ALAYNA“My body fucking hurts everywhere,” Oliver complains in annoyance. I help him sit up and place a tray of food on his lap. “And this food looks so sad to me.”
I smile at his remark. Although he still looks badly beaten, I’m glad to hear him complain like the old Oliver.
“You gotta eat, man,” Cassius says, standing next to his brother. We’re the only ones left now in his room because Casey and Arianna haven’t had a proper rest, while Jason has disappeared somewhere. Brandon is sitting quietly on the sofa by the door.
Oliver nods. “I’m sorry I was lost for a moment.”
“You were panicking. It’s normal for someone who’s just got back from something traumatic. If you don’t mind me talking about it,” I answer.
“I thought I was dreaming until I saw your face. Funny, right?” His voice is still raspy and groggy.
“That’s why you need to stay here for a few more days,” Cassius adds, probably his insight as a doctor. “You’ve got to stay here until your condition is stable.”
“We are in Lawrence, you said?” Ollie asks, looking back and forth at our faces.
I smile. “Yes, in my hometown.”
“Then I’ll be fine.” He beams back, his eyes now fixed on me. “Guys, do you mind if I talk to Alayna alone?”
Brandon tenses up. “Why?”
“I need to say something to her in private. If you please...” Ollie requests in a firm voice.
Cassius shifts his eyes to Brandon. “It’s all right, man.”
Brandon forces his shoulders to relax and eventually surrenders. “Fine.” Without even trying to look back, he exits the room. Cassius follows him again. What’s wrong with him now? I’d like to think that he’s only tired, but I’m worried.
Anyway, I give my attention back to Oliver.
“What is it that you want to talk about, Ollie?”
“Have you finally reconciled with Brandon?” he asks, his eyes still on the door. “It seems like it.”
I grin. “Yes. A lot of things happened while you were away. But can I just ask you something first?”
“Of course.”
“You were...” I bite my lip. “You were calling my name before you woke up. Why? Were you in some kind of dream or something?”
“Alayna.” He reaches for my hand. “There are a lot of things you have to know, but we do not have much time. When I was captured, I could only think of everyone’s safety. Everything still seemed unreal to me, like some kind of nightmare, but it’s all real...” Oliver lets out an unsteady breath, and his muscles get tense. “You need to leave,” he finally says.
“What?” I slightly pull away to look into his eyes.
“You need to leave here. You can’t be here, or you’ll be in grave danger.”
“I know,” I say, squeezing his hand back with confidence because now I know what is happening, “but Brandon will protect me.”
“You’re not listening.” His tone darkens. “While you are with Brandon, you won’t be safe. While you’re his girlfriend, they will be after you too. You were right before. Leaving is another option. I just didn’t see it sooner. I only did when Silvanus told me they needed something from you. I just didn’t know what it was.”
Right, because he was away when Brandon found out why. “Brandon’s enemies are after me too because I know about Marcus and Annette—I’m a witness.” I tell him that I saw Marcus face to face and that he is Annette’s husband and the actual Katrakis they are after, and every detail.
“Ah, so that’s what it is.” He nods, realization dawning in his face. “Although it’s not just that.”
“Fine, what else?” I’m not sure that we’re still getting anywhere.
“I heard that Pauline is pregnant by Silvanus, but I’m sure that’s a lie,” he says. “Silvanus told me it was the reason why he was sending me back.”
“Yes, that’s it, and?”
“The Stavros family wouldn’t let this go. I know Pauline’s family, especially her father. He doesn’t care much about the rules, but he likes to play safe. Everyone does in the family just to keep their wealth intact. Pauline is now hurt, too, while she’s in Brandon’s care. Do you think her parents will let go of Brandon now? They were rooting for him before, and now he has to take responsibility for their daughter.”
He means their arranged marriage. But I won’t accept it. “We cannot be sure about that. Brandon has a choice. Silvanus is her real fiancé.”
He shakes his head. “Silvanus lost that title when Brandon returned.”
What? He cuts me off. “Silvanus told me about that too, during my confinement.”
I scowl. “And after hearing that Pauline was pregnant with his child, he thought he had a chance to get her back? Is that what’s happening here?”
