Page 76 of Psychological War

“Wish I could say the same,” I remarked back. Ignoring the stares I stepped further into the kitchen and went to the fridge. I needed to eat something quick. I was beginning to already feel faint.

“Watch what you say to my wife,” Dimitri barked at me.

“Or what, you’ll scowl me to death?” I rolled my eyes, still searching for what I needed. Nothing in the fridge or freezer would help me. I couldn’t look at Killian. I couldn’t ask him if he still carried his supplies around.

“Aziza.” Speak of the devil. Taking a deep breath, I turned. Killian was now standing in front of me, very close. I felt like I couldn’t breathe with him standing this close to me. Everything was suddenly coming back. All the feelings I’d shoved away were rushing back in. I hadn’t even realized he was speaking to me until he tilted my chin up. Staring up at him, his eyes softened at me.

“Blood sugar?” he asked. It was the simplest question, but it was everything. I didn’t trust my words, not this close to him. So instead I nodded my head the best I could while he held my chin. “Here take this.” He held something out in his other hand. I just couldn’t pull myself together enough to care. I wanted to stay right here in his embrace, he was one of the only two I trusted with my life.

You’ll always come second, my head reminded me. I would always come second to Killian. No matter what, Dimitri and his family were first. Killian was a computer soldier for him. I didn’t matter, just like Salem didn’t matter to Zane.

Remembering why I was here, I snapped out of my head and took a wide step back. Snatching my favorite chocolate bar from his hand I opened it as I walked around him and into the living room. For this conversation everyone was going to need to get comfortable.

Sitting down in the recliner I ate the chocolate while everyone slowly made their way in. Tobias waved at me as he headed towards the stairs, assuming Mila told him to go play while I was here. Dimitri and Mila sat furthest from me. Killian sat right next to me on the loveseat, holding out a water for me. Always thoughtful. I wanted to climb into his lap and remember the good days when he would always have what I needed. Always had this chocolate and had water because I was terrible at remembering to bring any.

“Why are you here?” Dimitri asked, reminding me I was here again for Salem, and not because of Killian and myself. I couldn’t stop myself from looking over at Zane. He was standing by the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest, his back to the wall as he watched all exits. He was back to how he used to be before Salem. It made my chest tighten. I wondered if that was how Killian was now. Did he go back to not sleeping? He’d never slept much before.

Shaking my head from the thoughts, I refused to worry about him. “Salem,” I said. One word.

One word was all it took for the room to become tense. Dimitri's body looked like he was ready to fight if she was here, Zane looked as though he was in physical pain just hearing her name.Good.I wanted him to hurt; he destroyed her.

“What about her?” Zane's voice was low. I wasn't sure I even heard him until Killian glared over his shoulder at him.

“It’s been months, wh—”

“Two, to be exact,” I interrupted Dimitri. Finishing off my candy bar, I took the water from Killian. I don’t know why I wasn’t expecting the lid to be just sitting there on top, ready for me to drink. But I couldn’t help but glance up at him, to find he was already watching me. Smirking at me. But it wasn’t cocky or mean. He was smirking like he actually cared about my opinion about him.

“That’s not the point, why ar—”

“I mean, it can be the point,” I again interrupted Dimitri. And the look he was giving me told me he surely did not appreciate it. “Here’s a question for you…You love Mila, right?”

“Yes.” He gave no hesitation, good.

“Then, Zane, I have one for you.” I turned my attention towards him. “Do you love Salem?”

All he did was glare at me. I knew he had some type of feelings for Salem, whether it was love or lust. Either way, I knew she had feelings for him. She loved him, even if she never wanted to admit it aloud.

“Zane.” My voice was stronger than I felt.

“Don’t say my name like that,” Zane snapped at me, taking a step forward. Suddenly Killian was on his feet standing in front of me, his hands fisted at his side.

“Take another step towards her, me and you will fucking fight, got it?” Killian never fought, but now he was willing to fight their enforcer for me. Willing to set aside the darkness he had for me. It warmed my heart, and I wanted to once again climb onto his lap and have him take me away from everything.

Instead I tapped the back of his leg with my foot. “It’s okay,” I whispered.

For a few moments they continued to stare at each other, glaring like their life depended on it. Finally Killian sat back down, keeping his hands in fists on his knees.

“Okay, enough of this. Aziza, I'm glad you’re here. Dimitri just has extreme trust issues, and I apologize for him being the way he is. But what are you doing here?” Mila asked.

“What do you guys know about Salem’s past?” I asked, looking around at each of them.

“Nothing,” Mila answered.

“Well, her whole family was murdered.” It was odd saying it out loud. Salem and I never spoke about it, and she never mentioned it. This was all weird. But it had to be done.

“Does this have anything to do with Luca?” Dimitri asked.

“It has everything to do with Luca.” Sitting back I tucked my legs underneath me before looking over at Killian. I was getting ready to ask him for a blanket, but before I could open my mouth, he held out the flannel he was wearing. I couldn’t stop the smile. He was surprising me, but I just didn’t have time for this. I had to worry about Salem.

---