Page 119 of House of Lies
Caelia had tried to warn me, and I ignored her. She told me she didn’t like the idea of me respecting the agreement and entering unarmed with only two of my men. She didn’t want me to come at all.
“How did you get here?” I inquire.
“So you would know where to look next time? No, I don’t think I’ll tell you. Vanya is outside. He caught Sevastyan’s men attempting to sneak in through the back.”
“Why is he here?”
“I called him. I know you’re angry and have every right to be, but at least you’re alive.”
My wife is right. I was lucky that Sevastyan considered his father a more significant threat than me. Or perhaps he wanted to eliminate him first. I press a kiss to the top of Caelia’s head, focusing on her instead of the lifeless bodies surrounding us.
“Let me take you home.”
She nods eagerly. I guide her to the exit, where I encounter my cousin, who is soaked and covered in dirt from head to toe.
“Thank you.” I place a hand on his shoulder. “Grigoriy is dead, as is Sevastyan,” I inform him.
“Good riddance.” He shrugs, though his jaw clenches.
I won’t hold his grief against him if there will be any.
“I’ll handle the aftermath, Kaz. Take Caelia home.”
I nod, retrieving the keys from my pocket. I open the passenger door, waiting for Caelia to hop in. The rain continues to pour, the cold seeping into my bones. I start the car, turn on the heat, and leave this mess behind.
CHAPTER 76
Caelia
Kaz remains silent the entire ride back home. I wish I could say something to make this better, but he doesn’t look like he’s going to listen. Sevastyan killed his grandfather, and I killed his uncle. He has already lost so much, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s nearing his breaking point. Our relationship hasn’t been great in the past month. Since that night in the shower, I have made it clear that I will still be leaving, no matter what he does. It wasn’t fair, and he deserves better, but I’m almost out of his life.
We tried to carry on with our lives, but I’ve burned the bridge between us, and there’s no going back unless I choose to stay. He continued training me, and I continued working on his accounting records, but some nights, it felt like we were strangers again. He was right. I cried because I love him and don’t want to leave, even though he wants me to stay.
I’ve been pacing repeatedly for the past hour since I stepped out of the shower. I can’t seem to warm up, no matter what I do. Then there’s a knock on my door. I find Domenico standing there, wearing an apologetic expression.
“Kaz wants to see you,” he says.
“What’s wrong?”
“He just called for a meeting and wants you there.”
“Let me change.”
“You need to go now.”
“Fine.” I wrap my robe tightly around me, crossing my arms.
Domenico follows closely behind me as we descend the stairs as if he has been instructed not to leave me alone.
“I shouldn’t have pushed you like that, Caelia. I’m sorry.”
He looked furious when he found me outside the house, and while I would have been relieved to see him under different circumstances, he grabbed me by the arm and dragged me inside.
“Just don’t do it again, Dom.”
Kaz is more dangerous than I am, and sometimes I forget that. But now and then, I’m reminded of who he is. I stood by his side when he killed Konstantin for stealing from him. I took a life because I was afraid the gun would be aimed at him next. I’m becoming too comfortable in this new life with him. Vanya will probably never forgive me for what I did. Kaz is angry that I followed him. Dom is cautious with his behavior around me after Kaz snapped at him. He knocks on Kaz’s office door, waiting for permission before entering. I didn’t expect to find Vanya in there. Dom closes the door behind me, choosing not to enter the office. It’s just Kaz, Vanya, and me.
“You wanted to see me?” I frown, unsure of why I was here.