Chapter 49
Madelyn tapped the key.
The update launched, and a progress bar appeared on the screen.
In a moment, it was done.
Madelyn smiled. “That’s it. They can kidnap me, torture me, kill me, but they’ll never be able to get what they want. Hopefully, that removes the incentive to try.”
“Something tells me Sebastian and his business partners aren’t going to be too happy about this.”
“Oh, hell no. His partners wanted to mine data and sell in-app ads. I’m sure there will be lawsuits.
The value of the company will plummet. I’m sure I’ll be broke and penniless, but I’ll have my integrity,” she said.
She closed the laptop, stood up, and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“There are just some things money can’t buy. ”
She planted her plump lips against mine as the storm raged outside. The boat creaked and groaned as the wind pushed it around. Perfect weather for tumbling around the sheets.
We put the mattress to the test and wore ourselves out.
Thunder boomed for most of the night, but the storm had moved out by morning.
I pulled myself out of bed, went through my morning routine, then started grilling breakfast in the galley. The delightful smell of bacon and coffee filled the air.
I flipped on the TV and caught the morning news.
A breaking update flashed on the screen.
"In shocking news, Viktor Kovalenko was arrested last night along with several others for kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and multiple other charges. Kovalenko was being held in a county detention facility overnight, where he was stabbed by a fellow inmate. Two other Kovalenko associates were killed while in custody in what appears to be a coordinated attack. We’ll have more on the story as it develops. ”
I called the sheriff, and he filled me in on the situation. There was no doubt in my mind that someone wanted Viktor Kovalenko dead before he could spill any information about the Consortium or its members. I'm sure there were plenty more responsible that would never face justice.
So much for Kovalenko filing a civil suit for excessive force.
The segment cut to Paris Delaney, live outside the hospital, as Ava got discharged. She wore a wide-brimmed hat and a veil that covered her face. Dressed to the nines, she didn't look like someone who had spent the last several days in the hospital.
The camera captured footage of Sebastian as he escorted her into the back of a black SUV with tinted windows.
Paris shouted, "What can you tell us about the kidnapping?”
Once Ava was situated in the vehicle, Sebastian closed her door, then moved around the front of the vehicle to climb in on the other side. He addressed the camera along the way. "For now, at least, it seems justice has been served.”
"What are your plans moving forward?”
He still looked pretty battered and bruised, but there was an optimism in Sebastian's eyes that I hadn't seen before. “I’m proud to announce that Ava and I will be getting married as soon as she's up to it, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first child into the world.”
He darted out of frame, leaving Paris stunned. Sebastian climbed into the back of the SUV, and the driver pulled away from the curb and drove out of the parking lot.
Paris got in front of the camera and said, “There you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth. One of the most eligible bachelors, Sebastian Vorn, will be tying the knot to his supermodel girlfriend, Ava Lang. I’m Paris Delaney, and you heard it from me first.”
Madelyn joined me in the galley, and I filled her in. She looked as stunned as the rest of the world. "Maybe there's hope for my brother yet," she teased.
JD joined us for breakfast, and we chowed down at the breakfast nook. The amber rays of morning had broken through the clouds. The storm had left tree branches and debris scattered, but all things considered, it wasn't too bad.
We weren’t too far into breakfast when Flynn McQueen called. The free-spirited movie star was full of exuberance. “How the hell are you?”
“I’m great.”
“How’s the script coming?”
“It’s coming.”
“Good. You boys better get ready. I am coming to town!”
“What’s cooking?”
“You are not going to believe what I’ve got lined up now.”
Knowing Flynn, it was something crazy.