He kissed her other cheek. "I'm not involved... I promise."

  Damien was the opposite of the bad boy she thought he'd been. She licked her lips and stared at his mouth. "Good, because now that I know, I hate Gilbert and hope you finish this quick."

  "I will." His hand brushed against her collar and shoulder.

  Damien's gaze grew darker. She pressed her lips together, wanting to clarify something before she kissed him. "What we have are bad fathers. How did yours use you to get information for him?"

  Damien sat back but still held her hand. "He said I was more useful to him if I did certain things. I made my limits clear, though as a teenager I really wanted his approval. As a grown man, I’d already inherited this business, though I invest more of my time and energy to my real estate business/corporate takeover company that I run with my brother, Galen."

  At least everything Damien had accomplished wasn't about his father, and he'd done so much more. Damien was clearly a better choice for a partner than she’d thought, originally, and perhaps if they helped their families heal from what her sister had done, and if she could forgive herself, then they had a chance.

  She lowered her head. "My spa was my refuge though my father only ever saw it as a hobby. When my father was arrested, my “hobby” was already a thriving business."

  He lifted her chin and met her gaze. "I mean it—I can help put you in every metropolitan city in a few years and we can promote your business to be one of the most successful."

  She'd never imagined Calm Serenity that large, but she knew Damien wouldn't use it as a front business for nefarious schemes. She trusted that, but she wasn't ready to make that choice either. "Let me think about what I want. So far we're doing well, but let's take it day-by-day."

  He motioned with his head toward the pillows. "Let's go to bed. I want to see how your body is different now that you're having my baby."

  True. Tonight was their wedding night. And despite her protests, she hoped this might be exactly what she needed. Damien was better than she imagined so she let herself believe they were possible.

  18

  Birds flew past the window. Damien turned toward the light, squinted, and realized it was morning and his still-naked wife slept beside him. Damien kissed her forehead, but her eyes stayed closed. He stretched his arms and stood. The sun shining through the window meant it was a new day and he needed to get moving. The moment Serenity woke up, he'd return to her side.

  Last night was not enough of having her, but she'd asked questions he'd like resolved too. Without bothering to grab a shirt, he went downstairs and headed straight to his office. The lights turned on automatically but he opened his laptop and waited seconds for the password screen. Catching Gilbert was first on his list, so he typed in the codes and checked his emails. Then he found his phone and dialed his contacts. Two minutes later, he knew that they had no news but they promised to have something for him by lunch.

  All his work with Galen could wait as he’d cleared his schedule already for a honeymoon. His brother would understand if he was light on work this weekend. With a hum in his step, he walked over and ordered breakfast for the two of them from his staff.

  After breakfast, he'd find out the latest on Victoria, but that was best to do in person. He wondered if Serenity would come with him. He had to apologize to his sister and hope that she would forgive him. Done in the kitchen, he headed back upstairs and opened the door.

  He heard water splashing from the en suite bathroom and immediately imagined Serenity wet and naked. He crossed the room and knocked on the door, opening it slightly. "Are you in the shower?"

  Her voice came from behind the curtain. "One minute. I thought we'd head to the hospital."

  They were on the same page. He nodded though he knew she couldn't see him. "You read my mind. I ordered breakfast for us."

  "Perfect."

  The doorbell rang through the house and he paused, "Someone's downstairs."

  She peeked her head out. "It's still early for visitors, isn’t it?"

  Yes, which meant whoever was here either had bad news or good news. He walked over, kissed her wet cheek and said, "Come, when you finish."

  He headed downstairs and saw his brother, Galen, had strolled into his living room. He slowed down and wondered if there was a business emergency though no deal came to mind. He approached and smelled the fresh cigarette still on his brother's breath. He ignored it. "Galen, what's going on?"

  Galen's dark eyes seemed haunted. "It's Peter."

