Chapter 41: The Sting of Retribution

KIANA

I stepped in front of Chase protectively, thankful he hadn’t yet noticed a shooter was targeting him. He tried to pull me back, but I shot him a stern look. I needed him to know I could handle this. My father might be twisted, but he wouldn’t hurt me. Of that, I was sure.

“That’s not going to happen,” I declared firmly.

“It might not be now, but I will destroy him, Rose, whether it’s his life or his reputation. I know where he lives, where he works, even his weekly routine. And let’s not forget, I also know where his parents live.”

I felt Chase stiffen behind me. “You’re a real monster, Kenzo,” I spat.

“It’s time for you to come home,” he growled.

“I don’t think so,” Chase countered, his tone steady.

“I left once. What makes you think I want to come back?” I hissed.

“I always thought you were taken because of my line of work,” Kenzo said almost comically. “But that damn weasel, Jackson, slithered his way into my family affairs once again.”

“Uncle Jack did the right thing. He did it to save me from you and a life of misery,” I countered.

“I’m certain he did it to get back at me. We were friends once,” Kenzo said, shaking his head.

Chase stepped forward, a confident smile on his face. “You met at university. Jackson was a self-made man, and you floated him for his first investment. But you were in the habit of reminding him that you were at least partially responsible for his newfound wealth.

“When he achieved a major success, you wanted to lay claim to at least partial ownership of his company. But as he had already paid back the initial loan, you had no legal grounds to claim any part of it.”

I was speechless. How did Chase know all of this?

Chase continued, “You wanted to use Jackson’s business as a front for your other illegal activities. But he saw right through you and refused to work with you.

“You never killed him or forced him to do as you wanted because he had the ability to expose you for who you truly are. And his untimely death would have made Kiana and your wife suspicious. They were also the reason Jackson held back all these years.”

“You know nothing.” My father grimaced.

“We know enough,” Chase countered.

He pulled out a thick folder he’d been hiding under his jacket. The name Monroe was emblazoned on the front in bold letters. He tossed it at Kenzo’s feet.

“What’s this?” Kenzo asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Take a look and find out,” Chase replied, a smirk playing on his lips.

Kenzo bent to scoop the folder up, then flipped it open. His face contorted into a furious snarl within moments, and he flung the folder back at Chase’s feet.

“That’s just a fraction of what I’ve uncovered. I’m sure if I dug deeper, I’d find a mountain of dirt. And I’m pretty certain authorities in numerous countries would love to get their hands on this intel, making it all the easier to put you away for good.”

Chase’s grin widened as he casually strolled toward Kenzo. I had never seen anyone stand up to my father before. Fear for Chase gripped me, but I knew I had to trust him.

“There are photos, videos, and documents implicating you and your numerous businesses. If even a fraction of this were to leak, you’d be facing multiple life sentences.”

“How?” Kenzo growled. Seeing my father so stunned was a shock, but it also strengthened my faith in Chase.

“I have my methods,” Chase responded, a tilt to his head.

“This isn’t over,” Kenzo spat like a spoiled child.

COOPER

As I neared the building, I saw Chase and Kiana with Kenzo on the sidewalk.

Why would they be meeting? Why here?

Something even more delicious than my original plan came to mind.

I wouldn’t have to live in fear of Kenzo finding me if he were dead, and he had made it abundantly clear that he wanted nothing more to do with me.

I would never get another chance like this. I could take them both out!

I placed my foot over the accelerator, knowing exactly what to do. I pressed down, letting the engine roar to life.

I was going to finish this once and for all…

KIANA

A car suddenly came speeding toward us at breakneck speed. Kenzo barely managed to jump out of the way before it hit him. Chase pulled me behind him so fast it made my head spin.

The car screeched to a halt, and Cooper jumped out, waving a gun.

“Sorry to break up your little family reunion, but I have some unfinished business to take care of before I leave town.” He looked feral. His hand was shaking as he pointed the gun toward Chase, who was standing firmly in front of me.

“No chance,” Chase answered.

“That stupid bitch ruined everything!” he roared.

The gun was shaking in his unsteady grip as his eyes bored into me. “Everything is your fault, Rose! You are the reason my life turned to shit in the first place,” he ranted.

“And you!” Cooper turned his gun toward Kenzo. “You were just like the rest of them, but worse. I did everything you asked, and the one thing you couldn’t do was believe me, your own son.”

~He really was off his meds.~

“My mother told me everything! She wouldn’t lie about that! How can you deny it? You and I are too similar for it not to be true.

“Maybe you’ll finally believe me after ~she~ dies.” He pointed the gun toward me again.

Before he could pull the trigger, another shot rang through the air.

The bullet pierced Cooper’s throat, and he fell to the ground with a thud, gurgling.

Kenzo stood to the side, arms raised, and gun still aimed at Cooper as he walked toward him.

“Your mother was ill, just like you. No matter what rumors or lies you may have heard, you are not mine,” he said with a venom that made me shudder.

We all watched as Cooper lay dying on the ground. Some of the madness seemed to drain from his eyes, and he looked almost sad as he stared at Kenzo while struggling to find his last breath.

“Things aren’t over, Rose. I’ll be in touch,” Kenzo said quietly. He looked my way before he turned and started to walk away.

Before he could get more than a few paces, several police cars swarmed in from every direction, stopping him in his tracks. Officers poured out of the vehicles and surrounded Kenzo, forcing him to his knees.

It all seemed to happen in slow motion. Cooper’s body was covered with a sheet. Kenzo was handcuffed, put in the back of a police car, and taken away. Police questioned us, but I couldn’t remember a word they said or what response I gave.

Chase held me close as it all happened.

“It’s over, Kiana. It’s finally over,” he reassured me as we watched the last police car drive away. “You’re safe now. I promise that man will never set foot near you again.”

Chase held me tightly as I cried into his chest.

But these weren’t tears of fear or sadness. ~No.~ They were tears of relief.

My father was out of my life, Cooper was no more, and everyone I cared about was safe. I pulled back slightly, looking into Chase’s Caribbean-blue eyes. I gently caressed his cheek and smiled through my tears.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern in his voice.

I met his gaze, then let my eyes drift to his lips. As I spoke, I returned to his captivating eyes. “I love you.”

The words slipped out naturally, as if they were meant to be said. I braced myself for him to let me down gently, ~but he didn’t.~

He immediately captured my lips with his. His tongue vied for control. I enjoyed the struggle but eventually surrendered. It was a kiss filled with passion, a promise of a fresh start, and hope.

He nipped at my lip as he slowly pulled away, resting his forehead against mine. “I love you, too, Kiana. More than you could ever imagine,” he murmured, his thumb gently stroking my cheek.

I could have sworn my heart skipped an actual beat.

I had never loved anyone as deeply as I loved the man beside me. I used to think that only mothers could love, care, and protect so fiercely. ~But I had been wrong.~

Chase had done all that and more. He’d gone above and beyond for me.

He might come across as tough and unemotional at times, but he was also the brightest star in my sky, with a heart full of love and devotion.

I finally had something to look forward to. I could live my life on my own terms, without constantly second-guessing myself.

I focused on the man holding me, memorizing every detail as if I were taking a mental photograph. He flashed that irresistible smile as he took my hand and led me back inside.

~I must be the luckiest woman in the world.~