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Kade Marcellus.

"How'd you find him?" I ask, my eyes still focused on the fucker.

Naz shrugs. "Leo has some connections."

Leo De Santis, the illegitimate brother of the Colombo family boss. He and I have grown to be friends, or at least acquaintances who trade favors. Naz grew close to him during his time in New York city, which was the favor I cashed in in turn for helping Leo with a problem he had with his brother. Leo then helped Adrian get me released from prison, so at this point, I'm not sure who owes who.

"You didn't get to kill Axel," John says, slapping a hand on my shoulder. "So we thought this might help."

I walk up to the table, taking in the MC leader, who’s bound with a ball gag in his mouth. "Kinky." I chuckle as he tries to shout around the object. "You fucked up," I tell him. "You shouldhave come to an agreement with me when you had the chance. Now? You're going to die."

John comes up beside me, handing me a large knife. I test the object’s weight in my hands, liking the feeling of it. Guns are used too frequently in my line of work, but this kill is up close and personal.

"This is for my mother," I growl, raising the knife and slamming it down into his chest, being sure to miss his heart. I don't want this to end too quickly. He screams around the gag, and his body shakes, trying to get free.

I pull the blade from his body, causing him to scream and shake again, before thrusting it down into a new spot. "That's for disrespecting me."

Once more, I pull the blade from his body. Kade is losing blood, and I know I won't have much more time to play before he passes out on me, so I decide to make this one worth it. "And this…this is for sending your men after my girl." I slam the blade down, piercing his heart. It's only seconds before the light in his eyes dims, his life leaving him.

"Better?" John asks behind me.

"Better," I reply. I feel lighter, like somehow justice has been served.

Naz cracks open waters, not my first choice in beverage, since I'd much rather have something stronger. But I take one and settle in one of the rickety lawn chairs that are set out on the concrete.

"You need to go to her." Adrian is the first one to speak.

I laugh bitterly. "What's the point?"

Naz sits across from me, leaning forward. "The point is, you're still alive. And so is she."

"She's better off without me."

Adrian scoffs. "Is that the bullshit you're telling yourself? Did she say she wanted you to leave, or did you just leave?"

I purse my lips. Since when does he have the balls to talk to me like this?

"What do you want me to say? That I'm in love with her? Fine. I love her. And that's exactly why I let her go."

Naz shakes his head, muttering, "For someone so smart, you can be a real idiot sometimes."

"Excuse me?" I glare at him.

He looks up, speaking clearly this time. "You think you're protecting her by pushing her away? That's bullshit, and you know it."

Adrian leans forward. "Sam, we've all been there. Thinking we're cursed. That loving us is a death sentence."

"It is," I insist. "Look at my mother, my father. Everyone close to me ends up dead."

Naz looks frustrated with me when he speaks again. "I almost lost Lana because I was too afraid to fight for her. You remember that? Her father was going to marry her off to that psychopath, and I nearly let it happen because I thought staying away was protecting her."

"That's different?—"

"Is it?" John interrupts. "I almost lost Zoe. Marcus was going to kill her, do you remember that? I'd give anything to go back in time and keep her from being trapped in that shipping container. But I can't. And it doesn't matter, because she's safenow."

Adrian's quiet voice cuts through. "I spent years planning my revenge against your family. Years. And when Madi was in danger, I threw it all away in a heartbeat." He meets my eyes. "Some things are worth the risk, Sam."

I rub my face, feeling the stubble against my palms. "And what if I lose her? What if next time, I'm not fast enough? What if?—"