The question hung between us. Lia's eyebrows rose.
"That's what's bothering you? What happened yesterday?"
"He killed someone right in front of me. Didn't even hesitate. Just pulled the trigger like it was nothing."
"It wasn't nothing to him." Lia set the shears down carefully. "But itwas necessary. In this world, weakness gets you killed. Mercy gets exploited. Kai knows that better than anyone."
"That doesn't answer my question. Are you scared of him?"
"No." Zero hesitation. "Kai would never hurt me. Would never hurt anyone he actually cares about. The violence? That's for the family business. That's what our father made him into."
I turned back to the roses, my fingers trembling slightly as I reached for another stem.
"How do you separate it? How do you look at him and not see..."
"A killer?" Lia finished for me. "Because I also see the brother who used to read me bedtime stories. Who took punishments meant for me. Who's been planning for years to get us both out of this life. He's both things, Aria. The protector and the enforcer. You can't have one without the other."
My chest felt tight. "Do you think he can ever actually get out? Live a different life?"
"I hope so." Lia's voice went soft. Sad. "For both of us. For you too, if you stick around. But honestly? I don't know if it's possible. This life has claws. It doesn't let go easily."
She touched my shoulder gently before leaving. "Whatever you decide about my brother, make sure it's what you actually want. Not what you think you should want."
After she left, I stood there for a long time, staring at the half-finished arrangement.
What did I want?
I wanted Kai. Wanted the version of him that made me feel safe. That looked at me like I mattered. That promised to save me from his father.
But could I accept the other version? The killer? The man who'd looked me in the eyes while executing someone?
I didn't know. God, I didn't know.
That night, sleep was impossible. I tossed and turned, sheets tangling around my legs, mind refusing to quiet.
Why couldn't I sleep? Why was I so restless?
Liar. I knewexactly why.
Because I needed to see him. Needed to talk to him. Needed something I couldn't name but felt like it might kill me if I didn't get it.
At 2am, I gave up. Slipped out of bed, adjusted my silk nightgown, hesitated.
This was insane. Going to his room in the middle of the night wearing basically nothing. After everything that had happened. After calling him a monster.
I went anyway.
The hallway was dark, silent. My bare feet made no sound on the carpet. Every shadow felt like Luca waiting to catch me. Every creak made my heart race.
I reached Kai's door. Raised my hand to knock. Hesitated again.
What was I doing? What was I going to say? I knocked anyway. Soft. Gentle.
The door opened almost immediately. Kai stood there, shirtless, hair messed from sleep, eyes dark and unreadable.
He saw me and something flashed across his face. Then he grabbed my wrist, pulled me inside, shut the door.
"What's wrong? Are you okay? Did something happen?"
