by R E Gauthier
Kelsey drove the car and continued to concentrate on reaching Nikki. Her best friend needed to know she and Aisling were alive. Kelsey could feel Nikki’s hopelessness through her connection with Marina’s ring. Projecting herself into Nikki’s mind, she whispered. Nikki, trust me; I’ll never let you down.
***
An abandoned warehouse in London’s Docklands, May 31, 2012
Kelsey and Aisling arrived at the warehouse moments after Marina and Nikki had. The other agents were coming quietly behind them. The plan had to be perfectly executed for it to work. In the years leading up to this point, The Ghost had always escaped capture. Kelsey knew that tonight the world would learn the truth. After tonight, the evil of The Ghost would be no more, one way or the other.
The agents donned their full protective gear. They had no idea what they would be walking into when they entered the warehouse. Kelsey worried Aisling couldn’t cope with the news that Marina killed her father and that the woman had betrayed her for years. Aisling assured Kelsey that when it came to Marina, she wouldn’t hesitate to use lethal force to stop the woman. For the first time since Marina’s arrival at the Interpol offices, Kelsey felt her cousin’s rage. It was almost as if learning that the woman who terrorized her for so long was evil; broke the hold Marina had over Aisling.
The group of agents, forty-strong, carefully entered the building. They were all told to be careful not to shoot before knowing that Agent Nicole Hyland would be safe. Kelsey hoped she would be the one to find them first because she knew she could communicate with Nikki without tipping off Marina. Her connection with Marina through the ring would also allow her to anticipate what the woman’s next move would be.
Aisling and Kelsey stuck close to one another and communicated through their gift.
Where are they? Can you see Marina?
Kelsey shook her head. I can see them in a room. I think it could be that office up there. Kelsey indicated by pointing her finger.
Aisling looked for another way to reach the office beside the stairs.
Kelsey knew Aisling’s assumptions that Marina would have planned for someone to come after her were correct.
To the left of the office, an old set of emergency stairs once stood, leaving dangling metal rails, some ten feet in the air. If they could get to the dangling rails, they could climb them to reach the office. Marina would never have thought anyone would enter the office any other way than from the stairway.
Look! There is a ladder on wheels; we can use it to reach the railings.
Kelsey saw what Aisling saw.
They carefully moved the giant twenty-foot ladder into place and climbed it to reach the metal railings. Once they pulled themselves up onto the railing, they climbed it to the catwalk above the office roof.
Aisling, stay outside; she doesn’t need to know you’re here as well. Watch from here. I’ll let you know when to come in.
Aisling nodded.
Kelsey expected more resistance to her plan, but her cousin trusted her to lead this attack to capture Marina. Kelsey wasn’t so sure it would be a capture, and if it came to needing to kill the woman, she wasn’t sure either Nikki or Aisling would be capable of carrying out that plan.
Kelsey took a deep breath and then calmly opened the door. Inside, she saw a surprised Marina holding Nikki close, with a ready gun to Nikki’s side.
“Mack!” Nikki exclaimed. “I knew she couldn’t kill you.”
“Fuck! You’re like a cockroach. What do I have to do to kill you for good?” Marina stepped more behind Nikki and moved the gun to Nikki’s head.
All of the lessons about talking down a person holding a hostage went out the window. Kelsey only felt rage and revenge for everything this woman and her father put Aisling and her family through. To make matters worse for Marina, she held Kelsey’s best friend, threatening to kill her. “You’re killing no one today, and if you play your cards right, you get to leave here in cuffs and not in a body bag.”
Marina laughed. “I’m not surprised you didn’t try to use your training to talk me down, but anything heroic is going to get your best friend killed.”
“Tell me where your father is, and then we can negotiate your sentence. I’m sure you can testify that he used you, and maybe you will get out of prison to watch the sunset on your ninetieth birthday.”
Marina’s sickening smile turned into a sneer.
Kelsey gasped as she saw the truth.
“My father won’t be going to any prison, and neither will I.”
Nikki squirmed in Marina’s tight grip.
“Stay still, or I won’t hesitate to put a bullet into your arm or leg to slow you down,” Marina hissed.
Kelsey saw the plan unfold and concentrated on communicating with Aisling. Wait two minutes, then come in ready to shoot if I’m not alive.
No! What do you mean, “if you’re not alive?”
