides of the property.

"What are you looking at?" Jade followed my line of sight, using her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.

"I don't know. I'm going to check it out." As soon as I started heading toward the area, she grabbed my arm.

"Wait. Hold on. I don't see any of the soldiers. Let me get a few of the guys to check out whatever it is."

"We're surrounded by men with big, fat guns. It's likely nothing. I'll be right back."

"I'm getting the guys," Jade called. "Don't run off."

I wasn't running. I was walking. I took a second to pull the weapon from its hiding place, making certain it was loaded. While the dress dragged even though the long train had been secured to a hook nestled in the material on the small of my back, I was easily able to make my way through the sand. As I crept closer, I scanned the ocean waters. What the hell was I seeing?

I couldn't make it out even as I inched closer to the shoreline, a few seconds later heading into the forest. I did my best to keep from making any noise, including stepping on twigs. It wasn't long before I heard rumbling voices in the distance behind me. Reinforcements were coming. As soon as I made my way through the trees, I scanned the water again.

A buzzing sound grabbed my attention. What was that? A cold chill suddenly drifted through me as the single entity in the water shifted, morphing into several boats.

Oh, God. I knew Beckham had patrols out. Did they know who these people were? There was no doubt the boats were headed straight for us. I had to warn them. I had to get to them.

I heard a dark chuckle and froze. It was one I hadn't heard in years. As I slowly turned around, I realized the glint reflecting off the sun was from a signal being given.

"Hello, Anastasia. Happy to see me?"

By my brother.

A few minutes earlier

Beckham

"Constantine. Beckham. You need to come with me."

I spun around instantly, noticing Jade racing toward us, her long dress hindering her approach. She was exasperated. "She saw something on the other side of the forest."

Immediately snapping my head toward the water, I could see nothing.

"What the hell?" Constantine snarled as he and Gabriel took off running, both men closest to the beach. "Show me."

I scanned the crowd of guests, realizing I wasn't certain when I'd seen my lovely bride last. An eruption of possessiveness, dread, and a sixth sense that something was wrong brought an unusual sense of panic. That was something I wasn't used to at all.

A part of me was frantic almost instantly, so much so I was pushing my way through the crowd.

"What is going on?" Diego asked as he tried to stop me.

"I can't find Kenya."

He cocked his head, immediately snapping his heard toward the water. "I saw her down by the beach less than five minutes ago."

"What?" I'd told her to stay with the party, never to leave unescorted. "No. No!"

"We have a problem." Jeff was suddenly behind me, trying to keep his voice down. "I can't get in contact with the two outer rings of soldiers. It's like they aren't there. Reports of gunfire are already coming in. I think we're surrounded."

"How the hell did this happen?"

"Communication systems are down. The fuckers took them offline," James added as he raced toward us.

"Fuck. Find out what the hell is going on. Protect the estate at all costs. Get the real guests inside. Make sure the soldiers are keeping them safe." I bolted toward the stairs, not bothering to take off my shoes. As I fled toward the edge of the water, I heard a couple of popping sounds in the distance. Fuck.

Gunfire.

I was almost to the water's edge when I heard a very distinct sound, one that would haunt me for a long time to come.

Engines.

Powerful marine engines from speedboats.

"Ah, shit." Sabatino appeared on one side, Kraven on another. "We're being attacked."

"Get the women to the panic room. Now," I yelled, spinning from side to side. Where the hell had she gone?

The scream was sudden, high pitched, and almost immediately cut off.

Kenya.

Oh, dear God.

The horrible sound was followed by another single blast, the gunshot closer than those before.

I had my weapon in my hand in a split second, cringing not only from the sound of gunfire firing off like rockets in the background but also from the echoes of her scream.

Another muffled one helped draw me through the trees. I bounded over the various fallen limbs, catching the sound of what had to be my baby struggling.

Goddamn, the woman was a fighter, but she couldn't do anything against an army. I should have known our plan was ridiculous, far too risky, but a ten-mile radius had seemed protected.

Including coming by ocean waters. How the fuck had they gotten to my soldiers?

I fought my way through the trees, bursting out onto the sand. My instinct told me to drop and roll, keeping my weapon out in front of me.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Two enemy soldiers went down but there were more, far too many of them. I had a split second to search the area, realizing the woman I'd fallen hard for was being dragged in the water toward an awaiting boat, the bastards who'd landed on the beach in amphibian gear. They'd also used submersibles.

Goddamn it. I powered off another couple of shots, hitting a third soldier.

Suddenly, the sounds of the melee were coming from everywhere, as if cannons were going off, bombing the entire compound.

I heard voices, mostly men yelling, bursting onto the scene with military precision.

But it wasn't enough.

With my back covered, I did what I could to plow through the water.

"No. No!" Her screams continued and she punched a guy in the face, able to free herself but she was immediately dragged backward.

I was a powerful swimmer, spending my early days in a pool. But there was no fighting the close to riptide currents or the trajectory of the water. As soon as she was dragged onto the boat, the captain spun around, flooring the throttle.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

A single bullet fired hit the backside of the boat.

"Beckham. Beckham!"

Declan was suddenly behind me, trying to jerk me back to the shoreline.

"No. I need to go after her. Get the goddamn boat."

"You aren't going to be able to find her. It's too late."

Constantine, Gabriel, Phoenix, and Maxim were in the water, all headed in our direction.

"Come on. We have several of the bastards," Declan pushed.

I barely made it to the shore before I collapsed on the sand. Echoes of her screams remained, the terror on her face as she was being dragged something that I would never, ever forget. This just couldn't be happening. I couldn't lose her. No. No. "Fuck! I will kill you!" I bellowed.

"Come on, son. That's not going to help."

My father's voice was entirely different than I was used to hearing. I took gasping breaths, fighting sadness and rage, but I allowed the anger to sweep through me. I snapped my head in his direction, taking gasping breaths. He had his hand out, giving me the same fatherly look he had when I was that scared kid all those years ago.

"She's gone. I did this." My voice sounded hollow. "I fucking did this."

"You didn't do shit except try to get married to the woman you love. We will find her. Trust in all these men, for God's sake."

I surprised myself by taking his hand, trying to control the flood of emotions as I rose to my full height. Trust. Shit. I wasn't certain I felt I could trust anyone. I knew it was just the horror of what I'd witnessed talking but I was furious with myself.

"How many did we lose?" I barked at Camden as he rushed forward, an assault rifle in his hand.

"Too many to count. It was a full-fledged attack," he answered, even kicking one of the enemy soldiers I'd killed. As he peered down, he hissed. "Same fuckers."

From where I was standing, I could see the asshole's branding. "What about the guests?"

My father shook his head. "All safe. The guards did their jobs protecting the estate, but it was dicey since there were dozens of the assholes. How the hell did they get through our fucking army?"

Another coordinated attack. Only this time, they meant business.

I took another look as the multiple boats faded into view.

"Some good news," Stavros said from behind me. "I dragged Dimitri Pokolov from the water. It would seem your wife is a pretty damn good shot."

As I turned around, I took a guarded breath. "Is the fucker still alive?"

"He's alive."

"Not for long."