Kendra
Killian was going to be the death of me. How was I supposed to deal with my own problems when his kept popping up?
I stole a glance at Alessandro who was seated next to me, but his eyes stared out the window, his brows furrowed in what looked like annoyance.
Not quite long ago, it seemed as though he and I were having a moment in his room. But right now, I could tell he didn't want to talk. How was I supposed to deal with this burning curiosity to know what my brother had done this time?
My eyes darted around the car, every instinct screaming at me to keep my guard up.
I watched the men in front. Matteo was driving, and I noticed the glint of guns holstered at the hip of the second man.
Staring at them, my mind raced with endless possibilities. If I could just get my hands on at least one of those weapons… I might actually get away.
My fingers itched at the thought. I decided to wait, bidding my time for the right moment.
Not long after, we got on to a lonely path. For some odd reason, I felt safe enough, convinced that Alessandro wouldn't hurt me.
I didn't know where that conviction came from, but I knew he wouldn't kill me. At least not yet. However, I couldn't say the same for Killian.
Alessandro hasn't said a word about what my brother did, and that bothered me.
I looked out the window again, biting on my fingernail. Where were we even going? The road looked deserted.
Just as I was starting to get uncomfortable, a warehouse came into view through the windshield. It looked abandoned. Judging by the fact that there were no other buildings around, I figured we had arrived at our destination.
My heart skipped when I realized that Killian could be in there. I knew how these things normally ended.
Alessandro got out first, and Matteo got the door for me.
"Get out," he ordered.
When I stepped out of the car, I noticed that Alessandro was looking back at us now.
"Don't talk to her like that," he said calmly, but there was something in his voice that made Matteo straighten immediately.
"Understood, Boss," the apology came quickly.
I stared at both of them, a bit thrown off by what just happened, but I kept a straight face. I smoothed down my dress and braced myself for whatever I was about to walk into.
I counted the cars that were already parked there, taking note of a black truck which was blocking the entrance.
There wasn't much I could do with my eyes, and I didn't want to stare into Alessandro's broad back. He was wearing all black. And though he was exuding this suffocating aura, he still looked good.
The air felt heavier the closer we got to the warehouse entrance. The smell of blood hit me first and I hastened my steps, worried that my brother was already a bloodied mess for crossing the devil yet again.
I stepped in after him, and that's when I saw the most gruesome thing I'd seen in the last three years.
There were five men hanging off the roof with their hands tied above their heads and their bodies suspended off the ground.
I looked into each of their faces. I recognized one of them. He was one of my father's men and he looked barely conscious.
The others had their head bent forward like they were already halfway gone. Even though my stomach twisted, my expression didn't change.
"Not even a flinch," Alessandro's voice reached my ears and I turned to him. I realized he had been watching me.
Two of the men opened their eyes. With their gazes fixed on me, I could see the confusion across their faces. Then came recognition. Or maybe it was something else. Something that looked like judgement.
I was sure they hadn't seen a nun dressed like this. They certainly looked uncomfortable.
But I lifted my chin slightly, refusing to shrink under their gazes.
"Where's my brother?" I demanded, my heart pounding with worry.
Right then, Killian was dragged in by two men.
"Killian!" I took a step forward but Matteo had his gun to my head the next second. That was enough warning so I stayed still.
There were bruises on Killian's face, like he had been punched several. But compared to the others… He looked fine.
My eyes narrowed slightly. These were Killian's men. Meaning they had been acting on his orders. Yet, he wasn't badly beaten like they were.
That could only mean one thing. I turned to look at Alessandro and I could see that he was waiting for me to say something.
But I didn't give him that satisfaction. I looked away instead and from the corner of my eyes, I saw a small smile appear on his lips but it vanished with seconds.
"He's the cause of all your problems, yet he's your weakness," Alessandro sounded curious.
"He's my brother," I said without a second thought.
"I would kill him myself if I were you."
"I wouldn't do that to my own brother."
He paused, and I noticed something flicker in his grey eyes. But they hardened once more before his turned his attention to Killian.
"When it comes to him, you would do anything."
I didn't know if that was a question, but it seemed as if even Killian was waiting for answer.
"He's the only family I have left," I said. "I wouldn't let any harm come to him."
Before those words completely left my lips, Alessandro aimed the gun he was holding at Killian.
"What the hell are you doing?!" I screamed, my eyes widening. "Please, don't."
"Your brother keeps intercepting thingd that belong to me," he said, almost casually. His eyes flicked back to mine. "He may be dumb, but he probably has a conscience. I believe his guilt is the reason he keeps trying to rescue you. So tell me, do you want to tell him to stop. Or do I just help you get rid of your problem?"
My stomach dropped, but I tried my best to keep calm.
I may have overestimated Alessandro's consideration for me. What if he doesn't actually care and just kills Killian?
"I wouldn't let you hurt my sister," Killian said and spat blood to the side.
I closed my eyes for a second in exasperation. 'Now was not the time to play hero, dumb ass', I wanted to scream at him.
"Admirable," Alessandro sounded sarcastic. "Do you even think before you act?"
"Just shut up, Killian," I told him. "I'll handle this."
"He thinks I hurt you?" Alessandro turned to me and slowly lowered his gun. "Have you been hurt you since you've been with me?"
"No," I answered quickly. "It's just that we've not been in contact and he must have been worried."
"He knows how these things work. You both stole from me," Alessandro said casually.
"Fine, I'll pay you for all the damages he's caused," I blurted and I noticed how quiet the warehouse became.
I stole a glance at Killian and he wore the confused look on his face. He was probably wondering where I was going to get the money from.
Alessandro lifted his chin, his gaze narrowing at me. "How?"
His voice dropped slightly, and that alone made the air feel heavier.
I swallowed, forcing myself to hold his gaze.
"I'll figure it out," I said. "Whatever it is, I'll pay it. Just let him go."
There was a pause, followed by a low chuckle. He didn't sound amused or impressed, so why was he laughing.
"You?" he asked slowly. "Pay me back?"
His eyes dragged over me, taking in the dress, the bare legs, the way I stood there.
"You couldn't even pay for your own freedom."
I swallowed and glared. That stung, but didn't react.
"I'm not asking for your opinion," I shot back. "I'm offering a solution."
"And what makes you think I want a solution?" he asked.
My heart skipped. That was the problem, wasn't it? Money!!
"Isn't this about money anymore?" I had to ask, already getting annoyed. "Because keeping me locked up in your house isn't doing you any favors," I said carefully. "Fine, I shouldn't have tricked you. But I didn't lie about being a nun but I'm ready to pay you back."
The silence that followed was deafening. I could feel Matteo's eyes watching us. Every other man in the room was also watching, waiting for Alessandro's reaction.
He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine.
"You still think this is about money," he murmured.
My breath hitched and I tilted my head.
"Isn't it?" I asked.
His lips curved slightly. "You're smarter than that, Kendra Marino."
I was trying to process that when I caught the sight of guns again. The man was standing beside me and his guns were just within reach.
My fingers twitched and my eyes darted to Killian. He must have figured out what I was about to do because he narrowed his eyes too, slowly shaking his head.
I ignored him and reached for the guns the next second.
It all happened so fast that before anyone could react, I was already holding two pistols.
"Let him go," I ordered, pointing a gun to Alessandro and one to Matteo who had been reaching for his weapon. "Drop it."