Chapter 37 She Left Me
She Left Me
Kai to Tess: Everyone always leaves me. [unsent]
Kai
We’re in one of Enzo’s private jets. It’s sleek, luxurious—nothing like the cramped, stuffy planes I’m used to. The leather seats gleam under the soft light, and the stewardess keeps offering champagne like this is a joyride, not a fucking rescue mission.
Enzo has gathered a handful of his most trusted men. The tension in the air is thick as we go over the plan.
“The Ivanov’s have a compound not far from the airport, it’s their main residence over there. CCTV shows a car entering the gates last night right around the time we would have expected it if he brought Tess there.”
Enzo looks grimly around the plane cabin at his men, his eyes lingering on where I’m sitting with my leg up before continuing his sweep.
“We have the element of surprise. We’re going to use it. Two groups, each one goes for a different entrance point. You find Tess, you get the fuck out of their immediately and wait for the others somewhere safe.”
There’s a collective murmur of agreement before silence descends.
My mind doesn’t stay with the briefing for long, though. I tune everything out, letting my mind drift to Tess.
Her face flashes in my mind: the warmth of her smile, the sound of her rambling voice that somehow made everything lighter. My lips twitch, trying to form a smile, but it dies before it fully takes shape.
She left me.
The storm clouds settle over me, suffocating. Everyone always leaves me. I clench my fists hard enough to feel my nails dig into my palms.
Tess… She wasn’t supposed to leave.
I didn’t think I’d let her in. Not after everything. But somehow, I did. I fucking did. And now I’m here, a useless mess of rage and regret, trying to save her while also wondering what the hell I even mean to her.
This is why I’ve never gotten attached to anyone but Nate.
He’s my only constant. My rock.
But even he—I’ve never let anyone in the way I’ve let Tess in. Never told Nate about the abuse. I’m sure he had his suspicions, but I just never felt the need to talk about it.
And she just threw me away.
Just like my father.
The betrayal, the heartache, it threatens to crush me. But I push past it, focusing instead on the rage, the fear of what could be happening to her.
Enzo’s hand on my shoulder jolts me.
“Nate texted,” he says with a sigh. “He and Carina are in Moscow waiting for us.”
God, Carina was so pissed when I called them to explain.
“The fuck do you mean she left!?” she’d screeched down the phone.
I’d told her everything, the note, Anastasia. Everything.
“We’re helping.” Her voice was resolute, no room for argument.
Even still, I’d tried.
“Do you think that’s wise?” I asked, speaking mostly to Nate who was also on the call.
“You’ve watched me torture and kill more men than I can count Kai, why would I not be sure?” Carina had hissed with anger.
“This is bigger than taking down a rapist or paedo. They have guns, manpower.”
Nate’s voice turned cold, dangerous. “You think we’re underestimating this? Don’t. Underestimate. Me.”
“Need I remind you what happened last time you two encountered guns and were outmatched?”
The tension cracked in the silence between us. I almost regretted my words, but it was too late. Nate’s voice was a low growl when he finally spoke again.
“You’re stressed, so you get a pass. But if you ever bring that shit up again—”
I knew then there was no point arguing. I told them where to meet and hung up before things escalated further.
“Good, how long until we’re there?” I ask Enzo, who’s been waiting for my reply.
“An hour at most.”
Every step closer to Tess feels like I’m drowning in my own failure. Thirty-six hours without a word from her. Thirty-six hours of her being in God knows what kind of danger.
And I’ve let her down.
I scrub a hand over my face, trying to shake off the spiral.
I don’t say anything to Enzo. My mouth is dry, my thoughts a blur of worry and guilt. The plane hums steadily beneath me, but all I can think about is Tess.
She has to be okay.
She just has to be.