Chapter 22

Levi.

Kenya was escorted down the aisle by Alan, her arm tucked affectionately into the crook of his elbow as she walked toward me. To an outsider, it was the picture of a perfect union; to us, it was a high-stakes negotiation reaching its inevitable conclusion.

She was accompanied by her elder sister and her mother, both women resplendent in peach-colored dresses of varying designs. I felt a fleeting pang of sympathy for Kenya as she reached the altar. I knew she was disappointed that her young nieces, Stacy and Lisa, couldn't attend due to their exams. Their grandmother had spent most of yesterday’s dinner regaling me with stories of their brilliance, and I could see the void their absence left in Kenya's eyes.

Finally, Kenya stood before me. She was hesitant, her fingers trembling slightly until Alan gently encouraged her to surrender her hand to mine. I took it firmly, giving a brief, appreciative nod to Alan before we turned to the priest.

From beneath her thin, white veil, Kenya was breathtaking. Her white lace gown was a masterpiece of design, elegant yet daring with a high slit at the left thigh. Her hair was swept into a low bun, secured by a diamond comb that caught the light with every breath she took. However, I sensed the wall she had built between us. My gaze drifted to her bare neck, and a ripple of displeasure went through me—she wasn't wearing the diamond necklace I had specifically ordered for this ceremony.

I forced myself to focus on the vows. Everything moved in a blurred, ceremonial haze until the rings were exchanged. The priest, radiating a warmth that felt at odds with the tension in my chest, declared us husband and wife and invited me to kiss my bride.

I closed the distance slowly, my hands reaching out to pull her closer. As I leaned in, our breaths mingled in the small space between us. I pressed my lips to hers—a slow, deliberate contact. It was a gesture meant to seal a contract, yet it stirred a fierce, protective fire deep within me. I felt her resistance, a subtle tensing of her frame that only I could perceive.

Leaning close to her ear, I whispered a promise intended only for her. "I will ensure you never lack for anything in this world, Kenya. You have my word, and you have my undivided attention."

I pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes, searching for a sign of surrender.

"I’m afraid I can’t say the same for you, Levi," she confessed, her voice low and fierce, her gaze burning with an intensity that made my blood run cold. "I will make you regret this day so deeply that you’ll spend the rest of your life wishing you could turn back the hands of time."

The wedding breakfast was an intimate, sophisticated affair held at my Malibu beach house. I was impressed by the efficiency of my staff; despite the short notice and my long absence from this property, the estate was in pristine condition.

I had initially planned for us to head to New York immediately following the ceremony, but the look in Kenya's eyes when she embraced her mother had stopped me. I saw a profound yearning there, a need for one last moment of normalcy. I decided to grant her a reprieve, allowing her to stay with her family for another day. We would head to NYC on Thursday. Blake could handle the fallout of my delayed return.

Thinking of Blake brought a bitter taste to my mouth. I recalled the night Kenya found out about Hank—the fear in her eyes and her sudden realization of the world I occupied. Blake had made an honest mistake in his handling of the aftermath, a lapse in judgment that had almost cost me everything.

I had tried to explain it to her, to tell her the truth about that night with Hank—how I had found her at her most vulnerable and acted to protect her. But she had avoided my calls, forcing me to take drastic measures to ensure I didn't lose her. I had watched her succumb to the pain of what she perceived as a betrayal, unable to defend myself for fear of the disdain I had once seen in Belle’s eyes. Now, with our marriage finalized, I intended to uphold my side of the bargain, even if she promised me hell in return.

“Mr. Ruthford, thank you for including us. I wish you both a blissful future,” Alan’s voice broke through my thoughts.

We were seated on the terrace at the back of the house, the cool sea breeze ruffling our hair as we sipped expensive brandy. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore provided a rhythmic backdrop to our conversation.

"I’ve offered your wife a lead spot in my upcoming film," Alan said, dragging my focus back to the present. "I had no idea she was such a tremendous talent until I saw her debut."

A frown touched my brow. "I see."

“Of course, the offer was made before she was officially a Ruthford, so I didn't feel the need to consult you at the time. But you should be aware of the development."

I studied him silently, weighing the implications. Kenya had never mentioned this to me. "Did she accept?"

"You know Kenya," Alan said with a slight, amused smile. "She was hesitant at first, perhaps a bit overwhelmed. but her sister informed me that she’s accepted the role."

I nodded absently, staring out at the horizon where the sun was beginning to dip. "She is my wife, Alan," I said quietly, turning to meet his gaze. "Our marriage doesn't impair her career; if anything, the Ruthford name provides her with an advantage the industry cannot ignore. She will have the best of everything."