“Because you all did a stellar job of that today,” I snap. I’m being unfair, but I don’t care. This is Selena’s life we’re talking about.
“I think you might be onto something,” Kev says, looking contemplative. His gaze bounces between his colleagues. “Think about it. Lawrence’s new show is all anyone is talking about. He’s already committed to shooting it here, and filming starts next week. He’ll have the eyes of the nation on him. Even if he discovers she’s left the US, he won’t be able to go after her.”
“That doesn’t mean he can’t send someone else after her,” Colin supplies.
“Agreed, but if we go somewhere remote and hidden, and there is no log of our travel, he’ll be hard-pressed to find us,” I say, already having a place in mind. “And we’ll have a private security detail with us, and I’ll be with her twenty-four-seven. I know how to use a gun, and I’m not afraid to do what’s needed,” I add.
“Taking the law into your own hands will not end well for anyone, Keanu,” Sinead warns.
“I don’t hear anyone else offering options,” I snap.
“I want to do it,” Selena says. She’s been quiet while we’ve been discussing it. “I want to put as much distance between me and him as possible. And I trust Keanu and my bodyguards to keep me safe.” She addresses me head-on. “Today wasn’t their fault. No one could have predicted he’d do that.” She lifts her eyes to Ray and Paul, before lowering them back to me. “I don’t want them fired. We’ve gotten used to one another.”
“Fine, baby. If that’s what you want.” I shoot daggers at them. “But you don’t get any more chances. No more fuckups.”
“It won’t happen again, Mr. Kennedy.” Ray’s expression is solemn.
I nod, exhaling heavily. “Okay.”
“We’ll need four more men,” Keven says to Paul. “Make the call.” Paul nods, removing his cell from the inside pocket of his jacket. Keven sits on the coffee table in front of us. “I’m coming too.”
“I don’t think—”
Kev silences his colleague with a deadly look. “You really don’t want to finish that sentence, Colin.”
Colin throws his hands up, shaking his head.
“I can’t see Clement signing off on this,” Sinead says.
“That’s for me to fix, and it’s not like I can’t work remotely.” Although Kev is a field agent now, he started as a technical specialist, and that’s where his real skill lies. “And I’ve a bunch of vacation time to use if it comes down to it.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Selena says. “I don’t want you to waste all your vacation time protecting me.”
“You’re family, Selena,” Keven says. “And we protect our family. It’s not up for debate.” He swings his gaze to me. “Right, brother?”
“Right.” Only an idiot would turn down such an offer. I’m not that stubborn to refuse my brother’s offer of help or too proud to accept it. Keven has done more than anyone to keep our family safe over the years, and I trust him with my life.
With Selena’s.
And I could use the backup.
I know who we’re up against. And the truth is, Lawrence won’t stop until we stop him. If he can’t grab Selena, he’ll try to take her out, because she knows too much. She’s a liability, and we all know it.
I’m not about to sit around waiting for him to come at her again.
“You got someplace in mind?” Kev asks.
I bob my head. “I do.”
My lips tug up into a smile as I tilt Selena’s face to mine. “Wanna take a trip to Greece with me, baby?”
26
Selena
“This place is breathtaking,” I admit, as we travel by private car from Thira International Airport in Santorini toward the house that will be our new home for the next couple months. It’s so unbelievably quaint here with all the traditional chapels, white-washed low-rise houses—some capped with vibrant blue roofs—beautiful little towns, stunning crystal-clear sea, and the rugged terrain on all sides as the car drives toward our destination.
“I can’t wait to explore the island,” Cheryl says. “I’m going to get some amazing shots here.”
Keven’s fiancée, Cheryl, is a very talented photographer. She’s in the process of setting up her own studio in Beacon Hill, while finishing up her contract with Sara Lewis, a well-known Boston photographer.
“I knew it wouldn’t take much to twist your arm into coming,” Keven says from the front passenger seat, grinning over his shoulder at his fiancée.
