tells me that his annoyance is mostly an act and he’s just as happy as I am to see that the others are back.
“So, how did it go?” I ask, worried that something could have gone wrong somehow.
Kaden wraps his arm around my shoulder, kissing my temple in a chaste gesture but letting his lips linger way longer than necessary. “Let’s go sit down with Alicia and Roger. I’d rather tell the story just once, if you don’t mind.”
Roger hugs his sons tight, and I’m not surprised to see him hug Kaden too. After his release, we had long talks about the crazy turn of events that brought us all together.
Roger Barrington has gained a lot of respect for Kaden, aware that Royce and Blaine would be locked in a federal prison, had it not been for Kaden’s negotiating a deal on their behalf with the FBI.
“So?” I ask impatiently.
“It’s all good, baby.” Kaden reassures me, lowering himself into the seat next to mine and taking one of my hands in his. “I told you it would just be a formality. The judge ruled Pierce’s death as self-defense. Royce and Blaine’s testimony was corroborated by Agent Walker’s. I was fully acquitted and Walker was present when that motherfucker got cremated. So trust me when I tell you, that he’s really gone and this is all over. For good.”
I release a breath I know I’ve been holding since my last night in Monte Carlo.
After I put a bullet between Pierce’s eyes, I was prepared to follow Kronin and VDB to the police boat. “Kades, I’ll never be able to repay you for taking the blame for what I did, I—” I can’t help but choke on my words, overwhelmed by so many emotions that my head is almost spinning. Guilt, fear, relief, regret. It’s hard to give a name to each of them.
“Baby, no. Things just went down the way they were supposed to. I shot Pierce in self-defense after he stole Walker’s gun and aimed it at you. All the evidence and the testimonies confirmed our version of the story and that’s all there is to be said. Let’s not waste another second talking about that scumbag.”
I shake my head, failing to keep my tears from spilling as the image of Kaden being taken away by the local police flashes behind my eyes.
After the gunshot that ended Pierce’s life, shock was the first thing that had descended on everyone on that yacht deck. I’ll never forget how everyone’s eyes landed on me, rather than on Pierce’s body.
Kaden and Walker had exchanged a quick look and Kaden had crouched down to retrieve the Glock I’d let go of after seeing my ex-fiancé crumbling down on the teak of the multi-million dollar super-yacht.
Kaden had wiped the gun carefully. Using his shirt. “Well done, Special Agent Vance,” Walker had praised him. “You just saved Miss Donnelly’s life. We all saw how Hunter stole my gun and aimed it at her, right?” His eyes had met everyone’s gaze as he took his gun and closed Pierce’s stiffening fingers around it after shooting once in the air.
When I realized what Walker and Kaden intended to do, I couldn’t let them and I had voiced my concerns. “You can’t say that you did it, Kades. I take responsibility for killing Pierce, I—”
Kaden had silenced me with a kiss before walking toward Walker. “You’ve been through enough, baby. And I’m sure we all agree that that motherfucker got a merciful end, compared to what he deserved.”
“But I can’t let you take the fall for it,” I protest but Walker reassures me.
“Sloane, believe me, this is for the best. There’s gonna be an internal investigation and a quick appearance in court. Special Agent Vance will walk free. I’ll personally see to that.”
I couldn’t be convinced. “But Pierce’s family is powerful, what if—”
“Trust me, Sloane. My report will just corroborate the evidence. Now Hunter’s prints are on my gun and the forensics will show that my gun has been shot. A shot aimed at yourself. Vance had no choice but to shoot back.”
I was outnumbered as Royce, Blaine and River all agreed with Kaden and Walker’s plan.
Things didn’t get any better when Kaden was taken in by the local police to be questioned and then followed Walker back to the US.
Royce and Blaine went to reunite with their parents and stayed behind for the trial. I was asked for a testimony but got away with a written statement. The