by Emily Bowie
I swear I heard Kiptyn talking to someone the other night. “Kiptyn,” I call out. “Anyone here?”
The silence is deafening around me. Is it that easy that I can walk out the door and leave? Did Kiptyn give up on us that easily? Why in the hell would he kidnap me?
My heart pounds as I head toward the entrance, my mind racing on the last few days, confused about everything. I hear footsteps and the sound of car doors closing outside.
My hand is stretched out in front of me. All I have to do is walk a few steps to touch the handle, but I’m frozen in place. The commotion outside has me questioning if I should run back upstairs to my room where I’ll be safe. Or do I stand tall, opening the door to give Kiptyn hell, refusing to be locked away like his secret. Yet, that’s what we are to each other, right?
My feet shuffle closer to rest my hand on the doorknob, but before I have the chance to turn it, the door is being ripped off its hinges as it flies open. I’m forced to take a few steps back as men run in with guns, people yelling while I stay rooted in place.
Out past the door, I see about fifteen cars. Most of the men have left me standing where I am, while there’s one crouched on the balls of his feet, talking to me. He touches my hand, and I flinch away, not knowing who he is.
“Kellie Dare?” his deep voice asks gently like he’s talking to a frightened kitten. “Get a paramedic over here,” he calls over his shoulder. “Are you hurt?”
Why would I be hurt? For the first time, I look down at myself. I’m wearing the same sundress as the other day, but nothing else.
I shake my head in response, still trying to find my words.
“Where is everyone?” I look around to see all the other men have scattered. A woman in a paramedic uniform comes up to me.
As I look back to the man, he responds, “You’re safe now. We’re checking to see if any men are left here.” For the first time, I realize he’s a police officer.
“Kiptyn?” My voice is a low, hoarse whisper.
“You are safe from him. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
The paramedic shuffles me along while my eyes stay on the officer, trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I’m led toward an ambulance in the driveaway, where my parents come into view. They both look to be crying. I’ve never seen them cry before.
“Kellie, I was so worried I’d never see you again.” My father hugs me at the same time as my mother.
“We love you so much,” they say in unison. I can’t remember the last time they hugged me.
“You’re safe,” my father says, getting in my face. He actually looks concerned and worried.
“What do you mean?” I slowly ask, not connecting the dots. My stomach drops like I’m falling off a building. I can’t feel my heart, and my breath is taken from me.
“The man who kidnapped you has been arrested. He was obsessed and stalked you. The police found your pictures all over where he worked. You never have to worry about him again.” The cop interjects.
My heart drops right through me. “It’s all over now, honey. You don’t need to be afraid,” my mother says, holding me tighter.
I’m having a hard time breathing. My body feels like it’s been covered with ice.
The three of them somehow move me into the back of the ambulance as my vitals are taken.
“Where was he arrested?” I ask, feeling my eyes build with tears.
“Three Rivers.” My mother pats my hair. I’m dizzy from days of hardly eating. The lack of sleep I’ve had is playing with my head.
“He’s being charged with kidnapping and a bunch of other things. The FBI has been watching him for a while now. He’s considered one of America’s most dangerous men.”
“You’re lucky we found you when we did,” the paramedic adds, thinking she’s being helpful.
My vision goes spotty with colored circles. “Lie down,” I’m being told, my body moving of its own accord, before my vision goes dark.
*
Everything that could go wrong tonight did. I was ambushed. I curse at how careless I was. Russ was right—my mind wasn’t in it. Kellie is a distraction. I should have never planned that huge of a job when I couldn’t stay focused. I sweep my fingers through my hair in frustration.
I have no doubt in my mind Rich Dare was the one who set me up. I thought he knew the rules. It didn’t help that my cousin Sloan’s crazy ex showed up and was intent on claiming her back. I’m standing a free man right now because of Kellen Steele. It’s always the people you never expect to help you out who do. I owe my life to the Steele family.
“Congratulations, man.” Russ hits my back. My eyes narrow on him. If he was anyone else, I would have my gun at his temple right now.
“You’re officially one of America’s most wanted.”
Letting out a breath, I stare him down. This is not good for business. I just have to find a way to change it to my advantage.
“Kellie?” I question.
“The cops found her. They’re saying it’s a miracle she wasn’t harmed.”
I grunt, not happy one of my men would run from a job I placed him on.
“Do we know where he is?” I ask, referring to the guy put in charge of Kellie.
“I took care of him. It looks like he’ll be missing forever now.”
I nod, understanding he was killed.
“Axel?”
“He stayed, making sure she was safe. He didn’t leave until the ambulance took her away.”
That’s more than I would have expected. This changes everything. I punch the wall, hating that my stupidity has done this.
CHAPTER 37
Two years later
Days turned into months that turned into two years. I became the invisible man. My empire was no longer McGrath Mansion, it being shut down after my disappearance from Three Rivers. I focused my energy on new clubs. It allowed my drug dealings to explode overnight. The Fallen Saints and I were fifty-fifty, as I moved into more than partnerships with them. I dipped my toe into dealing arms too. It comes with the territory.