That is only if this doesn’t work, but it will. Nikki would never let you or me down. Trust her. Keep listening in, and you’ll know when to act.
“Have you gone into some trance?” Marina chuckled. “You’re like your cousin and aunt. You’re a freak that can read minds. Don’t you remember what Aisling said, this ring protects me from that shit.”
Kelsey smirked. It was time to turn the tables on this woman and give Nikki a chance to figure out her part of Kelsey’s plan. “If I can’t read minds, then tell me how I know your father is dead?”
The amazement on Marina and Nikki’s face didn’t compare to the shock Kelsey felt coming from Aisling the moment her words were spoken.
“How the fuck? You couldn’t have…Aisling told me it would block her and her mother’s gift. How could you know?”
Kelsey smiled and winked. “You underestimated me. With your two ex-lovers, you thought you had planned everything, but what you never anticipated is that I’m more powerful a Seer than both my cousin and aunt. I saw your thought and knew your plans. I was the one who was one step ahead of you this time. Too bad you missed that day.”
Marina’s face turned fiery red, her nostrils flared, and her mouth formed a cruel line. “One step ahead, you say, then you know I’m going to kill Nikki and let you watch me.” Marina pressed the nozzle of her Glock firmly to Nikki’s head.
Kelsey raised her gun. “Nikki, do you remember that day on the rooftop?” Kelsey only communicated some of her ideas verbally, the rest she spoke to Nikki directly through her mind. Remember how Miranda helped take down Sara?
Nikki nodded. “Yes, I remember. You showed me how.”
“Shut the fuck up!” Marina growled, tightening her grip on Nikki. “Don’t try anything stupid.”
“If your finger moves, you’ll be dead before you can press the trigger.” Kelsey wanted to place fear and doubt into Marina’s mind.
“The only one who will die is you and Nikki. Give me your gun, Agent MacGregor.”
Kelsey smiled. “Do you trust me, Nikki?”
Nikki smiled and nodded.
Kelsey saw the movements before Nikki made them.
Marina didn’t have a chance as Nikki struck the other woman in the ribs with a solid elbow. As Marina began to double from the blow, Nikki ducked and fell to the ground.
Kelsey’s bullet hit its mark once again, squarely in Marina’s forehead.
The door opened up behind Kelsey as Aisling stormed in to see Marina fall to the ground, on top of Nikki.
“Kels, what have you done?”
Nikki held up her hand. “She saved my life.”
***
After they spoke to the Interpol agents and explained that The Ghost was indeed dead, Aisling made arrangements to travel with her mother. Kelsey, Nikki, Aisling, and Aunt Cat took the first-class fight out of the UK as soon as they could make plans to leave. According to Uncle Stephen’s files, The Ghost or Marco Carlotti died two years ago. He was going to expose this as well as tell everyone that Marina Carlotti was, in fact, the person who carried on the Carlotti family’s tra
ditional job of a hired assassin. Aisling told Aunt Cat about Uncle Stephen’s death, and they visited his grave in London. Stephen McColl was buried next to his father, David McColl, and his mother, Colette Guilliaume.
Kelsey had kept her promise to bring the person or persons responsible for terrorizing her family for decades, to justice. She was also able to keep her promise to bring her family together once again.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Nanna’s garden, Canonsburg, June 4, 2012
From the moment Kelsey stepped off the plane three days ago, her world spun quickly and erratically. Much had to be done to get ready for her wedding to Miranda. Legally, Kelsey Lauren MacGregor had been declared dead. Papers needed to be signed, and the death certificate rescinded. For Kelsey to be able to get married, she first needed to prove that she was still alive. Through the entire ordeal, the one firm anchor keeping Kelsey grounded was the love of this woman before her. Miranda’s presence surrounded her at every turn. Their connection may have been physically broken for months, but emotionally and spiritually, the bond was stronger than ever.
Kelsey felt and saw Miranda before she even exited the plane onto the walkway to the gate. Awaiting her, Aunt Cat, Aisling, and Nikki were Nanna, Miranda, and Kelsey’s entire family. The reunion was tearful, but they were tears of joy. Today, the tears running down Kelsey’s face were those of awe. Kelsey was in awe of the beauty of the woman she was about to marry, in awe of the deep love they shared. The smile on Miranda’s face and in her eyes transfixed Kelsey. Her whole world revolved around the gravity that was Miranda Eleanor Gauthier. Kelsey’s entire body shook with anticipation and excitement as Miranda drew closer.
