Page 52

51

Liam

Fifty hours. It’s been fifty hours and not a peep. I’m done waiting.

“I’m going to go get my girl. Something isn’t right. I know it.”

“We’re going with you,” Kai says.

None of us have slept much. I’ve been too worried to sleep more than a few hours.

“No, Two, you’re staying home.”

Emerson is on the phone, likely to the pilot, to tell him we’re coming.

“Like hell I am, Three. If you’re going into war, I’ll be right there beside you.”

I glance at Mom and she’s wringing her hands in her lap, the only sign that she’s genuinely worried about what we are going to do. We will be closer to our father, and worse yet, we’re going to Marco Costa’s home. It doesn’t get riskier than this.

“I know, brother, but…it’s because we’re going to war that one of us needs to stay behind, and you’re the one with a wife and a child.”

“That’s…” he trails off and runs a hand through his hair.

I know he doesn’t like it, but Emerson and I agree on that. If any of us will continue living, it will be our brother, Kai. One of us has to stay for Mom.

“Accept it and deal with it. We will call you when it’s done,” I tell him.

His jaw twitches with anger, and I know two parts of him; the husband and father are being ripped in half by the son and brother.

Duty is a difficult burden to bear because sometimes it requires that you choose what is most important, despite your desire to fight back. Theo Coldwell is most important, and that little boy needs a father because we know what it’s like to grow up without one present. I refuse to let that be my nephew .

“Fine. But if you don’t call me in the next ten hours, I’m coming with an army.”

“Deal,” I tell him and pull my hair back. I need to cut it, but Aelia likes it longer.

“Alright, the jet is waiting for us. We’ll take off as soon as we’re loaded,” Emerson says.

I nod and walk over to Mom, squatting down in front of her.

“Mom, I have to go get her,” I tell her, hoping she understands my reasons.

“I know, darling…be careful and please come home.”

I hug her and kiss her on the cheek. “I will, Mom. She’s the one who is going to hit Fred where it hurts. She will help us end this.”

Her lips thin, and her worried eyes search my face before she nods again. I hug her tight and head for the door. Emerson says his goodbyes, and Kai follows behind him.

“Ten hours, Three. Ten.”

I hug my brother and walk out the door without looking back. I know in my gut that she needs me.

I’m coming, princess.