Page 114 of The Twins

“She wants to see you, too,” Charles informs Kamila.

The Queen of Katantia squeals. They say women hate each other–sometimes–, but Kamila and Grey bonded over a fucking tampon, out of all things. The simplest thing created a deep-rooted friendship in two women that haven’t spent more than three hours in each other’s presence.

“Baby, I know you want to see your friend again, but these men came here for a reason,” Alex reminds her. His hands are in his pockets as he leans against one of the chairs.

“Yes, of course,” Kamila says, clearing her throat. Fylox scrutinizes us with his intense gaze. “Look, there’s a problem.”

“What type of a problem?” Charles inquires instantly. While I’m stuck to the floor because my energy is low, Charles stands up to face the tall queen.

“My father-in-law doesn’t want to let the man go. You can’t take him into custody,” Kamila reveals apologetically.

“And who does he think he is?” Charles asks.

“Jordan Winters wants Hugh Abbott?” I croak, my brain clearing out the fog. The three royals nod in unison. “Well, best of luck to Hugh then. Charles, we’re leaving. Where’s the kid?”

“Vegas, who is he?” Charles insists.

“He’s judge, jury, and executioner of the world parallel to the one we currently inhabit. He’s a legendary man… He must have over a thousand kills under his belt. He and Travis Cross were a dream team we studied in spy school. They were never under contract with the government, but they did a lot of dirty work for both sides of the law. I believe they were associated with business mogul and biggest small dick energy douchebag Spencer Rawlins,” I dish out, feeling out the dizziness. I sit up, and my head spins less than before.

Progress.

“You know your stuff,” Alex says to me.

I nod. “Unfortunately, I researched your family. I…” I clear my throat. “Being in Katantia is extremely difficult for me. I can’t shake off the past. It haunts me in this place. Her husband’s dead. I killed the abusive prick in front of her. It doesn’t change the fact that I failed that first time,” I admit, breathing hard.

Kamila steps forward, and she crouches down to my level. Fylox scrunches up his face in concern, but the pregnant woman’s knees are strong. “You’re only human. She loves you now. You’re her partner. It doesn’t matter what happened before. What matters is the now, and you’re here to take home an innocent child. Focus on that.”

She takes a deep breath. “You… You saw what my father did to me in public?”

I nod, still horrified by the public sexual abuse this woman suffered. She continues, “Imagine that he did that, but twice as rough in private. After my mother’s death, I had nowhere to hide. All of Katantia was my father’s playground to abuse me. With every breath that I take on this island, I fight those memories. I fight them to make new ones. Ones that are worthy of remembering.”

I swallow, inhaling a sharp breath. Kamila and I are having an intimate moment, but her murderous boyfriend’s on his phone like a maniac.

“I saw the way she looked at you. How her eyes gleamed while she was on the phone with Mr….” Charles, the daddy of my family, mouths at the Queen of Katantia. “Charles. I haven’t met your brother, but I want to. I meant what I said. If you can look past the sedative that my husband gave you… Come back with your family. You deserve peace, Vegas. I’m sure that Grey agrees.”

“Kamila,” Fylox utters.

“Yes?”

“A federal arrest warrant has been issued, with charges related to child pornography, sexual assault, racketeering, and conspiracy. Your brother came through,” Fylox announces. “Unfortunately, Hugh Abbott won’t ever land on American soil ever again. Thankfully, Katantia doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the U.S.”

“Where’s Carey?” Charles asks.

“My father-in-law brought her over a couple of hours ago. We gave her something to eat, and now she’s asleep in one of the guest rooms. She had a tough couple of days, and she hasn’t been open to talking to us because she doesn’t trust us,” Kamila reveals. “When she returns to California, make sure she’s in safe hands. Get her a therapist and listen to whatever she has to say. She needs people to trust right now, a support system.”

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