Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
SAVANNAH
I t had been so long since I had a girl’s day that I’d forgotten what one was even like. College was probably the last time that I could recall. We’d started the morning early and had breakfast at Roses du Couchant, a stunning spot right on the beach that looked out at the water. Then we headed off to get mani-pedis, which Helena insisted we do with champagne. Of course, this turned into a laughing fit and a balancing act not to spill the drinks.
Nathaniel’s sister, Kaylani, was sweet and funny, and within minutes, it felt like we’d known one another our whole lives. She told me she preferred to be called Lani, loved to party, didn’t take herself too seriously, and would lie for me if needed. I wasn’t sure what to make of that opening statement, but after spending half a day with her, it totally suited her personality.
“Wow, that was incredible. My masseuse was hot. I would go back there for a different kind of service anytime,” Kaylani said.
“Kaylani,” Helena gasped, making the two of us laugh. Helena slipped her arm into mine as we walked to the cars. “Ignore my daughter. She has a foul mouth and a dirty mind.”
“Oh please, Mom. You know you love it. You just don’t want to admit it. We all know that you’re a sex kitten. I mean, you had four kids.”
I snickered when Helena’s face turned bright red as she glared at her daughter. “I’m not saying I don’t understand. I’m just saying that we are in the company of gentlemen, and it should be private girl talk.”
Helena looked back over her shoulder, and so did I, forgetting that we had an entourage of men with us. I’d strangely gotten used to them lingering all the time. Goran didn’t seem to mind, but it was hard to tell with the dark shades and the hard set of his mouth.
“Fine, I’ll behave,” Kaylani said as she held out her hand, inspecting her nails, which now had glittery stones all over them.
“Did you enjoy yourself, Love,” Helena asked while patting my arm that she was holding.
“I did, thank you. It was all very relaxing. I especially loved the mud bath.”
“Oh, it is lovely, and your skin feels as soft as a newborn baby’s bottom afterward. Are you ready for the last stop of the day before we meet up with Nathaniel and Titus for dinner?”
“I can’t even imagine what else you have planned, but I am all in. This is the most fun I’ve had in a very long time.”
“I’m so happy. It’s great having you in the family, and it means so much to me that you’re letting me plan your wedding here.”
“I’ll be honest, I’m not much for planning large events, so you are helping me out with your willingness to get involved. All I know is that Nathan wants red as one of the colors. That was his only stipulation,” I said as we got into the back of the limo. Goran and a couple of the guards got in with us, but the rest were in the other SUVs that followed us everywhere.
“I can work with that. The florist is set to come out tomorrow at eleven, and then we will meet with Mr. Cartier about renting out the butterfly conservatory for the ceremony. He has many places, but I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with the gardens they have for events, and the butterflies are beautiful.”
“It sounds so magical,” I said.
“I know I’ve said this to you already, but no matter what my husband says, we are all delighted to welcome you into our family. I’ve never seen my son so happy. He has a light in his eyes, and that’s because of you and Cutter.” Helena grabbed a tissue from her purse and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to get all emotional like this.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure what you were going to be like being an ex-Fed and all, but you’re amazing, Savannah. I’ve always wanted a sister, and I hate Vera with a passion. I can’t believe Father has set sweet Titus up with that woman. She is a soul-sucking leech.”
“Kaylani,” Helena scolded again, but Kaylani seemed to be cut from the same cloth that I was. She wasn’t holding back for anyone or anything.
“I’m serious. I don’t know why Father insists on pairing us all up like we’re part of his thoroughbred breeding program. It’s not right.”
Helena sighed. “We’ve been over this. Your father has found who he wants you to marry, and there is nothing I can do. I’ve tried to talk him out of it.”
Kaylani rolled her eyes, crossing her arms and ankles like she was double-blocking the idea of an arranged marriage.
“He can say whatever he wants, stomp his feet, and call me names, but he will not force me to marry some old windbag so that he can make more money. He has more than he can spend before he dies, which can’t come soon enough.”
“How about we change the topic,” I interjected quickly as Helena’s face blanched. “Where are we headed next?”
Helena shook her head at her daughter but focused on me. “That is a surprise.” She leaned closer and whispered, which was useless because everyone would still be able to hear her. “Speaking of surprises, have you told Nathaniel yet?”
I looked at her and then everyone else, who tried to pretend they weren’t listening.
“Told him what?”
“That you’re pregnant, of course. It’s obvious. I noticed over a week ago but have been patiently waiting for you to announce it.”
My mouth dropped open as I gaped at Helena. “I’m what?” Glancing down, I laid a hand over my stomach. “How do you know? I don’t have any symptoms like I did with Cutter.”
“Your skin is glowing, and your hair looks like spun silk. You’ve been randomly tired and have suddenly gone off eating eggs. Trust me, love. You’re pregnant.”
