The Broken Road (The Broken Series) (45 page)

Kadyn
unwrapped the box. His eyes lit up with surprise. “Tickets to the Bears and
Ravens game? The Bears are my favorite team.”

I
rolled my eyes. “I noticed.” It had been impossible not to, given that half of his
wardrobe had the team’s name imprinted on it.

He
smiled as he set the box on the coffee table. “It’s perfect.”

“
You’re
perfect,” I responded as I snuggled into his arms. I tucked my head under his
chin and sighed contentedly as we settled in to watch the lights twinkling on
the tree. The lights continued to dance across our bodies long after we fell asleep.

*
* * * * *

Kadyn
navigated me through the crowd that was gathering in the main foyer of the
Kennedy Center. I couldn’t help but admire how nicely his tux showed off his
broad shoulders and narrow waist as I trailed behind him. I was wearing a
silver sequined gown that captured the colorful lights flickering from the
bands stationed at both ends of the foyer. We had just finished watching Freddy
Cole and Dizzy Gillespie perform in the Terrace Theater. Kadyn was forging his
way through the crowd trying to find Cenia, Roger, Mason, Gabi, Phil, and Marie
so we could all be together as the clock struck twelve. Finally, I caught a
glimpse of Cenia’s red evening gown.

“There!
They're over there!” I shouted over the noise of the crowd and the bands.

Kadyn
quickly switched directions. He pulled me in front of him as we approached our
friends.

Marie
handed me a flute of champagne. “I was worried you wouldn’t make it down here
in time!”

“This
crowd is insane!” Cenia exclaimed as she handed Kadyn a Sprite.

“It’s
awesome,” I insisted with a smile. I had never experienced anything like it
before.

Both
bands stopped playing. The excitement in the room built as the crowd began
counting down to the New Year. “Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four!
Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!” The crowd roared as silver, gold, and white
balloons fell from the ceiling.

Kadyn
forgot all about the champagne as he scooped me up in his arms and planted a
passionate kiss on my lips. Auld Lang Syne began to play; and everyone around
us began to toast, sing, and dance. Kadyn handed our glasses to a nearby
waiter, then twirled me around until he was firmly hugging my back against his
chest. “Happy New Year,” he whispered in my ear.

I
looked out over our friends and the beautiful concert hall. I turned back
around in Kadyn’s arms and smiled. “Thanks to you.”

Kadyn
gathered my face in his hands. His eyes locked on mine. “You know I love you?”

We
stood there, two people alone in a crush of bodies. I silently studied Kadyn’s
face; and a million snapshots in time flashed through my mind… the first time
we met, our first date, the friends he had given me, the times he held me while
I cried, the flight to Montana, the first time we made love, and the moment he
had stood between Justin and me. Each memory whispered to my heart, and my
heart beat back its response… slow at first, then hard and fast. The room spun
as every last one of my defenses fell. I reached for Kadyn’s hands as they
framed my face. My eyes sought his as I spoke. “I do. I do know you love me… and
I love you too, Kadyn… with all my heart.”

*
* * * * *

With
the holidays behind us, the weeks melted away and quickly turned into months.
It had been three months since the kidnapping. I was happier than I had ever
been in my entire adult life, but I continued to struggle with nightmares, and
my thoughts still turned to Justin at the most random times. He was locked in
some high security detention facility near Trout Lake. He had pled not guilty
and insisted on a trial. I found myself praying he would plea bargain, so I
wouldn’t have to testify or face him in a trial.

I
was surprised I hadn’t heard anything from Michael. I wondered if he had heard
about what happened with Justin and decided I had endured enough drama for one
lifetime. I tried not to question it too much and just accept it for what it
was.

We
were discussing these developments one night at Kadyn’s apartment while eating
pizza with our friends. Roger quickly steered us toward a more pleasant topic.
“I know exactly what you need to chase all of those bad memories away.”

“What’s
that?” I asked curiously.

Roger
reached for another slice of pizza. “A vacation. Someplace fun.”

I
set my pizza down, immediately enthralled with the idea. “A vacation,” I
repeated, already picturing the possibilities.

“It’s
almost spring break,” Gabi observed thoughtfully.

“We
should go someplace warm… somewhere with a beach,” Marie suggested.

Everyone
dropped his pizza and began researching possible destinations on his phone.

Mason
looked up from his phone. “How about Jamaica?”

“I
know. Cancun!” Cenia exclaimed.

“The
Bahamas?” Gabi inquired, and we added it to the list.

I
watched, thoroughly amused, as they began debating the merits of each of the
vacation spots. “The Bahamas,” I said quietly, finally weighing in.

“The
Bahamas,” Kadyn agreed with a smile; and the decision was made.

I
glanced at Cenia and Roger as we wheeled our luggage away from the shuttle that
dropped us in front of our hotel. “I still can’t believe we all managed to get
on the same flight!”

Phil
and Marie fell in behind us, laughing.

We
left Mason and Gabi sitting on a bench, surrounded by Gabi’s luggage. They were
having some heated discussion about whether this trip to the Bahamas actually
constituted a date. Gabi insisted that it did. Mason was still a firm “no.”

Kadyn
and I smiled as we exchanged knowing looks.

We
were checking into the hotel when I heard a familiar voice call out behind me.
“Hi-ya, Krissy.”

I
whipped around and saw Kimme and Dan grinning back at me. “Oh my God,
you’re
here?” I quickly turned on Kadyn. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me they
were coming!” I punched him in the arm.

Kadyn
didn’t flinch. He actually shook his head and looked embarrassed for me, given
my pitiful excuse for a punch. Still, I had to massage the pain out of my
knuckles.

“Surprise!”
Everyone shouted in unison. Then they all burst out laughing.

