Page 46 of Derick

“Yeah.” My friends had been beyond shocked as they’d only just learned I was even in a relationship with Derick. I’d had a lot of explaining to do, but I think in the end, they were just happy I was happy and excited. My new friends didn’t know much about my old life, but the three women I was closest to knew enough to know that I hadn’t had a very nice life before now.

The invitations were beautiful, bright, and colorful. I had no idea how they’d been ready for me to hand over to my friends when only hours before Derick had declared we were getting married on Sunday. They weren’t ones that were just printed out on a home computer, they were elaborate and the fanciest I’d ever seen. When I’d asked yesterday morning about this, I’d just been told that as soon as people heard the Silverman name things got done fast, and if that didn’t work, money always did. The Silvermans were very spoilt, I didn’t think they acted it though. Well, until things like that happened.

“Do you still want to stick with the bright, colorful theme?” Evelin looked up from her phone. “I’m just touching base with the wedding planner.”

My head felt like it was going to explode. Evelin had been in wedding mode since we came out of our room yesterday morning. I’d had no idea so much work went into planning and having a wedding. Evelin practically glowed with her excitement and eagerness to do anything wedding related. I never dreamed I would get married, so I hadn’t ever thought about it really. I had no idea about color themes and styles.

“I like the bright, colorful look you’ve chosen so far,” I said. “Why did you choose it?”

“Oh, that’s easy, I chose bright and colorful because you’re like a ray of sunshine. A rainbow, but with gold surrounding it.”

I couldn’t stop the tears that slid down my cheeks, but I beamed at Evelin. “You see me like that?”

The car had stopped. Evelin reached over, undid my seatbelt, and pulled me against her in a fierce hug. “You’ve made my son happy. You saved my other son’s life. You’ve given me a granddaughter. I’ve gained a new daughter who is the bravest, sweetest, strongest, and one of the most loving woman I know. Of course I see you like that, my wonderful daughter. I love you.”

I basked in her love. In her hold. I didn’t hold back the tears, because what she’d said was the nicest thing any woman had ever said to me. She’d called me her daughter too. My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. I felt so blessed.

“Thank you. I’m so lucky to be gaining a mother-in-law like you.”

“Call me Mum. You’re my daughter now. I’m sure I’ll drive you crazy soon with my wedding madness and hogging as much time as I can with my grandbabies. After Derick, I won’t have any more children to plan a wedding for until my grandbabies start finding their soulmates, and that’s a long way off.” She leaned back and patted my hand. “So, sticking with the bright theme—great, that’s easy. Okay now, are you having bridesmaids? If so, I was thinking our main colors could be green, yellow, and gold. I think blue, red, pink, purple, and orange should be used as background and extra splash?” She wrinkled her brows. “I didn’t word that very well, but I hope you got what I was thinking. Let’s get started.” She opened the door and stepped out.

I stared after her for a moment before Brand leaned in and held his hand out for me. I inched forward and eased out of the car to see we were stopped at a loading zone and four guards were close by us.

Brisbane city center was in front of us. We were on the expensive side with all the exclusive boutiques. I’d never beento them before. I hadn’t even bothered to window-shop. What would have been the point when I’d thought I’d never be able to afford anything in this side of the mall.

I followed the guards as they guided Evelin and I toward a huge bridal store. Taking a deep, calming breath in, I let it out and counted down from ten to calm my nerves before I stepped in.

I’d triedon some amazing dresses, but nothing had felt perfect or had been the one that made me fall in love with it. We were leaving the last large boutique and now going to the new designer. She had a small store, but it was three streets over and in a more secluded area.

“I want you both to stay close to each other. Dean is in the car, ready to go, and I’ve sent Lucca ahead of us.” Brand ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t like this. You’re too open getting there, and there’s not as much foot traffic to hide if we need to, but we’ve been training for this.” He caught my gaze. “Remember what we’ve been practicing.”

I nodded and held Evelin’s hand as we were guided by Sloane, Brand at my side and Dan on Evelin’s side. I had been working with the Silverman security since being told I’d have my own, but more so lately since seeing my father’s gang at the park a couple of weeks ago. Brand had been making sure I practice for at least half an hour a day for situation like this. It was also helping my self-confidence too.

We walked around the corner. The busy streets of the city made it hard for us to move, but our guards didn’t budge for anyone. I ignored the curses and comments from people passingby. The people started thinning and there were a lot less around in this direction.

Before we made it onto the street where the boutique was, Brand contacted Lucca. “How are we looking?” Brand stopped, halting our progress as we didn’t hear a reply. “Lucca? Statis?” Brand growled. Still no answer. Brenton appeared from somewhere and jogged ahead of us.

We stayed a block away from our destination, waiting for the go-ahead. “Compromised. Take the p…” Lucca didn’t finish as he started gurgling.

“Fuck.” Brand pushed us down and against the wall. “Move back,” he ordered. “Dean, we need extraction now.”

Brand kept guiding us back toward the busy crowd of the malls. He nodded at Evelin, held up two fingers and then three and pointed to the right. Evelin gave a sharp chin lift back.

“Ruby, we need the crowd as cover as we make it into the open to the other side, and Dean should meet us with the car,” Brand said. He grabbed my shoulders and tilted my chin up so I locked gazes with him. “They’re going to come for you hard. You’re valuable. They will try to take you alive. They’ll want to know what you’ve told. I need you to be the brave woman I know you are.” His hands dropped, and a look I’d seen washed over Derick’s father when he looked at his children now came over Brand. “You’re amazing. You fight with everything you have, Ruby. You can do this. We’ve practiced.”

Brand stepped back in front of me. The main open mall area was before us, but I see them, two groups of men in The Devil’s Queens vests. I faintly hear motorbikes in the distance.

“Now,” Brand yelled. “Run.”

Evelin let go of my hand and she and Dan bolted off, while Alex gave cover. That left me with Sloane, Brand, and a guard I didn’t know well called Chris. As we spun, I spotted another group that had the vests too. My heart sank. Three groups. Fuck,I was going to get everyone killed. I tried to remember all the training, but my mind wanted to shut down and go to our safe place.

“You can do this,” Brand snarled. He and the guards removed their weapons.

A bullet zipped past us, and I got down on the ground and crawled. I went as fast as I could while surrounded by guards on my hands and knees. The crowds were now screaming. It was chaos. Two police in uniforms seemed to be trying to help the people who were scattering. I rose a little and tried to move quicker but slipped and gasped when I noticed I was getting covered in blood. I fought my mind not to hide away again. I needed to stay in the here and now.

There were so many of them. I had a feeling chapters from other states had been called in to deal with me. I had betrayed my father and the Devil’s Queens. I knew what they did to people who had done what I did.

I had told my therapist about their trafficking everything from guns and drugs to women and children. With my therapist’s help I was even talking about men and other people I had blocked out over the years that were dangerous. Hitmen, pedophile, corrupt cops and politicians, and many other bad people. After today, I was going to make sure every law enforcement and official that needed to know knew everything to put away these horrible people. I was going to do the right thing and wasn’t going to be a victim.

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