by Meghan March
Fuck.
One of Federov’s security guards has a knife through his throat. Jesus Christ. He didn’t even have a chance to go for his gun—which is still in his shoulder holster.
I grab it and check the chamber. Locked and loaded.
Sticking close to the walls of the buildings, I move closer to the house. I pause when I hear Dorsey’s voice.
What the fuck is going on here? I slip inside silently and peek over the counters.
Dorsey has a gun to Indy’s head. Betrayal and terror grip my fucking soul with their bone-chilling fingers. I raise the pistol but have no shot. I can’t take the chance of hitting Indy.
Ducking down, I move through the kitchen, but I can’t pull the trigger. Not if there’s a chance I could hit her. With no good options, I grab a glass off the counter and toss it through the open glass doors, trying for a distraction.
As soon as it shatters, Dorsey moves and I charge forward, squeezing the trigger.
But she drops to the ground, and I fucking miss.
Indy’s shocked gaze cuts to me, and Dorsey pops up with a gun in either hand. One points at Indy and the other is zeroed in on my chest.
“Fuck you, Forge. Hands up, throw the gun down. Get the fuck out here before I shoot her in the goddamned head in front of you. Do you want to see her brains splatter all over the table? Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”
“Why the fuck are you doing this?”
Dorsey’s normally placid face is smug as fuck as she moves behind Indy. “I was just about to get to the good part of the story. I’ll let you hear the end before I end you. After all, I’ve waited so fucking long to tell you. And now you’ll know why you and your little bitch are going to die.”
I walk toward the door, gun still in hand, but I have no shot. “Let her go. Whatever you want, you can have it. Take it and go. Leave Indy alone.”
Dorsey’s head tilts to the side, and I catch a glimpse of a grin that’s nothing short of evil.
How the fuck did this happen?
“You don’t make the rules anymore, Forge. I’m calling the shots. Toss the gun on the ground and sit the fuck down if you don’t want a bullet in her head before story time is over. Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen as soon as Goliath gets back.”
Goliath. It was because of his trusted and glowing recommendation that I hired Dorsey earlier this year . . . which means whatever their plan was, it started long before today.
With no choice but to obey, I squat down and lower the gun to the ground.
“Isaac was her father, Jericho,” Indy says.
Dorsey reaches out and smacks her in the head with the butt of the gun. “Shut the fuck up. It’s my story.”
Blood blooms at Indy’s temple, and her knees give way. With Dorsey’s attention split, I charge at her, but she pops off a round that misses Indy’s crumpled form by an inch.
“No more sudden movements, Forge. Kick the gun to me.”
I thought nothing could be worse than knowing I couldn’t save Isaac from that wreck, but I was wrong.
As I kick my only weapon toward Dorsey, while she holds a gun on the woman I love, I know what true torture is. But the clawing fear in my gut isn’t going to save us. I have to think.
“Isaac didn’t have any children, Dorsey. It’s fucking impossible. I don’t know who lied to you.”
The gun in her left hand jabs in my direction. “He sure as fuck did. He just didn’t know it. He stopped to see my mom every time he was in Norfolk. At least, until the time he knocked her up and never came back. She would never tell me who my father was. Not until she was dying last year. Then she told me everything.”
Norfolk, Virginia. It was a port Isaac frequented. I can’t deny that.
“Then if Isaac was your father, you know he wouldn’t want this.”
She glares at me, her expression contorted with rage. “I don’t give a fuck what he would’ve wanted. I wanted a father. Little bitch over here had one scouring the world for her, and mine didn’t even know I existed before de Vere killed him.”
“De Vere didn’t kill Isaac, Dorsey. It was an accident. That’s what he came here to tell me. It was an eleven-year-old at the helm that day. De Vere took the rap for it because he didn’t want to ruin the kid’s life.”
