“Speaking of weddings…” I let my words hang out there.
She sits up, twisting to the side, and swings her legs over my thigh so we’re almost facing. Her eyes sparkle, and it’s not because of the firelight. My heart thumps, hoping she’s going to tell me what I want to hear.
“Yes, speaking of weddings. I think it’s time we plan ours.”
“Thank fuck.” I lay my forehead against hers. “My patience is waning.”
“I’ve picked up on every one of your not-so-subtle hints.”
“Good, I thought I was losing my touch.”
“It was too fun to keep you hanging. But, seeing as we need to make a decision quickly, I have to quit playing with you.”
A dozen ideas come to mind of how she’s going to pay for her little game, but they will have to wait. “What decision do we have to make?”
“Do you like it here?”
“This resort? It’s gorgeous.”
“What if we got married here?”
“If this is what you want.”
“I was thinking around next Christmas when all the decorations are up. This place will be a winter wonderland of twinkling white lights, snow-covered grounds, and extraordinary scenery.”
I barely hear her over the siren in my ears and the pounding in my chest. For the briefest second, I think of Edward’s request to have a baby in the family late next summer. The thought goes to the bottom of my list of things already wrong with what she’s suggested.
“We are not getting married next Christmas, next Thanksgiving, or anywhere near the next holiday season. I’ll be generous and give you until May.” I shut her down gruffly.
“You want me to plan a wedding by May?”
“Like I said, generous. I’m not waiting longer than that.”
“You’re going to deny me my dream wedding under the lights with the backdrop of snow-covered mountains?”
“I’ll bring you back and renew our vows. But the answer is fuck no.”
“You’re not going to wait, huh?” Her lips tick until a coy smirk spreads across her mouth.
“I’ve waited my entire life. Your time is up.”
She openly laughs. “When you put it that way, I guess I’ll have to settle for the third weekend in May, under the twinkling lights of the grand gardens, with the backdrop of the water in Charleston.”
I know exactly the spot she’s referring to—the grand gardens Brasher is creating on the new property. “You’re serious?”
“Every time I pass the scale model in the lobby, I’m infatuated with the landscape. It’s a huge risk to have an outdoor wedding, and my mom will probably have a coronary. I went to our event planner and talked through the idea. She assured me of all the options in place for weather problems. That was all the convincing it took. They are saving the date for me to get your approval.”
“Were you trying to piss me off by baiting me with the Christmas season?”
“I prefer to think of it as toying with you.”
“I think your ass is going to be black and blue for a different reason tomorrow.”
“Before you get grumpy, let me tell you more good news. The costs aren’t bad considering my position with the organization.”
“Cost wouldn’t be a problem anyway. Between your dad and me, it’s covered.”
Her eyes glimmer bright as she kisses me quickly. “We have a date and a location. I’ll have easy access to the event coordinator here. Looks like you’re getting your wedding.”
“The wedding isn’t the issue; it’s the wife I’m waiting for.”
Her gaze goes over my shoulder, and she waves to someone. A few seconds later, a waiter appears, handing us two flutes of champagne. He dips his chin, offering us his congratulations before hustling back to the bar.
“What should we toast first?” she asks, raising her glass.
“Us. Being here. Missing you for so long and you knowing how to make everything right in my world.”
“I like that.” She clinks, taking a sip. “Now, we have one more thing to discuss.”
“What’s that?”
“You wouldn’t happen to know why my parents have decided to turn my old bedroom into a nursery, would you?”
“No.”
She quirks an eyebrow, not buying my answer. “No, you don’t know, or no, you’re not going to tell me?”
“I’m not going to tell you. I’m going to show you.”
Realization dawns on her, and she head-plants into my chest. Pretty soon, she’s vibrating with laughter. The sweet sound fills the air, and I immediately think that Edward’s idea may not be so bad.
Chapter 33
Darby
Something is wrong… very, very wrong. I clench and unclench my hands to try and stop the trembling. My mind is buzzing, and my heart is knocking against my ribcage.
Someone should have called me by now. Instead, all of my calls are going straight to voicemail and texts unanswered. Even Lynda and Ray aren’t responding.
Runner picks up on my anxiety, circling my legs a few times before sitting at my feet with his own miserable face.
“I don’t know anything, boy. Everyone is ignoring me, which means this is bad,” I tell him with a quick head pat.
In the six weeks since Pierce visited, things in Charleston have heated up between him and Connie. She didn’t react well when she found out he flew out here, realizing her attempt to ruin his weekend was foiled. That was only the beginning. My mom and Jill were ecstatic about my wedding plans and didn’t hide their excitement. It didn’t take long for word to spread, and our guest list was growing by the day.
Connie didn’t take this news well either, sharing her feelings with anyone who would listen, including pushing her opinions and disgust onto Maya and Cole. Pierce said they started to retreat into shells, and he was pissed and doing everything in his power to keep the air clear and the mood light. According to him, they responded well during their weeks with him but reverted once they went back to Connie’s.
We agreed he needed to stick around for the holidays and be accessible at all times. This meant we didn’t get to have any kind of Christmas or New Year’s celebration, which made him downright savage.
