Jameson pushed himself up and grabbed onto the upholstered chair. He pulled himself up to stand and wiped the gunpowder and bullet from the jacket. He was going to have to thank Piper. It worked better than his bulletproof vest. “Your love for me is overwhelming, Mother. Would someone shoot that asshole already?”
The sound of a muffled shot rang out and Keung dropped to the ground. For the first time his parents and Viktor Nikan looked nervous. Jameson pulled his own gun and leveled it at Viktor. “Step away from my future wife.”
Viktor grabbed Ariana and yanked her in front of him as a shield. He reached into his own pocket and pulled out a small handgun and pressed it to Ariana’s head. Angry tears streamed down her face as his mother and father moved to leave the room.
“Don’t think I won’t shoot you two. Sit down on the couch, now,” Jameson ordered.
“You wouldn’t shoot your own mother. I raised you, I loved you, I nurtured you when you were sick.”
“Please, Mother, that was my nanny and a string of boarding schools. Don’t think I’ll forget you just turned your back on your son, who you thought was dying on the floor.”
“Besides,” Abby said with a cold smile as she and Dylan stepped from the sitting room. “I have no problem shooting you.”
“Yeah, I don’t either,” Dylan said. “I’ve heard it makes me a feminist since I don’t care what gender the bad person that I shoot might be.”
Abby looked up at her husband. “I really love that about you.”
“Thanks, babe.”
“My wife would be very insulted if I didn’t shoot you simply because you’re a woman,” Nash said as he materialized from behind a table.
“Damn it!” Porter yelled as he stalked into the room with the oozing gun of death in his hands. “Y’all started without me. I had this big speech planned that would make me look like a total badass.”
“Sorry,” Jameson said as he watched Viktor becoming more and more nervous. “We were discussing equal rights.”
“Equal rights? I believe in equal rights.” Porter looked to Jameson’s mother. “I saw you on television talking about women deserving equal rights. It’s one of the few things I agree with you on.”
“My mother said I shouldn’t shoot her because he’s my mother,” Jameson explained.
Porter cocked his head as he looked at her sitting on the couch. “That’s not equal. You should shoot the bad person regardless of gender.”
Jameson turned to his mother and shrugged. “I guess you’d better behave then. Now, President Nikan, I’d very much appreciate it if you let go of the woman I want to marry so we can take you into custody.”
“You can’t touch me. I have diplomatic immunity.”
“What do you know,” Jameson said, pulling out the paper in his pocket. “So do I.”
Porter took a few steps forward. His foot hit an ottoman and his finger accidentally shot off an acid grenade. It hit the loveseat to the right of Viktor and three second later, the loveseat was a puddle of goo. In fact, part of the floor was, too, and it provided a clear view into the basement.
“Oops. I told y’all Nash should carry the acid gun of death.”
Ariana’s eyes were rolling back and Jameson knew the time to act was now. Viktor looked over at the hole in the floor, Ariana fell into him, Viktor teetered, and then with a yelp fell into the hole.
Jameson leapt forward and caught Ariana as Nash joined him. “Protect her. I’m going after Nikan.” Jameson jumped down the hole after Viktor. He knew the labyrinth of the historical basement, but it was clear Viktor didn’t. Jameson could hear him running, turning around, and running back when he hit a dead end.
“I’m here,” Jameson heard Dylan say from the entrance of the hole. A gunshot sounded above them. “That was my wife. Sorry, I think she shot your mom.”
The string of cussing that echoed through the house made it clear that Abby had only wounded her.
Jameson prowled farther into the darkness as Dylan went quietly in a different direction. Jameson turned a corner and a shot rang out. He dropped to the ground and returned fire. The sound of a body hitting the floor told him he’d hit his target.
Dylan was by his side in seconds as he flashed a light at the end of the hall. Viktor Nikan lay dead with a gun in his hand. “So, you’re going to get married, huh? April seventh is a great day to get married.”
Jameson shook his head as they walked toward Nikan’s body. “Now, what do we do?”
