Chapter 18
Kael
The maid, an older woman with white hair, opened the door before I reached the top step. She must have been watching from the window, which meant she’d been instructed to expect me. Now I was wondering what was important enough for Caine to summon me.
"Mr. Voss." She stepped aside. "They're waiting for you in the office."
I nodded and walked past her. The foyer was quiet, a clock ticking somewhere down the hall. I took the stairs two at a time, my boots heavy on the wood.
The study door was closed. I didn't knock; I turned the knob and pushed it open.
Caine sat behind his desk, elbows resting on the polished wood. Malachai occupied the chair across from him, spinning a knife between his fingers.
I squinted. If Caine had called both of us, something had happened.
Neither of them looked happy.
"Morning," I said.
Caine grunted.
I looked at Malachai. He nodded.
"What happened?"
Caine looked up. "Last week. Vanessa Gionni."
I frowned. "What about her?"
"Her father called me this morning." He leaned back. "Says you threatened to kill his daughter."
I shrugged. "I didn't threaten to kill her."
Caine blinked.
"I threatened her father and brother because of her. There's a difference."
Malachai snorted without looking up from his knife.
I continued. "That bitch has a big mouth and holds a grudge because you smutted her in high school then went back to Italy. She decided to fuck with Bria."
Caine pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why..." He sighed. "Why does it always seem like I'm having these conversations with you two?"
Malachai finally looked up. "Because people keep assuming we work for you."
"I couldn’t imagine if you all did. You don't make my job easy."
"You chose this job. If you don't want to be bothered, tell them to fuck off."
Caine glared at Malachai. "And you."
"What?"
"Did you blow up Cooly's car?"
Malachai's expression didn't change.
He kept spinning the knife.
"Malach," Caine called his name.
"That's a very specific question you asked."
"Answer it."
"Do you have proof I blew up his car?"
Caine shook his head. "No."
"Then I didn't."
That meant yes.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Caine called.
The door opened. Zia stepped inside carrying a thick manila folder.
"Morning."
Only Caine answered. The tension ratcheted up.
I glared at her for a long second. Then I pushed away from the wall.
"I'm leaving."
She frowned. "Kael—"
"No. I don’t want to hear it" I walked toward the door. "Caine, Tell Gionni whatever the fuck you want. But if his daughter ever speaks to Bria again, there will be consequences."
"I already apologized. Lena is a non-factor now. She’s back in Miami. She won’t bother you again," Zia said stopping me.
"Bullshit. You can’t call your half-assed call to me an apology."
Caine’s face hardened. I didn’t care.
The folder she was holding hit Caine's desk with a heavy slap. She turned to face me.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me." I stopped walking. My hand was still on the knob. "You called me and told me some self-righteous bullshit about you not wanting to pick sides before you knew the full story. That’s why you let her stay."
"What’s wrong with knowing all the information?" She sounded like Malachai making excuses. In that second, I understood why Indigo behaved how she did.
I turned around fully. "She abused Bria. Told her she was nothing. Told her I'd get bored and throw her out. Made her cry. I told you that. What more did you need to know?"
Zia broke the silence. "I apologized. What more do you want? I'm not your enemy, Kael."
I looked at her.
"Then stop acting like one," I said, before walking out the door.