What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
McKenzie's mother had clung to that mantra after her husband's disappearance. Repeating it like a prayer to survive the emptiness and pain. Over the years, McKenzie had made it her own, but now, she needed it more than ever.
It had been nearly a week since she last saw Jasmine, and the ache in her chest hadn't eased, until today.
For the past two days, she'd barely eaten, spending most of her time in Yellows' bed, drifting into dreamless sleep thanks to medication. When he wasn't out pretending to be Alejandro's stooge, Yellows took care of her. And now, thanks to Eddie, there was a glimmer of hope.
Last night, Eddie had emailed Yellows with a chilling update; Jasmine had been found in one of Matteo's shipping containers. Now, the feds, aware that she's Alejandro's daughter, wanted to use her as bait. McKenzie was well aware of their twisted deal.
Without hesitation, Yellows sprang into action putting a plan in place.
Now, sitting at the edge of the bed, she watched as Yellows paced the bedroom, satellite phone pressed to his ear. All morning, he had been finalizing with his men for the rescue mission, determined to get Jasmine out of the safe house before Alejandro found out where she was.
By the time he hung up, his jaw was clenched and his muscles tensed.
"I'll make Matteo pay for putting Jasmine in one of his shipping containers!" he growled. "And how the fuck did she even reach within his grasp? That fucking bastard!"
"You're going to bring her back," McKenzie said softly, refusing to accept anything else.
"I am going to bring her back." A small smile tugged at Yellows' lips as he sat next to her.
He offered her his hand and she took it. He pulled her close to him and kissed her lightly on the lips.
He trailed the side of her face gently. "When I bring Jasmine back. I want you to be mine, Kitten. Completely."
"But, I am yours," she said, a little confused.
Yellows reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black velvet box. When he opened it, sitting snug inside was an engagement ring with a massive rock sitting on top.
"I want you to be mine, legally. Kitten, will you marry me?"
McKenzie blinked up at him, completely taken by surprise in the moment. When she told Yellows that she would stay with him nothing could've prepared her for his proposal so quickly. But, here it was, and she'd be stupid to to deny it.
She smiled. "Yes, I'll marry you."
Yellows slipped on the ring. "I've waited five years to place this on your finger," he murmured, a soft chuckle escaping him.
"You bought this five years ago?" McKenzie glanced at the ring on her finger then at him.
He nodded. "I did."
"You were that sure you'd build your empire, defeat Alejandro...and I'd say yes?" She lifted an eyebrow.
"That's right." Yellows rubbed the back of her hand gently. "You have been the only sure thing in my life, Kitten. Everything I've done, everything I'm doing is for you...for us."
But then, his expression shifted to one of concern. "Kitten...please, don't cry."
Using the back of his thumb he wiped away the tears from her cheek. She hadn't even realized they had fallen until his touch chased them away.
Yellows wrapped his arms around her. She rested against him, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry," she sniffled. "It's just...I've never had anyone be this sure about me. No one has ever done the things you've done…are still doing for me." She hesitated, her fingers curling into his shirt. "After everything you've seen happen to me...you still…you still want me."
She pulled away then, finally looking up into his eyes, searching for doubt but finding none. The tears welled again. "You still...love...me...despite it all." A shaky breath escaped her lips. "I thought I'd never be happy again...but now...I finally have a chance to be. Thank you, Yellows."
Without another word, she kissed him deeply. Yellows was a major part of her world now, no more hesitation or doubts on her end. He had accepted her completely, and today, she did the same for him. He was hers, just as she was his. And she'd do anything to protect him, just as he would for her and Jasmine.
He groaned and whispered hoarsely against her lips, "If I didn't have to go and get Jazzy, I would've kept you in this bed until we were both too exhausted to move."
She slid her hand along him, a wicked smile playing on her lips. She purred, "I'll be right here, ready and willing, waiting to scream your name, when you bring my baby back."
"Our baby," Yellows corrected, his grip tightening on her waist.
Our baby.
If Yellows only knew how true that statement might be.
Her fingers continued to tease him as she whispered against his ear, "Bring our baby back, complete our family. We're counting on you. I'm counting on you."
A soft knock echoed through the room.
"Boss, the boys are in place and we're ready to move," Gallows stated from the other side.
"I'll be right there," Yellows called back.
Reluctantly, Yellows pulled away from McKenzie and stood.
"Don't leave the bunker until I return," Yellows said adamantly.
McKenzie nodded, her voice soft but steady. "Please...come back in one piece. We just found each other. I don't want to lose you before we get a chance at life."
It was as if her words triggered something in him. McKenzie saw the dangerous gleam flare in his eyes, the way his posture straightened, the tightness of his jaw. This was the Yellows she was used to, the one who was damn good at his job, the one who could kill without hesitation and make sure he got his target, no matter the cost.
"I've got everything under control." Yellows assured her. "The building where Jasmine is being held is surrounded by my boys. Eddie sent the feds a nice little video showing that we've got hostages of our own."
"What do you mean?" McKenzie cocked an eye.
Yellows' blue eyes turned icy. "I have one family member of each person guarding Jasmine. All under the age of eighteen. They have one hour to let her go or all the hostages die."
"Do you think they'll do it?" Hope lingered in her voice.
Yellows' eyes narrowed. "Unless they want a live stream of their family members being murdered, they'll release her."
McKenzie stood, and gripped his biceps, her green eyes matching the intensity of his blue ones. Her voice was cold, controlled and fierce. "Do whatever you have to. I want my future husband and our child with me, safe and sound. Where they fucking belong."
She knew Alejandro was a big deal to the feds. She knew they didn't negotiate with men like Yellows. But none of that mattered. They took her baby. They made Jasmine a pawn in their game. And McKenzie didn't give a flying fuck who had to suffer for that mistake.
She kissed him gently on the lips, her tone softer. "I love you, Yellows."
"I love you too, Kitten."
There was a sharp knock on the door. Yellows stepped out of McKenzie's embrace to answer it. Gallows stood in the doorway, his expression grave.
"Boss, Alejandro's losing it. He doesn't know where you are, and wants you to deliver a package for him. Now."
Yellows nodded, his jaw tightening slightly. Then, he turned back to McKenzie, eyes softening.
"I'll go see what Alejandro wants. I don't want him getting suspicious. But once we have Jasmine, he's fucked."
"I trust you. Now, go."
"I'll see you soon." He gave her a brief but affectionate kiss goodbye, then exited the bedroom.