His hatred for Connie was approaching nuclear levels.
Due to my grueling schedule, my parents and Evin flew out to spend a few days before Christmas, and Stephanie and the crew still came for New Years. I missed Pierce fiercely but tried to keep my spirits up. He didn’t need my misery piled on top of his worries.
He stuck to his guns, making plans for Christmas, which included multiple family visits, parties, drop-ins, and a full Kendrick-Graham combined celebration.
This set Connie on a rampage. She wants more than blood; she’s going after his heart. Her plan is to take away his kids.
Today is the day Pierce had to go before a judge and listen to her tear him apart and argue for full custody. She also wanted financial support to cover this, including more absurd demands.
None of us are surprised about her quest to suck money because that’s never stopped. But the mention of him taking full custody rocked through the Kendrick family. John wasn’t concerned with her plight, explaining Pierce had a better chance of being granted full custody in any court. Connie’s seven months of craziness was about to be exposed to a judge.
Even with John’s reassurances, all of them are still on edge. Pierce’s blasé indifference is an act. As hard as I try, he won’t reveal where his headspace is.
I check my phone again, noting it’s now six-thirty in Charleston. At this point, I’m beyond restless.
The phone rings, and I jump five feet off the ground at the shrill sound. My heart plummets at the caller. “We still have nothing,” I tell Stephanie.
“It’s been too damn long.”
“I know that! I’m going insane over here. What the hell did that looney-toon bitch do now?”
“You have nothing?”
“Not a fucking thing. My e
ntire family has ghosted. The only thing I know is that the city of Charleston is not under attack, on fire, or broken off into the ocean. I’ve checked the internet for any kind of news that would explain why no one is communicating with me.”
“I’m going to make some calls. Sit tight. Maybe I can get some intel from my contacts.”
“There is no sitting tight. My nerves are shot. Let me know if you get anything.”
“On it.” She hangs up, and I take the chance of dialing my brother for the tenth time.
“Hold on,” he cuts me off. I open my mouth to scream, but it dies in my throat when the raging roar pierces in his background, followed by the sound of shattering glass.
I know that rage, that roar, and the agonizing source of its pain. My blood turns to ice, sending a bone-chilling pain all the way to my toes. It takes a minute for my brain to kick in, but when it does, I’m on the move. It doesn’t matter what’s happened. Pierce needs me.
“Darby?” The grave and strained voice of my brother sends another round of pain. The twin bond hits me hard.
“Evin, what has happened?”
“We’re trying to piece it all together. Why don’t I call you back?”
“If you think I’m going to let you keep this from me, you’re fucking insane. Tell me.”
“Long story short, Maya and Cole are missing.”
I stumble, falling into the wall, while a sharp pain slices my chest. “W-w-hat?”
“They were scheduled to take the bus to Connie’s parents’ house after school. Neither child ever got to their house. We have confirmed they were on the bus and think, since Maya gets dropped first, she waited for Cole.”
“Then what?”
“The police have mentioned them running away.”
“The police? Why hasn’t anyone called me?”
“Calm down, Darby. We’re all holding on the best we can. There isn’t much you can do.”
“I’m still a part of this family! Just because I’m not there doesn’t mean I’m helpless! Pierce is my fiancé!” My shouts bounce off the walls, and Runner barks at my distress.
“You don’t understand. This isn’t about you. All of us are trying to keep Pierce from going to jail.”
“Oh my God… Pierce…” The image of his broken expression fills my head. “What happened in that room today?”
“That’s the least of our worries right now. We have to figure out why Maya and Cole would disappear.”
“Have they tried tracking Maya’s phone?”
“Wouldn’t do any good. She left it at home today.”
“Is that where you are now?”
“Yes, but not for long. I’m headed out to search as soon as the police finish talking.”
“Evin,” the crack in my voice burns down my throat, “they get off the bus at four-thirty. That’s hours ago. It’s dark and cold.”
“We know this.”
“I’m coming. I’ll be on the next flight and let you know when to pick me up at the airport. If you can’t, I’ll get a cab. Do not tell Pierce you spoke to me. He has bigger things to worry about, and if he knows I’m on a plane, he may have a heart attack.”
“You don’t want me to tell him you’re coming?”
“No, he’ll drive himself mad. If he calls, I’ll tell him, but until then, let him concentrate. I’ve got to go.”
I hang up and dive into action. An hour later, Runner and I are pulling up to Renee’s house. Renee is the Brasher event planner, and over the last few weeks, we’ve become close while working on the details of my wedding.
“This means the world to me.” I unload Runner and haul his things into the house, grateful she has a fenced yard. He immediately starts exploring.
“Anything, Darby. We’ll be fine, promise,” she assures me with a sympathetic smile.
I give her a quick hug and avoid chasing after Runner for fear of breaking down in tears.
Once back on the road, I call Stephanie and explain what’s happening. She takes the news calmly. Too calmly. A nerve twitches in my neck.
“Stephanie, what’s going on?”
“How far are you from the airport?”
“Twenty minutes.”
“Call me when you’re through security and safely seated. I’m not sharing this shit while you’re driving.”
