Page 42 of Love and War

“Who is she?” Zane asked.

I had a feeling I knew what she was about to say, but it still surprised me when Mila was the one who said something.

“Ghost.”

“Bullshit, Ghost isn’t real.”

“No.” Zane was in denial.

“Oh, yeah,big boy. She knocked you out easily. Took a baseball bat to your nose. Broke your poor little nose. Even went through your wallet. What was your full name again? Zane Theodore Rivera. Damn must suck to get taken down by a five-foot-four girl.” Zane stormed out from the living room before the back door slammed shut. Aziza leaned against my chest, her head underneath my chin.

Dimitri nodded towards her on my lap. Peeking over, her eyes were closed before her breath evened out. I smiled down, feeling good that she was comfortable enough to fall asleep on me again.

17

Killian

Killian -14

Aziza – 10

“Doyouthinkwhenpeople die, they go to Heaven or Hell?” Aziza asked. We both sat underneath the play structure, while she drew random circles and hearts in the sand. I couldn’t help but want to beg her to tell me what was going on inside her head. Ever since she’d arrived, over two hours ago, she’d barely spoken or made any type of eye contact.

“You know, I don’t know if I believe that religious stuff. But if it makes you feel better, then yeah. When people die, I think they go where they deserve to go. So, if they were a good person, Heaven. And if they were bad, then I guess they’d go to hell.”

“Hmmm.” She hummed her acknowledgment at least, but still refused to look up.

“Did something happen?” I asked.

Instead of answering me, she shrugged her shoulders, going back to drawing a circle in the sand.

“Aziza, I can’t help if you don’t tell me.”

“Maybe I don’t want your help,” she snapped. At least we were getting somewhere.

“You know I don’t believe that right?” Cocking a brow at her, she rolled her eyes back. “So come on, spill it.”

When I didn’t think she was going to say anything, she finally took a deep breath and launched herself at me. I barely got my arms up to catch her before she wrapped her arms around my waist, her head resting on my chest.

“I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone,” she whispered. “But you’re my best friend, my best friend here that is. But I have another best friend, back—back home.” I ran my fingers through her hair, hoping it encouraged her to keep going. “Some bad, bad people came and hurt her family. And now she’s hurt, hurt so bad that she’s almost unrecognizable.”

I didn’t know what she meant by these “bad people.” But it would make sense why she wanted to know where people went when they died. Her best friend’s family must have been killed, and that friend survived.

“She’s different.”

“I’d imagine so, Princess.”

“I think I need to help her somehow,” she mumbled getting off my lap to sit next to me. “I think when we’re older, I’m going to track these people down.”

I had no doubt she would. Aziza was crazy smart. She always wanted to take care of others. I just wished she wouldn’t burn herself out doing so, because from the look in her eyes, I knew she wasn’t sleeping well, barely eating. And I couldn’t have that.

***

Aziza shifted on my lap, her hand squeezing my throat a little bit before she finally calmed down. Glancing around, I noticed Dimitri and Mila were no longer sitting there. I assumed they’d gone to bed.

Shifting, I tried my best not to wake her. Unfortunately, Aziza stirred before shooting up, her ass planted directly on my dick.

“Shh, it’s okay, moya Printsessa,” I murmured. She glanced over at the sun shining through, then looked around. “You fell asleep. They went to bed, and Zane still hasn’t come home.” I couldn’t resist kissing her temple.

---