A mix of emotions play across Dorsey’s face, and her mouth moves silently. “That’s . . . that’s not true. De Vere must have lied. He had to die. I’ve been waiting for a goddamn year for you to take our revenge. But you didn’t have the balls to fucking end him. That’s when I decided to do it myself. And then this bitch came along, and you forgot about avenging Isaac. You did this to yourself.”
“What the fuck do you want, Dorsey? De Vere’s dead. Isaac’s gone. You want money? Because you can have it all. Every single goddamned penny, but you have to let Indy go first.”
“Shut the fuck up! Don’t tell me what to do.”
Indy’s terrified gaze locks on me, and I can read her lips. “I love you no matter what.”
Resolve hardens in me like steel. I will not lose her. Not now. Not ever.
“There’s at least ten million in the safe, bills, gold, and diamonds. Take it and go. I won’t report it. I won’t even look for you.”
“Like I won’t take it all anyway? Fucking idiot. And you’re damn right you won’t look for me, because you’ll be dead, and Goliath and I will be gone.”
Her finger curls around the trigger, and I dive toward Indy. Gunshots ring out, coming from beyond the cliff, and I wait for Dorsey to fire. When she doesn’t, I look up to see a cruel smile twisting her lips.
“Goliath just killed whoever was still breathing. Thanks for hiring such competent people, Forge. And thanks for working him so hard he couldn’t have a personal life and was as desperate for a human connection as you. It was so easy to turn Goliath against you. And to blame everything he did on Koba. That poor bastard really deserved a medal for being loyal, even though you doubted him.” She laughs, and the barrel of the gun bobs.
“Everything else was too easy to pin on de Vere, especially the kidnapping in Prague. All I had to do was hire guys from Bratva that sold him drugs, and you never thought to dig further into who paid them. Although, if my guy had been able to kidnap your bitch wife in Mallorca and ransom her back to you, we never would’ve had to bother with you in Prague. But, of course, you had to have a backup plan to get her home after the chopper was fucked.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
How did I miss it? I never once suspected Goliath. After I saved his life fifteen years ago, I never thought he’d betray me.
“Isaac wouldn’t want this, Dorsey,” I tell her, saying anything I can to buy time to come up with a way to take her out and save Indy.
“I wouldn’t know what Isaac would want, because you got him, and I didn’t even know he was my father until he was already dead! How is that fair? You got everything that should’ve been mine! Now I’m taking it back.” She lowers the barrel of one gun to Indy’s head.
“No!”
I launch myself at Dorsey’s feet, and she stumbles back as she fires both pistols. The bullets strike the cement, sending fragments flying, before another shot rings out.
But it doesn’t come from Dorsey. Bastien de Vere charges across the pool deck and fires again and again, pumping rounds into Dorsey’s body.
She hits the cement and both pistols fall from her fingers. Blood bubbles out of her mouth.
I grab a gun and turn to de Vere, but he’s only focused on Dorsey. “Go join your fucking boyfriend who tried to kill me. I hope you both enjoy hell.”
She gurgles, and her head slumps to the side.
De Vere looks at me and the weapon I have trained on him. “If you want to shoot me, go right a-fucking-head. I’m tapped out.” He tosses the rifle he must have taken from Goliath on the table, slumps into a chair, and tears the bottom of his shirt off to press against the wound in his chest.
Indy scrambles over to her father
, leaning over him. “No! No!”
I’m on my knees beside her in a second, sidestepping around the pool of blood spreading out from beneath Dorsey.
But there’s no blood under Federov’s torso, only where his head hit the ground. Internal bleeding from the gunshot wound?
Indy shakes him, pressing her forehead against his chest, until the Russian coughs and blinks his eyes.
“Oh my God. Oh my God. You’re alive.” Indy’s whispers come out on the edge of a sob.
“The vest,” he chokes out.
I look down at his chest, where the burn marks are on his shirt and suit jacket. “You’re wearing Kevlar. Fuck.” A sigh of relief leaves me as I hold out a hand.
