"Our amazing family," I said, and kissed her again.

She nodded, close in against me, shutting out the cold. "Yes to all of it."

Chapter 117

WE CELEBRATED AGAIN that night, Szechuan takeout this time, and then a bottle of champagne with Sampson and Billie over at the house to hear the big news. No one could have been more excited than I was, but Sampson and Billie came pretty close. I didn't hear a single crack about how crazy Bree was for marrying me.

Much later, we were lying in bed – just Bree and me, that is – and already talking about a summer wedding, when my cell phone rang in the nightstand.

"No, no, no." I pulled a pillow over my head. "This is my New Year's resolution. No more phones. Maybe ever."

We were both due back at work the next morning – but that wasn't for another eight hours.

"Sweetie" – Bree climbed over me to take the phone out of the drawer – " I'm marrying a cop. Cops answer their calls. Get over it." She handed it to me with another kiss and rolled off again.

"Alex Cross," I said.

"I wanted to be among the first to congratulate you, Alex. You and Bree. What a happy ending this is."

I sat up. The voice wasn't just familiar. It was a stone-cold live nightmare.

Most of the world knew Kyle Craig as the Mastermind. I knew him as an old friend who was now my worst enemy.

"Kyle, why are you really calling me?"

"I'm bored, Alex. Nobody plays with me the way you do. Nobody knows me like you do. Might be a good time for some more fun. Just the two of us."

"I don't think we define that word in the same way," I said.

He laughed softly. "I'm sure you're right. Besides, even I can see you need a little break after Zeus. Consider it my wedding present to you. Just don't get too comfortable, my friend. Nothing lasts forever. But then, you already knew that, didn't you? All my best wishes to Bree, to Nana, and of course the kids. And Alex – here's to fun."

James Patterson

James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest selling writers of all time. He is the author of some of the bestselling series of the past decade: the Women's Murder Club, the Alex Cross novels and Maximum Ride, and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand alone thrillers. He has won an Edgar award, the mystery world's highest honour. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.