Page 92 of Crimson Flames

“Like what?” he whispers.

“Like you’re sorry.” I adjust the helmet on his head, making sure it protects him well before sliding down the clear visor.

“I am sorry though.” His hand catches mine, and I freeze, looking into his eyes. “But I’m not sorry for the reason you think. I’m sorry that this scares you, I’m sorry you are afraid right now. But mostly, I’m sorry that I gave you another reason to worry.”

“Kai, I worry because I care. I worry because that’s what a mothershoulddo. I’m scared you will be taken from me just as quickly as Aiden. I’m afraid your being here will distract us from what we need to do. But at the end of the day, I will always worry because that’s myjob.”

He pulls me in for a hug, his arms wrapping around me as we both try to sort through our feelings. His helmet knocks into my visor, making us chuckle.

“I want you to see what I can do. I want a chance to prove who I am.”

My finger strokes his cheek. “Are you sure this is really who you want to be?”

He smiles. “If it means I’m like you, then yes.”

I’m about to remind him that we aren’t good guys, that we aren’t people you should follow, when Alexi interrupts us.

“Alright, Damien and I are headed to the front gate to cause a distraction. Let us know when you have all reached the back gate and we will begin. Do not start cutting until you hear the signal.”

Cillian visibly pouts before he fist bumps Damien and leaves. I shake my head, laughing on the inside.

The nine of us start our walk to the back of the gate. Dense forest and tall grass protect the property, making it difficult to move close without creating a lot of noise. We take our time, walking carefully and staying close so we can track each other’s footsteps.

There is a lot of brush to cut down along the way. Our movement would be easily spotted during the day, but the dark of night covers us well in our blacked out gear.

We grow sticky with sweat along the way, our clothes plastering to us and our hands slipping around our weapons, but no one dares to speak or complain.

Kai holds his own well, sticking to the front of the group so I can watch his back while Arrow and Havoc take the lead. We have worked together long enough that we move seamlessly, and Kai fits in well.

Once we arrive at the back gate, Havoc alerts Alexi over comms. There is a moment of silence, then a deafening boom shakes the property.

“I’m guessing that was the signal,” Cillian says, pulling out the saw that should cut through the iron gate. There’s barbed wire along the top of the fence he points to. “Really gives that fancy boarding school feel.”

Kai laughs as Cillian starts up the saw and begins cutting away until we have a hole large enough to walk through. Gunfire erupts from the front of the property, but so far no one has seen us at the back.

Once we get inside the gate, one guard tries to fire, but Arrow lands a bullet between his eyes quickly before the guard is able to even take the shot. When I turn to head to our door, someone walks through. Before I can get off a shot, Kai has fired one to the head and another to the chest.

“Nice double tap,” Cillian says, walking in front of him.

“Good shot,” I say. His precision was much better than I expected, which makes me wonder how he has kept up the skill so well. I knew he had been working out and sparring with Boris and Alexi, but we haven’t talked about target practice.

Entering the building, we shift our stances so Cillian and I are in front with Kai in the middle and Boris watching our backs.

“Ready?” I ask Kai, and he nods.

“Let’s save some kids.”

Chapter 35

Kai looks slightly terrified as he follows behind Nessa and Cillian. I am at the back, watching everyone move while keeping us all together. Seeing Kai here was a shock, but even more so was Nessa allowing him to join.

It brings back memories of the last time we were all moving in on a target, and I do not like it.

Suddenly, Cillian presses himself to the wall, raising his gun. We all do the same, careful to keep Nessa and our soon-to-be-adopted son safe. Kai holds the red handgun I gifted Nessa like a professional. He never lets it out of his sight, and seeing himuse it now, poised with such precision, somehow brings me some peace.

This is his element just as much as it is ours. I need to trust him.

Two guards round the corner facing away from us, and we all hold our breath. We aren’t sure of all of their movements inside yet, so we plan to see what they’ll do and only kill if necessary.

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