Page 128 of Kadra: The Unfeeling

Dammit. My emotions are all over the place.

“You protected my butterfly every day of her life. I owe you more than I’ll be able to repay.” That comes from O’Sullivan. He tilts his head towards the two men at his side. Shaw and Benjamin. “You gave their boss your sister and in turn he gave her a beautiful life.” The two men nod in agreement. Then the one I know as Benjamin Banning speaks staring right at me. “Your sister is proud of you. She sent us here with strict orders.”

“Which are?” I hold my breath waiting for his response.

This time it is the younger man who answers. Shaw. “In her words, Sirius can handle herself but stand by her side in case she needs you.” He takes a pause before he speaks again. “And tell her someday is now.”

Sirius.

Someday is now.

I quickly turn and wipe a tear from my eye before they see me cry.

Silly girl… the voice in my head whispers as I look at all the men standing tall and strong and ready to fight for me. For my Azariel. You are so loved.

“Mila wouldn’t survive if something were to happen to you.” Riagan steps forward but I don’t look his way. I can’t. “Please don’t break my wife’s heart.”

Crack. That one sentence hurt more than a knife to the heart.

Finally turning my face toward them, I watch as Enzo blocks my view of them and goes to stand close to Valentino. Both identical twins look at me with different expressions on their faces. Enzo looks as angry as the dragon on his chest and Valentino looks at me with admiration and tenderness with a little anger behind those blue eyes of his. “There was no way in hell you thought I would let you walk through hell alone to not come back from it,” Enzo speaks first.

My chest starts to ache.

As much as I would’ve liked to fight this battle on my own as to not put anyone in danger, it’s clear that won’t be the case tonight.

Shit.

I quickly wiped my tears away.

“Whatever happens here. Please…” I say hoarsely without looking away from both of them. “Keep your promise. Keep my Azariel safe.” They both stared at me as if they were waiting for something. Taking another deep breath, I start to harden my heart so I can end this for once and for all. “And my Russian. My Vitali. Whatever happens to me you make sure he walks out of this building alive and with his son.”

Both twins look at each other then turn to me without saying anything. I tried again. “That’s all I want. That’s all I care about.” Looking at Val now I wait for his answer. He nods. “On one condition though.”

“What?”

“Stop ignoring my calls. My kids miss you,” he smirks. His eyes shine with pride when he mentions his kids.

Poe and Vaden.

My kids love you.

“Deal.” I smile at my friend. If I make it out alive, I’ll make sure a lot of things change. I need to make peace with my sisters and mend all that’s broken. I’ll also work on letting people that care about me in. I need to show just how much I care about them.

Because for a girl who was always alone, look at how far I’ve come.

I have not only my man at my back, my loyal men, and their support and also the love of the most ruthless bastards I know.

Detroit.

Philadelphia.

Washington.

New York.

The most powerful men in those four cities are behind me and once I would have felt anger if they thought me as weak and as if I needed saving but not now. Never again. I feel… grateful to have them wanting to fight alongside me.

That’s how I know the twins, Lucan and I got what our parents never could… right.

---