98. Kai
Kai
For the second time in less than a year, I look around and don’t recognize my life.
The difference is now it isn’t suffocating me and it isn’t pulling me under.
My father is happy and present, loving on my mom and joking with my siblings.
We're getting along by some miracle. Kendall is radiant, absolutely glowing in her wedding dress. She’s beaming as she dances while Akio steps on her toes.
We’re married, raising a son together, and about to start a new life in Toronto.
We’re closing the door on this chapter and opening a brand new one.
Everyone that we love and care about is here to celebrate us and root for our love.
It’s the kind of moment so sweet and so minute, yet utterly perfect you wish you could live in it forever.
I can’t believe this life is mine and that I get to live it with her.
This path we’ve traveled has been paved with heartache, secrets, destruction.
But it’s also been filled with so many good things.
I’m grateful that we finally found our way back to each other—that no matter what happens now or where we end up, no matter what lies ahead, I get to walk through life with her by my side forever.
I’m about to cut in between my son and Kendall and steal a dance with her when the one bodyguard I still have on security detail taps my shoulder.
“Boss,” he says gruffly, his shoulders squared up with mine.
“Remy, you don’t have to call me that. Just Kai is fine. What’s up?”
“There’s a man downstairs asking to see you. Claims he’s an old friend. Says his name is Aiden,” he responds.
The blood in my veins runs cold. I haven’t spoken to Aiden in ages, not after everything that happened.
Part of surviving is compartmentalizing and that means not thinking about what happened last summer every second of every fucking day.
But as much as I hate to admit it, I have wondered how Aiden is doing. That my actions weren’t in vain.
“Okay, I’ll see him. Downstairs. Don’t stray far,” I instruct. Remy and I both get into the elevator and once the lobby doors open and I see him, I’m hit with a startling wave of relief. I thought it would be terror, anger, resentment. He crosses the foyer of my apartment building in a few strides.
“Hey,” he says, wringing the back of his neck with his hand. “Jenna told me about the wedding,” he admits.
“Yeah, she has a way of meddling, doesn’t she?
” I can’t help but stifle a grin. Aiden looks good.
Like maybe he finally got his shit together.
A man beaten but not broken, thank god. He looks fit, trim, like he’s gained some muscle back.
His sandy blonde hair is short and styled and his dark blue eyes are clear.
Filled with remorse and trepidation maybe, but clear. Which suggests he isn't actively using.
“Yeah. Listen, I’m sorry I just showed up here out of the blue and I don’t want to intrude. I just wanted to say a few things and then I’ll be on my way.”
“Okay…” My eyes flick to Remy and I give him a brief nod, indicating everything is okay and he doesn’t need to babysit us for this.
“I’m so fucking sorry man for what happened.
For everything. I don’t expect you to forgive me.
But I am sorry. I didn’t know it would be like that, that bad.
I knew if they got their hands on me, they would hurt me, likely kill me.
I had too many bounties on my head. But I never thought…
” he swallows, trying to compose himself.
He stares at the ceiling, searching for answers, for words neither of us have, before bringing his gaze back to mine.
“I’m so sorry, Kai, and I’ll never be able to repay you for what you did for me.
You saved my life, man. I’ve been clean for four months.
I know it doesn’t seem like a lot. But for me, where I was headed… it is.”
“Aiden, it's okay. No one could have known what his next move would be. And I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let you die. I made the choice. I suffered for it, but I made it. No one else.” It wasn't easy and it didn’t change anything, but it was the truth.
No one forced me. I made the decision and I paid for it dearly.
Some part of me knew I’d always be paying for it.
But seeing him here, alive, healthy. Right now, that’s enough.
“Thank you, Kai. I probably won’t ever be able to thank you enough, not in this lifetime. I’ll never be able to repay you for it,” his voice cracks.
“That’s okay. I’ll let you keep trying,” I smirk, attempting to lighten the mood.
“There’s one more thing…” he admits, taking a step closer, his eyes darting around the room.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“When I was in rehab, I met a guy in there,” he swallows and lowers his voice. “I can’t tell you his name. But he was an FBI informant. He had spent three years on the inside with some of Ferrante's most loyal soldiers—"
“I’m not sure if I want to hear this, Aiden,” I respond, the hairs on the back of my neck rising.
“Trust me, you do,” he presses on. “He said things had been escalating in the past year or so. Fights, targeted attacks, crime rising in both Ferrante and O’Rourke territory.
The last turf war and drug raid ended in a shoot-out.
It was a fucking bloodbath. The whole thing was coordinated and staged by the FBI with the informant’s help.
I'm sure you saw bits and pieces on the news about it a few months ago.”
I nod. I had seen it.
“Anyways, the informant said it resulted in a lot of arrests. He told me that almost everyone connected to the O’Rourke’s, even lower level guys, are either dead or in jail.
O’Rourke went into hiding but I’m sure he’ll turn up soon.
I just thought you’d want to know, maybe you’d have some peace of mind. ”
“Thanks,” I reply, my mouth suddenly going dry. “You can come up, you know, if you want. There’s tons of food, dancing…” I trail off.
“That’s okay, I just wanted to talk to you.” He offers me a small smile. “It’s probably best if I stay away for the time being. You only deserve good things today. Congratulations by the way. I’m so happy for you guys.”