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“Understandably so,” Kenzie replied, equally thrilled for them.
She spotted a couple cuddling up under an umbrella, striding past her window, as Cora added, “That’s only half of it. They’re getting married on Saturday.”
“This Saturday? Like in two days?”
“I know, if that’s not the definition of a quickie wedding, I don’t know what is. But Ella doesn’t want anything fancy. With her family…”
Kenzie didn’t need Cora to finish. She knew that all of Ella’s family had passed away—first, her parents when she was young, and then her grandparents later on. Kenzie had never felt happier for any couple than she was for both Kyler and Ella. She’d always be fond of Kyler, and Ella had been put through the wringer with her ex-husband, who pushed her into a table, leaving a scar by Ella’s eye. Sure, Kyler and Ella were doing things at hyper-speed, but they both deserved all the happiness in the world.
All the same, Kenzie couldn’t even imagine it for herself, nor did she want that life. Pregnant? Her IUD kept that reality from ever surfacing. She didn’t think she was selfish or incapable of having children, she just wasn’t sure she’d make a good mother.
Hell, she knew she lived in the past too much to be that present in the now. Maybe some women didn’t think of the future, but Kenzie knew mentally and emotionally she was nowhere near ready for children. Add to that the fact that she didn’t even want a committed relationship, so those dreams weren’t her dreams for now.
Cora drew in a deep breath, sounding like static on the phone. “Anyways, it’s going to be small and intimate, with Kyler’s cop buddies, his family, and the Club Sin gang.”
Kenzie’s heart smiled for Kyler as she began picturing him as a father. She believed he would make an incredible dad. In fact, all of the Club Sin Masters would. Her thoughts oddly went to Porter, and she knew he had the good-father gene in him. Patient, caring, and dependable—he was all of those things. “Is there anything I can do to help with the wedding?”
“I asked Ella the same question, but she said the chapel handles everything for the ceremony, so there’s nothing to do. Dmitri is hosting the reception at the casino, and the staff there is taking care of everything else. All we have to do is show up.”
“Nice.”
“Right? Easy peas,” Cora replied. “Aidan told me last night that it’s a burlesque theme for the wedding.”
Kenzie grinned, a million ideas rushing through her head. “Oh my God, how fun is this going to be?”
“I know.” An obvious smile sounded in Cora’s voice. “Make sure you go and do some shopping, okay?”
“Gladly, girl.”
Cora laughed. “Needless to say, Club Sin is closed this weekend. Tomorrow night we’re going to take Ella out for her bachelorette party. Can you make it to Elements at ten o’clock?”
Kenzie hadn’t been to the hot club on the Vegas strip in years. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great. See you then.”
“Bye.” Kenzie hung up the phone, feeling a little winded. A baby? A wedding? A bachelorette party? Though she was more thrilled that it wasn’t her baby, he
r wedding, and her bachelorette party.
She smiled, moving to the bookshelf to finish stocking, when the chime of the bell on the door rang. Keeping the book in her hand, she went to welcome her customer when a wave of hot unease rushed over her.
The bald man at the door, wearing all black, locked her front door. The book fell from her hand as he approached. Hard features sculpted his face and a long scar ran down the side of his cheek. His dark eyes sent fear right to her toes. Kenzie backed away, unsure if she should yell for help or start running.
She did the latter, bursting toward the back of the store, when fingers tangled in her hair. A scream ripped from her throat as she was pushed against the bookshelf and forcibly spun around to face the blackest eyes she’d ever seen. Evil resided there.
“You’re being a difficult little bitch,” the man with the rich Russian accent snarled. White film coated the sides of his mouth and his teeth were yellow, stained by cigarettes, judging by the obvious reek emanating from him. His fingers fisted in her hair, pulling it at the roots, and his other hand came up around her neck. He wasn’t squeezing tight, but the hold was threatening enough for Kenzie to know that with a little more effort he could kill her. “You see this right here, how easily I could take your last breath?”
She stayed silent, unable to speak through the tightness on her throat, shaking in sheer terror.
“Your deadline was last night. My boss might have patience with you, but I do not.” He towered over her, standing at least six-foot-seven, and all she could do was stare at him as he added, “I’m paid to deal with those who defy him.” His fingers tightened on her neck and blackness began to fill her eyes. “We’re watching you. We’re everywhere.”
She gasped as his hand tightened further, cutting the air from her lungs.
“If you don’t call by this evening and sell this fucking worthless store…”
Kenzie heard nothing else, fighting to scream that it wasn’t worthless, it was priceless. Gran’s touches were everywhere. This store meant more to her than anything in the world. She couldn’t sell it. No, she couldn’t walk away from the last reminder of Gran. This was the only thing keeping her sanity, the only good thing in her world. The only happy memory she had.
“You’re a stupid little cunt,” he all but spat in her face. “I’m bored of your stupidity. This is your final fucking warning.” The hard lines of his face seemed shadowed with an anger she had never seen in anyone. He didn’t portray a dominant man, but was a man who ruled out of fear. “You’re nothing but a roadblock that can easily be removed.” He leaned right down in her face. “I’d love the chance to squeeze this pretty neck and see the life drain from your eyes. Believe me, little ones like you are always the most fun.”
