RIVER'S POV

Saying goodbye to Dean's family had been more emotional than I thought. I hated lying to them but the truth would have been too taxing for them to handle. At least they believed us and wished us well requesting souvenirs when we got back. I didn't know when we would be back but I would make sure that I brought Dean back to them safe and sound. I would find a way to get my freedom from my father even if it was the last thing I did. I deserved to be happy with the man that I loved and my father would have to see that. He had to.

"Are you ready for this?" I asked Dean as we sat cuddled together in the backseat of the uber.

We couldn't take the Range Rover since leaving it at the airport was not an option so we had left it back at home together with the rest of our lives.

Dean had been quiet ever since we left his parents' house and the only indication that he was even with me was that he wouldn't stop rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. He was making such a huge sacrifice for me and I just wanted to make sure that he was okay every step of the way.

"I'm okay waridi. Just worried about leaving my family behind so abruptly that's all. We have never been in different countries let alone different continents." He admitted.

Dean's answer hit me hard but at least he was being honest and opening up to me. I felt guilty that I was taking him away from his family but he was my strength and without him by my side I probably would not be able to face my father.

"They will be okay and we will be back soon. We left them enough money to cover them for at least three months but hopefully it does not get to that." I encouraged even though the words were more for me than they were for Dean.

"I know and you are my family now too so I know I am exactly where I need to be." Dean replied squeezing our hands together.

Knowing that we were not in the privacy of our own car I settled for kissing Dean on the cheek and not on the lips like I really wanted to.

Earlier that morning when Dean and I woke up, we spent time in bed just cuddling and holding each other. Then we had slow, sweet and amazing sex before we took a shower and had breakfast knowing it was probably the last time we would have privacy for a while. We left after Jomo and Wangeci arrived. Everything was in place back home so we were assured that even with our abrupt leaving everything and everyone was taken care of.

"We're here sir, madam." Our driver informed us and I looked up to see that we were pulling up at the security check at the airport.

"Here goes nothing." Dean whispered.

"I love you husband, so much more than you will ever know." I confessed needing to let the words out before we faced my father.

"I love you more waridi, we are in this together." Dean replied sneaking in a quick kiss.

I smiled genuinely soaking up in his love and strength because lord knows I needed it. Getting through security was easy and after paying our driver Dean retrieved our two suitcases and it was time to embark on the next phase of our lives.

Since we were taking a private jet our check-in procedures were different than everyone else but unfortunately for us neither Dean nor I knew where to start. Luckily, we were not lost for long because we had barely walked through the entrance doors when we were approached by Gustavo and an official at the airport.

"Good morning gentlemen." I greeted politely my arm woven around Dean's protectively.

"Miss. Anderson, sorry Mrs. Kamau." Gustavo corrected himself when I gave him a pointed look.

"Surprised to see me?" I asked.

"No, your father and I knew that you would make the right decision though we were expecting you to come alone." Gustavo replied eyeing Dean pointedly.

"I am sorry to disappoint you and dad as well but Dean and I are a package deal now, where I go, he goes too. That reminds me you two have not been formally introduced. Gustavo this is my husband Dean Kamau, Dean this is Gustavo, Demi's dad and my father's right-hand man." I introduced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you sir." Dean greeted politely holding his hand out.

I expected Gustavo to blow him off but I was surprised when he shook my husband's hand with a firm and polite nod.

"Likewise." Gustavo replied before turning to me. "I am sure your father will not be pleased with this new development but we might as well go and see his reaction first hand."

"Lead the way." I nodded.

"Right this way please." The airport official who had been standing a polite distance away said.

He helped Dean with one of the bags since I refused to let go of his arm and led us across the airport. We did not go through all the legal procedures necessary to leave the country meaning my father had greased a lot of hands to get the authorities to turn a blind eye. Hoe else would he have managed to get all those weapons across airport security without getting arrested. Even across the world my father still managed to get his way.

We found ourselves out on the tarmac where my dad's luxury jet was parked looking out of place amongst the other smaller planes.

He couldn't have picked something lowkey?

"Wow." I head Dean gasp lowly next to me and I didn't blame him for being in awe.

