Page 46 of Kadra: The Unfeeling

And Grim that’s the silent man’s name.

What an odd name.

But who am I to judge? I have a Crow and a Vernon.

Their names are… unique to say the least.

Turning my attention to Vitali, I speak up. “I called your Pakhan last night to notify him that you were here.” Vitali’s eyes meet mine. “After he threatened me with bodily harm, the drama queen settled and he sent that one.” I point at the man. “So, like I said. You’re not a prisoner in my home but you are a guest and if you ever do something that threatens Azariel or any of my men’s life, you’re gone and this alliance is over.” While I mean every word, I don’t believe him capable of hurting Azariel or betraying me but I won’t rule it out just yet. These days you can’t even trust your own blood family. I know that too well.

“And you?” Vitali says roughly.

“What?”

“You mentioned Azariel and your men but what about your life?”

I shrug and say nothing.

I can handle myself and my men are perfectly capable of handling themselves as well but I won’t stand for any of them getting hurt because I chose to put my trust in the wrong person. I won’t ever be responsible for anyone else’s pain. I can handle pain but it’s another thing knowing you are responsible for hurting someone innocent. That I can’t bear.

Clearing my throat, I try to gather myself and then look at a quiet Azariel who is now looking at all of us with his hand inside his pocket. He hadn’t done that before when it was just the three of us. Now that the man, Grim is here, he has his hands in his pockets most likely clutching onto his knife ready to strike if he senses any danger.

I want him to be strong, brave, and capable of defending himself if the need arises but I don’t want him to live fearing others. I want him to grow up to be what others fear.

Little by little, he’ll come to understand that nothing should scare him. Not when I’m here to chase away the nightmares and fight his demons for him. “Azariel, come,” I ordered gently.

His lovely eyes meet mine and then they drop to my hands. It takes him a second but then he grabs my gloved hand making my heart beat stronger and steadier. And as he holds my hand, the man with the storm in his eyes burns me with his gaze, making me feel so much and I’m unable to breathe properly.

“Where are we going?” Azariel whispers so softly that I almost miss it.

I avoid meeting Vitali’s stare and usher Azariel away towards the inside. Once we leave Vitali and Grim behind, I open the double doors, let go of Azariel’s hand, and close the back doors behind us. “I want you to meet your teacher.”

“Teacher?” I notice his hand is no longer inside his pocket. They’re by his side as he looks up at me. Good. When he’s with me he doesn’t feel the need to hold onto his knife. He doesn’t find me threatening. He’s… comfortable.

Nodding, I enter the kitchen with him trailing behind. “Yes. A teacher. You need an education, Azariel, and I much rather have you homeschooled here where I can keep you safe until things settle down.”

Yes, he needs an education. Yes, he needs to learn everything kids his age do and he will. He’s smart. Much smarter than I was at his age. I noticed when he read books that are meant for adults. I also notice how his eyes shine with challenge whenever he learns something new. He has a thirst for more knowledge. He’s a genius. There’s no doubt in my mind.

My hope for him is that he grows up to be a powerful man but for that to happen he also must cultivate fear in others. He also needs to be smart to remain on top. And he is. He’s smart and much more.

One day he’ll be everything men like my father fear.

One day starts now.

Chapter 16

KADRA

SWEET MELODY

“Why am I so scared to fall in love?”- K

I should have been sleeping after the long hours spent searching online for any clue that might help me figure out where the Beauregard’s are holding their disgusting business after I burn down one of their favorite locations to supply high-society perverts with the kids, but I couldn’t bring myself to fall asleep. In the end, I started surfing channels, thinking about what the next day would bring. But as I considered turning the television off completely, I spotted a breaking report.

I wasn’t sure what made me pause just then to make sense of what I was seeing, but a few seconds later, I was glad that I did.

Because what appeared on the screen did more than just make me sit up, a slow smile creeping onto my face—it froze me in place.

There on the screen, is a beautiful blonde with happy eyes and a picture-perfect smile. My sister, Arianna. She’s holding onto the president while a crowd of paparazzi surrounds them as they try to get to their car. They’re trying to hurry past the swarm of reporters waiting for them.

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