Chapter 31 #2
The Hummer bounced and shook through dense woodland and rough terrain, making its way up a dirt lane no one would find unless they knew about it.
A good thirty minutes off any main road, the Hummer took us through spells, alerting the guards hiding our arrival in the brush.
A handful stepped out as Zander came to a stop at a gate.
A man nodded, recognizing Zander and his group, opening the gate for us.
The safe house was almost obscured to the naked eye. A large two-story house was built with the same wood of the trees, twining in and around the forest as if it was part of it. It blended into its surroundings like magic. I had no doubt that was exactly what the intent was.
The moment Zander put the car in park, the front doors swung open. Mykel strode out, his expression stoic, pinched with the fear of bad news. He probably expected a declaration of war at any moment.
His gaze was on the horse-shifter, waiting for a report, but it jerked to see Killian exit, then quickly fell on Caden carrying a wounded Birdie out of the car. Scorpion dragged Hanna from the back with them. Mykel didn’t bother to ask what happened, immediately reacting to the situation.
“Zander, show Caden to the clinic.” He gestured for Caden to follow the horse-shifter. Mykel’s gaze locked on Hanna, watching her hiss and claw like a wild animal. Sweat poured down her pale face, eyes glazed with a fever, coming down from a high. “Scorpion, take Hanna there too.”
Scorpion swept Hanna up in his arms, trailing after Caden and Zander. Her yowls echoed after us, leaving a gutted silence between us all.
For a long time, we all watched the space they left behind; the unspoken thought hung heavy between us—Hanna might be Istvan’s now.
“Uncle.” Brexley finally spoke. Her voice was soft, but it somehow cut through the night like a knife, swinging Mykel’s head to her.
“Brexley?” His eyes widened. “You’re all right.” Emotion I had never seen on his face before crumbled his brows, but unlike Andris, he didn’t run to her. Something kept him back, like he didn’t know if she wanted him to hug her or not.
Nor did Brexley. She was rigid, her guilt and shame ghosting over me like her shadow for those she hurt that night at the prison break, people he cared about. For running away and leaving us.
They stared at each other, no one making the first move.
I nudged her, pushing her forward, the motion moving her feet toward him, breaking through the walls they had up. His eyes glossed over, his arms opening, and she fell into them with a choke, her agony and pain tearing into me.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I am so sorry.”
“I know you are.” He spoke only to her. The hug was a little stiff, but I could see the love underneath. They still didn’t know each other very well, but they were family. The last of it.
She pulled away, her head bowed. His eyes softened, squeezing her shoulders. Their gazes met for a beat, expressing something deeper than their words ever would, before he sucked in, stepping back, becoming a leader, not an uncle.
“Killian.” He bowed his head to the noble fae. “Good to see you. Good to see all of you.” He nodded at everyone, stopping short on Eli and Ember. “Who are you?”
“The king’s bounty hunters,” Killian replied. “We have a lot to catch up on.”
“That we do.” Mykel watched the pair, guarded and untrusting.
“Let’s head to my office.” Killian strolled to the front door of his house. I could see Mykel’s shoulders tighten for a moment, his role here suddenly changing. Though Mykel had been in charge, this was Killian’s place.
Everyone traveled after them. Kovacs stood there, not ready to come face to face with all the people she walked away from, all the people who lost loved ones because of her. The endless grief and apologies lying in wait for her.
Stopping next to her, my body brushed against hers, my hand flattening on her lower back, telling her with a gesture that whatever she needed from me, she could have. She had to face it, but I would be there for her in any way she wanted me.
A small smile hinted on her mouth, her dark eyes staring up into mine with a nod of gratitude. She held up her chin and walked in on her own, ready to face her crimes.
We stepped into the house, people milling around through the large family room, into the open kitchen, and out the back doors. Through the sliding doors, I could see tents, tables, and bonfires set up in the backyard.
The kitchen and dining area were filled with seating, and a buffet was set out, people grabbing something for dinner. There were charts on the walls for chores, meetings, and training. Everything was color coded—efficient and meticulous in a way that felt familiar.
A prickle of something, maybe hope, nipped at my gut.
“Szar . . .” Ash huffed, his head shaking, joy brightening his eyes. “Though I shouldn’t be surprised.” He glanced at me, flicking his head to the corner. “She loves controlling everything.”
There at the center, chin high, clipboard in hand, commanding and directing it all . . .
