.”Ira interrupts, “ ... Mr. Blaine it was something which I needed to do because it is my mission. Perhaps after breakfast, might we travel to the...clinic to check on the welfare of my sister and Alexi?”I respond with a question, “What about Yasmeen, Zarika and Safia?”I go in further shock when she replies, “To Hades with them! Their dalliances with Alexi precipitated our capture by Boris the sex trafficker.”That reminds me of a question which had bothered me, “Just how exactly was Boris able to. It doesn't take more than one to ruin a good party. There were a few minutes that got awkward trying to figure out which room was to be used but Becky solved it by saying, "You are in your women's room. Please, no doubling up tonight if you know what I mean."Breakfast the next morning was a buzz of conversation. Everyone wanted to tell something about their partner. Becky laid down the ground rules, and cautioned everyone not to speak unless it had a happy ending, so to speak. Everybody. " Probably trying to lighten the situation with humor."Damn right I'm mad," Sajel growled. Now that she'd gotten something out, the floodgates opened, and she ripped into them. "What the fuck was all that about? Am I an invalid? Am I no longer capable of taking care of myself? What am I, your child or something?" Sajel—" Christa began."No," said Sajel. "No. Don't you go handling me, Christa Mackenzie Sternbacher. I'm not just some piece of furniture you can go push around." Mackenzie?" Zach. "Mark gathered up the paperwork and dropped it to the end table in front of him. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the jewelry box.Tessa gasped when she saw it and her hand trembled a little as she accepted it. A whimper accompanied the minuscule creak of the box opening when she saw the diamond ring inside."I ... I..." she stammered as she glanced back and forth between the ring and his smiling face."That's the ring I wish I could have given you when I asked you to marry me."He.