“Damn right. Never go anywhere without it. Can’t be too careful.”
Indy’s tears fall as we help the old man up. The bullet fragments fall from his chest, and I rip my shirt off to press against the blood spilling from his skull.
“Not a bad idea, Russian,” de Vere says. “Because this hurts like a bitch without one.”
48
Forge
A private medevac left first with de Vere, the bullet still lodged in his chest and his skin an unhealthy gray. Before, I wouldn’t have cared if he lived or died, but now knowing the truth about Isaac’s death, I hope he pulls through.
My contacts with Interpol are on their way to assist the local police who arrived shortly after the medevac, along with a host of attorneys to ensure there are no issues. In the meantime, we’ve provided all the information we gleaned from Dorsey and Goliath. We’re all still reeling from the shock, especially me.
How the fuck didn’t I realize what was happening? As the coroner and his assistants load bodies onto boats, I know I’ll never forgive myself for the loss of so many lives under my watch.
I make it clear to the authorities that Goliath and Dorsey’s deaths were self-defense, and the police agree to take de Vere’s statement at the hospital when he recovers from the surgery he’ll undergo as soon as they land.
Once Interpol and the attorneys arrive, the process of explaining what happened begins all over again. They stay until the early hours of the next morning, until Indy, Federov, and I are all fading from fatigue, but all parties involved agree on one very important item. What happened on Isla del Cielo will not receive media attention, and the investigation will be conducted confidentially. Federov has gone so far as to threaten to buy and shut down any media outlet that even thinks about publishing the story.
After everyone is finally gone, I press a kiss to the top of Indy’s head. “Go to bed, Ace. You’re beat.”
She looks at me and her father, who will be staying in one of the guest rooms tonight.
“I think it’s time for all of us to go to bed. Although, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep. I don’t even know what to think. Or to say,” she says with a shake of her head. “Dorsey . . . was . . .”
“Wrong,” I tell her.
“What do you mean, wrong?” Indy and her father look at me with confusion.
“Isaac had an injury when he was a kid. He couldn’t have children. He went through all the testing. He may have visited Dorsey’s mother when he was in port . . . but he wasn’t Dorsey’s father.”
“Jesus Christ.” Federov leans on the kitchen counter. “I would tell you to check your employees’ backgrounds better, but I am guilty of trusting those I shouldn’t have either. I thought I took care of all the threats to India’s life when I removed my second in command. He was responsible for Summer’s kidnapping. For the ransom. For all of it.”
It’s one more shock in a long day packed with them. “Your second in command took Summer?” Indy asks.
He nods. “I am thankful she was not hurt, but I cannot find it in myself to regret that she was taken because it led me to you.” Federov covers Indy’s hand with his. “I promise I will make it up to you both. She will be treated as my daughter as well. Like you have said to me, family is more than blood.”
A soft smile crosses Indy’s face, and she places her other hand on top of his and squeezes. “That . . . that would mean the world to me. And to her.”
The older man’s entire face softens when he looks at her.
Regardless of how this life-changing chain of events came about, I think all three of us are so fucking grateful to be standing here right now. I can’t bring back the lives that were lost, but I will honor my people and make sure their families are provided for.
I step behind Indy and lower my palms to her shoulders. “You need sleep.”
“I know, but I still can’t believe they were behind the kidnapping in Prague,” Indy says with disbelief underlying every word. “I never thought . . . since Goliath got shot too . . .”
“Best way to throw off suspicion is to get injured,” I reply, “but I didn’t see it either. Not after fifteen years of unquestionable loyalty.”
“Women are persuasive creatures,” Federov adds, his gaze tracking from Indy’s face to mine. “I am glad my daughter persuaded me to see the error of my judgment regarding you, Forge. I should not have interfered. I will not interfere again. You have my word and my blessing.”
“Thank you, sir,” I say, and I mean it.
“One question more, though. What does this mean for your grudge with de Vere?” Federov asks.
