Page 90 of Love and War

Suddenly everything clicked into place.

Luca wanted me to stay away from the beginning. It explained why she came every weekend growing up. Hiding herself away, why I couldn’t find anything on her. Why she was helping Salem take his whole team out. Her own father slaughtered her best friend's family.

Aziza was hiding who she truly was from everyone. She was next in line for the Italian Mafia, and no one knew that except her. That’s why Luca wanted her gone now, with his son Dante being dead. He couldn’t let Aziza step up and try to take over. That’s why he paid Zander, aka Devil, to take her out.

And it just so happened Zander hated her for taking Z and I away from him.

Standing up, Zander's body slumped to the side, his eyes slowly blinking as he bled out. Without thinking, I aimed for his forehead, four rounds going off. His brain littered the tile floor, the cabinets, and now my clothes.

But I couldn’t care less.

I had my princess and baby girl to go see.

41

Killian

Azizawasstillasleepwhen I slipped back into her hospital room. Zane and Salem had gone home, while Z stayed inside her room. Right where he was when I’d left.

“Has she woken up?” I whispered the moment I closed the door behind me.

“No.”

Nodding my head, I was thankful she hadn’t. I wasn’t sure how’d she react with him standing in the corner with his damn mask and body completely covered. Even I got creeped out from it.

“I’m good here, you can go,” I said, sitting back down in the chair beside her bed.

Z didn’t say anything as he turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

My eyes tracked over Aziza’s body once more. The blanket had shifted off her a little. One of her legs peeked out, only to be covered in bandages. The hot rage threatened to take me over again. I just had to remind myself he was dead now. When I tell Salem about Luca, the fact he was the one who put a hit on her, she’d take care of him.

“Moya Printsessa, I love you,” I murmured. I wanted to climb in and hold her tight against me. To never let her go. Never let her out of my sight.

Her eyes flew open, wild, as a new set of tears streamed down her face. Her hand reached for mine, and at the same time I bent forward, needing to touch her.

“Killian,” she cried out, more tears forming and falling down her pale cheek. Wiping them away with my thumb, I didn’t care if the nurse shamed me. I climbed in beside her, careful not to bump any part of her. I formed myself against her, resting a hand on her stomach. “I’m so sorry.” She hiccupped.

“You don’t have anything to apologize for, moya Printsessa.”

“I shouldn’t have gone. I shouldn’t have gone by myself, I’m so sorry.” Her voice was weak but raspy.

“Aziza, listen to me, and listen well.” Cupping her face the best I could, I dragged my thumb across her lips. Wiping the tears again, I needed her to understand this. “This wasn’t your fault, none of it. Zander is the one to blame, he did this to you. And Luca is the one to blame for those actions.”

“No, no, no,” Aziza repeated over and over again. “This can’t be happening.” I don’t know how she could have cried even harder, but she did. “This wasn't supposed to happen. This can’t be real, no, I can’t.” I could barely make out what she was saying. Aziza began mumbling under her breath, shaking her head. This wasn’t how I expected her to freak out. I knew it was going to happen.

“Aziza…”

Aziza struggled for a moment, opening her mouth before closing it again. I should tell her I already knew what she was struggling to say herself.

“Please don’t hate me, please. If anything, ju–just don’t hate me,” she begged. If only she understood I could never hate her.

“I promise, I don’t have it in me to ever hate you,” I whispered, rubbing her cheek with my hand trying to keep her calm.

“He’s my father, Killian. And I’m so—”

“I know,” I whispered.

Her eyes shot to the side, narrowing down at me. “Y–you know?”

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