Bethany POV


    In his way, Theo has shown a deep concern for my safety since we moved into the new house. It was a surprise to witness the extent of his worry; he had taken my attacks much harder than I realized and had concealed them well. Having grown up here, his familiarity with this area should haveforted him. Yet, he remains vignt, a testament to his protective nature. This area''s safety was one reason we chose it, for Theo''s peace of mind.


    His whole demeanor changed in Hanks when we entered the house, and there was Scott. After a quick greeting, I headed to the kitchen and left Theo to chat with Scott; I knew he wanted to ask him to attend the wedding. Scott was not much older than Theo; he saw him as a brother, though not by blood; his Dad had adopted him when he was young and going through some trauma. Kitty and Hank are like that, taking in damaged strays and trying to put them on the right track with love and guidance. ''Hi Kitty! I called out as I entered the kitchen and gave her a side hug and kiss on the cheek.


    ''Hey, I was hoping you would stop by; I have some ideas for Saturday, and I''d love to share them with you! Kitty, always ready to lend an ear and a guiding hand, put her task aside, linked her arm with mine, and led me out of the kitchen and up to the attic. It was a ce I had yet to explore, a testament to the depth of our friendship and her trust in me.


    ''I have a couple of wedding dresses up here; one was mine, another was my mother''s and sisters, and so on. I would like to see if one fits you or needs a minor alteration for the day. Please visit Jo b nib and search the book title to read the entire book for free.do you say? Have you chosen a wedding dress?'' Kitty was excited as she neared the attic, almost giddy as a school girl, and I had no heart to tell her I was going to wear my graduation ball gown, a dress that holds a special ce in my heart as it reminds me of a time filled with joy and aplishment.


    As Kitty led me up the stairs to the attic, I was greeted by a sight that left me in awe. The entire space was transformed into a sewing room with various sewing machines, ironing boards, and bolts of fabric. Lace and other embellishments were scattered around, and there were two tables with fabric, four mannequins with partially finished dresses, and one that seemed destined to be a man''s suit.


    Kitty was still chatting about something as she headed over to where several white dresses were hanging. There were hangers all set in color order. My mouth must have been gaping open as Kitty turned and chuckled at the look on my face. ''You are not the first to look shocked; I do have a hobby; when I am not nursing, I have semi-retired, and this is my ce to recharge my batteries, as it were, a lot like you getting emersed in yourbs. Kitty turned to the rack of white bride''s dresses and flipped through them. ''There are at least three dresses here you can choose from that are your size! Kitty continued as she pulled out two dresses, ced them on the table, and hunted for thest one. I walked over to the dresses on the table and ran my hand reverently over them. The first one was full of sequins and what looked like natural diamonds.


    ''That one was my mother''s; they are real diamonds. Go try it on; I think out of the three, that one suits your figure the best. Kitty picked it up and shoved it at me, and as I grabbed hold of the dress so it would not drop, she turned me around and pushed me to a partition I had not noticed where I could change. I felt this offer of her mother''s wedding dress was more than because it might fit; I felt that Kitty was trying to make up for being a little abrupt with me on more than one asion and was trying to fill the gap she had created. I am still trying to understand why she was. Maybe because I was taking away her only son and did not be part of the girl''s group. I got the stink eye more than once when I screamed at the screen on sports day. I needed to be more refined for her son. I guess. But I had to get over whatever got under her skin now; I would be part of the family. She had to change her thinking and ept me.


    I am unsure if that is how it is; that is how I feel, that maybe I was not girlie enough for her only son. I am not going to keep thinking about this. It does my head in.


    Unknown POV


    ''Report!'' I demanded over the phone as one of my informants called back; atst, someone might have news.


    ''The money had no trail to follow, and we had failed to bribe anyone at the bank to give us any information; the best we could do was find out that it was all transferred into one ount, but not who the holder of that ount. The voice was of a young female, not someone I know. They think putting a young girl would save them from my anger; they had better think again.


    ''What about my heir? Have you seen him?'' I was desperate for news. He had failed to contact me for weeks, and it was not like he did not keep me up to date with the progress of our syndicate over there. I needed to know why everything had stopped.


    ''He was arrested, along with several other syndicate members, but we have no idea where he or the others of high rank are being held; he is not in the unusual holding cells in which those on fail are held. The voice of this young girl has gone from nervousness to fear. I can almost smell her fear over the phone.


    ''Where are Wendy, Cynthia and Bret? Can your boss not do his job? I need better answers.'' I growled in frustration.


    ''We have failed to locate Cynthia or Wendy; they were arrested for k********g and assault of a woman and have not been seen since; they are not in jail, like the others involved in the incident. They were there before their court case and then had a visitor. The next day, they were taken away from the jail. No one knows by who and to where. More failures; never have my team been so inept before.


    ''And Bret?'' If she thought I had not noticed her failure to tell me about him, she is sadly mistaken.


    ''He was killed, Boss.'' She blurted out after some hesitation. I felt she was being coached by someone else, and I was most likely on the speaker.


    ''Tell me about it?''


    ''He kidnapped the same girl that got the others in jail and was killed when he was cornered!


    ''Where?''


    ''At the quarry.


    ''Did the police search the ce?'' I hope they didn''t. That was a good little money earner. ''Yes, boss. It has been stripped clean! Damn. We had a little mini-gambling set up there. ''Who is this girl everyone wants to get their hands on?'' She must be someone influential. ''Bethany Peterson.


    ''Bret''s wife?'' I was shocked. Why were they all after her?


    ''Ex-wife. Boss. I heard someone coughing in the background, confirming I was on speaker.


    ''I see. Do you know where this girl is?''


    ''Yes, sir. She is getting married on Saturday. It is a double wedding celebration!


    ''Who else is going to be there?''


    ''Someone you would know. Pam.'' She sounded pleased now. She was no longer hesitating.


    ''Time to take that person out.''


    ''We can deal with that boss.''


    ''No, I will fly over and see to it myself. You have failed me enough times by losing Pam; I will not risk it again. I will bring my wife for a second honeymoon while I am at it; she has been nagging me to go on holiday for years. I hand up.


    At least I got some good news. Pam is an undercover agent who has hurt my ns on more than one asion and has slipped through my hands. I will deal with her personally. ''Michello?''


    ''Get the ne ready, we are going on a holiday. n for at least a week, and phone Sanchinco to find out if I can use his vi for a while! Maria is going to enjoy this break.