19. Alana #2
“I called your mom, but it had been so long she didn’t recognize my voice.
I walked past the doctors working on you, saw all the cords and machines keeping you alive…
” I take a long breath gathering my strength.
“And then the long, flat beep cut through everything. The code being shouted across the ICU, the chaos moving in slow motion.” My voice breaks. “I saw you die. And it was my fault.”
I should have been paying more attention. Lena and Grae were…are… such large targets and I failed at my job. “Your drink had been laced. You weren’t targeted because we had a history, you were just a high-profile client they had easy access to.”
I can’t look at him, and I don’t cry. It was random. Happenstance. That’s what Lena, Lance, everyone said. But it didn’t feel like it. It was my fault I played with fire, and he had the atom bomb explode on his head.
Slowly, his arm wraps around my shoulders and pulls me into his chest. I shouldn’t, but I feel like I’m home.
“It was a bad day for me too, but go ahead, make it about yourself.” He kisses the top of my head and laughs at his own joke. I don’t think it's funny at all.
“Asshat.” But I listen to his heartbeat, it's pounding but not racing, which is different from when we were kids.
“So your friends… they’re criminals?”
“Yes.” I exhale. “And so am I.” No use in lying about it. He rubs little circles with his thumb on my arm, then it stops and he stiffens.
“About two years ago, Mastodon arranged a meet and greet with some kids, but they didn’t show.
Then a few hours later we did a virtual call with them.
Turns out they were kidnapped and their Aunt Alana came in and saved them…
that was you?” I nod into his chest. “One of those kids let it slip, they're in a mafia family.”
“Four, there are Four Families.”
“Hmmm,” he pauses. “So… you hurt a lot of people that day.”
“Yep.” His heart beats faster. “It made me kinda a big deal in some groups.”
“Cool.” His finger goes back to making circles on my shoulder. “How many weapons are in the house right now?” Good question, I do a mental tally.
“Well, everything’s a weapon if you hold it right. But including the chef knives that are in the kitchen, fifty-seven.”
“Why did you give me a two-week time limit?” He asks this quieter, making guilt claw at my chest. Because deep down I was terrified Thiago was right.
I thought he didn’t want me. And I didn’t want to give him the opportunity to leave me again.
Instead of saying any of that, I give the logical answer instead.
“Because between the security network and my reputation, that’s how long I thought I could keep it quiet.”
“And now?”
“News got out.” I make an explosion gesture with my hands. “You should go.” At least this time when he walks out, I’ll know why and it won’t hurt as much. But he stays.
“You spent the last four years watching over me, what else did you do? Did you get me any gigs?”
“Your career was 100% you. But Alana did introduce your mom to your stepdad.” I stop and he nudges my shoulder. “As Kinsley, there was a guy who made a poor choice with your sister.” He tenses up, his breathing stops and an icy heat takes over.
“That piece of shit was already in the hospital by the time I got there.”
“Whatever you’re thinking I did to him, it was worse, ten years later and he’s still in physical therapy”
“Did Kinsley do anything else?”
“Can I keep one secret, please?”
“Sure.” I feel so defeated and lost. I knew this would happen. This is why I had the plan to begin with, to spare both of us this pain. He leans his head on the top of the couch, staring up at the ceiling. His voice is lighter. “Is your cat an assassin, evil crime lord, secretly Batman?”
“No, she's just a cat.” I lift my head and point to the door again. “You really should go. It’s fine.”
“So,” He pushes his hands through his hair, and his feet are planted firmly on the ground.
“For twelve years, give or take, you’ve been secretly pulling the strings of the people I care about while watching my career take off?
” He waits until I give him confirmation.
“And then you bought a security company that I’m a client of because you like me. ”
“That’s not why I bought it.”
“Shhh,” he grins and puts a finger on my lips, making me shoot him an icy glare.
“The day the kids were taken, the world’s entire stock of Majesty burnt up in purple smoke.
I’m assuming those two things were connected.
” I pause for a beat and then dip my chin.
“But you had already saved the kids.” His shoulder straightened as he put the pieces together.
He shows me his teeth. “So I think the burning of the crops was revenge.” He leans in close, “Because you liiiiiikkkkke me.”
“Shut up.” I push his face away. “This is really serious.”
“Oh, I know. You wouldn’t be so worried if you didn’t lliiiiikkke me.”
He stands and starts shaking his ass. I have no choice but to smack it and call him a dork. He spins around on his heels and puts both arms on the back of the couch, pinning me between them, his face inches from mine.
“There’s my girl.” He kisses my nose. “I knew she wasn’t gone forever.”
Years of guilt and secrets vanish. Even the stress of the last few hours loosens around my chest. I can breathe without pain, and it's nice to have some level of normalcy. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “I loved Kinsley for so many reasons. But the biggest was how she could take care of herself and that was hot as hell.” His breath on my neck makes me shiver. “And Alana has that in spades.” His lips press into my neck, and he takes a nip with his teeth. Instantly, I’m aroused.
“So, this is what’s going to happen.” Butterflies swarm in my belly as he takes control of the situation.
“We’re going to go back into your bedroom, and you’re going to do whatever you want to me to get yourself off.
Then I’m going to tie you up, lick every inch of your body, and do all the things you wanted to try when we were younger but didn’t have the time. Do you know why?”
I try not to smile but fail miserably. “Don’t say it.”
“Because I liiikkkke you.”