  Their father's legitimate family had all been kind to them since they’d arrived. He hadn’t been worried about the oldest Morgan. Damien crossed his arms. "But it's Victoria who lost her baby."

  Galen stood in front of the couch, avoiding eye contact. "I found out last night that Peter and Belle were having trouble conceiving."

  Heat rushed through his cheeks. None of them were gossips. "That's not our business-"

  Galen tugged at his ear and interrupted, "Jennifer Gonzales also found out and she's heading to the clinic right now to see if she can get her chance to have Peter's baby. Come with me to Peter's so we can tell them."

  Damien felt his skin electrify immediately. The last thing he'd ever want was for someone to steal a part of him he’d given to Serenity. He turned and stared at the winding staircase. "Wait here. Let me go talk to my wife. Be right back."

  Galen pointed to the kitchen. “I’ll grab a cup of coffee.”

  “How is Serenity?”

  “She’s shaken and upset, but she ensured the police had a confession from her sister for what she’d done.”

  “That’s good. None of us blame her for her sister's actions and Victoria is devastated but on the mend."

  Good news then. Victoria must be heartbroken over the loss of her pregnancy. However, his brother needed to understand that any blame for Serena fell on his shoulders. "She'll want to hear that herself, but Serenity never asked me to free her sister. I asked John and Alice for statements to help, but I never imagined any of this. I mistakenly thought Serena was set up, but now I understand Serenity was the diamond in the rough."

  "No one would imagine she'd have run Victoria over." Galen walked into the kitchen and Damien went upstairs.

  Upon opening his bedroom door, he saw Serenity in her all-white lace and silk bra and underwear smearing moisturizer on her legs in the closet while she browsed through her dresses. He came closer and enjoyed her curves. "Serenity, Galen is here and he needs me to go with him next door. Will you be okay for a few minutes?"

  She picked a light blue dress and held it in her hand when she turned toward him. "Have your cell phone on in case I need you, but I'll be fine. I've not explored my new home at all, so I have no idea where on your grounds I'll end up."

  She threw the dress over her head and Damien came over and helped zip her up. "Last night was wonderful. Victoria is healing but going to be okay."

  A small sigh escaped her lips and she turned into his arms the moment he finished with the zipper. "Good. I need to call my mom and check on her too."

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and he leaned down to kiss her. Her lips made his soul stir in his chest. She let him go and found her flats.

  She sat before the vanity, and he left. Hopefully he'd be back in ten to fifteen minutes and they'd go to the hospital together. Perhaps she'd like to fly to Paris tonight because he wanted to stroll the Seine holding her hand. He found his brother finishing his coffee and he waved him to the door. "Galen, how did you find out, you know, about Jennifer?"

  They walked two mansions down. Galen stared at the green grass on the estates. "I went drinking with Jennifer last night."

  Damien never heard of Galen drinking with a woman without sex following. He'd been easy to read since his divorce a few years ago. Damien refused to judge but asked to be sure, "She's your drinking buddy?"

  Galen inhaled. He still avoided eye contact though but he said, "At your wedding, and then after. We started talking and I wasn't that interested in anyone else. When we found out what Serena had done, Jennifer explained how Serena ruined her relationship with Peter too. I drove her to the hospital to see Victoria and then we returned to my place for more drinks."

  Damien needed to understand and didn't want any questions left unsaid. "So you slept with her?"

  Galen looked up, met his gaze and Damien saw his brother's cheeks were red. "We know each other too well."

  At Peter's door, Damien gave his brother the lead. Galen knocked and the maid let them both in. They went to his office where Peter sat at his desk, working on his laptop. Galen put his hands behind his back like he was about to meet his executioner.

  Peter waved at them, “Good morning. You’re both here early. When are you going on your honeymoon?”

  “Soon, now that Victoria is on the mend.” Damien stepped back. “Galen needed to talk to you.”

  “Oh, about?” Peter asked.

  Galen lowered his head. "Peter, last night Jennifer overheard you and Belle talking to Victoria about the fertility clinic."