The bird was a magnificent Dassault Falcon 7X with a capacity of up to eighteen passengers and capable of flying distances of over six thousand miles. It was a beautiful machine, one of the few my father possessed. The word humility was nonexistent in my father's vocabulary so it's no wonder he took any opportunity he could to flaunt his wealth. I was already used to it but my husband would have a hard time coming to terms with it considering his upbringing but I would be with him every step of the way.

"Remember its me and you against all of them." I said lowly to Dean.

He gave me a small smile and winked at me. "I like those odds."

Yeah, we would be okay.

Gustavo ushered us into the plane while my fathers' guards dealt with our bags. The plane's interior was just as luxurious as the exterior if not more decorated in gold, with leather seats extending over the length of the plane.

"Show time." I mumbled under my breath just as my father came into sight seated on one of the chairs looking like a king on his throne which he actually was.

"Father we are here." I said when we got to him.

"We?" He asked looking up from the newspaper he was reading. "Oh, you brought the husband." He sneered.

I didn't let his hard look faze me as he tried to stare down Dean and I.

"Like I told you, where I go so does Dean. He is coming with me." I declared tightening my hold on Dean's left hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Anderson." Dean greeted politely extending his right hand toward my dad.

My father barely glimpsed at Dean's hand before picking up his newspaper and going back to his reading. I squeezed Dean's hand comfortingly as he pulled his outstretched hand back. We had already mentally prepared ourselves for my father's iciness but it was still hard to watch. I wanted my father to like Dean but I also knew that was a far-fetched idea and it would not happen overnight.

"I hope you know what you are doing cara. I would hate for anything to happen to your guest." My father sneered his gaze still trained on his newspaper.

His statement made me angry. I was trying to be civilized but my beloved father just had to test my patience. I snatched the newspaper away from him to get his attention and stared him down.

"You might be good at threats dad but you forget that I am your daughter. You taught me everything I know so believe me when I say that if anything happens to Dean or his family, I will make you regret it. You underestimate me when I say that this man right here is everything to me. I will ruin you dad without any regrets if you so as harm a single hair on his head. We are coming with you to LA with the hopes of finding a solution to all this but whether it works or not is all up to you. I love you dad but if it comes to a choice, I will choose my husband without a second thought. Oh, and one more thing, his name is Dean and he is my husband not my guest." I said with so much conviction in my words, I surprised myself.

My father didn't even blink from my words but I didn't miss the proud smirk playing at the corner of his lips. The man underestimated me but he would be wise to be careful around Dean and I. I would protect the man I loved with my life.

"Then you and your husband had better buckle up because we are about to take off." My dad replied mockingly.

At least he had acknowledged Dean as my husband this time. I would take the small win. I took Dean's hand and led him towards the furthest unoccupied seat away from everyone else. I was about to sit down when Dean pulled me onto his lap and hugged me.

"That was so badass." He praised making me chuckle.

"Glad you approve. I have never stood up to my father like that. My hands are still shaking." I mumbled.

Dean pulled back and brought my hands to his lips. "You are so brave baby. I am proud of you."

I beamed and kissed him softly. "For you love I will take on the devil himself." I declared.

"Right back at you." Dean grinned kissing me once more.

We were forced to pull apart when the captain announced that we were about to take off. I reluctantly shuffled off Dean's lap and took the seat next to him bracing myself for the twenty-hour plane ride with two stopovers back to a home I never thought I would be going back to so soon.

"Is it weird that even though the circumstances we are under are not favorable, I am still excited to be going to LA. It's my first time flying out of East Africa." Dean asked me.

"Of course, not babe. I wish we were flying there under better circumstances but it's still going to be great. I will show you around just like you did when I landed and treat you to a tour of where I grew up." I replied.

It would be great to show Dean around LA and return the favor of our travels around Kenya.

"I can't wait." Dean beamed as the plane took off the runway.

We held hands through the graceful ascend showing how capable our pilot was. I expected nothing less from someone who worked for my father. He did not tolerate anything but perfection except when it came to me apparently but I was his daughter and not an employee.