“Yes, but Pauline isn’t pregnant, is she?”
I bite my lip anxiously. “She’s not.”
“And in the end, he didn’t get her back either.”
“He failed. However, Pauline’s parents probably don’t know about that lie yet. Maybe they’ll still let Brandon go,” I say hopefully.
“But they willAll the attention and pressure will be on her and Brandon again. No, it’s already been like that since the beginning. My heart clenches.
“Does Pauline know about this?”
“Of course she knows.”
Goddammit. This also means she deliberately meant what she told me about her relationship with Brandon back in the mansion. My stomach twists. I’m so disappointed that these families take marriage like it’s some kind of a game.
“How about Brandon? He denied it many times. He told me he’s not marrying Pauline.” I believe him because he loves me. He’s not too vocal about it, but I can feel it, and that’s all that matters.
“He doesn’t want need Hell. I probably have taken this situation lightly. “Then that stupid rule is still on the table?”
Oliver nods simply.
“And Brandon has to agree to this marriage because he needs the Stavros family on his side,” I presume, though this is a piece of old news. This is exactly what Pauline outlined in detail.
He loves you, but I’m the one he needs. At the end of all this, Brandon will come back to me...“Exactly, Alayna. A rule is a rule. Brandon knows he can’t abandon his responsibility as a Katrakis now, or he’ll lose everything to his enemies.”
This just got more twisted and twisted.
“So you have to leave...” he says, back to the main topic again.
“Are you saying I have to leave him“Brandon is still set to marry Pauline, Alayna,” he says, as clearly as possible this time. “That’s not going to change now. Of course, I didn’t see this before when I realized you two had feelings for each other, but everything changed when he returned to Athens.”
“It can’t...” My lips tremble. “This can’t be happening.”
“Besides that, you’re right. Brandon’s enemies are still after you.”
“I can handle that part, but....” I don’t think I can handle Brandon slipping away from me because of his duty, his responsibility to his family.
However, he needs this. He needs redemption so he can live normally again, free of any anger and guilt about his sister’s and his mother’s demise.
“Alayna, look at me.” I do. “You have to decide.”
“What if I don’t? What if I can’t leave him? Because I can’t, Ollie.” My eyes are already hazy with tears.
“But you know Brandon has unfinished business too, right? You know he has to leave again, right? I’m sure he already told you that?” he says softly.
“What?”His brows furrow. “Or not.”
My every muscle trembles, my blood begins to boil. “Ollie, did you say he’s going to leave again?”
“Crap,” he murmurs, looking away. “I’m sorry, I... I thought you knew.”
“When did you—” I pause. “Of course, you knew, even before you were...” I was going to say kidnapped, but I stop. “Whatever.” It’s true that Brandon has a few more operations to undergo. He still has scars on his chest, though they don’t look that serious anymore.
Everything Oliver said is hard for me to take in. However, his words are like begging to be believed.
Brandon’s going to leave, and again he didn’t tell me. But I don’t want to break up with him. I love him with every piece of my soul. He is my life, and if he’s gone, I’m afraid that there might be nothing left of me.
***
Brandon finds me in Ollie’s room when his cousin falls asleep. I am gently patting a damp towel on Ollie’s forehead. He exerted himself earlier while explaining things to me and got really tired.
Brandon stands next to his cousin, crossing his arms. “Should I be jealous?” There is a ghost of a smile on the side of his lips.
I want to laugh at his joke, but I can’t seem to get myself back in the right mood after everything Ollie told me.
“Brandon, can I talk to you?” I say after I’m done taking care of Oliver.
His eyes narrow. “I was expecting that.”
“But can we talk outside? We might disturb Ollie. I’ll just ask a nurse to look after him.”
“No, let me do that. Wait for me and wear this.” He shakes off his coat and wraps it over my shoulder. “It’s freezing outside.”
I inhale the fragrance of his coat and sigh at the warmth he transferred to it. “Thank you.”
Brandon kisses my temple like he always does, and I’m getting used to it. Now, how can I let this all go? He leaves the room.
