Chapter Twenty-One
Beckett
After two weeks of near bliss, we return to the penthouse. I have been working remotely, but I need to resume my rotation at the hospitals.
CSS has a way of burying things that need to be hidden—like the fact that my wife had been kidnapped.
I am in touch with the head of CSS to let him know Scarlett survived.
I tell him we are keeping a low profile until I know who is responsible for her abduction.
He understands completely. I don’t know Massimo that well.
He is quite an old man. My father revered him like a god.
I don’t give him that kind of adulation, even though I spend Christmas with his family every year.
I still don't know the man; nobody does.
“What terrible news. I’m glad your wife is safe. We’ll help you in any way you need to find the culprits,” is his response when I tell him.
Of course, I don't take him up on his offer because he could very well have masterminded the plan to kidnap her.
Scarlett has solid theories about the situation, and I think she may be right though she knows nothing about CSS.
I need to do my own research to find out who is involved with Carl.
It couldn't have just been his own greedy need to get a bioweapon in his hands.
Carl told me the drug request had been sanctioned by CSS, but when I sniffed around a little bit more, no one seemed to know much about it.
The strategy is to return to work and society and act like nothing happened.
I’ll simply continue to ignore Carl's request, and when he threatens again, I’ll toss him a bone and knock him off track by offering formulas that will do nothing.
It’ll take a little while to discover that the drug isn’t working; by then, I hope to have exposed him.
As much as I enjoyed my lake house in Canada, I am happy to return to the city. Being away from patients and work often stresses me out. When we return, I hire more night nurses, and Mia moves back to her own apartment, much to Scarlett's sadness.
“I’m only a few floors down,” Mia says, rolling her eyes at my wife. “We’ll still have our horror movies,” she jokes. I adore my little sister that much more; something else Scarlett has brought into my life.
We settle back into our routines fairly well.
Scarlett returns to dance classes and spends most of her time with Rayne.
Since I believe Gloria was instrumental in having Scarlett kidnapped, I only use nurses from an agency outside of CSS—one that was recommended to me by a hospital I work for.
There is no way that CSS will be involved in our domestic life ever again.
Every night there is a different nurse so no one can see our family’s patterns or routines.
As soon as Rayne is sleeping through the night we won’t need a nurse, but since Scarlett is still finding her sea legs, I want the extra help.
I find myself enjoying spending my time after work wearing the baby in a sling.
Scarlett convinced me that baby-wearing is amazing, and as with most things, I come to discover she is correct.
I make food for us while carrying the baby, and Scarlett helps clean up, though I don't like her doing the dishes or working.
We have a housekeeper for that. She is busy dancing and strength training with private teachers she chooses and I hire.
She wants to go to a dance studio, but I refuse to let her go out in public.
I have a room in the penthouse turned into a dance room with a wall of mirrors and a barre, and I hire a dance instructor to come and work with her as well as a private trainer to help her build her muscles.
I don't like having to keep her cooped up in the penthouse, but she understands that when she is out in the world she needs to be with a bodyguard, and she prefers being home to being out with someone she doesn't know.
I prefer that too because I don't trust anyone but our family.
CSS often attends benefit balls and parties, and Scarlett and I are going to a movie premiere as her debut as my wife.
It is one of the society member’s pet projects.
They produced a film with an up-and-coming filmmaker who has just joined CSS.
He is a college boy, very slick and a little bit dangerous.
He already has quite a reputation for spying and taking out unwanted foes.
Filmmaking is just his cover to go into cartel spaces under the guise of being in production on a movie.
Governments will grant permits to areas that the cartels protect to seemingly harmless filmmakers.
This guy’s job is to share intel with forces that will take out problematic cartel members.
Scarlett comes down the stairs looking absolutely stunning in a crystal blue gown that shimmers in the light. I hate that she has covered up those gorgeous legs, but what is seen through the snug and simple gown is enough to make me want to stay in and never leave.
“Well,” is all I can say.
“Is it too much? It’s one of the ones you bought for me.” I absolutely don’t want her to be insecure. I am looking at one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen, which just happens to be gracing the body of the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever known.
“No, you’re perfect. Too perfect. I’m going to have to guard you all night long,” I tease.
“I won't get much information with you tagging along,” she says with a cute snarky bite.
“I'm still not sure I'm comfortable about you being a spy.” I walk over to Scarlett and kiss her beautiful lips, and she smiles.
We walk into the premiere and, as I expect, Scarlett draws most of the attention.
She looks like a movie star, and people's curiosity about her is evident in the way they stare.
I hold her hand tightly, knowing she doesn't like all the scrutiny.
I nod to people I know, and we make our way through the crowd to the bar.
“Two Macallan 18, on the rocks,” I say to the bartender.
“You’re going to have me on my ass,” Scarlett whispers, playfully scolding.
“If only I could.” I squeeze her ass and smile. “Just sip it. It’s the best they offer at these things, and we drink the best, Mrs. Myers.”
I glance over Scarlett's shoulder and I see Carl with several other men also drinking scotch. I lean into her ear. “There he is. Balding with a big cigar and belly.”
She knows to wait a beat before she turns around and looks at him. And she is so cute about doing it. She smiles and places her head on my shoulder, acting as if she is being coquettish, but with the angle she uses to dip her head she can see him perfectly.
“He’s ugly,” she whispers against my chest as she turns her head back.
“His heart sure is.” I kiss her forehead.
“Is this the blushing bride you've been hiding from us?” Griffin approaches, drink in hand, grouchy and overbearing as always.
Behind him are Cade and Marcel: the Quattro. Scarlett instinctively moves closer, and I put my arm around her to give her assurance. She will be on her own to do a little investigating but within my eyesight, as we planned.
“Scarlett, this is Griffin. He’s insufferable, so don’t take his bad temper personally. Cade is a cad and a hockey player; he’s dangerous.” I smile. “And he’s a young’un." He is older than Scarlett, which pangs my heart a little.
She is young, vibrant, and alive. I match her energy because she brings me back to life.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she says politely.
“Can we say how jealous we are of you now, or do we wait?” Cade offers a roguish grin—always the player, always the flirt.
“You? Jealous of marriage? You can’t stay with the same woman for more than a week.
I don’t see where your jealousy comes from.
” I laugh, and then it hits me. I used to be the man who couldn’t stay with the same woman for more than a week, and now the thought of a lifetime together doesn’t seem like enough.
I look down at her deep blue, beautiful eyes and realize how lucky I am.
“If Scarlett were my wife,” Cade takes her hand and kisses it, “monogamy would not be a problem."
Scarlett giggles, but she is only being polite.
“Moving on, this is Marcel—”
Lights flicker, and the movie is about to start.
I cut off introductions. It is time to put our plan into motion.
We head to our assigned seats in the theater.
Afterward, I need Scarlett to walk around the venue with her cocktail and casually stroll by conversations to see if any of them mention Carl.
The other point of us being there at the movie premiere is for Carl to see Scarlett is healthy and fully liberated from captivity.
I want to take the moment to gloat in front of him and show that we are stronger than he is.
I suspect that Carl is working with a dictator of another government and he is literally the middleman just trying to secure weapons for a price. I need to know what that price is.
The movie is mildly entertaining, but my wife does get up to go to the bathroom. She points out that Carl is not in his assigned seat. He is standing with some men outside of the screening room having a hushed conversation where they mention "Concadia" several times.