I
flung my arms around Kimme and Dan. “It’s so good to see you. Thank you so much
for coming. And, Dan…” my voice cracked as my eyes filled with tears.

“It
was my pleasure little lady,” he responded affectionately.

I
grabbed him by the shoulders as I locked my eyes on his. “Thank you,” I
insisted. There was no way that I was going to let him avoid hearing those
words.

Kadyn
shook Dan’s hand. Then he gave Kimme a hug. I quickly introduced Kimme and Dan
to everyone else in the group.

“Why
don’t we all get settled into our rooms and meet back down here for dinner at
five?” Kadyn suggested as soon as we were checked in. Everyone agreed as we
made our way toward the elevators.

I
was so excited when I saw our room had a view of the ocean. Kadyn pushed open
the sliding glass doors so we could step out onto the little patio. I trailed
after him. “I can’t wait to drink coffee out here in the morning. Can we sleep
with the sliding glass door open so we can hear the waves?”

Kadyn
smiled as he bracketed me against the rail. “I don’t see why not.” He ignored
the view as he trailed open-mouthed kisses all down my neck. He slid the strap
from my sun dress out of the way so he could continue kissing across my
shoulder and down my arm. I tore my eyes from the ocean just as he reached my
hand. He had a very determined look on his face as he began pulling me back
inside.

“We
only have a half hour before dinner,” I objected.

Kadyn
scooped me up and threw me on the bed. “I can work with that.”

He
had all the grace of a panther as he crawled up the bed after me. Within
seconds, he had me pinned beneath him, begging for more.

*
* * * * *

I
was still flushed when we met our friends downstairs. Kadyn had such a smug
look on his face, I was certain our friends knew what we had been up to.

Kimme
grinned when our eyes met. She linked her arm in mine. “Did you guys get a room
with a view?”

I
nodded. “Yes. Did you?”

“Yes,
it’s lovely. I told Dan I wanted to fall asleep to the sound of the waves, but
he’s pushing back about having the sliding glass door open. He thinks it’s a
security risk.”

“What
floor are you on?” I asked curiously.

She
rolled her eyes. “The tenth floor.”

I
shook my head. “And Dan thinks
that’s
a security risk? Who’s he
expecting to scale the side of the building, Spiderman?”

She
laughed. “I have no idea.”

Cenia
returned from the concierge’s desk. “There’s a restaurant right next door with
an open deck that faces the beach. The food is supposed to be quite good.
Should we just wander over there?”

“Sure,”
everyone responded agreeably. We filed out of the hotel and made our way next
door. It was still early for dinner so we had no trouble securing a table for
ten. The waiters pushed two tables together near the edge of the deck. The view
was breathtaking.

The
waiter took our drink orders, then ran through the specials. Everyone in the
group ordered fresh fish, shrimp, or crab. I threw caution to the wind and
asked the waiter to surprise me. As long as I was giving up control, I figured
I might as well go all out.

Everyone
began talking about what he wanted to do during the trip. I caught about every
third word, focusing instead on the view and the sound of the waves. I tucked
my legs underneath me in the hard wood chair and leaned into Kadyn’s arms. “I’d
like to go for a walk on the beach tonight.”

Kadyn
kissed the top of my head. “That sounds good, Kri.”

The
waiter delivered our drinks and a couple baskets of bread.

Mason
reached for a piece of bread. “Maybe we can join you,” he mused in all
seriousness.

Gabi
threw a chunk of bread at him. “You are so clueless!”

Mason
winked at me, proving that he was not at all clueless. He was just trying to
get a rise out of Gabi.

“Does
anyone want to go swimming with the dolphins?” Cenia asked excitedly.

My
eyes grew wide. “We can do that?”

“It’s
a little expensive,” she admitted, “but the concierge can make the arrangements
for us.”

I
took a sip of white wine. It was cold and crisp, perfect for the balmy weather.
“How much are we talking?”

Cenia
managed to look hopeful and apologetic at the same time. “A hundred dollars.”

I
did some math in my head, then smiled. “Let’s do it!”

“Anyone
else?” Cenia asked.

The
rest of our friends shook their heads, then resumed talking about the things
they wanted to do over the next few days.

Kimme
nudged me, then quietly asked, “Have you made a decision about moving back to
Montana?”

The
other conversations screeched to a halt as everyone waited for my response. “I
know I owe Charlie an answer,” I began hesitantly, “and I need to start
applying for jobs if I’m going to stay in DC, but I’m having a really hard time
deciding. I promised myself I’d make the decision by the end of this trip.” I glanced
around the table at my friends. “I’m counting on you guys to hold me to that.”

Kimme
nodded as her gaze shifted to Kadyn. “I don’t imagine it’s going to be an easy
decision.”

I
felt nauseous just thinking about it.

Our
waiter appeared with two more waiters in tow. The conversation shifted as they
began distributing our plates. I looked up at our original waiter as he set my
plate in front of me. “What did you decide to order for me?”

“Grits
and fish,” he said. “Best dish in the house.” He had a huge grin on his face as
he waited for me to take a bite.

My
eyes widened as soon as I did. “It’s really good. Very spicy!”

He
nodded, obviously pleased, as I passed the dish around for everyone else to
try.

Kadyn
handed me one of his shrimp. “You should try this.”

I
pulled the tail off and popped it into my mouth. “Wow.”

He
laughed. “I thought you might like it.”

I
grabbed another shrimp from his plate and handed it to Kimme. “You gotta try
this!”

Kadyn
gave me that stoic look he was famous for. Kimme and I burst out laughing.

“No
respect,” Dan mumbled as he shook his head.

I
looked at Cenia. “I’d offer you one, but I think he might bite my hand.”

Kadyn
gave me a heated look that suggested he might bite a whole lot more than my
hand.