Chapter 732 - Jeff and JoAnna return to Los Angeles

~ Above Pacific Ocean ~

Earlier that morning…

Jeff and JoAnna are in the helicopter, approaching the coast of California.

They discussed their plans for the day.

Jeff will focus on tasks that need to be completed before Oscar takes over as a temporary CEO. Also, he will talk with Steve and decide how they will continue going forward.

JoAnna plans to follow up with wedding planners and to make sure everything is ready at the resort. Tomorrow some of the guests will start arriving and in two days, they have a rehearsal dinner. Next day is bachelorette's party and then wedding… only four days away!

Jeff is happy that JoAnna will take care of the guests, including the guys who are arriving from his side early for rehearsal dinner and bachelor's party.

JoAnna also needs to talk to Bridgette and she hopes that the talk can happen as soon as possible.

Besides that, JoAnna will follow up with Sarah to double-triple check that Eve will be set up and ready as a security for their wedding. As much as their parents will be there and provide their support, she believes that Eve will be the key to keeping everything in order, probably because no one else knows that Eve exists. She is like a perfect hidden guard.

When the coast was in sight, both Jeff and JoAnna turned on their phones so that they can get a head-start with their day.

Jeff is going through his work-related email while JoAnna is checking her messages.

JoAnna tugged Jeff's hand. "I think we should go and visit Sarah and Aiden first."

Jeff gave her a questioning gaze.

JoAnna summarized messages she received from Sophia and Sarah: "Sophia and Felix were attacked yesterday. Everyone is fine, but they suspect it's connected with Eastern European families. They will give us details in person. Also, everyone is there."

"Everyone?", Jeff didn't understand this vague description.

"Sophia and Felix decided to stay with Sarah and Aiden. And our parents are there as well. And even my future patient Charlie is there with his uncle."

Jeff frowned for a second before instructing the pilot to change course to the Cliffside villa.

He has so many questions, and he can tell that JoAnna is in a similar state of mind. Both of them kept their phones on the side and got lost in thoughts.

Jeff held JoAnna's hand and he fiddled with her fingers while worry swelled inside him since she mentioned Eastern European families. He could not help but fear if those families became impatient and decided to make a move on the sisters (and his brother). Right now, they don't have enough information to defend themselves properly, and they can only dream about switching to offensive.

He hopes that whatever power he gets after he becomes a married man, he can use it to keep them safe. All of them.

Jeff told himself to be patient. There is no point in freaking out now. Soon they will reach their destination and then they will find out what exactly happened during that one day while two of them were out of town... and they will take it from there.

~ Los Angeles, Cliffside Villa ~

When helicopter with Jeff and JoAnna landed, it was still before breakfast.

Hill and White parents were enjoying morning sun on the rooftop terrace.

Aiden and Felix were on the training grounds. Aiden was getting Felix to do some exercises in order to see what his current state is so that he can recommend areas for improvement. Sophia was there as well, observing.

Sarah was sparring with Jesse. Since Aiden is there, it's OK, and she is not breaking her promise. Jesse is not a match for Sarah, and she is still gauging his skills. In this session he is attacking while she can only defend. Jesse wins if he forces Sarah to make a step back.

Bodyguards which came with Smiths are watching attentively Sarah's sparring match, and few minutes into the match, Jarred and Charlie joined as spectators as well.

When they saw that Jeff and JoAnna arrived, they stopped their training and decided to freshen up and head for breakfast.

Jarred and Charlie were curious about Jesse.

"It seems that he has skills. How come he was not with you yesterday?", Jarred asked while they headed toward the villa.

"He had a tooth extraction, so we gave him few days off.", Sarah explained. She has no intention to disclose information that Jesse does not have an ID yet, and that is the reason they are not letting him leave property.

Jarred didn't ask any more questions about Jesse. He has something else on his mind: "We were wondering if we can get our bodyguards to train with yours."

"Can you clarify that?" Sarah was not sure if she heard him right.

"Not to hide anything… We saw you yesterday. And now we saw your bodyguard. He is not a match for you, but I believe that he can defeat any of our men. And we also saw how our people were taken down yesterday like they are elementary school kids fighting grownups. We will appreciate if you can provide some training for them.", Jarred explained.

Sarah glanced at Aiden.

He understood that she can't make this decision without him.

Training bodyguards for them and their family is one thing, but for others… If they recklessly accept, there is always a chance that they are training their future enemies.

"We will talk about it and let you know what we can do.", Aiden answered and Jarred was happy with this answer.

They all had breakfast together.

Jeff and JoAnna were eager to find out what happened previous day, but considering all people seated at the table, they understood that this is not the time to discuss that topic.

Charlie took this opportunity to talk with JoAnna and to assure her that he is ready for the surgery anytime.

After breakfast, Jarred and Charlie said they are heading out.

"Thank you for your hospitality. We have meetings to handle today.", Charlie said when they were ready to leave.

"You are welcome to come here when you are done, if you wish.", Sarah made sure they know they are welcome.

"We might. It will depend on how our meetings go. We will be in touch.", Jarred smiled. He was happy that Sarah offered them to stay longer. He turned to Aiden and gave a reminder: "We will be grateful if you accept to train our men."

Elanor approached him and asked in a low voice so that Aiden and Sarah can't hear: "You plan to come back here? What is wrong with your villa in Santa Monica?" She still doesn't have an answer to why is Jarred sticking to Sarah, and she doesn't like it. He has a perfectly good villa about half an hour drive from here! And Sarah is HER daughter-in-law!

Jarred glared at Elanor and responded in a hushed voice: "It's being fumigated. It seems that we have a pest problem."

Elanor glared back at him. 'Fumigated? Pests? Is he implying that I'm a pest?'

Elanor leaned closer to Jarred, and spoke in threatening hushed voice: "Are you sure you can afford to provoke me? Hmm?"

Jarred grinned for a second when he realized that he managed to shake up Elanor again. He thanked Sarah and Aiden one more time before heading to the car while ignoring Elanor. Bodyguards were waiting for them and they went to check on their men in the hospital before heading for their meetings.