  Peter's eyebrows lifted. "And?"

  Galen's shoulders tightened like he was about to swing the axe. "I think she's there now, stealing your...umm... seed."

  Peter closed his laptop and stood from his desk. He ran his hand through his hair and picked up his phone. "Belle will be heartbroken. I'm calling the clinic now. Thanks for the warning."

  Their half-brother spoke to a secretary and Damien patted Galen's back to get him to leave. Galen followed his direction and once they were out of the house, Damien felt the weight on his own shoulders lessen. His brother must feel the same. They walked the short distance and Damien tried his best to be a good brother. "You did what was right. I need to get back to my wife."

  Galen's face darkened as he pointed to the front door. "Why is your door wide open?"

  Had he left it open or had one of the staff opened it? He wasn't sure, but he didn't remember them ever leaving the door open in the past. His heart raced and he dug his phone from his back pocket. "Strange. Let me call Serenity."

  Galen nodded, but Damien hung up when he reached her voice mail. They both walked in the house, and his gut instantly felt like there was an intrusion. Galen said, "I'll help you find her. We were only gone ten minutes."

  Damien walked into the house and everything was in order, but there was something wrong and it raced up his spine. He started up the stairs but paused. "My contact is calling me from the Ukraine."

  He answered while he went to his bedroom. Serenity wasn't there but she hadn't put her makeup away which wasn't like her. Serenity cleared up a mess right away to keep the place spotless. "What do you have?" His ears burned as he heard that over a hundred women had been sold and the paperwork included the price and where the girl was found. His heart beat grew faster. "Send me the documents now."

  His brother called out at the top of his lungs in a voice he hadn't heard since the day they’d all searched for Catherine in Paris when Axel begged for their help. "Damien!"

  His shoes skidded to a halt on the ground floor. Galen sat at Damien's desk, the laptop open. "What?"

  He turned the screen toward him while Damien hit the arrow button. "Let me hit replay on your security camera."

  A second later, Gilbert spoke into his security camera in Damien's bedroom, while he had someone holding Serenity. He picked up her makeup brush and said, "Your husband set out to expose me. So you'll pay for his sins. If Damien knows what's good for him, he'll hand me whatever he has on me and I'll give him you back. If not, I know plenty of men who find the quiet type like you attractive."

  He slapped her in the face and motioned with his head for his man to carry Serenity out. Damien's mind raced. He had to save Serenity. But first he had to find her.

  Galen slammed his palm against the desk. "Gilbert didn't even try to hide."

  "I need to find her. Serenity will not pay for my mistakes." Damien raced to the back of the house. The water was still choppy from a boat that sped away. Was his wife on it?

  If Serenity had her phone on her he could track her, but he needed to be close.

  “Let’s take my yacht.” Galen followed him and they worked to get the ship moving. Within moments, the ship raced into the Intracoastal and toward the ocean. He took out his cell phone and found his tracking app from Morgan Security. He programed Serenity's number into the system and a heartbreaking minute later he had a lead. She was about two miles ahead of him, and he'd do whatever he had to in order to save her. He'd never break that promise.

  19

  This couldn’t be happening. The salt air of the ocean was tickling her nose as the ocean breezes brushed against her. On both sides of the Intracoastal there were multi-million dollar homes, but they were too far away to be much help. Her skin felt violated still, and she brushed her arms on each side.

  Serenity didn’t like being manhandled but the man was a foot and half taller and 200 pounds of muscle. Years of yoga meant she was nimble, but that didn’t help against strength. She had to get off the ship.

  During the struggle in her bedroom, she’d stashed her phone in her bra so once she found a way to call for help, she had the means. But as the ship neared the ocean, she knew she was losing her options.

  Gilbert spoke on his phone. The man who’d held her now left her on the chair. “Don’t move.”

  He thought she'd stay still? Clearly he didn’t know her. She kept still but stayed alert.