“Abby and I have this part covered. Don’t worry about a thing. Just take Ariana home. Take Nash, too, and make sure Porter never touches that acid gun again. Quite frankly, I’m both in awe of Sophie’s mind and scared shitless at the same time.”
Jameson chuckled before he took a deep breath. It was over. Well, kind of. He still had to deal with his parents.
Jameson climbed the stairs and wound his way into the room where Nash had gotten Ariana untied. Her eyes were open, but it was clear she wasn’t there mentally. That made Jameson want to go back down into the basement and shoot Viktor a couple more times.
His mother was moaning on the couch as she held onto her thigh. His father looked pale.
“How is she?” Jameson asked Nash, ignoring his parents’ pleas for help.
“She’ll be fine after a long nap. Why don’t you take her to get changed and I’ll help clean things up here,” Nash told him.
“Talk to Dylan. He said he and Abby had this all taken care of,” Jameson said as he cupped Ariana’s cheek.
“We’re good,” Dylan said, appearing in the living room with Viktor’s dead body slung over his shoulder.
“I’m already on it,” Abby said as she typed into her phone. “Jameson, call Mo and Dani. Tell them their daughter is safe. And someone take the acid gun from Porter.”
“Why did you give it to me in the first pace?” Porter asked, tossing it to the floor. Another shot went off and the dining room table melted. “Damn it. I’ll wait in the helicopter.”
Things happened quickly then. Jameson got Ariana changed, called her parents, and didn’t ask questions when an unmarked black refrigeration van appeared. Viktor, Keung, and Jameson’s parents were loaded into it. A cleaning crew arrived, complete with carpenters, and then the house was shut down and locked up. Within an hour, it was as if nothing had happened. Well, nothing but the woman Jameson loved more than his life was asleep in his arms as the helicopter flew to the private airstrip outside of New York City.
Jameson held Ariana the entire flight back to Lexington. When they landed, the entire Ali Rahman family greeted them. Jameson lifted Ariana into his arms and carried her from the small private plane. Dani cried and kissed her forehead. Mo tightened his jaw before gently running his hand over Ari’s cheek. He looked up at Jameson and gave a single nod. No one tried to take Ariana away from him.
“Hi. I’m Doctor Ava,” said the young woman said who greeted him in the back of an SUV. “I just need to do a quick exam while we drive back to Keeneston.”
Mo sat in the front passenger seat and Dani crammed herself into the third row. “Is she going to be okay?” Dani asked Ava after a while.
“She is. I expect she was given GHB. Give it overnight to wear off. Otherwise, there are no physical injuries that I can see at this time. What about you, Jameson? I heard you were shot.”
“I’m fine. Piper’s jacket stopped the bullet.”
Dani gripped Jameson’s shoulder. “Thank you for saving her.”
Jameson just nodded as he clutched Ariana tightly to him. He was never going to let her go again. Ever.
31
Ariana woke up with a headache that made tears flow from her eyes. What the hell happened? Then she sat up quickly as she remembered the kidnapping. Only, the arm around her wasn’t the kidnapper’s arm. It was Jameson’s. And she was in her own bed in Keeneston.
“How are you feeling?” Jameson asked as he moved slowly to sit up.
Ariana looked around and then back t
o him. “Why do I have an IV?”
“You were drugged last night. Dr. Ava has been pumping you full of fluids and vitamins to help you feel better faster. Do you remember anything from yesterday?”
Ariana traced her finger over the IV in her hand and tried to remember. Memories flashed in short pieces through her mind before becoming whole. “I remember being kidnapped by Deming’s assistant. I remember your parents. I remember Deming’s father and wearing a wedding dress. Then I remember you. I remember that you were shot. That’s the last I really remember. I know there was more but it’s kind of fuzzy. Are you hurt?”
Ariana’s hands traced over his chest and arms looking for wounds. It had seemed so real, but maybe she’d just dreamt it.
“I had Piper’s jacket on. Not only that, but you shoved Viktor Nikan down a hole before you passed out, which let us catch him.”