“Are you kidding?” Cheryl arches a brow. “Have you seen how beautiful this island is? Wild horses wouldn’t have kept me away. Besides, you know I hate it when you have to travel for work. I don’t like being apart from you for that long.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” I tell her, snuggling into Keanu’s side. “Helps balance out all the testosterone.” With six male bodyguards, Keanu, Keven, and a local male driver who’s been hired to take us wherever we want to go, I need another female for moral support.
I only met Cheryl an hour before James jetted us out of Boston, but I’ve already warmed to her.
Cheryl and Keven were childhood sweethearts, and she was over at the Kennedys a lot when Keanu was younger. I remember him mentioning her and how much he liked her. They only reunited last year after a few years apart, but Keanu assured me she was easygoing and that I’d like her, and he was right.
It already feels like I’ve known her forever.
And this from the girl who finds it hard to make friends.
I’d completed some research on Santorini over the past few days, while the guys made plans and set everything in motion, but nothing prepared me for the real live experience. It’s beautiful here, and I can’t wait to explore.
Santorini was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions ever recorded, and the population lives at an elevated position with a sheer precipice on all sides.
We are staying at a house Keanu has visited before. He actually did a shoot here last year. Friends of his parents own the property, but they only use it a few times during the year, and, thankfully, no one was scheduled to come here at this time, so they readily agreed to let us rent it for the next couple of months. We’ll return to Massachusetts next month to attend James and Alex’s marriage renewal ceremony, but we’ll come back here after unless there has been progress in the case against that bastard Lawrence.
The second his name lands in my head, my body turns rigid. I have barely slept a wink since Friday, and any time I’ve managed to fall asleep, I’ve woken up screaming as my nightmares have returned with a vengeance. I can’t even think about how close I came to being kidnapped again, because I’ve had multiple anxiety attacks since my run-in with him.
But I refuse to let him set me back.
I refuse to let fear and panic take root within me again.
I have the tools I need to manage my anxiety, and I’ll still have my weekly therapy sessions with Denise over FaceTime.
I’m determined to leave him behind in the US and just focus on healing and spending time with my guy, trusting the FBI to deal with Lawrence while we’re gone.
SSA Clement thinks me leaving might push Lawrence into making a hasty decision that will lead to his eventual arrest. He was supportive of Keven’s plan and has agreed to let him work from here. He’s my official FBI bodyguard while we are in Greece, and he’ll also be using his technical know-how to dig deeper into Lawrence’s world. To hopefully find something they can use to put the bastard away.
While it’s hard for me to put my faith in the authorities, because they have failed me so far, I trust Keven. And I trust Keanu.
And leaving the US was the right decision.
So, I toss all thoughts of that monster from my mind. Because he’s not ruining this experience for me. For us. I’m going to make the most of my time while we’re here.
We’re both able to watch videos of the classes we miss, and we can submit assignmen
ts digitally, so schoolwork should only take up a few hours a day, leaving us plenty of time for fun.
“Wow,” Cheryl exclaims as we drive through the gated entrance to the property a short while later.
We climb out of the car, gawking at the beautiful villa in front of us.
Situated on the cliffs of Oia, it occupies a coveted position on the edge of the caldera, and it’s not that far to the historic town. The capital city, ferry, and airport are all in proximity, should we need to make a fast exit. This place offers us privacy while still being accessible, so it ticked all the boxes.
Oia is the most historic town on the island, and this property was built on the grounds of a former captain’s house. It was owned by a wealthy shipowner back in the day. The current owners have expanded and modernized the house, and it is simply stunning.
The one-story whitewashed villa is set on an expansive plot. It has five en suite bedrooms, four reception rooms, including a home theater, and an abundance of outdoor space. It offers sensational views of the caldera, the volcano, and the Aegean Sea.
“C’mon.” Cheryl takes my hand. “Let’s investigate.” We all but skip around the side of the house, slamming to a halt at the spectacular view awaiting us.