While he’s outside, I check Oliver’s temperature with a thermometer, and I’m glad he’s getting better. Thirty-seven point eight.
A nurse follows Brandon a couple of minutes later, and he finally ushers me outside. We leave the hospital and stroll on the street nearby. There’s no sign of his bodyguards, but I guess they’re just around the corner watching us.
I curl inside Brandon’s coat as I feel the cold wind touch my skin. The afternoon is tranquil, as though everything were normal. I walked around these streets before, only thinking about how I’d make my mother and my siblings happy. I didn’t expect I’d be back here without even seeing her face yet. Okay, maybe nothing is really ordinary.
“What did he talk to you about?” Brandon begins after a few moments of silence.
“A few unbelievable things,” I answer truthfully. “Brandon, why didn’t you tell me you were leaving again?”
The color slightly drains from his face, but he manages to look calm.
I stop walking. “I really hate to learn things about you from other people when you can just tell me,” I say frankly.
“Believe me, I was going to.”
“But you barely open up to me or say all the things that matter. And every time I find out something about you, you say that: you were“What else did Oliver say to you?” His voice is low but angry.
“Same old, actually. That I’m in danger too, that you’re still set up for Pauline. Oliver has no reason to make up a story, right?”
“He doesn’t,” he murmurs. I don’t know what hurts more: Oliver’s revelation or Brandon’s admission.
“I’m... I’m so tired, Brandon. I reallyHe lifts his head and shuts his eyes briefly, and when he looks at me, he seems to be pleading. “I don’t want to. I want you“But you needHe rests his fist on his waist. His answer comes after a few beats. “Yes...”“Oh, God!” I bury my face in my hands and fall on my knees like a child, not caring we’re outdoors for everyone to see.
I feel him bend and place his hand on my hair. “But it doesn’t mean I will. Please, Alayna, baby, listen to me.”
“You told me she’s your responsibility. You made me feel “What I told you before about Pauline is still the same. I don’t love her.”
“I want to believe you,” I whimper.
“So now you don’t?” he whispers, hurt.
“Brandon, Alayna? Is everything okay?” Cassius’s voice interrupts us. I sniff my tears back and push myself to my feet again. I wipe my cheeks. He’s with Jason and another two security men behind him.
“What’s going on here?” Jason asks.
“Nothing, J, really. What’s up?” I say.
“We’re looking all over for you,” Cassius says. “We have a problem.”
Brandon scowls. “What’s wrong?”
“Pen, Cole, and Rain are missing,” Jason says, but I don’t know those names.
“Fuck.” Brandon rubs his head.
“What? Why? Who are they?” I ask.
“Three of our security,” Cassius answers. “We have five in this hospital. We can’t connect to them anymore.”
Fear crawls at the back of my head. I cover my mouth. “What? Maybe they’re at the hotel guarding Casey and Arianna?”
“They are assigned here. It’s just Justin and Shawn in the hotel.” Jason stares at this phone briefly, then pushes the device into his pocket.
“Let’s get back inside,” Brandon says. “Oliver isn’t guarded, or the others.”
I wince. Did they possibly follow us here? I hug myself as the shuddering breeze touches my skin. The surroundings feel restless and heavy until it’s almost suffocating. We all start to go back when Brandon suddenly shouts.
“What the fuck!” He holds his left arm. Lifting his hand, he finds blood on his palm. “I’m hit!”
“Get down!” Jason abruptly appears behind me and covers my head, then pushes me to the ground.
“Oh my God!” The feeling of terror slithers through me, blood drains from my body, and my heart starts hammering like crazy against my ribcage.
I manage to throw a glance at the three men around me, Cassius pulling out a gun from his coat and Jason, who has his arm draped across my shoulders, now doing the same. The two security officers immediately cover for us.
My eyes grow wide, too many thoughts coming at once.
Is that really a gunshot? Brandon is hit! Brandon is still engaged to Pauline. Oliver is in the hospital, unguarded. Are Casey and Arianna safe in the hotel? Brandon is still leaving after everything he told me. The Katrakis twins are in the hospital with Pauline, and no one is guarding them either. Brandon is still keeping this from me? Are these Silvanus’s men following us? Are they going to kidnap someone again?“What the hell was that? A gunshot?” I question, panicking. It does seem so, but why didn’t we hear it?
