Chapter Thirty-Four
In which Kai is forced into an epiphany.
Kai…
“Ya need to leave, Kenna.”
She’s planted firmly on the chair in front of my desk looking like she’s ready to handcuff herself to it if necessary.
“I’m thinkin’ ya need to talk this through,” she says, “process it with your sister. Who better? Also, Luna’s been gone for two days and I doubt you’ve slept and I know-” she wrinkles her nose elaborately, “-that ya haven’t showered.”
Ignoring her, I pour another drink. I’m halfway through the first bottle of scotch and there’s a second one waiting for me on the bar.
I believe in being prepared.
“Fine,” she says, “I’ll start. Did it never occur to ya to earn your wife’s trust by being honest with her in the first place, ya eejit?”
“Kenna…” I rub my eyes. When did I sleep last? “I’m five seconds from throwing this bottle at ya to make ya go away.”
“No, you’re not,” she says, unimpressed. “You’ve never laid a hand on us girls. What did she say when she left? Are ya calling each other? What’s your communication like?”
I finish my glass. “We haven’t spoken.”
“So, she thinks you’ve just washed your hands of her?” Kenna asks indignantly.
“I know she arrived safely. Collin was courteous enough to message me, but I have two men shadowing her who report back to me.”
My sister snags my scotch off the desk, drinking straight from the bottle. “I’ve never had a patient drive me to drink, but ya might be my first, brother.”
“I’m not your patient,” I level my coldest glare at my sister and it bounces off her like a quarter off Beyoncé’s arse.
“No, you’re my brother.” Kenna leans forward, grabbing my hand. “Instead of sending men to shadow your wife, maybe you could just call her? Ya know, your wife? The woman ya married who wears your ring?” She takes another swig from my bottle. “Ah, shite. She dinna leave her ring, did she?”
“She was wearing it when she left, at any rate.”
“You’re gonna have to help me out here, Kai. I’m not getting this at all. I’ve never seen ya walk away from something or someone ya wanted. And I know ya do want Luna. I’m thinking ya love her.”
“That’s why I let her go.” Rising from my desk, I’m pleased to note I’m still steady on my feet. “I’ll walk ya to the door.”
She doesn’t move. “I’m gonna tell ya some harsh truths because I’m your sister and I know you’d likely kill anyone else for saying this. Why dinna ya want to tell Luna about her grandfather?”
“I… I wanted time. I wanted to show her that her place was here with me, with our people.” Goddamn, it sounds weak, even to me.
“I know you love your wife. But are ya able to be honest enough with yourself to see the truth? Ya wanted to be her Prince Charming. Bringing your Cinderella out of poverty, giving her a grand new life.” Her eyes narrow and she goes in for the kill. “Ya couldn’t do that if you told her she was already a princess, aye? A Mafia princess.”
There’s nothing to say. She’s right. A wave of self-loathing hits me. Am I really that kind of man?
She takes pity on me, rising from her chair and hugging me. “Walk me to the door, brother.”
Kenna pauses in the entryway, as I knew she would, and delivers her final speech. “I know because ya love her, ya let her go. That’s some noble, self-sacrificing shite right there.” She tilts her head, examining me. “I also think that if she knew ya loved her, she would come back. Luna’s in love with ya. Sloan, Cat, and I all saw it. And while she may have her own people now, the safest place for her is with family. Our family.”
She’s waiting for something, her anxious eyes searching mine. I have nothing for her. “Goodnight, sis.”
Back in my study, I open the new bottle of Macallan and pour myself a drink, waiting for my Zoom call. An anxious-looking Georges picks up with a sickly, appeasing smile. “How are ya, Boss? I have your report.”
It better be good enough to keep me from murdering him. “Let’s hear it.”