“How can you be so sure he has murdered our parents? I mean, it could be an accident. What grudge could he possibly have against my parents?” Christian shook his head with a grim look on his face.
“The police had arrested his main accomplice, Sammy Jacobs, last week. They extracted a lot of information about the murder plan Desmond hatched years ago to kill my parents. His main grudge was against Grandpa Ben and our family. Your parents were there with mine on that fateful night of the accident. If they hadn’t opted to travel together, they would have been alive now.”
Skylar sat listening to him with her jaws dropped to the floor. A wave of anger swept through her body against the criminal. It was because of him that their parents were no more.
“Why can’t the cops extract information about Desmond’s probable hideouts and arrest him already? How can they allow a criminal to roam free?” Christian released a deep breath and caught her hand to calm her down. The gentle massage on the back of her palm worked like magic on her mind and she calmed down.
“Sammy Jacobs is no more. He died in the police lockup during the interrogation. The police are on the lookout for Desmond, but he’s a sly one. No one can gauge the workings of his sick mind.” He released her hand and started his laptop to get some work done.
“Can’t they nab his other gang members from his hometown?” Skylar felt desperate to get the man arrested. At least they wouldn’t have to marry in haste! She could invite her friends over and have a proper wedding.
“He doesn’t have a gang. There are only 3-4 men who work for him occasionally. Sammy was the only one permanently at his side. The rest are underpaid and fight with him for money. The cops are hunting for them, but they’re absconding as well. We wanted to offer them more money in return for some information about Desmond.”
“I’m scared now! Why can’t we engage bodyguards like Sebastian does? At least we’ll be safe from the criminals,” said Skylar, but he shook his head.
“I hate bodyguards. They disrupt my privacy. Don’t worry, I can protect you.”
“What about your own safety?” She glared at the stubborn man.
“As if you care about me!” Skylar rolled her eyes at him. She knew what he wanted to hear. It wasn’t something she could admit out loud. She could only show him through her actions that she cared.
“There are other people who do.” Christian smiled and stared at his laptop. He knew she cared about him more than she admitted. Not only did she care, but she loved him too! Well, he would make her admit it soon.
“I need coffee!” he said, summoning the flight attendant.
“One for me, too. We’ll have our breakfast as well.” She glared at him, daring him to protest. “A lot of caffeine on an empty stomach is harmful to your body.”
“I didn’t say a thing!” he chuckled and nodded at the flight attendant, who left with a smile.
“Remind me you don’t care about me,” he muttered after she left. Skylar blushed at being caught and grabbed a magazine to hide behind. Christian laughed at her adorable antics. He could feel she was melting towards him! It wouldn’t have been possible in front of bodyguards. He couldn’t have gotten to know her so well with bodyguards constantly with them. Thankfully, Skylar was removing the barriers she had built up all around her and melting towards him.
After breakfast, they reached New York. As they sped towards the scenic village of Alexandria Bay, Skylar gazed at the familiar sights of New York, her home.
“Nostalgic?” Skylar shook her head, glancing at him.
“Not much! I only miss my friends, not the city so much. I’m happy to see the world with you.” Christian held her gaze, a sense of satisfaction spreading over him. There has been a drastic change in her since the last time she was here, when he had to whisk her away. He had never expected to see this day so soon.
“I’m honored!”
They reached the pier at the historic village to see a private boat waiting to take them across the St. Lawrence River to Preston Island. Christian helped her to the boat, and they navigated through the breathtaking Thousand Islands Region.
“Wow! I wish I owned such a secluded little island!” she exclaimed, gazing at a picture-perfect island with a cozy cottage tucked away amidst its lush greenery. Christian smiled, his eyes lighting up at her wish! Could he make it come true?
“What will I get if I fulfill your wish?” Skylar gaped at him for a second and then grinned.
“Anything you ask for!” Although she didn’t take him seriously, she was ready to grant him any wish, a kiss or an actual marriage. What more would he ask for?
Christian chuckled, determined now to grant her wish. He knew what he would demand. They reached the island and the caretaker, Joe Symonds, arrived at the private dock to fetch them. He introduced himself and drove them through the beautiful, paved road towards the far end of the island where the house was.
“Everyone is waiting for you. Mr. Donnelly and his brothers are going on a cruise around the place. The women are planning a bridal shower party at the villa. My wife, Pam, is also there, helping with everything,” informed the caretaker.
“Thanks for the update, Joe. I was thinking of going on a cruise!” said Christian.
The car drove up to a beautiful and sprawling villa perched on a ridge top overlooking the beautiful St. Lawrence River. Located right across from the small village of Alexandria Bay, it was a private haven.
Skylar gazed at the villa almost hidden amidst the tall Sugar Maple, Breech, Basswood, White Oak, and Red Oak trees. They got out of the car, and Joe started unloading their luggage.
Before she could react to the stunning beauty all around her, the main door opened and her friends tumbled out to greet her. “At last, she arrives!” groaned Eva.
“C’mon, let’s start the bridal shower party! We were waiting for you,” said Hayley, pulling Skylar along.
“Wait! Let’s get acquainted with Christian first,” said Alyssa, as Christian stood behind Skylar, smiling at their antics. Skylar grabbed his hand possessively, making him raise an eyebrow at her. In her excitement, she hardly noticed a thing.
“Well! Meet Christian, my fiancee!” she announced proudly. There was a stir all around her as the girls went crazy at the information.
“When did you two get engaged?” asked Sienna with her jaws dropped to the ground.
“Almost three months back! It was so sudden I didn’t get time to inform you. I’ll tell you all about it later.”
“Don’t tell me you forced her to get engaged with you?” Alyssa leaned towards Christian to whisper while Christian chuckled.
“Yes, what choice did I have?”
“Well, I’m Alyssa, by the way! That’s Eva, Hayley, and Sienna. Welcome to our world!”
“I’m honored to be a part of it. I owe you a treat for the hasty engagement!”
They went inside and Sienna introduced Christian to Lucas Donnelly and his brothers, Marcus and Nicholas. It was strange that the men clicked instantly and left them alone.
The women planned a spa party and helped one another gear up for the wedding the next day.
A young girl worked on Sienna’s hair, and Skylar smiled at her expertise. “Wow! You’re quite good at this!” she appreciated, wondering who she was.
“Thank you, ma’am. I’m doing it for the first time.”
“Please call me Skylar.”
“This is Cara. She is here to help us with the wedding,” said Sienna. Cara smiled at them and left the room.
Sienna leaned in towards Skylar. “I think Marcus is bowled over by Cara!” she whispered.
“She is beautiful indeed! What about the girls in our group? I know Eva and Hayley are taken. What about Alyssa?”
“Oh, don’t you know? Alyssa and Nicholas have a weird hot and cold relationship. I can see the sparks flying between them, only she can’t see a thing,” said Sienna with a laugh.
The party continued, and everyone showered Sienna with gifts. Despite the fun, and the excited reunion with her best friends, Skylar missed Christian’s company. In the last few months, she had grown so used to him that all the time she glanced towards the door, expecting him to walk inside.
She had dressed up with the girls for the party, but in reality; it was him she wanted to please. Would he approve of the dress she chose at his insistence? She had exchanged all the dresses because of him!
“Where are you lost, Skye? The party is over. Let’s go up to Sienna’s room and try on the bridesmaid’s dresses,” nudged Hayley, bringing her out of her thoughts.
They followed the others up to Sienna’s room and helped her with the wedding dress. Seeing her close friend in her wedding gear, Skylar couldn’t stop herself from dreaming of her wedding with Christian.
She wished she too could have her dream wedding with Christian! A forever type of wedding!