“Us?” Ariana hated not remembering the details of what had happened.
“So, let me tell you the whole story of why Porter is to never have one of Sophie’s weapons in his hands ever again.”
Ariana leaned back against the pillows as Jameson snuggled her to him and told her about last night. She listened with disbelief, as some of the memories did come back while others never did. Her parents visited with Dr. Ava as soon as Jameson told them she was awake. Then her brothers and sisters-in-law stopped by. Finally Kale came to visit later in the day. Through all of this, Jameson never left her side.
Holding on to Jameson’s hand kept her there and out of the nightmares she had when she closed her eyes.
“How are you doing?” Kale asked as he took a seat in the chair next to the bed.
“Jameson, could you get me something hot to drink?”
Jameson kissed her forehead and left the room.
“Tell me everything,” she ordered Kale.
“Didn’t Jameson do that?” Kale asked, looking a little uncomfortable. She knew that look. That was his look he got when he was hiding something.
“Kale, please.”
“Are you sure?” Kale asked as he gripped his phone tightly.
“I’m sure. I need to know all of it because otherwise my mind will fill in the blanks with the worst possible scenario.”
Kale turned on his phone and with the push of some buttons he had video up from multiple cameras labeled J, D, A, N, and P. Ariana watched herself being manipulated by Viktor Nikan. Then she listened to Jameson as he stopped the wedding. “The woman I’m going to marry,” he had said numerous times that caused Ariana to tear up as she gripped the phone. Then there was the acid bomb and Ariana didn’t think it was possible but she laughed. The last image was everyone watching Jameson carry her from the house as he told her how much he loved her and hearing that, watching that, healed her body, mind, and soul like no medicine ever could.
“Jameson, Ariana,” Veronica called out as he and Ariana strolled down the hall. They’d been home for twenty-four hours, but Ariana was still recovering mentally. “Mo would like to see you both.”
“What about?” Ariana asked.
“Official business” was all Veronica would tell them.
Jameson held her hand as they walked to the office. Inside Ariana stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of Deming Nikan sitting at the small conference table with Zain, Gabe, and her parents. On the large television, the screen was split in half. Her uncle was on the right and President Birch Stratton was on the left.
Ariana knew Deming hadn’t orchestrated any of what happened the other night, but that didn’t mean she wanted to see him. He’d sent her flowers and a very personal and sincere apology, but she wasn’t ready for this.
“You can do this. You have the power. Take it,” Jameson whispered to her. Ariana straightened her shoulders and walked the rest of the way into the room.
“Thank you for meeting all together,” President Stratton said. “Ariana, how are you doing?”
“I’m physically recovered,” she replied, letting him know that she was still recovering both mentally and emotionally.
Deming’s eyes showed the hurt he felt, but he kept quiet.
“I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m also sorry that it can’t be handled as it typically would with an arrest and trial. But with a senior senator, a president of another country, and a member of an allied royal family all involved, this is anything but typical. Okay, start the official record.” President Stratton stated.
“This is President Birch Stratton,” he stated as he rambled off the people present and why they were holding this meeting. “I want to share with you what our intelligence has discovered. The bombing of the UN was by Monadia. They knew Princess Ariana Ali Rahman, the Rahmi ambassador to the UN, would expose them for their abuses against women. Now, onto the abduction and attempted trafficking of Princess Ariana. I don’t know how it happened or where it came from, but security footage was turned over to the FBI. It shows part of the forced wedding. It also shows Jameson Duke, head of security for Ariana Ali Rahman, being shot by President Viktor Nikan’s man at his command. It then shows Jameson’s mother, Senator Duke, leaving him to die while forcing the wedding to continue. Based on this evidence, a warrant for Senator and Mr. Duke, President Viktor Nikan, and his assistant has been issued. I’m sorry, Jameson.”
