Page 60 of With This Ring

“Want a drink?” I point over to the open bar.

He nods, so I guide him in that direction. Before we get to the bar, Charlie materializes in front of us like he appeared out of thin air.

Kai sighs, though I see the brief flash of happiness in his eyes. I don’t know why, but he still loves Charlie. Charlie doesn’t fucking deserve Kai. “What are you doing here, Pop?”

“Making sure you don’t squander the family money on some art bullshit your kind like.”

“Fucking watch it, Charlie,” I growl. If it weren’t for the affection Kai had for him for some ungodly reason, I would have taken Charlie out by now. “I will fucking put you on your ass if you keep disrespecting Kai.”

Charlie takes a step towards me, but Kai steps between us. “Any money I donate will come out of my pocket. Like everything has since I’ve been an adult. You don’t have to come and fucking babysit me, Pop.”

“You don’t tell me what to do,” Charlie seethes, his face red. I swear if he keeps that up, he’ll have a fucking aneurysm. “I’ll behere if I want. No matter what I said before, I’m still the head of this family. You’re just in my way.”

I don’t have time to retort before Charlie storms off. Kai stomps over to the bar, ordering two shots, tossing them back before I can come to stand next to him. “Easy,” I murmur, ordering us two beers to nurse. “Don’t let Charlie get under your skin. Regardless of what he says, the St. Clair’s are yours. He’s a fucking angry old man that doesn’t know how to stay in his fucking lane.”

Kai makes a noncommittal noise as he drinks some of his beer. He polishes it off in two more swigs, then sets the empty on the bar. “I’m going to the restroom.” He hustles off before I can check on him.

Fuck, Charlie is an ass. I can’t figure out why he gives Kai so much shit, other than he’s gay. My dad would be fucking thrilled if me or Declan owned a lucrative business. It’ll only be a matter of time before Charlie and I come to blows because of the shit he talks to Kai. My husband can handle himself, but it’s getting on my fucking nerves.

I tip my beer back to take a gulp, but my eyes snag on someone entering the building.

Sam Fenster.

Anger surges through me, but I keep my composure since we’re in such a public place. His gaze connects with mine and he smiles like the fucking cat that caught the canary. Someone walks in my line of sight, and by the time they move, Sam is gone.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I fire off a quick text to Gavin, then Declan. Gavin and Nico are doing the rounds, making sure there is no danger.

Gavin responds immediately, telling me he’s on the way to my location. Declan says he and Hendrix are upstairs but will head down immediately. I slide my hand into my jacket,gripping the handle of my gun while I look around for Kai. He said he was going to the restroom, but he should be back by now.

Commotion by the entrance catches my attention and I focus on the two men that are arguing. The noise level rises, the shouts reaching my ears clearly.

I stare at them for a moment, then it hits me. This is a fucking diversion. Just as the thought enters my mind, Gavin and Nico approach me.

And all hell breaks loose.

“Gun!” someone shouts, and everyone starts running towards the exits. Not even a second later, the ringing of gunshots rents the air. Screams crop up and the three of us are shoved back and forth, being separated by fleeing bodies.

I’m pushed against the bar, hissing when my ribs strike the edge hard. I shove the man that bumped into me and pull my gun from its holster, looking for danger. More shots ring out, one of them pinging off the bar when my hand just was. I look up and aim, seeing Gabbi Fenster standing near the stairs in a flowing red dress with a slit up the side and strappy red heels, trying to get another clear shot at me. I fire off two rounds, both striking her; one in the arm and one in the stomach. She doubles over but doesn’t start bleeding from her belly. She must have a vest on, though how she managed it in that get up is beyond me.

As she scurries away, I give chase, keeping my eyes peeled for Kaison. I see Gavin tussling with a man in a white suit that I’m sure is one of the Fenster guards. When he gets the man to the ground, he plugs him with two bullets in the chest. He turns to me and gives me a nod and I return it, then move further into the room, wanting to locate Gabbi, but needing to find Kai. I’m not sure how she got away from me with those heels on, but with the confusion of people running in all directions, I couldn’t keep her in my line of sight.

The ball room where the music was playing and people were dancing is a fucking shit show, attendants running around looking for an exit. A man runs in front of me and his head explodes, a bullet meant for me sinking into his skull. He drops heavily into me and more bullets riddle his body. I feel the force of them through my own body. If I weren’t wearing a vest, they’d probably find their mark.

When the shooting stops, I push the body off me and get to my feet, rolling to the side quickly. Bullets ping off the floor, then one shatters a vase near where my head was. I find the shooter, then take him out with three well placed shots to the chest.

Just then, I see Kai, standing next to Nico and firing at the men across the room. I hurry over to them, needing to be near my husband, needing to protect him.

He looks up at me and says my name. Then he’s struck by a bullet in the chest, the force so great, it takes him off his feet.

“Kai!” I shout, dropping beside him, not worried about bullets flying towards me. I grab him by the jacket and drag him into the room with the silent auction. Bodies litter the floor, but I don’t care. None of them matter. Only Kai.

Behind cover, I look down at his prone body, afraid I’ll see blood pouring from his shirt. It’s ripped in places and there’s an obvious entrance location, but he’s not bleeding. He looks up at me dazedly, grabbing my hands that are in his shirt. “I’m okay,” he says in a gruff voice. “I’m okay.” He smirks shakily at me. “Good call with the vest.”

“Fucking dammit, Kai,” I force out past my tight throat. “Fucking dammit.” I drop my head to his chest and breathe him in, forcing the tears to stay in place. I shudder when he buries his hands in my hair, holding me close.

My heart fucking stopped when I saw Kai go down. I thought I fucking lost him. In those short few seconds before I could seefor myself, I couldn’t breathe. My life flashed before my eyes, my days long and drawn out without the man I love.

Fuck, I fell in love with Kaison, and I almost fucking lost him. He’s my world, my fucking sun and he was almost taken from me.

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