Page 100 of Wanted

“I’m not about to become a widow, Mandy. You have to believe me.”

“I’m trying.”

“Try harder, you brat.”

“I’ll tell him about this when he wakes up,” Mandy replied, and a smile graced her face. It was genuine.

“You don’t talk to him. He scares you. And you haven’t forgiven him for being a dick to you when you first came here,” Valentina responded.

“Let’s just go to the vacation home on the South Side. We’ll go back to the hospital once the both of you are well-rested,” Mandy suggested.

“Who’ll drive?” Jordan asked while scanning the screen in front of him.

“I will,” Mandy responded. “I have a driver’s license.”

“Let one of my men do it. You haven’t driven in a long while,” Jordan commented. “There’s a lot at stake in that car.”

Mandy sighed, giving in reluctantly.

♥♠♥

It was getting dark, and I shouldn’t be here.

“You should go home.” Travis’s voice made me jump. I stared at the graves that held the bodies of Katantia’s makers. My mom was here, too. Her grave angered me. This was what Aram had always wanted to achieve. He wanted me here but six feet under.

I wasn’t his first-born son.

I was the cunt of the family.

“I’m serious, Kamila,” Travis urged me, moving closer to me.

It felt like a betrayal to breathe in his presence. I didn’t want his words. “Go away.”

Stay strong, Kamila. Please. My wife knows what she’s doing. I can’t help you leave him. All I can do is protect you from serious harm. He can’t end your life. I promise you. It’ll be over one day. Just trust me.

“I want to apologize,” Travis blurted out. He was a monster. He’d never shown me that face of his, though. I saw the calm Travis. “I’ve done a lot of things wrong in my life. I should’ve taken my family underground when I had the chance, but I didn’t. Now, everything’s about to blow up in my face. I can’t control it much longer. For what it’s worth, I apologize.”

“Your apologies don’t mean shit,” I responded. I tucked away a strain of my red hair because I had nothing to do. It was too late for words. Travis’s actions had brought us here. “And if you’re expecting a thank you from me because you sent me to Jordan, you can fuck off. You’re lucky Fylox didn’t end up killing me.”

“He would’ve never killed you. Jordan trusts Fylox with his life,” Travis told me. He inhaled, and I feared that he was in pain. I heard him croak. “You’ll understand soon. I wanted to inform you that Spencer Rawlins is coming. His welcome party will be huge.”

“And?” I rolled my eyes.

“You have to make an appearance. That means you have to face Aram and Spencer,” Travis announced. I heard the leaves rattle in the wind. It was cold tonight, for some reason. Katantian summers began early.

I wanted it all to go back to the way it was before.

Did I, though?

“I don’t want to see the man who ordered you to kill my mother, you stupid piece of shit!” I lashed out at him, throwing fists at him. Fylox had taught me techniques, and I had a better understanding of my strength now, but against Travis, I couldn’t use logic.

He let me swing at him.

“Why did you pretend to be my friend?” I yelped, jabbing my finger in his face.

“I didn’t pretend. You’re like a daughter to me,” Travis stated, backing away from my wrath. I scoffed. “Everything I do for my family… There’s a reason behind everything. Katantia isn’t just a place. It’s hell. It’s perfect for a monster like me. I deserve to be here! But you don’t. You shouldn’t have come back. I told Jordan to keep you away. He knew how to keep you safe, but he insisted on bringing you back…”

His voice cracked, and I interrupted him, “Stop rambling! I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to talk to you. You murdered my mother and Mandy’s mother because these men told you to! If you’re such a monster, why are they still alive? Get the fuck away from us. I don’t ever want to see you near my mother’s grave.”