It made me expand my horizons by forcing me to move out of Three Rivers. I grew in power to a degree I never thought possible. I was untouchable. I was no longer the boy who came from nothing, but a man who had everything money could buy.
The night Rich Dare set me up was the night I grew into this man. It made me realize how different Kellie and I are. If she and I were ever going to have a chance, I had to let her go, even if it was only at an arm’s length. I knew I could never cut her out completely. I’ve grown into a selfish bastard that way. I realized that the day I took her cherry and never regretted it.
The only problem was that the sweet melody of Kellie Dare continued to haunt me with each growing day. I hadn’t seen her since the day I asked her to marry me. It didn’t go unnoticed that she was wearing my ring when the cops “saved” her. That’s all I needed to know that she chose me, even after it all. But I had to stay away to keep her safe. It killed my soul having to do this.
I stayed in the shadows at her first concert, watching her perform. She lit up the stage. She had finally made it all because of herself. Then she lit up the world. She became a household name overnight. People loved her and couldn’t get enough.
I have continued watching her for the last two years, making sure she was safe, happy, and enjoying her life like she was meant to.
Each time I saw her, she pulled on my heart, a weakness I could never let anyone see. I put myself through the misery of keeping tabs on her, my heart and mind fighting against each other, wanting opposite things.
I told myself I was keeping her safe from the Guarantor. I gave myself every excuse I could think of to stay close.
Even in a building of thousands of people, I still find myself backstage in the darkness, as I have lived most of my life. No one notices me as I stand behind her stage, watching her put on a show of a lifetime. Like every other time I’ve watched her, she takes my breath away. She belongs on this
stage, and not a life of hiding if she were with me. Like so many times before, her energy captivates the crowd. Her hips move to a slow, seductive song of hers.
It’s a flash in the way her muscles freeze that has me holding my breath. She pauses for a millisecond before she starts talking to the crowd.
“Anyone want to hear a new song, not even recorded yet?” she asks the audience, and they go wild for her, chanting her naming. They love that she is letting them in on a little secret before anyone else; they are starved for her attention. I lean forward, wanting to know too.
Taking a sip from her water bottle, she laughs. My eyes go to the screen ahead, seeing her now short hair stuck to her forehead, clinging to the dew there from her dancing up a storm.
“All right then. I wrote this song about a year ago but haven’t been able to sing it in its entirety before. It holds so much meaning for me, and I am determined to finish it tonight for you.”
“There once was a place I could hide
You and me enjoying our ride
I need that sweet place to coat my heart
But instead, you tore it apart
To forgive you, I had to forget you
To love you, I had to lose you
This is my goodbye song.”
Immediately, my body stiffens, knowing this is her way of saying goodbye to me. I never gave her the chance. Crossing my arms, I contemplate my next move. I’ve allowed her to break free of my hold to keep her safe. But it sounds like I’ve been breaking her heart as much as my own.
My eyes never leave her, watching a single tear fall from her beautiful face as she sings her lyrics. My arms stay tucked under themselves to keep me from barging on to the stage and stealing her away as I did before.
All I ever wanted to do was cherish her, love her as if my life depended on it.
The song slowly fades, and the caveman in me wants to fucking claim her in front of everyone. I don’t want her to forget me as her songs says. I’m greedy. I thrive on her love, and I don’t think I can deal with her not loving me back.
Every person in the packed coliseum is on their feet, applauding enthusiastically after every song. They love her new song, and I want nothing more than to erase it from history. I wish they hated it. I can’t listen to this on the radio every day, no matter how much I love her voice.
I rage internally, while I stay calm on the outside. I wish I could have explained why I had to let her go. Taking one step into the light at the side of the stage, my eyes slowly rise to hers. Her blue eyes show shock that I’m standing here. For the first time ever, I’ve allowed her to see me.
Dipping my head, I turn to leave. I’ve memorized everything about her right now, etching it into my soul that I’m not even sure still exists.
CHAPTER 38
Everything I have ever wished for is happening. I thought the day I was found from my kidnapping was the worst day of my life, and it was. That was the day I lost Kiptyn, and I was forced to lay the girl I once was to rest. I stepped forward, starting a new chapter in my life.
With all the news coverage of my disappearance, it helped to get my name and voice out there. Because of my parents campaigning for me, the videos, the pictures, it whirled into a record deal almost immediately. It was what kept me going at first. It gave me a purpose, and then I thrived.
Being in the spotlight was everything I wanted. Hearing that clapping, that acceptance from the crowd, was the best feeling in the world. I craved it. I wanted the world’s acceptance. I began to dress how they liked. Learned what to post on social media to get the most attention. I learned what they loved, what they hated, and reinvented myself.
I lived for the stage. I was happiest belting out my song and hearing the crowd sing along. I wrote for my fans. My fans meant everything to me.
Slowly, my life began to mend itself back together. It happened so gradually that I didn’t realize it at first.
“We should go celebrate!” I go from sitting to turning toward Noah who’s behind me in my very own penthouse. “I just sold out my last five concerts in a matter of a few minutes!” I’m on cloud nine. Nothing makes me happier than my job.
