Anger and surprise flicker through me. He beat us home by a mile. He must’ve rushed straight to the bank from the airport.
“Keep watching. Don’t let Vural out of your sight no matter what.”
“I can’t do much from a distance even if he does show up. Give me permission to ambush the fucker.”
“Too risky. Cops will get involved, and I don’t want any dead civilians. You can’t go in that bank.”
“Don’t we own the cops?”
I can’t explain to him that no, we don’t, we don’t own anyone right now, not without that book. And I’m pretty sure Vural is about to get his hands on it. “Just follow orders.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Once Vural leaves the bank, tail him. Don’t lose him. Your fucking life depends on it.”
“Understood.”
Prime hangs up.
Sorrow hits me hard. I stumble and nearly lose my step, but Kira’s there to steady me. She puts herself under my arm and makes me place some of my weight on her shoulders. She touches my chest, looking worried. I try to find words, but nothing comes.
I lost the book.
Everything my family ever worked for is in enemy hands now.
Isak Vural ambushed me and now he’s going to destroy my entire life and all the lives of the people I care about.
Kira touches my arm. “You need to slow down.”
“No time.” I clench my jaw. I can’t fall apart. Not right now. “I have to hurry. Prime’s watching Vural.”
“You’re hurt. Let your men handle him.”
“Can’t do that.”
“Stellan—”
I shake my head and move forward. Kira keeps pace, still taking some of my weight, and I wonder if that’s how it’ll be from now on. When life throws shit my way, maybe she’ll take a little of the stress on her shoulders. Maybe we’ll help each other be stronger.
“This is my family, Kira. I’m their Don and they’re my responsibility. I can’t pass that on to someone else. Whatever happens to them is my fault and mine alone.”
“You can’t help if you bleed out.”
I stop at the door to the terminal. I pull her against me and hug her tightly. I’m so grateful she’s here and she’s strong enough to be the support I desperately need. “You have to go back home. I have guards coming to watch over you soon.”
“Stellan—”
“Please, I have to know you’re safe so I can go take care of Vural.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
“I know.” I kiss her softly. Our lips linger and it hurts how badly I’m desperate for her. But this is my fight and mine alone. “I love you. I’ll come home, I promise.”
“I love you too.” Tears roll down her cheeks. “Don’t get killed.”
I kiss her one more time, not sure if I can make that promise, before I hurry toward where my ride’s waiting. On the way, I make a series of calls and send a dozen texts, shooting out instructions to my network.
It ends today. Either I walk from this confrontation with the book or Vural does. At either extreme, it’s finished. The Corsetti Famiglia survives or we crumble.