Ariana looked up at Jameson and saw the tight line of his jaw. He tried to look unaffected, but they were still his parents and she knew the betrayal had hurt. “Thank you, sir. As you know, I was an American soldier and government agent. If they commit a crime, they should be held accountable for it.”
“Rahmi has also issued an arrest warrant for them with evidence of the collusion and the kidnapping of our princess. We hereby formally request extradition from the United States after the Dukes serve their sentence there. Upon a ruling on diplomatic immunity for Viktor Nikan and his assistant by the international court, we also request their extradition,” King Dirar said from his side of the screen.
“The United States hereby agrees to extradite all parties to Rahmi after their trial in the US. However, if Rahmi gets custody first, the US requests extradition to our country upon their completion of your court hearings and subsequent jail time if found guilty.”
Deming cleared his throat and Ariana’s father turned to him. “Deming Nikan of Crusina,” her father said for the recording.
“Thank you, Prince Mohtadi. I would like to inform President Stratton and King Ali Rahman that my father is dead. Four hours ago, his body was found at the palace in Crusina where doctors tell me he died by his own hand. I was sworn in as the next head of state immediately afterward and was notified two hours ago that Senator Duke and Mr. Duke have been detained at the Crusina border. They were trying to seek refuge with my father. They’ve brought dishonor and shame to my country. As my father used Princess Ariana Ali Rahman to hurt the country of Rahmi, I am hereby authorizing Rahmi guards to enter Crusina and extradite the Dukes to Rahmi.”
“Thank you, President Nikan,” King Dirar Ali Rahman said. “I’ll send them now.”
“You’re welcome, sir. While my actions can never make up for the insult my father committed against a brave woman and an honorable country, I hope we can start a dialog about a future where Crusina works together with her neighbors, not against.”
“Thank you, President Nikan. That concludes our conference call,” President Stratton said.
Everyone was quiet for a moment and then Veronica stood up. “We’re all clear. The official feed has been stopped.”
“My wife will handle the press release for the United States with the release of this video,” President Stratton told them.
“Veronica, can you do so on behalf of the Ali Rahman family?” the king asked. “Also, I believe it would be the appropriate time to give a platform to Ariana’s upcoming UN speech on human rights.” Ariana looked up at her uncle with surprise. “I was worried about you, my dear. I am thankful to Jameson and all who found you in time. Have no doubt. I would have led the charge to inv
ade Crusina with your father by my side to rescue you.”
Tears rolled down Ariana’s face as her uncle blew her a kiss. “Thank you, uncle. I love you. I’ll make Rahmi proud with my speech.”
“You already make her proud, my dear. I look forward to seeing it.” Her uncle turned to Deming next. “I understand you’ve already asked my brother for assistance in cleaning up the mess your father made of your country. I want you to know that I’ve also helped bring a country from absolute rule to one with democracy. My door is always open to you. Let’s plan an official state visit for you to come to Rahmi.”
“Thank you, but I don’t think I’ll be the head of anything for long. My father never had what your family has. The Ali Rahman family has led Rahmi for a thousand years and her people love your family. My father took power by force. I intend to give it back to the people. If they so choose to elect me, I would be honored. However, I don’t foresee that being the case,” Deming said.
“The United States will be here to support you in any way through this transition,” President Stratton told him.
The screen went black and the room was quiet. Deming took a deep breath and stood to face Ariana. “I can’t express how sorry I am for my father’s actions. I thought you were interested in a marriage with me. I was told repeatedly by him and the Dukes that you were. My father pushed me to learn about the royal family and when I told him I thought we’d have a very advantageous marriage because of how much your uncle respected you, I never imagined what he had planned. I understand you don’t want to see me. However, I’ll be back in New York for the UN meeting. You have my vote, princess.” Deming turned to Mo then. “I’ll be in touch, probably more than you’d like.”
Ariana watched as her father shook his hand. “I never judge a child on the sins of their parents.”
Deming turned to Ariana and she wanted to say something, but it was hard. She didn’t have forgiveness in her right now, but hearing his side was making things clearer. “I don’t blame you,” Ariana managed to say.
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