There’s no time to argue because the line goes dead. By the time I’m through security, my heart is racing so fast I’m a quivering mess.
The first thing I do is send Pierce a text with a simple I love you. Then I call her back.
“First of all, you need to know I’ve spoken to Annie, and I’m on my way, too.”
“Oh, God, did something happen?”
“No news on the kids. They’re scouring the city—bus stations, schools, friends, all family homes, etc. Someone is at every house in case they show up, and the police have units searching as well. I’ll help with the search, but mainly, I’m coming as your best friend and your lawyer.”
“Why?”
“I hesitate to tell you this because my priority is your mindset, including your mental and emotional stability. But as your best friend, it needs to come from me. I thought about contacting John directly, but he’s bound by privilege. After a little digging, I found someone that would talk. Today was a verbal bloodbath. Connie’s goal was to crucify Pierce, and she almost succeeded.”
“What did she do?” The possibilities are endless with her.
“Constance Webber modeled herself as the emotionally abused victim and painted a very unfavorable picture of the Pierce Kendrick from thirteen years ago. She went through all her woes, getting pregnant and him refusing to acknowledge her as a fixture in his life, his refusal to live under the same roof, to try and make their family work… You can guess all the bullshit she spewed.”
“Didn’t he get to defend himself? While some of that may be technically true, there is so much background to his decisions. He lived next door until both kids were in school then worked his ass off for two years to build them a home. He’s more than financially responsible, and he’s an exemplary father.”
“Oh, yeah, he had his say, and my source says he executed his explanations and argument well. Then, Connie went after you and he lost his mind.”
I drop my head and curl into a ball, trying to shield myself from anyone who may be near. “Tell me the rest.”
She pauses too long. “It’s okay,” I assure her.
“She exaggerated her role in his life of being a trusted confidant while falling in love with him. It sounds like a well-orchestrated effort, tears, sniffles, outbursts, shaking like a leaf—all the elements of a woman devastated. She claims to be in therapy for emotional and psychological depression because of his treatment of her.”
“Is that even a real diagnosis?”
“Who knows?”
“Did the judge buy this? Surely, he’s an expert on emotional manipulation in his profession.”
“She brought up you leaving, blaming you for his recreational drug use and excessive drinking. Connie used you as her bargaining chip, claiming that him marrying you was dangerous and detrimental to the kids. Her lawyer thinks he has found the hole to make you responsible for Pierce losing custody of his children. Not to mention, she publicly blasted him by claiming he never wanted the kids in the first place.
“He went back at her with the pregnancies being results of drunken hook-ups and her tampering with the condoms.”
“Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck…” I chant until my chest boils from holding my anger inside.
“You promised to hold it together.”
“I’m together, but I knew this was going to happen.”
“Darby! Now is not the time for self-righteousness contemplation. That man is drowning in pain, and he’s still trying to protect you from it. You can’t honestly be thinking of your fucking reservations about your relationship.”
“Yes, I am! But not in the way you’re implying. I am thinking about my reservation
s and how he crushed them. He is still trying to protect me, which stops tonight. He’s done fighting that bitch behind my back. Pierce may be strong, and fierce, and possibly on the edge of insanity right now, but he’s still out of his league. There is only one way to fight a woman scorned, and that’s with another woman scorned.”
“I’m glad to hear the fiery spirit, and that woman definitely deserves an ass-kicking. Try to keep that adrenaline pumping until you get here because you may need it.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
“There’s something else you need to know, and it’s the reason everyone is crowding Pierce to keep him from going to jail. The police searched Connie’s house for any signs of the kids and found the notes with her strategy. It read like a screenplay, equipped with highlights of when to bring on the tears, the cries, the screams. Lower your voice, raise your voice… when to look at the judge for sympathy… It was like she was preparing for the role of a lifetime. And, Darby, when I say it was detailed, it was precise.”
“You can stop now.” I grouse, my heart cracking for a new reason. She doesn’t have to verbalize it. I know. Pierce is known for a temper, but he’d only get violent if his family or I were threatened.
And that’s what’s happened. Connie set it up for Maya to find and read those notes. Instead of Maya retaliating by lashing out at her dad, she took Cole and ran away.
My flight doesn’t leave for another hour, and with the layover, it’s going to take too long. “Stephanie, we need to make miracles happen.”
“I figured we did. Have any ideas?”
I’ve made quite a reputation for my business and myself over the last five months, working my ass off along the way. “It’s time to pull some favors and take advantage of my position,” I tell her, already on my feet and headed out of the commercial terminal.
Chapter 34
Pierce
I stare at my phone on the counter, willing it to ring with some kind of news. Instead, it lies there like a ticking time bomb, taunting me into further desperation. The three people I love most in this world are out there somewhere, and I have no idea where.
Evin admitted he spoke to Darby, and she is coming. Only, he told me after her phone was shut off and she was somewhere in the sky. Annie looked into possible flights she’d be on, and the options had her going anywhere from LA, Chicago, Dallas, or Nashville before getting here. Darby acted on impulse, boarded a plane to get home and get back to me. Her last communication with Evin by text was to either be by my side or searching for Maya and Cole. She didn’t give him her arrival time either.
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