I quickly ran through the math in my head. It had been two months almost to the day since Nathan stormed back into my life, and we had our shotgun wedding at the Russian consulate. It had been so crazy that I hadn’t even noticed that I was late.
“Congratulations, Savannah,” Goran said as he smirked across from me. I sucked in a deep breath as I pointed at everyone in the car.
“No one in here let it slip to Nathan. I want to be sure and then tell him myself.”
The guards instantly held up their hands. “We won’t say a word, not our news, not our business,” Goran said.
“Don’t look at me. I won’t say anything,” Kaylani said but squealed as she gripped me in a hug. “I’m going to be an auntie again. Oh, please have a girl. I want to dote on my niece and show her all the good shops and which boys she should definitely stay away from.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said, laughing. “First things first, on the way home, can we make a pit stop at the pharmacy?”
Helena smiled wide. “I will march in there and buy the test myself. It will give the clerk a heart attack if they think it’s for an old bird like me.”
“Stop that, you’re not old. You’re in your prime and beautiful. I’ll be blessed to look half as good as you do when I reach my fifties.”
“You’re too sweet,” she said as she hugged me next. “Congratulations, my dear.” The car slowed to a stop, and I looked out, smiling wide as I noticed the windows displaying wedding dresses. “Let’s go get you a dress to make you look like a queen.”
The guards knocked, giving us the all-clear, but I held Helena back for a moment so we could talk privately.
“I just wanted to say thank you. Not just for all of this, which is lavish and has made me feel so welcome, but also because….” My throat clogged, and I quickly blinked away the tears forming. “I don’t have the best relationship with my mother, and at one point in my life, I dreamed of doing these things with her. When I realized that wasn’t going to happen, a part of me was devastated, but you’ve made me feel like I belong. Thank you for giving me that. It means more than I could ever put into words.”
Helena dabbed at her eyes again. “You’re welcome, dear. I see you as a daughter already. Now, before I cry all my makeup off, let’s go shopping.”
She knocked on the glass, and one of the men opened the door for us. There was no way that today could get any better.
T his was the sixth dress that I tried, and as soon as the owner of the store brought it into the changing room to show me, I knew it was the one. It went on like a glove and was elegant but not overly done. I loved that it was a soft eggshell instead of the stark white, which washed me out. My shoulders were bare except for the tie around my neck. It had a low sweetheart neckline that I knew Nathan would appreciate, and I loved that the drop waist had a corset tie-up back. There was just enough champagne embroidery to give it a queenly look but not push it into the over-the-top category. I loved it.
“Come on out here and let us see,” Kaylani said, breaking my staring contest with the mirror. I tore my eyes away and let the owner help me step down from the pedestal she had me get on to lace up the back.
“You look stunning,” she said as I slipped my feet into the matching satin shoes.
“Thank you.”
“Are you ready?” I nodded, and she opened the curtain to let me step out. Helena and Kaylani stopped sipping their champagne as their mouths fell open.
“Oh my god, you’re a freaking vision,” Kaylani said, making me blush.
Stepping up on the low riser, I turned so they could see the back and then slowly faced them again.
Helena had a hand over her mouth, tears running down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, I’m a mess. You’re just so beautiful. I love it. Do you love it?”
“I really do, I….” I jerked, startled as something hit the large bay windows.
Everything was loud and a little muffled as the guards sprang into action. Mass chaos ensued as Kaylani and Helena were dragged to the floor, their bodies covered by guards. Goran yelled as he ran at me. Why was he in slow motion? That seemed odd.
A throbbing pain started in my abdomen. I looked down and blinked as I stared at the once stunning dress with a massive red stain soaking the front. The sharp pain hit as my brain caught up to the shock of being shot.
My knees gave way, but Goran grabbed me and brought me to the floor. I groaned as he pressed the wound on my stomach. He was yelling and pointing, but only every other word made sense.
I grabbed his arm to get his attention, and even though I’d been trained for a moment like this, nothing could’ve prepared me to see my blood-soaked hand. The Stephen King movie Carrie came to mind.
“Goran?”
“Stay with me, Savannah. The ambulance is on its way,” he said, looking down at me before he turned to yell at the guards. It was all ringing in my ears as light-headedness began to set in. I squeezed his arm as hard as my fingers would let me and was thankful that I could still move and feel my hands and feet.
As soon as Goran looked back, I knew what I wanted to say but couldn’t find the right words.
“Tell them I love them.” It was all I could come up with as his face blurred.
“Don’t you dare pass out, Savannah. You’re going to tell Nathan yourself and think of Cutter. He needs you to fight. Fucking fight.”
I clung to his words. The thought of my son and how his face lit up when I walked into the room gave me purpose. The memories of Nathan’s lips on mine and his finger on my cheek, as he told me how beautiful I was, gave me courage. I clung to that and more, even as darkness crept over my vision.