“Oh my God. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” My heart is in my throat as we walk toward the massive infinity pool disappearing over the edge of the cliff.
Gray slate tiles cover the entire outside space, and there are multiple seated areas. On the far left, in a little alcove, is a long dining table and chairs with a full bar at the back. Over on the other side is a separate section with outdoor beds covered with flimsy white drapes and a covered seating area resplendent with potted plants and patio heaters. Another bar completes this space, and I’m already imagining nights out here, cuddling with Keanu under the peaceful starry night sky.
“I thought I was used to the Kennedy opulence, but this place is something else,” Cheryl says, as we stand side by side staring at the breathtaking view. The sea is placid today, barely a ripple in the water. A couple of boats linger in the distance, and I wonder if that might be something we can do while we’re here.
“Hey.” Keanu pokes his head out a window at the back of the house. “Come inside. It’s every bit as impressive as the exterior.”
We walk inside, our mouths trailing the ground at the pristine white walls and matching white furniture. The only color in the space is the gray and blue accents used for fittings and furnishings.
“Our bedroom is this way,” Keanu says, appearing from a hallway and taking my hand. “Yours is on the other side, Cher bear.” He jabs his finger in the opposite direction.
“Cool.” She gives me a quick hug. “I’ll just unpack, and maybe, we can head to the store then.”
“No need,” Keanu says. “The housekeeper already stocked up. I emailed her a list. We’re good.”
Cheryl ruffles his hair. “You’re so organized. And so thoughtful.”
“He really is,” I agree.
Keanu shrugs, but I can tell he’s happy with the compliment. We separate, leaving Cheryl to catch up with Keven while Keanu shows me the huge open-plan kitchen and living room, home theater, small gym, and dining room.
“What do you think?” he asks, opening the door to our bedroom. It’s not the biggest bedroom I’ve seen, but it’s perfect. The king-sized bed is dressed in crisp white linens, and there is a large en suite off to one side and a walk-in closet on the other. But it’s the area outside the double glass doors I’m most interested in.
“I love it,” I exclaim, stepping outside, my mouth hanging open again. We have our own private plunge pool, a Jacuzzi and two loungers. “This feels like a dream!” I whirl around, falling into his arms. “I’m so happy we’re here.”
“Me too,” he agrees, pressing his velvety soft lips to mine. “And I promise you’re safe. The guys are working shifts. Three on daytime. Three on nighttime. They will sleep in the small gatehouse we passed at the entrance. Those on night duty will guard the house and the entrance gate, and Kev and I have guns too. Cheryl also knows how to shoot. So, you are well protected.”
“Thank you. I love you.” I kiss him for a few minutes before pulling away. “I promised Mom I’d FaceTime her. She wants to see the place.” I check my watch, mentally calculating the time difference, happy I can catch her just before she leaves for work.
* * *
The next couple weeks fly by, and we settle into a comfortable routine. We get up early, attending to classwork by lunchtime, so we have the afternoon free to explore the island. Cheryl takes off most afternoons to photograph different places, and we usually tag along. She’s been teaching me how to use her camera, and her enthusiasm is rubbing off on me. I’m seriously considering getting my own camera.
At night, we either eat out at one of the local restaurants or cook on the outside grill. But we always end up outside, sipping sangria, with the pool lit up and the dark sky littered with strips of orange and violet creating a vibrant canvas overhead.
“I’m so happy Cheryl and Keven came with us,” I tell Keanu as we get ready for bed.
“Me too,” he agrees, slipping under the covers in his boxers. “Kev is the least intrusive of my brothers. Well, besides Keats.”
“What do you think Kent is getting up to in our absence?” I ask, wiping the cleansing milk off my face with some cotton pads.
Keanu snorts. “I’d prefer not to think about that. I’ve no doubt it’s party central at the condo. Thank God, I remembered to lock our bedroom door and take the key.”
