RIVER'S POV

"River is going to be pissed." Those were the last words I heard from Dean's comm followed by an explosion and static.

I don't think he had intended for me to hear those words but damn right I was pissed.

"Dean." I called out pushing my chair back and getting up.

The cameras had cut once the explosives went off meaning I had no visual and no sound either.

"Evan, Alberto. Where is my husband?" I asked since their comms were still active.

Silence.

"Boys don't make me ask again." I gritted out.

I was trying my best to stay calm and avoid going to worst case scenario.

"We don't know. All explosives have gone off and their comms are offline." Evan replied.

His words were enough to send me to panic mode.

"We need to leave. This place will be crawling with police and fire rescue in no time." Alberto said.

"No! None of you comes back without my father and husband." I demanded.

Demi who had been quiet the whole time got up and approached me.

"River they cannot stay there." She advised.

"But Dean? Dad?" I cried helplessly.

My feet buckled under me as the weight of what was happening crashed around me. I did not even want to think or admit what was happening.

"You guys go, I'll stay back." Evan said.

"What? Are you crazy? That place is an inferno, you can't go looking for them. We don't even know if they are alive." Alberto protested.

"Trust me on this. Get the men back to the compound." Evan demanded.

Their comms went offline for a moment and I realized that they had cut us off. Only Alberto came back on to inform us that he was headed back with the rest of the team but Evan had been left behind.

"He's okay. They are okay." Demi consoled pulling me in for a hug.

"How do you know?" I cried.

"Both are tough stubborn men who have you to live for. If that's not something then I don't know what is. Listen to your heart. What is it telling you? Is Dean dead?" Demi asked.

"No." I mumbled shaking my head.

I was panicking because I'd heard Dean get shot and my father was wounded as well but something in me told me that they were still alive.

"See, then take comfort in that. Evan will find them and bring them back." Demi replied.

I nodded taking comfort in her words. Dean was okay and so was my dad. That would be my chant until Evan brought them back.

Alberto and the rest of the team arrived back at the compound forty-five minutes later. We had a few wounded men but no casualties so those who were injured were taken to the infirmary to get checked at. We had an infirmary at the compound with the best doctors. It was easier that way than having to explain all the gunshot wounds in hospitals.

"Have you herd from Evan?" I asked Alberto as Demi and I joined him in the weapons room where he was taking off his gear.

"No, he chose to go radio silent to be safe and avoid detection." Alberto replied.

The waiting was going to kill me. I was not a patient person made even worse by the fact that it was my father and husbands life on the line. Alberto approached me and pulled me in for a hug.

"There is no one more capable of handling this than Evan. If anyone is going to bring them back, he will." He consoled.

"I know." I nodded hugging him back.

I believed in Evan but I was worried that he would not have enough time. The place was on fire and filled with law enforcement but I chose to have faith. They would be okay. They had to. I refused to be an orphan or a widow all in the same day.

"I'll go get some fresh air." I excused myself stepping away from Alberto.

Neither he nor Demi stoped me as I left the weapons room. I made my way to the backyard taking a seat beside the pool. I took off my uggs and dipped my feet inside letting the cold water relax me.

My thoughts went back to earlier that evening when my father had hit me and Dean, my knight in tactical gear had come to my defense. Seeing Dean point a gun at my father threatening to kill him for slapping me was all the reassurance I needed to know that Dean would always be there for me. The man had not blinked even with all those guns pointed at him. He had been ready to die for me.

Time and again Dean had showed up for me, from the moment he gave me a ride at the airport and took me under his wing, taking me in after I had been attacked, marrying me so I wouldn't have to leave Kenya, coming to the states with me even after finding out who I was and his biggest sacrifice of all, agreeing to train to become capo knowing that it meant leaving his whole family behind. Dean loved me, there was no question about that and I loved the man back with my whole heart, body, mind and soul. The thought of losing him would be the end of me. I couldn't exist in a world that Dean wasn't in.

Footsteps rushing towards the pool had me turning in time to see Demi run to me out of breath. "Evan."

That was all she had to say as I jumped out of the pool foregoing putting my shoes back on. I followed Demi through the house and out the front door just in time for a familiar SUV to be parked right outside the house. Evan jumped out of the front seat covered in dirt and blood but it was obvious it was not his.

My heart nearly stopped when I saw the two silhouettes in the backseat through the tinted windows.

"Help me." He demanded opening the back door.

Alberto and a couple of men jumped into action getting my father and husband out of the backseat.

"Oh my God, Dean." I cried out rushing to him.

"He's alive. Don't worry, the doctors will take care of him." Evan assured me catching me before I got to them.

"They are alive but barely. They need medical attention. Multiple bullet wounds on both." Evan informed us.

I had already assumed the worst but Evan's words consoled me. Both men were unconscious covered in blood, bullet holes, soot and dirt.