Kitty.
My lungs tightened at the sight of her, emotion bubbling up seeing her so full of life. The last time we were together, I was lifting her lifeless, bony body off the cot, demanding she not give up. She was depleted. Empty. A shell.
Now she shined in all her glory. Strong, healthy, and beautiful, her wig was up in a sleek ponytail, and she wore tight-fitting cargo pants, heeled knee-high boots, and an off-the-shoulder black sweater.
She was in her element. A Madam. A boss. A director.
“She has this place running tight as a ship.” Mykel motioned to her. “I don’t know what I would have done without her.”
It was where she thrived. Being the director of chaos, bending it to her will until it was in order.
When the brothel burned down, she was put in Věrh?za to be tormented and demeaned, and she lost who she was.
She gave up on life. This gave it back to her.
I could see it as she spoke to people, as she ticked off items with the pencil and told them where to go . . . Kitty was back.
As if she sensed us, her eyes found Ash and me across the room. A smile twitched on her mouth, but true to Kitty, she quickly flattened it out, pretending our arrival was expected. Almost a nuisance.
Her long strides brought her to us in only a moment. “Of course, as soon as I have this place running to perfection, you two show up to cause trouble.” Her mouth twitched at the corners, trying to act annoyed with us.
“Missed you too.” Giving her no choice, I wrapped my arms around her, picking her off her feet in a bear hug.
“Warwick, put me down!” She stifled her laugh, rolling her eyes instead. I dropped her back to her feet. She wagged her head at me. “When you return, I know mayhem will soon follow. Things tend to blow up around you.” She pointed at Ash. “You too.”
I took her hand, kissing it with a wink. “At least I’m consistent.”
She huffed, her long lashes fluttering with feigned annoyance.
“You look so good.” Ash pulled her into a hug as well. “Glad you’re okay, Kit.” His voice was sincere and happy. There was no resentment or unrequited feelings lingering. Just pure love. “Missed you.”
“Don’t call me that. You know I hate it.
” That was why he did it. A brother razzing a sister.
She pulled away with a frown, but her tone and gaze were full of warmth.
Genuine. Real. “I must be crazy because . . .”—she took a breath— “I’ve missed you too.
” She squeezed Ash’s hand and looked over at me. “Both of you.”
We were family. We might annoy the fuck out of each other half the time, but our bond was for life.
“Good to see you looking so well, Madam.” Rosie dipped her head, smiling lightly.
“And you.” Kitty eyed Rosie with an arched brow, like she saw more than met the eye and was impressed.
Kitty would never physically show you, but if you had her respect, you felt it in your bones.
“Now, I must get back.” She cleared her throat, her shoulders rolling up.
“This place falls apart without me.” She turned, her ponytail slightly swaying with her walk.
All along the way, individuals stepped up to speak to her—to be led by her.
This was Kitty’s true love. What gave her life. This was where she flourished.
“Uncle Warwick?” A cry whipped me around, clenching down on my heart as a little boy came running for me at full speed.
“Uncle Warwick!” Simon leaped up, and I clamped my arms around him, bringing him up to my full height.
His arms strangled my throat, his head nestling into my shoulder, hugging me so tight. “I missed you!”
“Missed you too,” I muttered privately, holding him firmer to me.
Eliza stepped into the dining room from outside, her attention landing on me. Her mouth parted before I heard her cry out my name, running for us. Her arms came around both of us, a sigh of relief coming from her, her eyes watering with joy.
“You’re okay.” She blinked tears back, repeating, “you’re okay.” She let out a small hiccup, then in a flip, she punched me hard in the arm.
“Ow.”
“Damn you for making me fret like that.” She hit me again. “We’ve been sick with worry.”
Setting Simon back down, I leaned over and kissed her head with a shrug. “Sorry, sis.” My life would never be worry free. Never going to be without danger. You’d think she’d be used to it by now.
“Ugh.” Eliza flicked her eyes with sisterly annoyance. “Such a dickhead.”
“That is true.” Brexley nodded in agreement, high-fiving my sister.
“All right.” I wrapped an arm around Brex, tugging her into me, nuzzling her ear. “Wait until later . . . I’ll show you how much of a massive dick I can be.”
“You think so, Farkas?” Her shadow rubbed against me, taunting me. “See, I think you’re all talk and very little action.”
I let out a barked laugh. Kovacs and I were nothing but action. Any time and every place we could.