Page 165 of Us Deadly Few

“You’re right, dear.” Winnie nodded. “In fact, we should start gathering our strength now. Come upstairs and eat something. I’m sure everyone would love to see you.”

Khalani licked her chapped lips, only now noticing the severe dryness of her mouth and the painful ache in her stomach that grew more intense by the second.

But Khalani fiddled with the tips of her fingers, digging her nails into her skin.

She didn’t know how to go upstairs. How to hide her intentions. One look at her face, and they’d surely figure out her plans.

“You don’t have to speak with anyone you don’t want to,” Winnie insisted, squeezing her hand tighter. “Winnie and Serene will be right there with you.”

After a moment, Khalani took a deep breath nodding.

Winnie kept her arm linked with Khalani’s as they ascended the stairs and entered the Black Heart.

Keno nodded at them at the top, his expression more anxious and wary than she’d remembered.

As they entered the bar area, Serene rushed forward and wrapped Khalani in a tight embrace.

“Are you okay? I’ve been so worried! Look at your hair! It’s a mess! I’ll fix it. I’ll fix everything. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you. Even for him.” Tears shimmered in Serene’s eyes as she held Khalani tighter.

“It’s okay,” Khalani choked out, trying to hold onto her emotions with the little strength she had left.

She wanted to disappear downstairs, so the people she loved wouldn’t have to witness her falling apart.

It was far easier to crumble alone.

“It’s not okay,” Serene stated emphatically. “But we’ll make it better. I’m never letting you out of my sight again. Even when you need to…you know.”

Khalani forced a half-smile, yet another barrier added to her plan.

Adan pulled her in for a hug next. “You alright there, Khalani?”

“As good as I can be,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Brock brought her a bowl of stew when Khalani sat down, and she raised a brow.

“I know food isn’t going to make up for it.” Brock sighed. “A million bowls might not even make up for what happened. I’m sorry for pulling you away, but you know that’s what he wanted me to do.”

Khalani found it tough to swallow, trying not to break in the crowded room of people staring at her.

“I’m not mad at you, Brock. You did what you had to do. Thank you for coming for us.” She meant the words.

He nodded, his gaze falling to the floor, but he sat close to Serene, who didn’t pull away from him like she used to.

Maybe they’d finally found some common ground while Khalani and Takeshi were away. The thought made her grip the spoon tighter as she forced the food into her mouth.

Everything reminded her of Takeshi. The chill in the air, the light in Winnie’s eyes, the warmth of her friends’ embraces.

She needed to escape tonight.

Khalani noticed Jack and Ryder nearby, speaking with Spade, whose lips pulled into a tight grimace.

Elise sat at a table by herself, playing with the ring on her finger as she stared at the stone floor, her back bent over as if a cinder block weighed down her shoulders.

But before Khalani could get up and speak with her, Spade prowled forward. The few Aces members left in the room glanced up as he spoke.

“We’ve received word that the Dealers are sending patrols through the streets. They’re trying to find out who broke into the camp. They know people escaped and are hiding in Hermes. We need to continue staying low for the next few days, maybe even weeks.”

“Do they know it was us?” one member asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

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