Page 69 of Our Blood, Our Pain

“And you’re just telling me this now?”

I push Seb in the chest and he stumbles backward as Dima flies over to us, ready to kill.

“Get your fucking hands off him!” Dima yells.

“D, it’s fine.”

“Like hell is it fine,” Dima says.

“No it ain’t fucking fine! You knew the danger he was in and you never told me?” I shout in frustration.

“Jules, last warning,” Dima says, getting in my face.

“Fuck you. Fuck all of you. Such fucking hypocrites. The way you all went off at Kai for Aaron, but Seb does something and suddenly it doesn’t matter.”

Dima grabs me by my coat and pushes me into the side of the car.

“Dima, leave him,” Lev says.

“You’re walking a fine line, Jules. Remember who we are,” Dima snarls at me and with all my strength I push him away from me.

“And you forget who I fucking am. I may not be a psycho like you, but I have no problem killing any fucker in my way when it comes to Kai. I’d gladly slaughter you and everyone else here to keep him safe. So do your fucking worst.”

Dima watches me for a second before Lev grabs my shoulder.

“Get in the damn car, Jules.”

“I’m so sorry, Jules. I care about Kai too. I’d never want to see him hurt. Never,” Seb says as a tear escapes his left eye and Dima pulls him close.

I can’t do this. I’m so close to losing all control right now, so I turn and get into the car. After a few moments Lev gets in, followed by Ivan.

“What’s this?” I ask as Ivan puts a large leather case next to me before getting into the front passenger seat.

“Just something that will help. You’ll see,” Ivan says cryptically. I don’t have time to think about it. Now I just have to sit here and twiddle my thumbs until I get to my Kai.

40

JULES

This car journey feels like we’ve been travelling forever. We’ve all remained silent, which I’m thankful for. Even though Lev has been keeping a regular eye on me in the rear view mirror. I’m ready to explode, to do some serious damage. I look down at my phone in my hands and stare at the flashing message from Kai. Whatever is on that message will send me into a spiral, but while I’m contained in the car, it may be the perfect time to listen.

Putting my phone on speaker, I press play on the voicemail, completely unsure what to expect.

“Jules…I–I-I’ve been s-s-stabbed. L-l-l-love you, i-it h-hurts.”

“Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I yell as I punch the back of Lev’s seat.

“Hey! Calm the fuck down. You can’t do nothing right now, and fucking up my car isn’t gonna change shit. Wait until we get there, then after you’ve seen him, we go find the fuckers,” Lev shouts at me. I rest my head on the back of the seat and close my eyes, gripping onto my phone so tightly, Kai’s soft, crying voice playing on repeat. And he still managed to tell me he loves me. Little shit. My head starts to hurt, trying to process this shit, I need blood. I need Kai.

“We’ll get whoever did this, Jules, and when we do, we’ll make it as painful as possible,” Ivan says as he turns to face me. His big brown eyes lock on me, conveying his loyalty. He hasn’t altered. That look in his eyes is the same as the sadistic fucker from when we were young. Ivan is as deranged as the brothers, the difference is, he hides it with a welcoming smile and a fake softness. He’s the definition of predator. I’m actually glad he’s here.

“Good,” I say, and I replay the message from Kai. Over and over and over until it’s ingrained into my soul.

“Shut that shit off, Jules. It won’t help. We’re about five minutes away from the hospital. You need to focus and be calm for Jenny,” Lev says. He’s right. I forgot about Jenny. This is her boy and she needs me, but I need Kai. I guess she’s about to find out the truth as any pretending, hiding who I am, is over. The real Jules is out to play and he wants to start some shit.

We arrive at the hospital and park. Lev and Ivan follow me out of the car toward the hospital entrance. Everyone stares as we pass by, which I suppose isn’t unusual. Three intimidating stacked dudes with tattoos who are dressed like the fucking mafia are bound to have you flinch away.

Fortunately the nurse at reception is helpful, and directs us to where we need to go. This hospital is a fucking maze, another obstacle keeping me away from Kai. We take the stairs to the third floor as I don’t have the patience for the elevator, and walk into the waiting area where Jenny’s eyes find mine as soon as I walk in, and she throws herself into my arms.

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