“I think it’s safe to say that’s over,” I reply, curling my arm around Indy. “I will never be able to repay him for what he did, even if I still want to strangle him for the stunt with the drugs.”
Indy drops her head onto my shoulder. “Bastien will always be Bastien, but I think it’s time for all of us to move on.”
“We will drink to that before we sleep,” Federov says as he rises. “Where is your vodka? We need a toast to burying old hurts, celebrating life, and most of all, to your marriage.”
Indy spins around in the circle of my arms. “Are we still married?”
“I have no idea. I haven’t been able to get in touch with the judge. He works on island time. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me.” I lift her left hand to my lips and press a kiss to the back, next to her ring. “If we’re divorced, I’m going to do it all right the second time.”
Epilogue
India
* * *
Five months later
I’m getting married. Again. Except this time, things are wildly different. The perfume of fresh flowers scents the air of Isla del Cielo, wafting through the master bedroom where Summer puts the finishing touches on the gown she designed for me. It’s going to be the centerpiece of her new bridal couture collection.
As thrilled as she was to discover her talent for creating wedding dresses, Summer still might want to strangle me, because she’s had to adjust it three times in the last three weeks. My belly keeps surprising us both.
I’m pregnant. With twins. One boy and one girl. I shouldn’t even be surprised, because we’re talking about the Kraken and its wildly effective virility.
I’ll never forget the look of awe on Jericho’s face when we first heard the heartbeats, and then later saw the ultrasound. He reached out, tracing their outlines on the screen, and turned to me with tears in his eyes.
Irina and Isaac will never have to wonder if they’re loved. They won’t have to wait years to find a family or make their own. They will know every second of every day how grateful we are to be blessed with them.
Surprisingly, at least to me, Summer handled the news about Nina and Federov incredibly well. When he arrived on the island yesterday, she greeted him with a giant hug and a kiss on the cheek. She calls him Pops, which he absolutely adores.
His prognosis hasn’t improved, but so far, he’s defying the doctor’s odds of survival. Part of me thinks that he’s just too stubborn to miss the chance to walk me down the aisle. I’m praying he’s just as stubborn when it comes to hanging on to hold his grandbabies in his arms after they’re born. I’m betting on him. I don’t even want to think about the alternative.
> “I still think you should’ve waited until after the babies were born to have the wedding. As incredible as this dress looks now, the lines would have been even better without the wonder twins.”
I almost drop the ring box as I start laughing. “You think Jericho would’ve let that happen? I had to negotiate, while naked, to get him to even wait this long so you could make the dress. I think his exact words were something along the lines of—‘you’re mine, the babies are mine, and I want my wife back as soon as fucking possible.’”
“Ewww. You could’ve left out the naked part from that story. Also, stop laughing. I don’t want to stab you.”
“Ewww from you? Really?”
“He’s my ex-brother-in-law who’s soon to be my brother-in-law again. Don’t make it awkward. I already had to hear about the Kraken, and I’ll never be able to forget it.”
It’s impossible for me to obey her no-laughing order this time.
“Y’all about ready? Because I’ve never seen a more impatient groom waiting to see his bride.”
Holly’s Southern twang comes from the doorway, where she’s wearing another of Summer’s creations. The pale aquamarine dress looks incredible with her curvaceous figure and dark hair.
Summer might have spent more time on her dress and Holly’s than mine, because she was determined to make them the most sought-after dresses of the year. With the number of inquiries she’s already getting based on Holly’s social media posts, I think my little sister is well on her way to establishing her new brand in a big, splashy fashion. I haven’t told her yet that I want her to design all my dresses for my poker games after the babies are born.
“I’m ready as soon as Summer quits fussing over my dress.”
My sister grunts as Holly steps aside to allow Alanna to slip into the room. “Jericho sent me—”
Another round of laughter fills the room as Summer finally stands and nabs the ring box from my hands. “Fine. Fine. He can have you as you are. No returns this time.”