Neither my father nor his guards disturbed us during the duration of the flight giving Dean and I the quiet time we needed to enjoy our flight. We did our best to pass time by playing games, watching movies, taking naps and eating. It was a really long and exhausting flight but I enjoyed it because I knew it was the calm before the storm. As soon as we landed in LA I knew everything would be different.

Just like I expected landing in LA felt different. I expected to be happy, going back home but instead I felt as if I had just arrived in a strange land. I had grown up in LA and I loved it but as we stepped out onto the tarmac, I couldn't help but feel like Kenya was more of a home than LA had ever been especially after my mom had passed.

"And here I thought Africa was supposed to be hot, it's like I just walked into a sauna." Dean commented making me laugh.

"That's LA heat for you and our proximity to the ocean does not help our case at all." I consoled.

The heat in LA was only rivalled by that in Texas seeing as we were already sweating yet all we had done was walk across the airport to get to the cars. My dad had his whole team waiting for us with more than ten escalades out on the runway in the private hangar owned by my father. We got into our own car just Dean and I thankfully with Adrian behind the wheel and Mateo right by his side. Its like nothing had changed at all seeing as they were the ones always by my side before I left home. But the thing is everything had changed, I was a married woman now and my priorities were different.

"I think I need my tour guide present and not lost in her own head." Dean whispered in my ear as our motorcade started moving out of the airport.

"I'm sorry." I apologized giving him an apologetic glance.

"It's okay. I know you must have a lot on your mind." Dean consoled being the ever-understanding man I adored.

"It's just strange being back here after all this time. I feel like it's been a decade yet it has been less than six months." I explained.

"It's understandable and you're free to feel how you want to. Just don't get too lost in there. I'm here for you." Dean said.

"I know Deanie. I appreciate it. But I have all the time in the world to worry about what's coming. For now, let me welcome you to LA. River the tour guide reporting for duty." I ginned at him kissing him on his cheek because we were not alone in the car.

I already missed being Dean's passenger princess, he always let me do what I wanted and I was free to openly show my affection for him. Hopefully everything with my father would get sorted out soon and I would be back to my real home in no time, where I belonged with people who truly cared about me and didn't think of me as a means to an end.

"I like the sound of that." Dean beamed as I rolled down the window to begin showing him the sights.

It was early afternoon when we landed so the streets were filled with people going back to work from the lunch rush making the traffic horrible but it gave me enough time to show Dean as much as we could from the vicinity of the car. Hopefully we would find time to get away from my father and give him a proper tour.

The drive to Beverly hills was shorter than I would have liked it to be and before I knew it, we were driving up the long driveway to our palatial mansion.

Home sweet home. Definitely not.

"You grew up here?" Dean mumbled lowly as Mateo opened the door for us when we parked outside the front door.

"Yes." I replied the word coming out more bitter than I intended it to be.

"Welcome home Miss Anderson, sorry Mrs. Kamau." Mateo said correcting himself quickly.

They had better all learn my new title real fast or I would start putting bullets into some people for the disrespect.

"Thanks, but before I left it was more of a prison than a home." I retorted.

Mateo didn't know what to say, not that there was anything to say so he stepped aside and let us pass.

"Isn't the mafia supposed to keep a low profile. This mansion does not say low key." Dean whispered.

"This is my dad's version of blending in. Besides the mafia he has other legit businesses, all a front of course but he has to show where all the money goes thus this." I explained motioning to the house.

"It's huge." Dean exclaimed as the front doors were opened to let us in.

"It's an exaggeration is what it is." I replied with a sneer.

I was about to say more when someone jumped onto my back pushing me forward forcing me to let go of Dean's hand. Were it not for Mateo who caught me before we fell, I would have dropped to the floor knocking a few teeth out.

"Bestieeee." Demi cried wrapping her arms around my neck and legs around my waist.

I laughed when my best friends voice registered in my ears and I recognized her manicured hands on my chest.

"Demi." I laughed setting her down.

She turned me around and pulled me in for a hug.

"I though Evan was pulling my leg when he said that you were coming but here you are." She cried pulling back to hold me at arm's length so she could check me out.

"I am here." I laughed happy to see her.