“I bet he misses you,” I say, switching off the overhead light and crawling into bed in only a silk tank and my panties. Keanu already has the bedside lamps turned on, bathing the room in a subtle glow.
He shrugs. “It’s hard to tell with Kent sometimes.”
I throw my leg over his, pressing my side into his body, my breasts smooshing against his hard, warm chest. “I want to make a plan, K,” I say, knowing he will get what I’m referencing. “I need you,” I plead, tracing circles on his hot flesh with the tip of my finger.
“Twice-daily orgasms aren’t doing it, huh?” he teases, threading his fingers through my hair.
I lean up and peck his lips. “I’m not complaining. And the orgasms are mind-blowing, but as much as I love your hands and your mouth, I need more.” I prop up on one elbow, my hair tumbling over my shoulder. “I need all of you. I’m ready.” I cup his gorgeous face. “Are you?”
He twists around so we’re both on our sides, facing one another. He takes my hand, joining our fingers. “I am, and I think this is the perfect place to make love for the first time.”
“It is. I’m comfortable here. Happy here.” He nods. “But?” I ask, sensing there is one.
He drags his lower lip between his teeth, peering intensely into my eyes. I don’t know what he is looking for, or what he sees, but I notice the moment he makes his decision. “Close your eyes.”
I frown. “What?”
“Just close your eyes, baby. For one minute.” He kisses me.
I’ve no idea what this has to do with the discussion we were having, but I trust him, so I close my eyes. The bed shifts as he moves, and then, I hear the opening of a drawer.
“You can open your eyes now,” he says. I blink my eyes open and stare at him. He’s kneeling in front of me on the bed with his hands behind his back.
Shit, he’s not going to tie me up or something, is he? A prickle of unease sweeps over my suddenly overheated skin. But I dismiss that thought the second it invades my mind. Keanu would never suggest that.
“Sit up,” he croaks, and I do as he says, resting my back against the headboard. He clears his throat. “I’ve waited a long time to make love to you, Selena, and I know you’re ready. But something was holding me back, and it wasn’t what I thought.”
I’m not following, and if he changes his mind, I’m going to be so disappointed. But I will never hold it against him. He has w
aited years for me to reach this point. And I can wait longer if that’s what he needs.
“Coming here helped make it clear in my mind.” His eyes glisten, and I reach for him the same time he places his arms out in front of him. I gasp as he pops the lid on a small blue box. “I want to make love to you, Selena. But I want to do it as husband and wife. Will you marry me?”
27
Selena
I stare at the ring with my mouth open, my eyes wide in shock. My heart is thumping wildly behind my rib cage, and butterflies invade my chest, celebrating like it’s Mardi Gras.
“Say something,” Keanu pleads.
I lift my blurry eyes to my boyfriend. His eyes betray his vulnerability, and I need to put him out of his misery.
I don’t need to think about this at all.
Not for a single second.
“Yes,” I say, as tears pool in my eyes. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” A sob bursts from my mouth, but it’s all good, because it’s a happy, emotionally charged sob. My heart soars, and I’ve never felt so happy in my life. This is everything. He is everything.
Keanu crashes his mouth against mine, and our lips and tongues tangle in a frenzied marriage of lust and love. “I love you,” he pants when we finally break apart.
“I love you.” I smile so wide my jaw hurts.
With trembling fingers, he takes my hand, sliding the pretty ring on my ring finger. “I’ll get you a proper ring when we get home,” he says, as I lift my hand, admiring the sparkling green stone set on a plain platinum band. It’s a little loose but not enough that I can’t wear it.
“Why would you get me another one?” I ask, dragging my eyes from my finger to my boyfriend’s face.
My fiancé. I autocorrect myself, and another mammoth smile spreads across my mouth.
“Because this is the best I could find on the island, but it’s not even a diamond. I don’t know what that stone is, only that it reminded me of your eyes.” His cheeks flush with that admission, and I swoon. “It’s only temporary until I can take you to Neil Lane to get a custom ring designed.”
Releasing Keanu Page 20