“They have silencers!” Jason says, answering the question in my mind. He takes off his jacket and covers my head. “Get up, get up!” he shouts and pulls me again. “We have to get out of here!”
“I’ll go back to Oliver!” Brandon shouts back.
Another shot, but it only hits the ground.
“Ah!” I scream and cover my ears. “What the hell is really going on?”
“Take my Wolves with you!” Jason instructs. “Norman, Lin, get Brandon and Cassius back to the hospital! We’re in public; we can’t let any civilian get hurt. Get our suppressors. Now!”
“Roger, boss!” they respond in chorus and swiftly surround Brandon and Cassius.
“I’ll meet you later!” Brandon says, looking briefly at Jason and slightly lingering on me. He nods once, and I nod in return. The security men and the two cousins head toward the hospital.
Wait, what? Meet me later?Did Jason just call the security men hisWolvesboss, “What? Why? Where am I going?”
“Come on!” He grabs my wrist and points his gun at something or someone I can’t see. I tremble in fear, pressing my lips together.
“Hurry!” We both sprint back to the main road and weave into a crowd walking the streets. I glance behind me and see three strange people in black suits following us at the same pace.
“Oh my God, Jason. I’m going to die right now!” Words of panic come out of my mouth. People around us look.
“Don’t shout. You’ll attract attention!” he hisses. At the verge of the road, a black car pulls over in front of us. The door at the back automatically swings open. “Get in, get in!” someone shouts from inside.
Jason shoves me in the back seat and slips after me, beside the driver. The car makes a U-turn, picking up speed.
“Who are they, Jason? Who’s following us? And who is this man?” I ask, referring to the driver.
The driver shoots a glance at me—a somewhat familiar brown-haired man. “Name is Khal, Laynie. I’m taking us out of here.”
“Khal.“At your service. It’s been a long time.” He meets my eyes in the rearview mirror.
“Is that you now—” I have no time for chatting at this sudden reunion. “This is crazy. I am in the middle of a crazy mess!”
“Those people following us earlier work for Brandon’s enemies. We encountered some of them in New York,” Jason explains while tightening the bandage over the wound on his arm.
“Jason, you’re bleeding!”
“It’s fine.”
“Yes, I heard,” I say, answering his first statement. “You’re working with the mob!”
“I am“How do you know it’s them?” I ask. I don’t think this is the right time to question him about being a mobster.
“The bullet they used. 5.7FN, from a small-caliber, rebated rim, and smokeless powder,” he answers simply, making me wonder how much of a firearm expert he is. “Like the one they used in New York.”
“Are they still following us?”
“I lost them somehow,” Khal answers and turns the wheel quickly to our right, entering a residential block.
“Laynie, I want you to do something for me,” Jason says again, looking at me over his shoulder.
“What is it now?”
“Call Brandon or his cousin and give them Mom’s address.”
I frown. “Mom’s address, why?”
“Because we’re going there right now. Can you do it?”
My confusion grows. “Are we?” I clear my throat. “Okay, Cassius knows where, but why?”
“Good. We need to get Mom and the kids out of the house. I have my men watching over them, so they’re still safe. We need to—”
“We’re going to Mom because we need to get them out of the house?” I repeat.
“Exactly what I said.”
“But why?”
“There are men lurking around our house, Laynie...” He trails off, then glances over his shoulder again. “Wait, Brandon didn’t tell you?”
Oh my God. I’m so angry. Of course he didn’t. Apparently, he’s good at that—good at hiding essential matters from me. “And you didn’t tell me about this either? You’re my brother, J!”
He sighs sharply. “You’re right. I’m sorry, but I thought your boyfriend had already told you. This is why you are here, Laynie. We need to get our family out of the house and take them somewhere safe.”
“And where are we going?”
“I’m taking you to Kansas City in the meantime. I have property there. Call Brandon right now, and we will meet with them. We’re close to Mom’s house,” he says as he stares through the window.
I know, because it’s my town too.