Page 66 of Restitution

Tobias and I tried to track how many victims fell to his violence, and we stopped when the numbers neared five hundred.

Sometimes, he had contracts to kill buildings’ worth of badpeople with bombs, and others, he stalked and preyed and took his time while they suffered. He used his hands to strangle, to punch and torture.

He used his gun for slow and fast deaths: firing bullets into areas that weren’t fatal, only ending things hours later; or firing into skulls to end them instantly, depending on his mood at the time.

He used his blades to skin and stab and slash.

From footage Barry pulled from Bernadette’s system – thanks but no thanks to Chris hacking the database – Kade sometimes talked to his victims. He always used different languages, like he was teasing them while torturing them. In all honesty, I had to stop watching the clips because they made me feel sick.

But he had to do it all. He had to perform and do his job to the best of his ability. Because if he didn’t, his family – the people he loved – would become the targets.

I get it, I really do. If I had to choose between becoming like Kade or losing everyone I cared about, I’d choose the former too.

Tobias leaves the room, and before I follow, I walk over to Kade and kneel beside the bed.

“I’ll be back soon, okay? I’ll bring you water and something to eat.”

When he nods lightly, he turns his face to the side, facing me with his eyes closed.

I add, “We’ll watch a movie if you want. Or we can just… lie here.”

He nods again, and I lean down to kiss his cheek and stop before my lips touch his skin. I don’t want to push it and freak him out, so instead, I brush my fingers through his sweaty hair, stroking my thumb against his throbbing temple.

I hold his cheek. “It’s all going to be okay. I promise. You’re notgoing to feel like this forever. I’m going to help you. Everyone is going to help, because you aren’t alone.”

A shaky hand rises to press over my own hand, holding it to his face. I slide my thumb under his eye and smile, even though he can’t see me. He pushes his face into my palm harder, clearly starved of this kind of touch.

Tobias doesn’t rush me. This is a huge step for Kade to even let me touch his face, to hold my hand to his cheek without flinching and yelling at me to stay away from him. He usually hides his face, but I can see every little part of it.

As handsome as ever.

When his breathing settles and his hand slips from mine, I know he’s asleep. I swallow a lump building and stand.

His father closes the door behind us. “I think Aria is right. He needs a doctor,” he says as we walk to the end of the corridor and down the stairs. “He looks really sick.”

I nod in agreement. “I doubt Bernadette will break into a hospital and take him. But who knows? She’s a lunatic.”

He hums and slaps Aria’s ass as he walks past her. “Our daughter is here, sweetheart.”

She blushes and goes to wash the flour from her hands. Jason rushes upstairs to grab his shoes, and Ewan helps Aria untie the apron at her back.

Rain pours from the sky, leaving puddles everywhere. I step in one, ignoring it as I run to the car pulling up.

Even though he’s technically the heir to the Russian mafia and marrying into another Russian empire, ultimately making him soon-to-be one of the most powerful leaders in his home country, Base still pales when he sees Kade’s father.

“Sebastian Ivanovich Prince,” Tobias greets Base as he closes the door to the driver’s side. “Why are you alone with no security?”

Base gulps. “They’re close.”

“Good.”

Base gives me a small nod as he walks around the red Aston Martin and opens the passenger-side door. Kade’s twin climbs out.

Aria and Tobias snatch her right away, hugging her tight. Aria is crying, smiling, tears trailing down her cheeks as Tobias kisses his daughter’s forehead. “You’re safe now, baby girl. You’re safe.”

Luciella sobs into her parents’ arms, pulling Ewan and Jason into a group hug. Her head lifts. “Where’s Kade?”

“He’s sleeping. He’s adjusting slowly,” her mother says. “Are you okay? Do you need something to eat? Will I run you a bath?”