Page 141 of Kingmakers, Year Four

“You lied to me about Kyrylo Lomachenko, too,” I say. “You killed him. I know you did.”

My father’s breath is coming through his teeth in hissing gasps.

“Who are you to judge how I do business,” he seethes.

“Let go of Kade,” I say, again. “This is over.”

“It will never be over,” he replies, his eyes slipping away from my face, fixing on Ivan Petrov instead.

“Do you want your daughter back or not?” Sloane snaps. “Put that fucking gun down.”

My father’s eyes dart from Ivan to me, and back again.

He snarls, “Bring her to me.”

Then, he tosses his Glock to one of his soldiers, and drags Kade to the center of the chamber, standing directly over the grate.

“I’ll take her,” Rafe says, quietly.

He passes his own rifle to Sloane, so he’s unarmed except for the knife at his belt, just like my father.

Sloane opens her mouth to argue, but Rafe cuts across her, repeating sharply, “I’ll do it.”

He takes my arm. His hand is warm and steady.

Rafe walks me toward my father, the opposite of a bride being given away on her wedding day.

When we stand before him, my father at last releases Kade. Kade stumbles back toward his brother. Adrik grips his rifle, obviously struggling with the impulse not to open fire as soon as Kade is out of the way.

I’m supposed to cross to the other side like Kade did.

I’m supposed to join my own family.

But all I can think of is Sabrina’s words, echoing in my head:

Are you sure what side you want to be on?

My father or Rafe?

The Petrovs or the Malina?

Rafe looks at me. His eyes are as clear and blue as I’ve ever seen them—a reminder of sea and sky in this sunless place. He relaxes his grip so my forearm slides through his fingers, until my hand is resting on his palm.

We gaze into each other’s eyes. There’s no lying when you speak without words.

I turn my hand, linking my fingers through his.

Then I say to my father, “I’m not coming home with you.”

He looks at my hand, holding tight to Rafe’s.

“What are you doing?” he rasps.

“I’m going back to Kingmakers. I’m staying with Rafe.”

My father isn’t shaking anymore. He’s gone deathly still.

“You choose him over me,” he says. “This boy over your own father.”

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