Chapter Sixteen
Beckett
Fuck, I’m mad. Yes, I know I’m here to do a job, and that takes priority, but right now she is the only thing I want and truly care about. I let her slip through my fingers once; I’m not going to let it happen again. She wasn’t a one night thing. I want more.
One of my guys said there was a suspicious man lurking in the audience who didn’t seem to fit in, and with the team on high alert due to the threats made toward Grace and her safety, we can’t take any risks.
I patch through to Luke, hoping he picks up.
He answers.
“I need you to get Grace out of the building. Now.”
“Right now?”
“Yes, there's a guy in a dark baseball cap acting suspicious in the main arena. We are trying to locate and secure him, and until we can find him, we need Grace out. There will be a car waiting at the back exit.”
“Understood.” I trust that he will have Grace out of here fast.
An hour later I check in with my team and thankfully they have secured the man and will be questioning him. Now that’s all dealt with, I can deal with my own personal drama: finding Kennedy.
For the past eleven months, she has been at the forefront of my mind.
I wasn’t expecting to get that call that day, and I regret not waking her up before I went to the hotel lobby.
Meeting her, spending the night, proved to me Casey was never truly the one for me.
I had a better connection with Kennedy within a matter of hours than I ever did with my ex.
I make my way across the now empty arena, only the clean up crew in sight, and go in search of Kennedy.
When her blonde ponytail comes into view, I speed up.
“Kennedy,” I yell. She stops and turns, a startled look on her face. As I step closer, a women around her height throws her arms around Kennedy. She has the same blonde hair, but it’s cut short.
“Beckett, over here.” I look over my shoulder to see three familiar faces. Jack, Harry and Brad who I served with in the Marines.
“How’s it going?” I reach out and give each of them a handshake.
It was a shame we didn’t get more time together, but now my company supplies security for their club here in New York, but it’s been over a year since I’ve seen them in the flesh.
I feel torn. I need to make things right with Kennedy, but I don’t want to be rude and ignore them.
“Good, busy. How are things with you guys?” I ask.
A petite brunette with a very obvious baby bump leans into Jack, and he places an arm around her.
“Good. My wife, Ria and I are expecting our first baby together.”
I give a her a smile. “Congratulations. It’s great to finally meet you,” I say as I reach out to shake her hand.
“Thank you, and you.”
I turn to face Harry, who has his arm draped around a blonde in a silk robe that I recognize as Ali who walked the runway.
Harry introduces us and I shake hands with Harry and Brad who still looks every bit the dark and mysterious man he’s always been, with just a few more tattoos added.
I engage in small talk with the guys, but my focus is on Kennedy, who hasn’t stopped talking to the short haired blonde and the guys’ partners. When they make their way over to us, I stiffen, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.
The blonde who looks like a slightly older version of Kennedy is the first to speak, “Guys, I want you to meet my baby sister, Kennedy.”
“I think we met earlier,” Kennedy says awkwardly to Harry.
“Yeah, erm, sorry about that,” Harry says with a smirk.
Kennedy’s sister places her hands on her hips and narrows her eyes at Harry. “What did you do?”
“Oh no, Kate, it was my fault. I err, walked into Ali’s dressing room and…”
So, this is her sister, Kate.
Kennedy continues fumbling her words, and Harry chokes out a laugh.
“Oh my god, you two,” Ria scolds.
Harry holds up his hands in defeat. “What? A guy’s gotta eat, right, babe?” he teases, pulling Ali in closer, and her cheeks flush pink. “On that note, I need to go get changed.” She walks off, and Harry follows.
Light laughter falls between us all, and then Kate steps in front of me. “I believe you’re Beckett? Hi, I’m Kate. I’m a big fan of you. Ugh, I mean…”
Kennedy’s jaw drops, and I let out a chuckle. It’s clear Kate has been drinking.
“I mean, I am Kennedy’s big sister, and I am a big fan of your security work. Have you met my sister yet?”
“Oh yeah, we have met,” I confirm, my tone more flirtatious than I intend.
“I need to get backstage and clear up. Great to see and meet you all. Kate, I’ll call you tomorrow. Girls, please make sure she gets home safe.” Kennedy says.
Ria nods in confirmation, and Kennedy doesn’t wait a beat before she is off.
“I’d better do the same and check on my team. Great to see you all and meet you, ladies.”
“Bye, Beckett,” Kate says, giving me a little wave.
I do my best to keep up with Kennedy, but somewhere between the bar and the dressing room, I lose her. Adrenaline pumps around my body at an alarming rate. I can’t lose her, not again, not when I just found her.