Page 37 of Love and War

“When can I see her?” I asked, already knowing the answer. Clutching the terrible coffee in my hand, it took everything in me not to throw it at the three men, who glared at me.

“You can stay with her tonight. But the rest can wait until visiting hours tomorrow morning.”

I nodded my head.

“Let me know if you need anything, Aziza.” Tyler smiled before mouthing, “Five-A.”

Smiling, I waited until Tyler disappeared before shooting daggers at Killian. At this moment I hated him. I hated that I loved him. That I wanted him to hold my hand while we went to her room. To tell me it was going to be okay. Because right now I had the sickening feeling that it was going to be far from okay.

“Why can’t we find anything on her?” Dimitri growled at me.

“She doesn’t exist, that's why,” I snapped. To hell with all of them.

“Yeah, got that, but we’re going to need a little more information.” Dimitri grunted. That caused me to chuckle. If he really thought his whole alpha attitude was going to intimidate me, he had another thing coming. You don’t have an abusive aunt, a psycho lover, and a revenge bloodthirsty best friend and cower to a demanding asshole.

“I’m not going to tell you shit, so don’t waste your breath.”

“Do not speak to me like that. You know who I am. You know I will not think twice about ending your fucking life right here, right now.” He growled at me, taking a step towards me.

My eyes flickered to Killian, wondering if he was going to defend me. But realizing I didn’t need him I began laughing. I might be even more crazy than I thought. To laugh at the Pakhan of the Bratva, to think he was full of shit.

“You think I’m scared of you? That’s good, a really good one. But no, buddy, I’m not,” I said, standing directly in front of Dimitri. “She doesn’t exist because I made sure no one can find her.” Pointing at Killian, I said, “Even if you think you have the best hacker, there’s always someone better. Me.” Pointing at myself, I smirked.

“Wait, what?” Killian finally asked.

“Salem no longer exists in this world. No one knows her, and no one can find her. She was never born. I took it all away. And if you ever threaten me again, Dimitri Volkov, I will make sure everything you have in your life disappears.” Patting his chest, I turned towards the door. I was done with them all. “And Killian, if I ever see you again, I’ll stab you. I don’t need aboyin my life that would ever allow his pussy boss to speak to me that way. I deserve better.” I didn’t wait for anyone to comment. I walked out of the waiting area, slamming the door behind me.

Taking in a deep breath, I ignored the pain in my heart of just telling the man I was in love that I never wanted to see him again. I needed to find Salem first before I dealt with this type of pain again.

Running up the stairs, I made it to her room. Not bothering to knock, I opened the door. Salem tensed, her hand reaching for what I would assume was a gun or knife under her pillow.

“Calm down, killer, it’s just me,” I tried calming my voice.

From the way she raised her brow at me, smirking, a mocking smirk, I knew she could read how I felt.

Walking over to her bedside, I took in her beaten body. Bruises covered most if not all of her body. She wore a nasal cannula, which she looked moments away from ripping off her face.

“Hey, long day?” I tried joking, but the words choked in my throat.

“I’m okay,” Salem whispered.

“Let someone help you.” Grabbing her hand, I intertwined our fingers.

“Aziza, we’ve been over this. There’s no one to help me. I’m not asking Uncle Walker. He’s out doing his own thing; I mean it’s not like he's actual family anyway. Plus, I don’t even want help. This is my mission, my job, my revenge.” Salem glared. I knew it wasn’t at me. It was at the fact her whole family was murdered in front of her.

“I know.” I sighed, closing my eyes.

“Are they still here?”

“Yeah.” I spent two seconds debating if I wanted to tell her or not. “I somewhat told them all to fuck off, and I toldKillianIwasgoingtostabhim.”I rushed the last part out faster than my brain could even think.

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

Nervously I stepped away from her bed. I knew Salem and she was falling in love with Zane. If she wasn’t already there. She wasn’t one to let people into her life. Thinking about it, she didn’t let anyone in. Ever since she lost everything, she became shut in. She only talked to me and her uncle maybe once a year.

“Well, Dimitri started on his shit like he always does. And I might have told them you don’t exist because of me. Then I, uh, might have told Dimitri that if he ever threatens me again that I would take everything he has away.”

The last thing I ever expected was for her to burst out laughing. Salem’s head fell back, laughing as though I’d said the funniest thing.

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