Page 127 of Kadra: The Unfeeling

Even when my body starts to ache and I feel exhausted I keep bursting doors open looking for the asshole. I take another turn, with my gun in hand and three knives strapped to my body, hurrying down a long corridor.

Last night, Vitali came down here with Grim and Vernon while I stayed behind with Azariel and planted weapons all over the building only we know about.

“Kadra!” A familiar voice booms from behind me. Turning with my gun pointed at the person behind me, I exhale when I see my friend. The friend I’ve been avoiding for months now.

Valentino Nicolasi.

Behind him there are more familiar faces.

Lucan Volpe stands dressed in a navy-blue suit with his gun holster visible.

Then there’s Lorenzo Nicolasi wearing his usual black shirt and black jeans with an evil glint in his eyes and two knives in his hands.

Narrowing my eyes at Val, I feel anger bubbling inside. “What are you doing here?” I hissed.

Dammit.

He’s not supposed to be here. None of them.

“You gave me your word!” I snapped at Lorenzo. “Does your word mean nothing?”

“I’m keeping my goddamn word.” Lorenzo hisses as he sidesteps Lucan then walks toward me. “But plans change.”

“Why the fuck wouldn’t you tell me?” That comes from Valentino.

Taking a deep breath, I lower my gun. Looking at my oldest friend, I say. “You had so many things going on and I couldn’t put my burdens on you.” That’s the truth. I know all he’s gone through and how hard he fought for his happy ending. I was not going to put his life at risk. Not when he finally found happiness.

“Bullshit.” Val snaps looking angry now. “We’re family. That’s what we do for family.”

Family.

What a fool I’ve been. I spent my entire life shutting people out and all this time they thought of me as family. As part of them.

“Unfortunately.” Valentino’s twin rolls his eyes.

Lucan takes a few steps my way looking all serious and ready to tear the world apart. Guilt claws at my throat, choking me.

“And you?” I direct my question at him. “You have little babies and a wife waiting for you. Go home!” I shouted angrily. This was not the plan.

It was simple.

I would kill the fucker, end his and his family’s reign of terror and then ending the suffering here in this building. I was supposed to go out fighting but fighting alone, not side by side with men who mean something to me risking their lives for me.

Suddenly I feel strong arms wrapping me in a hug and the familiar scent of Valentino brings me comfort. “There was no way in hell we were going to leave you alone. Not today. Not ever.” A sob escapes me. I don’t feel ashamed showing them my vulnerability but I do feel helpless knowing that things could go south and they could get hurt. How will I ever look their wives in the eye again? How will I live with that in my conscience? Holding Valentino back, I whisper so only he can hear. “I had to do this alone. For myself but now…” I choke on the words. “Now he has my…”

“Your boy.” Valentino finishes for me before pulling back and looking at my face. I notice his eyes no longer have shadows under them. They’re blue and they shine even when he’s furious. Fallon James did that for him. The same way Andrea Nicolasi and Cara Volpe did for Lucan and Lorenzo.

What my Russian did for me.

Taking a deep breath, I step back and look them in the eye when a door bursts open and two men I’ve only seen on TV join us. Benjamin and Shaw. The two men tasked with guarding my sister and her family. “And what are you doing here?” I asked, frustrated. The only thing that could make this even worse for my guilt is if my little sister’s man walked in.

I spoke too soon.

Riagan O’Sullivan walks in, joining our unexpected reunion.

“You fought alongside my men and risked your life to give me my boy,” Lucan says, grabbing my attention.

“You saved Fallon’s life when I still had my head in my ass. You’re the reason why I get to wake up every morning with my family surrounded by love.” Valentino whispers, looking at me with love and gratitude in his eyes.

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