"If I do, it will raise suspicions." Kai groans. I know he hates this just as much as I do. This whole situation is fucked. But I need to figure a way out of this that won’t get us killed.
"Fine," he says, walking away.
"I don't want to go as much as you don't want me to go." He stops mid-step and then turns, heat blazing in his eyes.
"You know what's going on from your standpoint. You don't have a fucking clue what is going on from mine. I have to stay in this fucking house and hope my brother comes back to me. Hope that I will still have a fucking twin, and hope that Julia still has the love of her fucking life coming back to her, also. You don't know what this feels like." He screams at me, his hands moving with every word he says, as tears run down his face.
There are very few times I have seen Kai cry, but this time has hurt me the most. I nod, not knowing what else to do. "I'm sorry, you're right, I don't know what that is like. But I can say I will always do my best to come back. You know that. We are a duo, always have been, always fucking will be. There is no you without me…”
Before I can finish my sentence, Kai wraps me in a big hug, and for a split second, I am stunned. "I can't lose you; we already lost dad, and that damn near killed mom. I can't lose the only family that has been through life with me." His voice is hoarse from crying, and fuck, I wish I could take his pain away.
"I will try my best not to get killed." He pulls back from me and looks over at the kitchen, where Julia is dancing with headphones in, completely oblivious to our conversation.
"You need to tell her.” He nods his head to her. I rub my hand down my face. I don’t even know how to tell her that I have to go out tonight. But he is right. I need to keep her in the loop and not try to protect her. She is just as much involved as I am.
I walk up to Julia and wrap my hands around her waist, and rest my chin on her shoulder. She turns her head and smiles at me, taking out one of her headphones.
"What's up?" she asks, then notices mine and Kai’s faces, which still have tears running down them.
"What did I miss?" The panic is now showing.
"I got a text from your dad. I have to meet him again tonight."
"Why?"
"I'm assuming for an update on you, but I am not sure. I haven't said anything about knowing your whereabouts."
"You are going alone." She raises a brow at me. It's not a question, but more of a challenge.
"What am I supposed to do? Walk in with you and hand you over on a silver platter?" I ask with a half-chuckle.
"I won't go." She says sternly.
I kiss the top of her head. "I know, Princess, that's why I need to go alone."
"No!" she yells. "Take someone with you. Anyone. Take Kai, or Luca." She is rambling now, trying to get me to agree to anything.
I shake my head. "I can't. If I take Kai, who will you have?" She goes to talk, and I hold up my hand. "And don't say Mel. Because, as scrappy as she is, your dad's men can squish her with one ass cheek." She lets out a sigh in defeat, and I continue. "And I can't take Luca because he is a part of the Moretti family."
As soon as I say his last name, everything clicks into place. As much as the De Luca's have a pull on this city, the Moretti's have more. They are the top of the top here in Chicago. So bringing Luca along will only cause more problems, and they will assume that I am trying to cause a war.
"I understand... But, you can't go alone."
"Baby, I will be fine. I was fine the other two times. I will go in, let him know I am still looking, maybe tell him I got a lead, and then come back." I try to keep my voice neutral because, honestly, nothing withDe Luca is that easy.
Julia busts out laughing, and I look at her, completely confused. "Nothing with my father is that easy."
"Fine. I'll take Kai with me, but Luca and Mel are staying here with you." She looks at me, studying me, then finally nods.
I look over my shoulder at Kai, who looks just as shocked as I feel.
"I told you that I was going to go with you, and you told me no, she says the same thing, and you say yes! What the fuck is that bullshit?" He throws his hands out in front of him.
"It's called life." I shrug and look at Julia.
"Please stay safe for me." I bend down and kiss her, then walk away, pulling out my phone and texting Luca.
Me: I'm taking Kai with me; I need you here to protect Julia.