  The ship sped past the last little island and it was now or never. Serenity slipped her flats off her feet so she could swim. The last time she’d gone into the ocean, she’d been knocked in by a huge wave and weighted down by her dress. This time she wore a simple cotton dress and there were no waves. She waited to ensure Mr. Muscles was far enough away.

  He bent down to get a bottle of water. She took a deep breath, jumped onto the chair and leaped up to the bannister.

  She balanced precariously and then dove for the choppy waves, losing her cell phone before hitting water, hard.

  The water smoothed out once she swam away from the wake and she prayed no alligators found her. She reminded herself that they generally ate at night. She didn’t dare look back, but swam underwater toward the shore.

  Thankfully the Intracoastal was a thin strip of water between the ocean and the islands that made the Miami coast line with land in sight.

  Finally, the need for air forced her to the surface, but she kept her head low in the water.

  The closest shore was an island to her left, so she swam in that direction—peeking behind her.

  The boat continued toward the ocean without circling back and she dared to think she might escape. The morning had few boaters out, but she’d wait on the island until the yacht owners of Miami came out to play.

  The plan made sense as she pulled herself to shore, shivering but alive.

  A large white yacht sped toward the ocean, but she hugged her knees to her chest and sat under a palm tree near the shore. Sand caked between her toes.

  Damien had no idea she was even missing yet. She had tons of time to think. Perhaps she'd been stupid to be so forgiving. Damien wouldn't hurt her on purpose, but his blind allegiance to his goal put her, their unborn baby, and him all in danger.

  On her own, she could afford her baby, especially now that she wasn't paying for expensive lawyers. Serena was gone for good as far as she was concerned.

  Serenity rubbed her belly. She needed to protect her baby from all dangers. The only place she’d ever been safe was at her spa, working.

  If Gilbert or the next Gilbert came into Damien’s life, she couldn’t be there. She needed to protect her own.

  While the idea of divorce so soon numbed her thoughts, she needed to do what was best for her and her child. All of this was a mistake. She'd married Damien for the wrong reasons and it was time to end the charade.

  20

  Damien’s captain had slept on the yacht and woke up as Serenity was taken off. He’d called the police immediately, but when Damien and Galen boarded, he’d reported for duty.

  Damien had him maneuver his yacht around smaller boats, following Serenity’s trail. The last time he’d been so panicked had been when they’d lost Catherine. He and his three brothers had spent the night searching for her with the Parisian police. She’d disappeared.

  Galen's voice sounded calm when he pointed ahead. "There is the ship."

  Damien checked his phone and saw Serenity's phone still beeped there. Galen spoke to the ship captain and Damien wished he'd brought his gun. He’d hired former Coast Guard with experience boarding drug boats now they too closed in on Gilbert’s ship. Damien clenched his hands to his side while he took position to jump aboard. Galen came beside him and lightly slapped him on the back. Damien said, "I'm going to kill him with my bare hands."

  They jumped over the rails and onto the other ship. Their feet slammed into the wooden floors, but both made it and stood straight. Galen pointed toward the door inside. "First, let's get Serenity. Then feel free to kill him."

  Galen knew how to brawl, if needed. Damien threw open the door, and went straight toward Gilbert, who was driving his own yacht.

  There was only one other man, so they must have meant this to be a fast plan.

  Galen tackled the big guy with the crack of knuckle to bone.

  Damien cornered Gilbert, who hadn't lifted a fist at him. Now he had nowhere to go, pinned next to the wall and the steering wheel. "Where is Serenity?"

  "Dead," Gilbert said with his cold menacing green eyes and pretty boy blond hair.

  Behind him a punch sounded and a body hit the floor. No word from Galen. Damien reeled back. If he lost Serenity, he lost hope. He didn't move. "What?"

  Gilbert crossed his arms. "She was too much trouble. We killed her and threw her body overboard."

  Impossible. In his heart Serenity was still in every beat.