Chapter 16

Madder than a wet hen and hurt deeper than a deer in the middle of the road, I run to Serita, asking for her keys.

"Why?"

"Just give them to me." My breathing is short and choppy. "Please."

"Of course, but I'll drive you."

Serita was one of the first ones at the venue. The one thing that wasn't catered was her mom's homemade paella, so they fixed it fresh here.

Just minutes later, we're in the car, and I yell, "Follow Beckett."

"Do you want to tell me what's going on?" she asks.

"It's all a setup. Beckett doesn't love me; he's just trying to hurt Daddy."

"Whaaaat? I don't understand."

"It's an arranged marriage, a fake-dating engagement. He made a deal with Daddy, and I have no idea what the deal actually is. Daddy told Beckett that physically I was off limits but obviously Beckett and I didn't comply. God, I'm such a fool to believe a man like Beckett could love me."

She takes the curvy road a little too fast, attempting to keep Beckett's motorcycle in sight, and we swing too wide, hitting the guardrail, but bounce back onto the road. We let out a breath, and Serita takes her foot off the gas and slows down.

"But what happened fifteen minutes ago to make you think he doesn't love you?"

"I overheard something." Beckett's bike appears to stop. "Pull over in that driveway that looks abandoned."

The winding country roads shield her car from view, and a canopy of trees hide me as I sneak upon what looks to be a rackety old warehouse where multiple bikes, vehicles, and produce trucks are parked.

It's eerily quiet when suddenly, armed men come crouching from the trees, wearing black swat-type gear.

Looks like I'm not the only one hiding. God, I hope Serita is okay in the car.

As I stalk closer, I notice the armed men have large, yellow letters on their gear, ATF, and it takes me a minute to realize what it stands for—Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

I'm engaged to a full-fledged criminal.

Then in a flurry of activity, they blow the doors, creating a chaotic scene before raiding the building, but I guess that's their goal. Shots fire in rapid succession.

I run toward the building, thinking I need to find a way to save Daddy and Beckett. But then, the gunfire stops.

Breathe, Tessa.

Creeping up to the door, I stand behind and listen. What for? I have no idea—signs of life? Voices? What I hear is the sound of men being handcuffed and read their rights. The uniformed ATF officers walk several men out of the side door and place them in an unmarked van. I can't make out if it's Beckett, Daddy, or any of their friends.

I peek around the corner as I can still hear voices and then move inside, hiding behind a half wall.

"When did you get here? Where's Hatton?" Beckett asks.

"Should be in the hospital by now." I think it's Riddler than answers. "He's fully aware that we had to maintain appearances to protect his family from the powerful figures he's involved with. Gun trafficking isn't for a small-town car salesman." He pauses, slapping his hand against his jeans. "You are, by far, the most skilled undercover agent I've ever collaborated with. Your commitment to posing as his daughter's fiancé went beyond expectation."

Riddler pulls something out of his pocket and shows it to Beckett. "I'm Special Agent North, your handler."

"You knew all along." Beckett's voice lifts like it's a question.

"Yep, I'd be surprised if you didn't get a promotion out of this."

"But your voice is different."

"Technology. Beckett, that's your one flaw," Riddler chuckles.

I stand in disbelief holding onto the half wall. Beckett's back is to me, and Riddler is sitting, so he can't see me either. Shock and betrayal wash over me as I learn the truth about the man I love and trust, realizing he's been lying to me all along about his job, his intentions, and Daddy's criminal activities.

Beckett strokes his bearded jaw, walks around Riddler or Special agent whoever, and that's when Beckett spots me. At first, he looks like a deer in headlights, but then he calls my name. I'm frozen in place. I know nothing about the man I was going to marry.

Riddler strides over. "Take it easy on him. He wasn't supposed to fall in love." And then he leaves through the door I came in.

Minutes go by. I don't know how many, but it seems like an eternity before I find any words. I choke out, "So, we were never real? Was it all just a part of your undercover strategy to target my father?" I ask through tears, my voice laced with hurt and betrayal. I feel fragile, not the strong, fiery free spirit who I embody every day.

"Tessa, all of it was real… is real. When I met you, I was skeptical about how this would work. But I did fall in love with you."

His fingers reach out to caress my face, but I step out of reach to avoid his touch. The touch I desperately crave.

"Don't touch me. What was your goal, to put my father in jail? Or in the hospital? Do you know how much he does for the community?"

"It's guns, Tessa. Gun running for the mafia. Evidently, your father has been working with them for a long time."

"Stop. He's a good man."

"Baby, sometimes good men do bad things. I'm guilty myself." He moves into my space. "I found a way not to hurt you. I tried to conceal his involvement by him not being here."

I scoff. "I don't know who you are. I've been so taken in by your mysterious ways and magical penis that I haven't stopped to think about how much I don't know about you. You're an undercover agent for God's sake. Is the MC all a front?"

"I founded Lost Souls MC at the request of the ATF. It wasn't a far stretch, considering my prior involvement in MCs in Louisville and St. Louis. After I mended fences with Beau, I wanted to redeem myself for past mistakes. The ATF seemed perfect."

His words hit me like a physical blow, leaving a bitter taste of betrayal and deceit in my mouth.

Anger and despair ping pongs up my core. Love and hate are emotions so closely related. I place my hands on my hips, a forced smile failing to mask the pain in my eyes as my leg peeks out from the slit in my dress.

"I hope you've made amends for your past because you've thrown your future away. No, our future," I respond bitterly, the weight of his revelation sinking in like a heavy burden on my heart.