James.I wasn't really sure what to expect when my uncle told me that he wanted me to come to this family gathering where they were going to have food and drinks and reminisce on certain things before he made his big announcement. But I can tell you right now, the last thing I expected was for there to be a turnout the size that there was.At least 100 people were present. Even several people my uncle did business with were here.This wasn't something that typically happened in our world, and in fact, I had never been or heard of an attendance like this. Perhaps it was only a few people that he did business with, yet, my uncle meandered around the room in his designer three-piece suit, looking absolutely spiffy as hell. I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to.The man was a mystery I was still trying to figure out."It's going to be a grand announcement. Are you ready, cousin?" Ronaldo said as he stepped up next to me. I wasn't quite sure what he was referring to, b
Becca.Two days. Neal had had two days to figure out exactly what was going on, and now that it had been two days, I was sick and tired of being cooped up in the house. I wanted to be able to go out and take care of a few things that were absolutely necessary, like going to a cafe, going to the store, silly things like that. But even though two days had passed, Neal was still persistent that I stay at the property and not leave unless absolutely necessary.And by absolutely necessary, he meant with him, with me.I was tired of living like this, and honestly, all I wanted to do was to be able to have the freedom that I had when I first moved to New Zealand. As more and more time went by, I became pretty adamant that I was overthinking things, and Neal was being too overly cautious about something that wasn't even anything to begin with.He always thought that someone was following me, that something was going on. He had no single clue what was going on. The guy that had met m
Becca.In absolute disbelief, my reaction time slowed considerably. The moment that I saw the gun. I froze in fear, and as he moved towards me, I panicked. I should have listened to Allegra and Neal. I should never have gone out on my own, but part of me didn't want to believe that there was actually somebody out there trying to come after me."What are you doing? Why are you doing this?" I breathed out as my back came in contact with the side of my car."Look, you seem like a nice lady, but I need something, and you're the collateral that's going to get it for me."Collateral. How was I supposed to be collateral? "I can't help you. I'm nobody. Please just let me go." My begging was useless. Staring at the sinister grin upon his face, I knew there was no way in hell he was going to allow me to go. Whatever he needed me for, he was willing to have somebody else in this parking lot see him point a gun at me just to ensure that he could get it.This situation between us
Neal.The moment that I came home and saw that Becca wasn't there, I freaked out. A million and one things ran through my mind, and the one thing that stuck out the most was the fact that she was out there having left the house, even though Allegra and I both told her not to, and now she was in danger.I should have known that she wouldn't have sat home willingly. Two days was all that she allowed, and I had stupidly agreed to it as if that was going to be enough time to do what needed to be done.Looking at her right now in front of me alive was a relief I hadn't expected to feel. However, knowing that she came close to death because of people I had pissed off killed me. I had never thought my past would come back to find me, but I should have. The moment that my sister, and I came out of hiding and killed Sergei I should have known.Yet, I was foolish. "Look, it's complicated...." My comment wasn't one that she wanted, and as I tried to find the words to explain to her
James.The moment that Neal called me and informed me of what happened to Becca, I had about lost my mind. While I was sitting there shaking hands with people trying to get them to help me figure out who was after Becca, she had been attacked by people that Neal and Allegra had issues with.I knew who they were. Xavier was the youngest of three brothers, a pain in the ass that I had run across more than once in the business world. He was ruthless when he wanted something and a bit of a playboy who loved to show off his money.Patrick, the middle child, died when he was younger, and I didn't know back then that Neil was the one who had killed him. But after he explained it to me that situation kind of made sense, why they'd also be pisssed off at not only what he did, but what his father did too.The oldest brother, though, he was the one you had to worry about. Andre was a man who didn't find remorse in anything that he did. He didn't care if he hurt you, he didn't car
Becca.Ever since the conversation I had with Neal two days ago, I couldn't stop thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong with staying here in New Zealand. This place was supposed to be my happy home, my forever home with my children, my father, and my stepmother.I was an idiot to think my life would be normal. Even now, while I stood here listening to Neal and Allegra bicker over what the best move was even after added security was placed on the house, I couldn't help but feel more aggravated.My dad had still not noticed. The day everything kicked off, I had surprised them that night with round-trip tickets to Australia. The last-minute trip threw up red flags, but I told them it was only for a few days because when they got back, I was going to need their help with some things around my house.It wasn't the truth, but it seemed to hold them over. At least for now."I just don't see what the problem is, Neal," Allegra snapped with her hands on her hips.
Becca.The next morning when I woke up, I was in a mad rush to try and get everything done that needed to be done. I wasn't sure how long the kids, me, and Layla were going to be staying over at the surprise house Neal had on the island, but I had a feeling it was going to take a while for us to get back to normal civilization.Not that I was enthusiastic about that part.Then there was the other issue at hand—my parents.After the talk I had with Allegra in private about my father, I figured it was best I went ahead and filled them in on our surprise island but left out the main reasoning behind it until they arrived. My father would kill me if I tried to tell him over the phone about everything going on.So I simply left it as we had a surprise home on an island when he got back in town, and I wanted him and his wife to come and spend some time with me and the kids without Allegra and Neal being present. It was pretty straightforward. I mean, what could possibly go wr
Becca.I don't know what it was I was expecting when Neal said he had an island home, but it definitely wasn't a small remote island just off the coast of New Zealand, cut off completely from the outside world.Though that would have been the common sense thing.The moment we'd arrived here, I found myself a little taken aback by exactly how remote this place was. Crystal-clear blue water surrounded the island, and with all the lush greenery around, it added a calming atmosphere."This is beautiful," I muttered softly before turning my gaze to Neal, who stood behind me. "How the hell did you find this place?"Shrugging his shoulders, he glanced around at the small wooden home with large windows overlooking the ocean only a hundred feet away. It wasn't the biggest of homes, and in fact, it reminded me of the small apartment I shared with Tally once upon a time. "It was for sale, and I bought it," he muttered before turning and walking back outside.His behavior was wei