“I can have it in the next fifteen fucking minutes, but they don’t want money. We both know that.”
I slung a black duffel bag over my shoulder. Two hours and twenty-five minutes. Every second that ticked by was like another closer to my brother’s possible death. I exhaled shakily, feeling as though I was coming undone at the seams. Steadying myself, I gripped the table’s edge and hung my head as I attempted not to break down. Gio needed me more than ever. If someone were dying today, it would be me, not him.
“Till death,mi reina.” Kai’s arms wound around me, and he kissed the back of my head and whispered, “I love you.”
My breath hitched, and I whirled around to face him. “Kai, I—” He put a finger to my lips. “Whatever happens tonight, I want you to know that meeting you, being with you, wasn’t just by chance, Amalia. The road that led me here, every broken piece of my life, brought me to you, and I wouldn’t change a damn thing. You’re mine. You were always meant to be mine. I love you, and no matter how this night ends, somewhere, somehow, you and I will find each other again. I promise.”
“Kai,” I murmured, my voice breaking along with my heart. “Why does it feel like you’re saying goodbye?”
He tilted my chin and kissed the tear sliding down my cheek.
“I need you to promise me something,” he said, hoisting me up so that we were at eye level.
“No, absolutely not. I can already sense what you’ll say, and my answer is no. I’m not leaving you behind.”
“If you can make it out with Gio, you need to do it.”
“Kai, stop it. That’s not how this goes down.”
He gritted his teeth. “We have to be prepared for every scenario. You know that better than anyone. And you’re the only person who matters to me. You and Gio…” Squeezing me tighter, he kissed me hard. “I need you to be okay.”
His voice shook. I’d never seen him cry, and it tore me open. This beautiful man was everything I never knew I needed in life. Holding the sides of his face, I gazed into his gorgeous eyes and offered him a watery smile. “We’re going to be okay. We’re going to wake up tomorrow, and you’re going to put that big, beautiful cock inside your wife until I can’t walk straight.”
Kai laughed as I wiped his tears. “Are you ready?”
“Always.”
38
“Whyaren’t they here yet?”
I glanced at my phone, expecting to see a confirmation of arrival text from one of my girls, but the silence was glaring. “Holly, did Gabi confirm with you?”
“She did, but I told them to hang back. Out of sight.”
I nodded and peered across the dark lot and into the abandoned warehouse where they were supposedly holding Gio.
“So what would stop them from picking us off from this position and taking the money?” Kai questioned, his eyes fixed on the blown-out windows and rooftop of the building.
“Took care of that. I offered them half now and the rest through a wire transfer once we have Gio. They extorted another $5 mil from me, but I’d gladly pay whatever it takes to get my brother back.”
Holly stretched out a hand and squeezed mine. “I’m so sorry. I feel like all of this is my fault. I should have done more.” Her mouth quivered with emotion, and I pulled her into a hug.
“There’s nothing more you could have done. You were outgunned and outnumbered. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
She blew out a heavy breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Kai took the duffel from me and hooked it on his shoulder, holding my hand as we made our way to an entrance on the side of the building, per our instructions. I jerked a glance across the parking lot one last time, hoping to catch a glimpse or signal from Gabi or one of my other girls. They were our muscle, as we weren’t allowed firearms. But I trusted Holly’s word. She was my right-hand for a reason, and if she said they were here, I knew they were doing exactly as they should—staying out of sight.
Kai didn’t release his hold on me as we moved through a dark hallway, illuminated only by flickering emergency lights. The air was damp and smelled of mold and something that had possibly been alive at one point. The thought filled me with dread, although I knew it couldn’t possibly be Gio, as it had only been a few hours since he’d been taken.
A slight sense of relief washed over me. He was alive; at least, that’s what I prayed for. I’d never forgive myself, especially after everything I said to him, the days since I’d hugged him and seen his smile. I’d been so stupid and wasted so much time letting him stew in his anger and resentment because I thought it was what was best for him. But if anyone knew how fragile life was, it should have been me. I had stared into the faces of dying men more times than anyone should in one lifetime. Maybe this was my karma.
The bill was due.
We took a stairway up to the third-floor landing and through double doors with shattered glass windows.
“Remember what I said,” Kai whispered, squeezing my hand. I said nothing because there was no point in lying. While I’d do everything possible to get Gio out, I’d never leave my husband behind. Part of me regretted not telling him that I loved him because the way my heart aches for him can only be love. I hoped I’d get another chance to make things right.
