Page 33 of Kadra: The Unfeeling

“I thought for a second there you were going to leave me for dead,” Vitali says after both Azariel and Crow are out of sight.

“I was.”

“What changed your mind?” Is that humor I detect in his tone?

I give him my full attention as I take in his appearance. He looks much better today and he’s getting his color back. The shadows under his eyes are gone too. And even with the bruises on his skin and the bandages on his chest he still looks as infuriatingly handsome as ever. He looks just like he did when I first saw him. Time has aged him, yes, but not in a bad way. The years had been good to him. He is all muscle and man now. His cheekbones are more prominent, his firm, square jaw more chiseled and he still had those ridiculously long lashes women would envy. His lips are still blood red.

Meeting his gaze, I shrug, “I was feeling charitable that night.”

“Is that so?” His eyes shine and my stomach does a flip. Ugh. Not this again.

Be strong, Kadra.

“I see you’re all better.” I cross my arms over my chest. “You can go now.”

With a determined glint in his eyes, he takes a step closer and panic starts to rise inside me. “I don’t think you want me to go, love.”

I narrow my eyes at the way his grin splits into a soft smile. “What are you on? Has the medication gone to your head?” When he takes another step my way, I hold my hand in front of me. “Stop right there and don’t you dare come closer, Vitali, or should I say, Mikhail.” I snap while taking a step back.

When I feel threatened I attack and that’s why I do now. Vitali Solonik has always and most likely always have the power to disarm me, leaving me defenseless. I can’t risk that. Not now. Not ever again.

Vitali’s eyes quickly darkened. “About that—” I cut off the rest of his sentence not wanting to hear his excuses. His lies.

“Save it. I don’t need nor do I care to listen to your lies. Just stop, don’t come any closer.” I hate how my voice comes out weak. Damn him. His closeness unsettles me. It always has.

The past and the present clash as I look into those gray eyes that drive me mad with the need to both slap him and kiss him. A true menace he is.

The Russian stops and steps back a few steps so that I’m able to catch my breath. “Alright. I’ll leave but not before you hear what I have to say.”

“I don’t care–” He cuts me off and looks behind me. I follow his gaze and it settles on my Azariel. Frowning, I turn to look back at Vitali and the look he gives the boy currently looking at my collections of knives in awe, has me agreeing to listen to whatever he has to say. “You have ten minutes.”

“I only need five and a computer.” The deep baritone of his voice sends a shock of electricity through me. A very familiar feeling sinks in my bones. A feeling I haven’t felt in years.

Shaking my head trying to snap out of it, I raise my gaze and meet his determined one. “Fine. Follow me.” I walked past him towards the door. “Azariel. I’ll be showing this man out. Stay with Crow and do not worry. I won’t be far away. There are cameras all over the room. I’ll be watching you the whole time, alright?”

When I think he’s not going to say anything, I push the door open and hear the softest and sweetest voice. “Alright.”

I don’t smile.

I don’t turn to look back at him or give him a reassuring smile but deep inside my soul I feel the walls crumbling all around me and I’m helpless to stop it.

All because of Vitali.

All because of Azariel.

The man at my back and the boy with the sweetest voice that has the power to chase all my demons away if I allow it.

Mother was right when she frantically said that I would never face a tougher battle like the one love is. Now looking at Azariel and then Vitali I feel something I haven’t felt since I was fifteen years old. A tiny and weak pulse inside the hollowed space in my chest where my heart used to be.

No. This is not smart, Kadra. I try to reason but it is futile.

These two are dangerous.

Just keep your priorities straight and your goal in sight. That’s all that matters. Do that and they won’t be able to get inside what’s left of your heart.

I think to myself but then the obnoxious voice whispers inside my brain.

Liar, liar… you’re well and truly fucked.

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