"Thank you. Thank you." I cried hugging the man who had come to my rescue multiple times.

Evan had had my back so many times and now I owed him my husband's life.

"Name your first born after me and we are even." Evan replied with a grin.

"Deal." I laughed pulling away.

"Are you hurt?" I asked him.

"No, I'm okay. It's not my blood but theirs. Go with them, I'll join you in the infirmary after I shower." He replied.

"Okay, thank you again." I mumbled.

"Always. Now go." He demanded.

I kissed his cheek before following the trail of blood all the way to the infirmary. The doctors and nurses were already working on them when I got there.

"You have to stay back ma'am and let us work. We will take very good care of your father and husband." The lead doctor informed me.

I did not want to go but I knew these procedures being a vet myself.

"Okay." I nodded stepping back.

It took everything in me not to fight my way inside the theatre but I knew the doctors needed their space to work. I trudged to the waiting area where Demi and Alberto were waiting for me with open arms and a pair of shoes.

"Let the doctors do their work. They will be fine." Demi assured as she wrapped her arms around me.

I nodded knowing that she was right. All we could do now was wait, pray and hope for the best. Evan joined us half an hour later, freshly showed and changed into clean clothes.

"Coffee anyone?" He asked showing us the plastic cups in his hands.

"Yes please." Demi and Alberto chorused helping themselves.

"I'm a chai girl now but ill take it." I said getting a cup for myself.

"Any updates?" Evan asked.

"It's been less than an hour so definitely not. We will be here a while." Demi replied.

"How did you find them?" I managed to ask Evan amidst my inner turmoil.

"I remembered the catacombs under the house leading to the basement. I knew Dean would have thought of that too since we did all the surveillance together. I did not want to raise your hopes up in case I was wrong that's why I did not tell you. I used the exit and followed it until I found them. Dean came to long enough to help me carry capo out but he passed out on the ride back due to the blood loss." Evan explained.

I smiled when I realized just how smart my man was. He had done everything to come back to me and look after my dad just like I had asked him to. Now I just needed him to fight for his life.

"Dean will make a great capo." Demi declared.

"The man is still in surgery and you are already decreeing his fate. We don't even know if capo will be for it." Evan teased.

"He will be a fool not to. The man literally took bullets for him and saved his life." Alberto defended.

"What do you think River?" Demi asked.

"I just want both of them to be okay." I answered.

"They will be, just like everyone who works for him, those surgeons in there are the best of the best." Evan assured me.

"I know." I mumbled leaning on Demi's shoulder.

Amidst all the trouble we were going through I was glad to have all my friends there with me.

"I'm glad you guys are okay. We could not handle any more loss tonight." I confessed.

"It was a successful mission with no fatalities. Now we just need our capo and future capo to be better so we can celebrate properly." Alberto replied.

He was right, it had been a successful mission and we would focus on that.

The wait was long and we ended up dozing off on the uncomfortable sofas. Demi was the one who nudged me awake when the doctor came.

"How are they doc?" Evan asked when I did not say anything.

I was too afraid of what he had to say.

"Thanks to their protective gear, the bullets managed to avoid hitting any major organs and arteries. They need time to recuperate and they will need a lot of physical therapy afterwards but besides that they are okay." He replied.

"Thank God." I cried in relief sagging against Demi.

"You can see them as soon as they are transferred to their rooms." The doctor replied.

"Thank you." I said shaking his hand.

"Just doing my job. Excuse me." He said leaving us alone once more.

I told you they would be okay. We all did." Alberto grinned pulling me in for a hug.

I was so relieved to hear that they were okay but I still needed to see them for myself to be sure.

It did not take long for the transfer to happen. I decided to check up on my dad first knowing that once I saw Dean I would not want to leave his side.

I had never seen my father look so vulnerable. I don't think I'd seen him asleep ever. He had a couple of cuts and bruises on his face and his hair was loose from its usual tight ponytail but other than that he was still my fierce dad.

"I'm so glad you are okay dad." I whispered kissing his cheek.

His warm skin assured me that he was still with me.

I spent some time with him before going to Dean's room.

Seeing Dean on that hospital bed reminded of the look on his face when he saw me after I was attacked. I now understood exactly how he felt.

"Oh Deanie." I cried taking a seat on his bed taking his hand in mine. "My strong brave man."

Dean had survived getting shot multiple times and being blown up. He was my hero.

Demi and the guys dropped by to check up on him but they knew I needed to be with him so they did not pressure me to leave his side. His hospital bed was big enough so I found a way to squeeze in next to him making sure not to touch any of his injuries. I let the beeping EKG machine lure me to sleep as it was a representation of his strong beating heart.

Rough hands stroking my face is what lured me awake. My eyes fluttered open to meet Dean's brown ones looking down at me.