“You’re one lucky woman,” Nikki said from Kelsey’s right.
“I’m so happy for you, Kels,” Aisling said from Kelsey’s left.
“I know,” Kelsey managed to squeak out past the growing lump in her throat. Her lips trembled. Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. Through blurry eyes, Kelsey saw Miranda reach out for her hands.
Miranda reached for Kelsey’s head and drew it down to her own. They touched foreheads. Miranda whispered, “stop crying, Agent MacGregor, or you’ll have me ruining my make-up.”
Kelsey closed her eyes. “I…I can’t help…it, you’re so beautiful, and I don’t think I’ve felt this much love in my life.” She felt Miranda’s lips lightly brush hers. The touch sent an electric shock through her body.
Miranda took Kelsey’s hands once again. “Hold my hands and look at me, only me.”
Kelsey opened her eyes and looked deep into the blue-gray eyes filled with love for her. “Gladly,” she whispered.
“We’ll get through this like we’ll get through everything from this day forward, together. I’ll be your anchor, and you’ll be my guiding force. Show me the big, scary FBI agent I met all those months ago.” Miranda’s mischievous smile reached her eyes.
Kelsey couldn’t help but giggle. “I don’t know how frightening I appeared that day.”
Miranda’s smile grew. “You’re right, I wasn’t scared in the least, but I felt safe. You make me feel safe.”
Taking a deep breath, Kelsey brushed the smiling lips with the softest of kisses. “You make me feel like I’m capable of doing anything.”
Miranda giggled. “Good, because Nanna and I didn’t plan this whole wedding for you to stand here crying. I’ve been waiting to hear those vows you promised me for months. Let’s give our guests a wedding for the ages.”
The sound of Miranda’s laughter affected Kelsey like it did that first day. Her entire body flushed with excitement. “I’m going to give you a marriage and love for the ages.”
“Promises, promises, Agent MacGregor. Now show me how you’re going to do that.”
Kelsey reluctantly pulled away from Miranda’s forehead and straightened. Turning out toward the crowd of smiling guests, Kelsey said, “sorry, I just needed to get my bearings again. Who wants to see us get married?”
A cheer, loud hoots, and hollers rose as the crowd urged the couple to get to it.
***
The Justice of the peace announced Miranda would say her vows first.
Kelsey held her breath as Miranda smiled.
Miranda looked out into the crowd, still holding onto Kelsey’s hands. “As all of you know, I didn’t have a family when I met Kelsey. I had a best friend, and I had people I could count on, but until I met this tall, gorgeous, and frustrating woman, I had no family. You all made me feel like a part of yours the moment I met you. I didn’t have a home until I met Kelsey. I now have a home in her eyes. I never met anyone like her, and I’m in awe of how she can make my world flip and whirl, but steady it all at once. I wrote about love and passion before I even knew the true meaning of them.” Turning back to Kelsey, Miranda looked deeply into Kelsey’s eyes. “Kelsey, I promise always to keep your world tilted just enough to keep you off-kilter, but ground you, so you always know where you belong. I promise never to obey everything you want because you need obstacles in life to bring the best out in you.”
The crowd laughed in unison.
Kelsey chuckled.
“Seriously, though, I will honor the love and commitment we make to one another today. Every day, I will cherish us until the day I die and beyond, because I am your Anam Charaid, and you’re mine.”
Tears welled up in Kelsey’s eyes again and spilled over her lids to slip down her face.
“Sorry, everyone. I made her cry again,” Miranda addressed the crowd.
The crowd laughed.
The Justice of the Peace asked if Kelsey was ready to read her vows.
Miranda worked the crowd with her flippant comments. “She had better be; I’ve been waiting for those words for a long time.”
The crowd laughed.
Surprisingly, Miranda’s humorous comments and the crowd’s response helped to relax Kelsey’s jitters. Holding the small hands in her own tightly, she addressed the crowd, “Bear with me. I planned on saying my entire vows in Scottish Gaelic, but I’m not sure how good they’ll be. My lovely cousin, Aisling, will translate them for those who won’t understand. Also, in true Highland tradition, our hands will be bound in the handfast.”
Aisling stepped forward and took the slip of MacGregor tartan wool and bound one of Kelsey’s hands and one of Miranda’s hands together. She whispered, “this tie will bind you together as love does forevermore.” Aisling winked at Kelsey.
