Chapter 20

***Levi***.

*Monday... Next day...*

11 am. We just left the private strip where my plane touched down. I was being driven to the address Blake had tracked for me. My heart soared with an unidentifiable emotion. But I replaced it with rage. *She dared to run*! *I wouldn't spare her*.

I futilely called Kenya endlessly, yesterday. My mind frustrated. Barking at everyone, until she had been tracked.

Things shouldn't have unfolded thus. But now they did. I had to salvage what I got.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I scooped it out. A message from a hidden number.

"**Unknown Number:** *I shouldn't contact you. But this is an emergency. Someone is fishing about your businesses; mines and plantations. We laying low for a while."*

I stilled, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. *This can't be happening now. Who could that be?* I needed to get my shit together.

"***Me***: *Okay Rico. Keep me updated."*

In a few seconds, the car pulled up in front of a fine beach house on Miami Street. Modest and beautiful. A small patch of trimmed lawn, with fine flowers, graced the surroundings. I was impressed.

Strolling up the cobblestone walkway, I reached the front door. The door opened after a couple of rings. An older version of Kenya, before me. She was beautiful and cheerful. I had seen her photos from the dossier I had on Kenya.

"Mrs Anderson. We finally met."

Her gaze fixed on me. Surprised. "Oh my God! Mr Ruthford. Please come in." She shifted. I walked into a wonderful house, smelling of roses, citrus and some baking.

She was in front of me, smiling. "This is a surprise. Kenya didn't tell me you were coming. I'd have made preparations."

"She isn't expecting me. Can I see her?" I smiled. My heart raced in anticipation. She nodded, a knowing smile crossing her face. I didn't understand it. Moving away, she called.

"Kenya, someone is here for you!"

I waited. My heart thudded.

Kenya came out soon, standing in front of me. My heart stopped. Simple, beautiful.

Seeing me, her face paled.

"Hello Kenya. Miss me?" I asked, quietly. Smiling. Kenya trembled. *God! I thought I had lost her.*

"Oh honey, say something." Her mother pushed, softly.

"Levi, I..."

"I know. You missed me, baby." I finished for her, closing the distance between us. I towered over her. Dark, foreboding as I stared at her.

In a gentle grip, I took her hand. A tender kiss on her lips accompanied that action. She didn't resist.

"Oh, Mr Ruthford. I am so happy you came. At least you can distract her. She has been sad since yesterday," her Mum intoned.

I pulled back, holding her eyes in a tender gaze. "Is that true, Baby? What's making you sad?" I asked, concerned. She flinched from my touch. Her eyes, like daggers, were glaring.

"Nothing. Am fine."

I studied her expression, hoping she wasn't sad about that wretch!

"I do hope you will be staying long. We were just making strawberry tarts before you arrived." Her Mum offered, breaking the silence.

I spared her mother a glance, since the kiss. A bright smile split my face.

"I'll be staying until my task is done, Mrs Anderson."

I turned a knowing look to Kenya, a possessive hand caressing her lower back.

"And rest assured, it'd be a pleasure tasting something you both prepared," I continued, my eyes back on her Mum.

Mrs Anderson's warm smile betrayed her excitement, as she walked away.

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?" Kenya turned a despairing gaze at me.

I smiled at her, replying, "I tried calling you yesterday, and it seemed my calls to you were hindered." I looked at her, meaningfully. Noticing her discomfort.

"So I stopped by your apartment and discovered that you weren't home. I called Dave, and he hadn't seen you." I let my words sink in.

She shifted uncomfortably, walking to the open window.

"Then it hit me," I continued, lightly. "You jilted your soon-to-be husband..."

"You aren't soon to be anything." She sharply retorted.

I smiled darkly, coming closer.

"I had you tracked and received this address last night." I watched her face. My words affecting her. Yes, I was in possession of the address, since last night. But I wanted to give her time to enjoy one last freedom.

"You tracked me?" She was frightened. I nodded.

"What do you want?"

"You already know what I want."

"But it would be torture... Marrying you..." She whispered in tears.

I gazed at her, the old tenderness I had for her surfacing. But I dispelled it.

"I had initially given you until Saturday." I ignored her. "But now, you have until tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?" She gasped.

"Yes. Tomorrow morning a vehicle will arrive to convey you to the chapel where we will wed. Everything will be ready on your arrival, so don't worry about anything," I said.

Horrified, she stared at me.

"I wouldn't do it? I wouldn't. You can do whatever you want," She defiantly said.

Smiling, I shifted to a window. A beautiful view of the beach this was. Just like my Malibu beach house. I hadn't been there in years. I grew nostalgic. My gaze fell on a man and woman, kissing on the sandy beach. Enthralling.

"I have sent all the evidence to the D. A's office in Manhattan. I don't need to tell you what that entails," I said.

She gasped. Regret at my next words, eating me.

"If there is no command from me, by the end of tomorrow, they will go ahead with the proceedings. And the culprits will be caught and prosecuted. A detrimental blow to your family, Kenya."

"Why are you doing this, Levi..." Her voice broke.

My eyes lingered on the beach. My emotions schooled, as that familiar tenderness painfully resurfaced.

"Because you are the bane of my sanity. To be sane, I need all of you."