"Hi." I whispered lifting my hand to his face.

"Hi yourself. Are you okay?" Dean asked caressing my cheek.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I replied happy to see him awake and talking.

"I know you were worried but we are okay now. Does your cheek hurt?" He inquired.

My cheek was still pink with my dad's handprint from when he had hit me. I had been too caught up in the mission to ice it.

"I am fine. You on the other hand got shot four time. How are you feeling?"

"Like I got shot four times." He grinned at me.

"Deanie!" I scolded.

"I feel sore but there's no pain which I'm sure is because of the drugs." He answered.

"Good you had me worried there for a minute but I am so glad you are okay." I confessed kissing him softly.

"I am sorry for making you worry but I could not leave him. Speaking of, how is your dad?" Dean asked.

"Alive thanks to you." My dad's gruff voice answered.

Dean and I turned to the door to find my father there on a wheelchair with Gustavo right by his side.

"Dad you should be resting." I scolded sitting up.

"I am fine." He grunted looking at me.

"You are not fine. You got shot, multiple times and underwent major surgery." I retorted.

"You sound just like your mother but I will tell you what I just told my doctors. I am not spending another minute on that hospital bed like an invalid. I will recuperate in my quarters. I pay them enough to offer quality care in the comfort of my own space." He replied.

It was useless arguing with him knowing I was just as stubborn as he was.

"Anyway, I just wanted to pass by and see Dean. How are you doing son?" My father asked.

Dean and I were both surprised by his endearment.

Son? Wow.

"I'm okay sir." Dean replied overcoming his surprise.

"I am glad to hear that. You saved my life." My father said as if he was still trying to come to terms with that.

Honestly so was I so I did not blame him.

"It was the right thing to do." Dean replied.

"No, it wasn't. you could have left me there to die and nobody would have blamed you but you did save me and for that I owe you a great debt of gratitude and my life." My father expressed being vulnerable for once.

Looks like almost dying and getting saved by the son-in-law he did not want was enough to set him straight.

"You're welcome, sir." Dean answered.

"You will make a very good capo." My dad said shocking me even more.

I had known that Dean passing the test meant him becoming capo but actually hearing my dad say that out loud made it even more real. My husband was going to be the next capo. We had won. Our month of extensive training that could even be described as torture was paying off.

"Really? You think so?" Dean asked.

"I know so. You passed the test with flying colors. When it is time for me to step down, I will do it with grace knowing there is nobody more deserving to lead this family and best of all to take care of my daughter." Father dearest admitted.

"Thank you, sir." Dean mumbled.

It was clear that he was emotional and so was I.

"No, thank you." My dad said holding his hand out.

Dean shook my father's hand I knew the only thing preventing them from making it a hug was that Dean was bedridden. I was not so I got out of bed to hug my dad.

"Thank you, dad." I sniffed hugging him.

"You are welcome cara mia. I am sorry for everything." My dad apologized.

"Water under the bridge." I assured him knowing that everything was going to be okay now.

My father had given Dean a chance to prove himself and now that he had, it was safe to say that life would be great.

"I'll leave you two be. I have an inauguration ceremony to plan." My dad excused himself.

Gustavo wheeled him out leaving Dean and I alone.

"So all I had to do was get shot for him to approve of me?" Dean asked.

"Seems like it." I said with a shrug.

There was more to that but it all came down to Dean willing to put his life on the line for my father. It was the highest form of loyalty.

"Should have done it sooner." Dean grinned.

"Shut up. I am just glad you are alive." I replied taking a seat at the corner of his bed.

"Enough to keep your promise on celebratory kinky sex. If I remember correctly, there was mention of handcuffs to be used." Dean teased.

My jaw fell to my lap when he suggested that.

"You are serious right now?" I choked out.

"Yes, I never joke when it comes to sex." Dean retorted.

"You are injured." I exclaimed.

"My dick still works fine and its unharmed." Dean replied showing me the evident imprint of his hard dick on his hospital gown.

The man was shameless but he was all mine.

"Dean Kamau Kinyua."

"Yes ma'am."

"Let me get the door."

"Now that's what I am talking about." Dean cheered making me laugh as I got up to lock the door.

*********

DEAN'S POV

"Papi, you look hot." River exclaimed as she walked out of the closet joining me in the bedroom.

I did look good in a three-piece grey tuxedo. Six weeks of healing after one of the most gruesome nights of my life and it was time for me to take my place on the throne as the new capo. I was nervous but excited at the same time but I had River by my side. My queen, my wife, my happy place, my reason for being.

"Thank you waridi." I replied pulling her into my arms.

"You look exquisite." I complimented.

She was wearing a strapless red ball gown with rhinestones, a thigh high slit and clear heels. I was wearing a red tie a pocket square to match her dress.

"All yours." She grinned kissing me softly.