I look to Noah, who is pouring us each a glass of wine. I can’t help but wrinkle my nose at it. “Oh come on, you need to learn to like wine. Not everyone has grenadine on tap.”
I roll my eyes, knowing full well I should leave some of these habits far behind me and never look back. Kiptyn never looked back.
“I like it just fine.” I plaster a smile on my face before he has time to notice my thoughts went back to Kip. “Let’s go out and drink wine.”
“You know I want to say yes, but there have been three kidnapping attempts. Less than a month ago, someone broke into your house and slept in your bed!”
“But you were there when we found him.” I pout my lips, giving him my saddest eyes.
“You know I want nothing more than to say yes. I’ve been under house arrests just like you. But I want you safe, so here I am, giving up my partying ways to watch some reality TV singing show you can’t seem to get enough of.”
Noah hands me my wine, rounding the front of the couch.
“You love Camilla Black just as much as I do.” Referring to my favorite contestant on the show.
“Do you? Or do you like how Rhett Steele riles her up?”
I can’t help rolling my eyes. This has been our Sunday night ritual for the last two months. “She’s a great singer. When she wins, I’m getting her to open up for me. Mark my words,” I tell him.
“Kellie, I don’t doubt you. When you set your mind on something, you make it happen.” Noah picks up my controller, flipping through the channels like he doesn’t want to watch. I know better.
“Hold up,” I say, almost spilling my wine. Kiptyn’s face is on the screen ahead. A reporter is talking about the notorious most-wanted fugitive and that he may have been gunned down earlier today. Immediately my eyes begin to tear up. They spill out over my cheeks without permission. I feel like my insides are breaking. My body going into autopilot like it did two years before. My palms wipe the tears, as I stand to get closer to the TV, needing to hear more. The news reports that there was gun fire between two different groups. One of the identified bodies is an honorable judge who was kidnapped. They’re saying Kiptyn gunned down the judge in an attempt to get twenty acres of land in the Nashville area. If the land got a certain zoning permit, it would be worth multimillions.
“Holy shit,” Noah says, as captivated with what’s on the screen as I am.
As I stand, watching the news broadcast a gray haze of loneliness comes down on me, making me feel abandoned, and sad. Even with no one watching me, I try to plaster on the smile I should be wearing, because that’s what is expected from Kellie Dare.
The dreamer in me still thought that Kiptyn would be there for me if I ever needed him. With him gone, I feel stripped of the last fantasy I clung to late at night when I started to feel empty. I no longer feel like I should be happy about selling out concerts when Kiptyn has lost his life. Even this coverage says more about the judge than him, like he wasn’t worthy of anything other than a small note that he was gunned down.
“Did you ever see my dad with him before?” I ask, keeping my focus on the screen ahead. I never had much time to bring up everything I learned before I was taken from Noah’s house. I shoved it all down to make my career. My parents and I have never been close, so I ignored them, seeing them only when I had to. With me out of their house, it was easy to forget everything.
Even Noah who is supposed to be my best friend doesn’t notice my demeanor or chooses not to ask if I’m okay.
“The first time I saw him was in the club when you went home with him. Honestly, if I knew who he was, I would have never let you go.” I can feel where Noah is starting to take this.
“You know I’m dating Van, Noah.” I say quietly.
“Can you call it that, when I see you more than he does? I feel like you only have hi
m around for public appearances.”
“You’re my best friend. I’d hate to mess it up and lose you.”
“You would never lose me; you’d be gaining the best part.” He gives me that megawatt smile he does for the voters.
Since my dad is retiring this year, he is endorsing Noah as his successor. Noah would be the youngest mayor in the Nashville area. He wants that title, and he’s gone to great lengths to fight for it.
“What would you tell your harem of women?” I tease, trying to get back to safer territory.
“Kellie, what women? I’m always with you. I gave that up over a year ago.”
How did I never notice this? I can’t think of the last time I saw Noah with a woman. He used to go through a few a week, sometimes all in one day.
“Is that because of me or the job?”
Noah has wanted to be Mayor since he learned about how fun it was being elected president in his high school. I don’t know if he could even answer this question honestly.
“I’m not your dad.” He looks me square in the eyes, making me feel guilty. Noah has been my sounding board since I got kicked out of school. He knows how I feel about my dad, and I feel bad that I’m judging him as I have done my father many times before. The only difference is that he doesn’t deserve it.
CHAPTER 39
Four years later
With a drink in hand, I watch my best friend Camilla pace in her living room. From the day I watched her win that singing reality show, we have been inseparable. She came on tour with me, and we instantly clicked. We both became the family we needed. She gave me the girl time I craved, allowing me to be what I thought every twenty-something-year-old wanted. We lived it up, partying, making appearances, lunching. We did it all in style. She understood what I was going through, because she was doing it too.
Noah didn’t get elected mayor but he’s busier than ever at work. He’s continuing to campaign for the next election. Even with the craziness from his schedule, he still found a way to help me with my career. We saw each other as often as possible. He was the friend who was always there for me no matter what. It didn’t matter if I ghosted him for two months because I was on tour. Noah just got me. He understands and works with my chaotic schedule.
