Blood We Steal

Forty-One

Rubin

I’d watched her look at her precious Aaron, wearing the hurt of each of his pained breaths on her face.

I’d watched her strip off the vest and secure it on him with a tenderness that couldn’t be faked.

Then I’d watched her retreat.

Didn’t smell the smoke, hear the moans or the screams, the bullets whirring past my head.

Just heard her voice.

Familja eshte e shenjte.

Family is sacred.

Words I’d taught her.

Words I’d failed.

A failure I’d correct once I found her.

I tightened my grip on my knife.

Turned.

And then the killing began.