Seeing Demi was one of the few upsides of my father forcing me back to LA.

"Yes, you are. Married life looks good on you." She proclaimed with a grin.

"Demi, I saw you two weeks ago." I pointed out.

"True but still you look good, so do you Dean." Demi said sparing my husband a glance.

"Thanks." Dean laughed.

Demi looked so happy to have us back but she did not know that it was involuntarily and the only reason I was back is that my father had tracked me down through her. I would keep the latter to myself since I did not want her feeling guilty for something she had no control over. My father would have found me eventually through any means necessary.

"I am so happy that you are here. I missed you. We should totally go out tonight to celebrate your return." Demi suggested.

"Slow your roll bestie. We have just arrived and Dean and I are not back, we are just visiting." I laughed glancing at Dean who was busy looking all around the house.

"Even more reason to go out. I'll go tell Evan, you two go get settled in and we will pick you guys up later. Welcome back bestie and Dean welcome to LA." Demi declared.

"Thank you." Dean answered with a smile.

"Demi!" I called out but she was all gone.

I turned to Dean who gave me an apologetic smile and pulled me to his side. We were definitely not going out but Demi was already gone so I let her be. She would discover that later.

"Why don't I give you a house tour?" I suggested linking my arm with Dean's knowing Mateo and Adrian would handle out bags.

"I think you are using the word 'house' too loosely." Dean said as I led him through the house making me smile.

Over the next hour I showed Dean around and gave him stories of all the fond memories around the house. They mostly revolved around my mom and Demi but my dad was in some of them too. He wasn't always cruel so he and I did have some good memories together especially before my mom died.

"And finally, my childhood bedroom which will also be our room for the foreseeable future." I said unlocking the door to my room letting us in.

I expected it to be empty but Claudia was in there unpacking our bags. She jumped when we walked in, turning to us. She was surprised at first when she saw me but relaxed and grinned widely walking towards me. She pulled me in for a hug and I melted into her warm motherly embrace.

"Mija." She cried hugging me tight.

"Claudia." I replied with a sniff.

She pulled back after a moment holding me at arm's length like Demi had done to get a better look at me.

"You've added weight! Good. You were always so skinny." She grinned.

"The food in Kenya is great. You look well. I missed you, Claudia. I am so sorry I left without saying goodbye." I apologized.

She brushed me off with a wave of her fingers. "No need to be sorry mija. I completely understand why you left. I am just happy to se that you are back safe and healthy." She replied.

"I am." I grinned before recalling that Dean was behind me so I stepped back to introduce them.

"Dean this is my second mom Claudia, she has been the housekeeper here my whole life and my nanny. Claudia, this is my husband, Dean." I introduced.

"It's so nice to meet you ma'am. River has told me a lot about you." Dean said holding out his hand with a polite bow.

"Oh my, my mija is married now. She's a big girl." Claudia exclaimed ignoring Dean's hand and pulling him in for a hug instead.

Dean looked at me over her shoulder surprised while I just shrugged at him.

"Welcome to the family Dean." Claudia said and it was Dean's turn to tear up probably because Claudia was the first to welcome him after Demi of course.

"Thank you." Dean chocked out.

"I know it has been a long flight. I will leave you to rest while I go cook." She declared.

She was right and I had missed her cooking so I let her finish what she had started with our clothes knowing that stopping her would not turn out well before she left Dean and I alone five minutes later.

"Welcome to the family Dean." I mocked Claudia's words falling back onto my bed.

"Thank you. I think I could get used to this. I mean who wouldn't like having twenty-four-hour help, a mansion to live in with three Olympic size pools and bodyguards at every corner." Dean replied matching my sarcasm as he joined me on the bed.

I turned to him with a smile. "I know you didn't have to be here but I am so glad that you are."

"Me too." Dean smiled bridging the gap between us to kiss me.

I was about to roll onto my stomach to straddle Dean and maybe christen my childhood bedroom when I heard my father's mistakable footsteps in the hallway.

Here comes the welcome wagon part three, I though sarcastically before my door slammed open.

"What the hell do you think you are doing in bed with my daughter." My father boomed making Dean jump away from me and get to his feet.