Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“And he gets off scot-free from killing someone and whatever crimes he has orchestrated?”
“To get a bigger, more dangerous criminal off the streets, yes. You know this is how it works, Kian. You just don’t like it this time because it’s personal.”
I pushed my hand through my hair and sighed. “And what about Cadie? How do we keep her safe? Just because Michael is turning sides, does that mean his father will still be able to come after her?”
“This is all I’ve been thinking about!” Cadie stated.
Lucas spoke. “We’ll keep someone here in Moose Village with her. We don’t have to stay so hidden, which will make it easier, as long as Cadie doesn’t mind having a bodyguard for a while.”
She smiled. “I don’t mind.”
Nodding, I said, “Good. Okay.”
Lucas stood. “Michael, can you call Melanie? We’ll want to get her into protective custody immediately.”
Cadie took my hand, and we left the room, leaving the FBI agents to figure out the next move. Mark followed us.
I leaned against the counter. “How do you deal with this all the time?”
Mark laughed. “CIA doesn’t deal with this kind of stuff, at least the department I work in doesn’t. I’m more of the go-and-save-the-day kind of agent.”
I raised my brow. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
He slapped me on the side of my arm. “I’m glad everything is working out for the best, and you’re back safe, Cadie.”
She smiled. “Me too. Now what?”
Mark glanced over his shoulder and then back to us. “They’ll keep at least one agent here with you until the trial ends. Don’t expect it to be over quickly, though. It could take some time to get Bellucci convicted.”
“How will this work? Will they just follow me around all the time?” Cadie asked.
“They’ll try not to make it look obvious, but yeah. You’ll have an agent with you pretty much at all times.”
“I think we should look for a house and not stay at the cabin,” I said as I looked from my brother to Cadie.
“That’s probably a good idea. You could just stay here,” Mark stated.
“No, I don’t want Mom and Dad to learn about this.”
Mark nodded. “I agree.”
“But all of my furniture I bought. I’ve barely used it,” Cadie complained.
I shrugged. “We’ll just move it to a new place. I mean, that’s if you want to move in together.”
A wide smile grew across her beautiful face. “I would love that.”
Turning to look straight at Mark, Cadie asked, “Wait, does this mean I can contact my family now?”
He smiled. “Yes. I would try to keep it simple though. Don’t tell them too much, like where you are…just yet.”
She exhaled. “Okay. But I can call them?”
Nodding, Mark replied, “Yes, you can.”
Spinning to look at me, a wide smile broke out onto her face as tears started to form in her eyes. I had to fight the urge to pull her to me and kiss her.
Mark clapped his hands. “Now that everything is settled, I need to leave and get back to my team.”
Facing my brother, I held out my hand. We shook, and I pulled him to me. “Be careful, Mark.”
He hugged me for just a second longer than usual. “I will, big brother.”
When we stepped apart, Cadie hugged Mark. “Thank you for everything. Please stay safe, okay?”
“I will.” He kissed her on the forehead and then flashed us a brilliant smile. “I’m going to go let Lucas know I’m leaving. Kiss Macy and the kids for me?”
“Will do.”
My brother turned and walked out of the kitchen and back into the living room. Cadie put her hand on my arm and squeezed it. “He’s going to be okay.”
I let out a breath. “I hope so. A part of me wishes I didn’t know what he really did for a living.”
“I can totally understand that. But he’ll be safe. I, um…I should get to the bakery.”
Spinning around, I looked at her. “What? Cadie, you’ve been through so much this morning. Besides, it’s after three and closed.”
“I know, but we have so much baking to do. And honestly, Kian, I feel happy when I’m at the bakery. Calm.”
“Well,” I said as I drew her to me. “Who am I to stand in the way of your happiness.”
She smiled up at me. “I guess this means we need to go house hunting?”
I laughed. “I guess so. Talk about a major milestone in our relationship!”
Her nose wrinkled in the most adorable way. “Are we up for it?”
Cupping her face in my hands, I smiled. “I know I’m up for it.”
“Me too! But first, I need to call my parents and brother. Then, I’ve got some baking I need to do!”
Cadie
June in Moose Village was beautiful. The weather was perfect; the bakery was always busy. Of course, Nick was always close by. He was assigned to watch over me while we waited for Michael’s father to go to trial. He was in jail for now, with all of the charges and evidence, but he still had people working for him. Michael and Melanie had been put in protective custody, and although I was still looking over my shoulder, life seemed to be getting back to normal. No one had asked about Nick, but rumors were rampant in Moose Village. The latest was I was a princess from some European country simply trying to live a normal life in a small town. That one was fun, not going to lie.