Her signature red lipstick made her lips even more inviting, her hair in a fancy updo making her look the ever-elegant queen that she was.

"Are you ready?" She asked me.

"Not really. For an inauguration ceremony, you Andersons don't kid around." I replied tugging at my tie.

River slapped my hand away and fixed it for me.

"No we do not but don't be nervous, I will be with you the whole time." She consoled patting my chest after tucking my tie into place and buttoning up my suit jacket.

"I know, I just wish my family was here." I confessed.

I had not seen them in almost four months and even though we talked everyday it was still not the same. It was the longest we had been apart and in different continents at that.

"Me too but how would we explain this to them?" River asked.

"You're right." I breathed feeling bummed.

It was a big moment for me but it was a new chapter of my life they could not be a part of.

"How about this? We plan to fly out for thanksgiving and spend some time with them." River suggested.

"Are you sure?" I challenged knowing that now that I was taking charge we wouldn't have as much free time on our hands.

Being capo was not easy and I was learning that the hard way. I was being forced to learn Italian and it was not an easy language. Russian was next due to our new partners but it would all be worth it in the end. I had proven myself to be a good student after all.

"Yes, now that you are the boss, we do have a fleet of private jets to choose from." River said with a smirk.

"I like the sound of that. Also, kind of freaked out that I am a billionaire now." I confessed.

A whole new wardrobe of suits was only the tip of the ice-berg as to how my life was drastically changing.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked River noticing the look on her face.

"Nothing!" She chirped stepping away from me.

"Seriously what is it?" I insisted knowing it was definitely something from her behavior.

She could not even maintain eye contact with me.

"It's more than a couple of billions." She replied finally answering me.

"Like how many?" I challenged.

I knew the Andersons were a rich family but I had no idea to which extent.

"You'll see once you start running the finances." River replied.

She took my arm and led me out of our bedroom.

"Give me a ballpark figure. How many private islands worth are we talking about?" I questioned bracing myself but it was not enough to prepare me.

"How about enough to cripple this country's economy." River grinned at me.

"Fuck, really." I choked out.

That was richer than rich.

"Yes, now let's go please before we are late." River insisted.

So, the mafia really did have more money than the gods and I was about to become the king. Wowzah.

As soon as River and I made it to the top of the stairs, the whole room went quiet for a moment followed by loud clapping.

"Show time." River whispered taking my hand as I led her down the stairs.

"Is this how you felt walking down the aisle?" I asked River as we walked through the red carpet in the middle of the room to the make shift stage made for the night.

"Close enough." She replied smiling at our guests and waving politely.

So regal. My queen indeed.

We made it to the stage where Julian, as he insisted I call him now, Gustavo and Alberto were waiting for us. Alberto was being inducted too as my right-hand man. I had been surprised when he asked me because that meant he was forfeiting being leader of the family back in Italy but honestly it was an honor to serve with him. There was no one I trusted more to be by my side always. Evan and Demi were also there and so were our partners from other syndicates.

Julian raised his hand to silence the whole room and the band hired for the night.

"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family. Tonight, is a special night because I finally step down as your leader and welcome my son into the throne. It has been a pleasure serving you these past thirty years but it's time I step down to give room to younger blood. This young man here has proven himself time and again as worthy of this position. Please join me in reciting the family creed." Julian said.

His words never seized to amaze me especially now that he was accepting of me. It still felt surreal to me. I looked at River as we recited the family creed, our eyes on each other as if we were vowing the words to each other.

"Dean Kamau Anderson, please kneel." Julian requested.

I had to adopt the Anderson name to keep the business in the family but to me it was an honor. I let go of River to kneel in front of her dad.

"Your vows?" Julian asked.

"I vow to protect this family with my all, against all trials, weather all storms together and be willing to lay my life down for each and everyone of you." I said out loud.

It felt like a knighting ceremony as Julian took off the cloak he had been wearing with the family emblem on it. At least there was no crown or sword, that would have been too corny.

"Rise, Dean Kamau Anderson, capo of the Anderson family." Julian called out.

I got to my feet and shook hands with him followed by a hug. See, surreal.

"I'm very proud of you." He whispered.

"Thank you, sir." I replied.

The habit had grown on me and no matter how many times I tried I could not bring myself to call him Julian.

I turned around and everyone clapped. I pulled River into my arms and kissed her infront of everyone making them calp and hoot louder.

"Capo." River rasped out breathlessly when we pulled apart.

"My queen." I replied.

I let her go so we could fully faced the crowd and bowed.

We stepped aside to let Alberto go through with his induction as well from Gustavo.

As I looked out at all the faces that now depended on me as their leader, I couldn't help but feel afraid. Then I felt River squeeze my hand as if she could feel my fear and it was all the reassurance I needed to know that I would do great. It was going to be a wild ride but at least I had my queen by my side.