“When we were sixteen, we got involved with the wrong crowd. We were trying to help our mom with bills, hockey, and all of that. Well, one day, Kai walked in on a guy raping our mom; she was beaten up, and he was having his way with a damn near unconscious woman.”
Mikey sighs and looks up at Kai to make sure he is doing okay. A sad look passes between them.
“Well, I got Kai off of him, but the dude was unrecognizable. We got my mom to the hospital, and when we came back, the dude was gone. I didn’t recognize him, because we were so low on the totem pole, but apparently, he was one of the higher-ups in your dad’s ranks…”
Mikey stops and looks at me. My mind is racing, and my stomach is turning. I feel like I am about to be sick. When I was planning on running away, they were working for my dad. We were in fucking high school, and they were working on the streets, for my dad… I nod at him to encourage him to keep going.
“One day, I was meeting up with the guy who was in charge of us, and he ‘accidentally’ told me that ‘Kai was on De Luca’s hit list, a life for a life, he said. Well, there was no way I was letting anyone kill my brother, so I went to talk to your dad. We came to an agreement that he would spare Kai’s life, but I owe him a favor to be cashed in at his convenience.”
He stops taking another breath. I can see his hands shaking. I honestly don’t know what emotions I am feeling right now. It's a hurricane in my head. I have rage for not knowing they worked for my father, and I have sorrow for the boys who had to work in that kind of lifestyle to help their mom. I was shocked that Kai killed a man with his bare knuckles at the age of sixteen. But most of all, the confusion that my father would strike that kind of deal. I have never heard of him ‘doing favors’ or anything like that.
“Well, when we were in the locker room yesterday at practice… We had a visitor… one of your dad's men. Saying your dad wanted to meet me at midnight, they would send me the address. I got the address and went there. I knew I had to go, or Kai’s life was on the line, and I would rather die than let my brother die. So I showed up at a warehouse. Your father told me to bring you to him by midnight tomorrow, and that if I didn’t, he would come to collect you himself.”
I nod, not expecting anything less from my dear old dad.
“But what made me lose it was that he said he could do whatever he wanted with you, because you were his. I swung on him, but before I could make contact, his men were on me, and then this.” He gestures up and down his body.
“Okay…” I say slowly. My mind is trying to find the right plan.
“First. We need to come up with a plan.” My voice cracks at the end.
A plan. I need a plan to outdo my father.
The room goes silent after the words leave my mouth.
Kai breaks the silence first. He steps forward, eyes snapping up like I just suggested we all jump off the balcony.
“Julia, No. Absolutely not. You are not going anywhere near that man.”
Mikey immediately jumps in. “I’m not letting you walk into the lion’s den. I already fucking told him—”
“NO!” The words rip out of my throat.
Both of them freeze and stare at me.
Good. Because they’ve been doing all the talking and all the deciding.
I’m done being handled.
“You two don’t get to make this decision,” I keep my voice steady. “He isn’t after you. He isn't trying to take you. This is MY father. My life. My problem.”
Mikey flinches at my words, and Kai’s jaw ticks dangerously.
“Julia,” Mikey says, “you don’t understand. I saw how he talked about you. The shit he implied… your dad isn’t trying to ‘talk’ to you. He wants to own you.”
My stomach twists, but I keep my chin held high.
“Exactly.” I snap. “Which is why I’m not letting him blindside me again.”
Kai drags a hand down his face, like he is five seconds from losing his shit.
“We’re not arguing about this. You’re staying here.” Kai’s tone leaves no room for negotiation.
I step forward anyway, going toe to toe with him.
“You think you can lock me away in this penthouse and hide me like I am some glass doll? I’m not a fucking hostage! You don’t get to control me.”
Kai looks at me, eyes flashing with worry. “You don’t get it, little dove—”
