Page 43 of North (The Moral Compass 2)

“Kara, please, no more questions. I only have a brief time with you today, and I need you to know that I love you. I have always loved you. When I was released, I tried hard not to find the people who killed your mum, but the information landed in my lap. I could see how much you missed her. It was in your eyes every time I mentioned her, and that nearly destroyed me. I couldn’t bear to see you hurt so bad whilst the bastards responsible walked free. So, I killed them.” He shrugs his shoulders as if there was nothing wrong with that.

So, I killed them.Just like “oh, I just bought some coffee.” What the fuck? My jaw falls open at his direct admission.

“If it makes you feel any better, I made them suffer.” He’s smiling. I don’t know whether to be angry or scared. He’s a sadistic bastard, but knowing my mothers’ killers have been served justice messes with my head. I shake my head, trying to get back on track and listen.

“I knew the bureau would come for me, and I didn’t have long, so I turned myself in, and here we are.” He moves his hand around in the air.

“Wow, fuck, wow. So, if we only have a short time, I need to know something else,” I say.

“Okay, the clock says we have four minutes left, so, shoot, and do it quickly.”

“The McGarry brothers. Are they safe? I mean... You’re not going to have them killed, are you?”

“No, I’m not, and I’m well aware of the relationship between you and North. I approve. God knows what would have happened if they hadn’t stepped in and, from what I know, he already nearly gave his life once trying to protect you. North is safe, and I realised today that the word had not been put out. You are all under my protection, Kara. You always will be.”

The buzzer sounds as I try to put everything together in my head.

“Please come again, Kara. I have so much to make up for… Please.”

I stand from the chair, not knowing what to do next. I want to hug him like I did when I was a kid. I want to turn and walk away and never come back. I want to promise him I’ll come back, but I do none of that. I just stand and watch as they lead him away and the door bangs shut behind him.

Chapter 31

North

Karaleftthismorningaround 9:00 a.m. She didn’t say goodbye, I love you, kiss my arse, or bugger all. She just took her bag off the counter, climbed over the sofa, and exited through the elevator.

Zed never said a word as I tried to catch her attention. Things have been more than strained between us. I don’t want to let her go, but if she stays with me, her life will also be at risk. What if someone takes a shot at me and misses?

They couldn’t risk that, though,the other voice in my head chips in.

This has been happening since I found out about Xander being her father. I feel like I’m going mad. My brain says one thing, and another voice argues back. It’s like a war taking place right inside my skull. I pace around the suite, making so many undrunk cups of coffee, I could get a job as a barista. I check the clock for the millionth time as the bell sounds on the elevator. 12:48 p.m.

“It’s only me,” she sings as the doors opens, and she is face to face with Zed pointing his gun right in her face.

“Put that away, will you?” she asks, patting his hand away from her. “Oh, and thanks for everything, but you can go home now. I need to talk to North. Alone.”

“You sure?” He searches her eyes.

“Yep, one hundred percent sure.” She blasts him a smile as she holds the elevator doors open.

“Oh, and can you fix whatever you did to the elevator please?”

He nods as he helps her over the sofa and climbs over himself.

“See you later, Bud.”

“Yeah… See you later, Zed,” I reply, confused. What the hell is going on? She can’t just send him away like that. People want me dead.

I watch Kara as she struts across the room and straight into the bedroom. My eyes follow her, and before I know it, my feet have followed her, too.

I stand in the doorway and feel the life drain out of my body. She’s pulled out a suitcase from the closet. It has some of her clothes from my mum’s that I had sent over.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask, grabbing hold of the suitcase and pulling it away from her.

“Leaving!”

“No. No. No, you’re not, Kara. We haven’t even talked about your visit today.” I pull the suitcase round behind me and sit down on it. She is not going anywhere. Not today.

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