Page 111 of The Billionaire Who Saved My Cat From The Mafia

The last time I felt this loved and safe was back before Dad died, when life was simple.I had family.I hadfoundfamily, too.I belonged and I was taken care of, supported and encouraged.And that was the last time I felt this kind of happiness—until the day my hot rancher rode up to the cabin and saved me.

I now understand that I’ve been stumbling around for a lot of years, talking myself into believing that I was happy.That all I needed was a well-paying job, a few lovers here and there, my little house, and my cat.But nope.That wasn’t the real deal.

This is.Now.Walking hand-in-hand with Special K down Sweetbriar’s Main Street, I’m buzzing with joy.My hand feels just right in his large grip.Our strides are matched.We fit.We’re supposed to be like this, together.

We found each other for a reason.

We’re on our way to the general store to pick up supplies.Special K has come up with a plan, and I’ve agreed to it.We’re leaving together.Today.At this point, we agree it’s our only option.We can’t go our own ways.We can’t be separated.That boat has sailed.

We’re sticking together.We are two halves of a whole.We balance each other out and we bring out the best in the other.

Soulmates.

I used to think that was a load of corny, romantic bullshit.Because I didn’t know it was possible.I do now.

“This is sad, but it’s happy, too,” I tell Special K.

He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it.“Only happy, Boots.Trust me on this.We’re heading toward a long and beautiful life together.Our story has a happy ending.And we’ll find a way to stay connected with my family—we MacLaines can accomplish downright magical shit when we set our minds to it.”

He snaps his fingers.“I almost forgot.Emma made some box lunches for us.Stay here, and I’ll run inside to get them.”

I stand on the sidewalk and watch the man I love run into Emma’s restaurant to pick up our food.Main Street is quiet.It’s dotted with quaint stores, and only a few people are walking around, getting their shopping done.It’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas, and I have to admit I like it.

A pang of guilt hits me.I don’t want to drag Special K away from this paradise, but maybe he’s right.Maybe we will have a happy ending.Maybe he’ll figure out a way for us to move back here in perfect safety and security.

I’d like that.Very much.

After all, I don’t think Russian mobsters have pension plans.At some point, over time, Niko will surely grow bored with looking for me.He’ll move on to something or somewhere or someone else, and forget I ever existed.

Right?

The wind picks up, and I push my hair off my face.Summer’s beater pickup drives down the street, and she waves to me, smiling.I wave back and laugh, watching her clunk down the street.I’m going to miss that girl.

Summer is forthright, kind, and hilarious.I have a feeling we could be great friends.And I really want to meet that baby.I want to see Jamie become a grandfather and Declan become a dad.I want to see everyone else step into their roles as aunts and uncles and cousins.

I’m so caught up with thoughts of Summer’s baby and the MacLaine clan that I don’t notice the black Lincoln Navigator until it’s already pulled up onto the curb, blocking my view of Emma’s restaurant.

At first, I’m confused.Did someone run off the road?Was there a fender-bender?

And then I know.

The back door swings open.Beneath the bottom edge of the doorframe, two black military boots slam down to the sidewalk.And then someone is behind me.

I spin around and get ready to scream when a huge gorilla of a man wrenches my arms behind me, yanks them up, and slaps a gloved hand over my mouth.

Three more men surround me.The four of them move as a unit, hiding me from sight and moving me toward the vehicle.A fifth man holds the door and there’s another driving.

Six men?Niko sentsix fucking mobstersto snatch me off the street?

I can’t believe this is happening.I wiggle and twist my body like a fish out of water, doing everything I can to free myself from their control.But one of the men just snags my ankles and yanks my feet off the ground with a grunt of irritation, like this is the most boring kidnapping he’s ever had to carry out.

I scream and scream into the leather glove, but the sound dies.Another man presses down on the back of my head, folding me in two.I barely weigh one-twenty-five sopping wet and each of these assholes must weigh double that.There’s no reason for them to be so rough with me.

Unless Niko ordered it.

Just as I’m being shoved into the back seat, I bite down on the gloved hand over my mouth and he loosens just long enough for me to let go with a quick scream.

It comes out as loud as an air raid siren.