Page 88 of Crimson Flames

Nessa huffs, crossing her arms like a child. It’s cute seeing her face turn as red as her hair. Kai takes her hand in his, pulling her attention to him. “Don’t take any risks, please.”

I can see the moment she gives up the fight, placing an arm around his shoulder instead. He leans into her side, holding her as if he could shield her from what we’re about to do.

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Half a day and a lot more arguing later, we have a solid plan. Boris is arranging a plane to fly us and our cars under the radar to our destination.

His connections are insane; in less than eight hours since he made the call, everything is set.

Nessa hugs Kai goodbye, and tears threaten to spill over when I pull him into my arms. Boris does the same. We can tell he’s angry about being left behind, but this is the best choice for him.

Alexi grabs my attention, and I help him load up the rest of our gear into one of the vans. Nessa gets in her car where Boris will ride with her to the airstrip.

By the time everything is packed up, I look around for Kai once more. Dr. K walks out, saying that he went to his room visibly upset. I don’t blame him for not wanting to see the cars drive away. I don’t want him to think we are leaving him, so I shoot him a text.

Cillian: There are Twizzlers hidden in your bathroom.

Immediately, he responds.

Kai: The ones I already had this morning from behind the sink, or the ones hidden between towels in the linen closet?

I laugh to myself as Damien drives the van to the airstrip.

Cillian: The ones I put in there ten minutes ago on the shelf in the shower.

Kai: Please hold.

Kai: Damn, this is why you’re my favorite.

I highlight the message and save it.Am I planning on holding that over everyone's head in the future? Feck yes I am.

Cillian: Enjoy, kid.

Kai: Please be safe. Keep her safe.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. Maybe it was unfair of us to ask him to stay behind. I can’t imagine the anxiety coursing through him right now with us gone. The last time we did this, Nessa got shot and we lost a piece of our family.

Cillian: We got this. We will be home to have breakfast with everyone in twelve hours.

Kai: That’s a long time to not hear from you.

Cillian: I will text you every hour then, how does that sound?

Kai: Thank you. Sorry if I’m distracting.

Shaking my head, I type out a message as Damien glances down at my phone.

“The kid having a hard time?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what the right thing to do is here, but I hate thinking we made the wrong choice to leave him behind.”

Damien claps me on the shoulder. “I get it. He’ll be out here with us one day. Just a few more years.”

Is that what Kai wants? Does he want to really live this life, or has he found something more he might be interested in?

I’ll accept him either way, I just want it to be his choice.

Cillian: You are not a distraction. You know I love talking to you, and if this helps, then I want to be here for you.

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