The full weight of our situation hits me like a bus.
I sink down to the floor, my back scraping against the wall.
“Oh my god,” I whisper, throat hoarse. I throw back the last of my whiskey, even though it makes me gag. “You put me in the middle of a war.”
“In my defense, I didn’t know about Vural until recently.”
“My dad stole that book. Which means they could be after me.”
“You’re safe so long as you’re my wife.”
“But Gem—” I look up in a panic. “Where is she? Is she safe right now? What if they’re after her!” I shove my way to my feet.
“She’s fine, Kira. She’s back at my house. I promise, she’ll be okay. I have people watching my place and keeping an eye on her when she goes to school. They can’t touch her.”
Panic threatens to overwhelm me. I’m breathing fast and barely able to think. My head feels dizzy.
My dad stole a book. And now two rival gangs are fighting over its location.
With me and my sister in the middle.
I had no clue. Not a single idea until right now. All this time, a target’s been painted right on my chest.
“You did this.” I look up, numb all over, save for a spark beginning to grow, a cherry ember in my chest. A little nub of rage. “You dragged me into this.”
“No, Kira?—”
“We were fine before you!” I climb to my feet and stalk toward him. “We were fine!”
“If I found you, Vural would have too.”
“You dragged me from my life. I was a waitress! My sister was going to college! Oh, god, they might hurt her, and I swear, I’ll rip you to fucking pieces?—”
I try to shove him, but he grabs my wrists. I gasp in surprise as he tugs me close, wrapping me in his arms.
“No, Kira.”
I struggle against him. “Fuck you!”
“Calm down.”
“You’re a murderer! You took my dad away!”
“Your father made his own choices.” His massive body tightens around mine. “Vural would’ve come for you whether I got involved or not. Now that you’re my wife, you’ll be protected. My whole family will throw its weight behind you.”
“I didn’t want this. I just wanted to give Gem a better life.”
“You didn’t ask for your father’s sins to come staining you now, but there’s no pretending like it’s not happening. I’m going to get you through it. I swore I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you, and I meant it.”
I finally break. I was holding myself up by sheer force of will, but I can’t do it anymore. I cry against him, hating him, but also aware that I need him now more than ever. His smell, his warmth, his strength. A part of me knows Stellan is right. He didn’t do this to me, and if the Turks knew about the book, it makes sense they would’ve come looking for me too sooner or later.
But I still hate him. And I want him and I need him. But god, all I’ve done to make my sister’s life better, it’s all going to wash away if we can’t survive this.
“I have you,” he whispers, holding me tight. “I won’t let you go. I’m here.”
“Fuck you,” I whimper, the fire in me beginning to burn out. Exhaustion takes its place.
“You can blame me if that makes you feel better. Go ahead and hate me too. But you’re going to be my wife, and together we’re going to get through this.”