Kelsey returned Aisling’s wink. Returning her gaze to Miranda, she said, “Leis a ’cheangal seo, bidh mise leatsa gus an tig an ùine gu crìch. Chan urrainn do dhuine sam bith an ceangal seo a chruthaich na ban-diathan a bhriseadh mus do thòisich ùine.”
Aisling smiled and said, “With this bind, I'll be yours until time ends. No one can break this bond that the goddesses created before time began.”
“Dh ’atharraich thu mi gu bràth. An àm a choinnich mi riut, bha a h-uile dad a ’dèanamh ciall agus bha fios agam air an adhbhar agam nam bheatha.”
“You changed me forever. The moment I met you, everything made sense, and I knew my purpose in life.”
“Tha mi a ’gealltainn dhut mo chridhe, m’ anam agus mo bheatha. Na tha sinn a ’ceangal an-diugh, cha bhris duine gu bràth.”
“I promise you my heart, my soul, and my life. What we bind today, no one will ever break.”
“Tha mi a ’gealltainn gur mise an Anam Charaid a tha thu airidh air agus a’ fàgail nach eil thu ag iarraidh dad.”
“I promise to be the Anam Charaid you deserve and leave you wanting nothing.”
Miranda’s smile grew wider.
Kelsey’s excitement rippled to the surface, and a shudder tore through her body. “Tha mi a ’gealltainn bhon latha seo air adhart gu bheil meas agam ort, urram a thoirt do ar gràdh, agus gèilleadh do gach facal.”
“I promise from this day forward to cherish you, honor our love, and obey your every word.”
Miranda chuckled.
Kelsey’s heart soared, hear
ing that sound. “And I promise with my heart and soul to make you always laugh, especially when I’m sure you want to yell at me.”
“I’m going to hold you to that last one,” Miranda whispered.
“Who said it was the last?” Kelsey lowered her voice, even more, to say, “I promise to make your heart soar like you make mine. Even when we’re old, I promise to make you say my name with ecstasy.”
Miranda blushed a deep red.
Kelsey smiled. “I finally made you truly blush.”
Aisling and Nikki whispered in unison, “I think you made everyone blush.”
Kelsey and Miranda chuckled.
“It would seem that you’re working on keeping those vows,” Aisling whispered.
The Justice of the Peace asked for the rings.
Jess gave one to Miranda.
Nikki gave one to Kelsey.
Miranda and Kelsey exchanged their rings.
“Do you, Kelsey Lauren MacGregor, take Miranda Eleanor Gauthier to be your lawfully, wedded wife?”
Kelsey said, “I do.”
“Do you, Miranda Eleanor Gauthier, take Kelsey Lauren MacGregor to be your lawfully, wedded wife?”
Miranda paused and pursed her lips. “Hmmm, let me think.”
Kelsey glared.
Miranda chuckled. “Of course, I do.”
The guests laughed.
Kelsey vowed she’d get back at Miranda for almost giving her a heart attack.
Then the Justice of the Peace pronounced them married.
Kelsey looked out into the crowd and met her father’s, Nanna’s, and Aunt Cat’s eyes. “Clan MacGregor, welcome our newest member: Mrs. Miranda MacGregor!”
Clan MacGregor cheered back. Then a little voice rose. Fiona yelled, “Taunt Muranda wuz always part of our family! Now, kiss her Taunt Kelsee! KISS HER!”
“From the mouth of a very wise young lady to yours,” Kelsey whispered as she bent and kissed her beautiful wife.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Nanna’s garden, Canonsburg, Later in the day, June 4, 2012
Their reception went off without a hitch. The night air still warm enough to strip down to bathing suits to take a dip into the pool. The music played, and Miranda danced with every male and female member of Kelsey’s family. The couple was bathed with so much love. Nanna sat back and smiled. Her family was now complete once again. Catriona’s heart was healing from losing the love of her life, but at least Cancer wasn’t going to take her any time soon. The doctor in Glasgow was a fraud, hired by a nasty woman who wanted to terrorize Catriona and Aisling. Nanna was glad Kelsey had ended that hateful woman’s life. The doctor had also prescribed a hallucinogenic drug. Those drugs affected Catriona’s grasp on reality. Off of the drugs, Catriona had her right mind back.