And when I say they were mindful of security, I meant I convinced them to buy something like this, because even seven years ago, I was sort of prepared for something like this to happen.
It’s the second time I’ve been here. It should be weird that I’m visiting my sister’s house for only the second time since she got married seven years ago, but for me, it was a perfectly normal decision.
I didn’t want to come before in case Kirill, Damien, or Mikhail had someone following me around. I didn’t trust that they wouldn’t find and hurt her.
But now, it’s over. Now, Kirill knows, and he won’t stop until I either fulfill his callous demands or he hurts my sister.
The sister I promised Mom I would protect with my life if I had to. Reina is the last connection I have to Mom and Dad. She’s one of the few people who make me feel as if I have a purpose in life.
Ruslan and Katia stand on either side of me as I hit the doorbell. Everything I did to protect her and her family doesn’t matter now that Kirill is on the hunt for their lives.
I need to get them out of here, send them somewhere and—
The door opens, my mouth agape with it. The person standing in front of me is the last one I expected to find here.
Kyle.
What the…
He’s nonchalantly carrying little Gareth on his shoulders. My nephew giggles, showing his missing teeth as he runs his toy car through my husband’s hair.
“What…what are you doing here?” I sound as confused as I feel.
“I’m paying Reina and Asher a visit.” His expression is as blank as his voice.
Why do I hate that so much? Kyle might have been away before, but whenever he’s with me, I’m always the only one on his mind.
Ever since yesterday, I feel like he’s slipping from between my fingers and, eventually, he’ll disappear all over again.
“Auntie!” Gareth exclaims, waving his toy in the air.
“Hey, baby boy.” I try to take him from Kyle’s hold, but he lifts his shoulders and holds on to Kyle’s neck.
“You know me now, Auntie?” he pouts.
“I do. I’m so sorry for yesterday, Gareth. I was tired and thought you were someone else.”
“It’s okay. Mommy said aunties forget sometimes.”
“Rai!” My sister’s exclamation reaches me first before she attacks me in a bear hug. “I missed you so much.”
I wrap my arms around her as I push her inside, nodding over my shoulder at Ruslan and Katia to stand guard outside before I close the door.
Reina steps back to stare at me as if it’s been years since we last met. She’s wearing simple slim jeans and a tight blue tank top. Her hair falls loose to her shoulders, and her makeup is light but striking. She was always the beauty queen between the two of us. Ex-high school cheerleader, prom queen, and somewhat mean girl of her school.
If we’d gone to school together, I would’ve probably been the quiet twin who kicked everyone who dared to approach her. But I guess Asher fulfilled that role on my behalf.
She smiles, and it strangely feels as if I’m staring at myself in the mirror, though my smile isn’t as bright as hers, or as carefree.
“Kyle was right.”
“About what?” My gaze strays from her to him. He doesn’t even make eye contact, pretending to be busy with Gareth, and when he does, it’s as blank as his soul.
The asshole.
“He said you’d come to visit us today, but I didn’t believe him.” She strokes my cheek. “But here you are. You look so…different.”
“I’m still me, Rei.” I keep stealing glances at Kyle. How did he know I would be coming here before I even did it?
“Like hell you are.” Her smile drops and she adopts a stern tone that’s so similar to Mom’s. “Don’t you have something to tell me?”
“Like what?”
She grabs my hand and shoves the one with my wedding ring in my face.
“Oh.”
“Right. Oh. I can’t believe you got married without telling me.” Her voice drops. “I was planning so many things for your wedding, but I wasn’t even invited.”
Shit.
I hate seeing her anguished like this. It feels as if I’m amputating a limb or something. I hold her to my side by the shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Rei. Everyone was there and I couldn’t endanger your life.” Her brows stay drawn together, not seeming convinced in the least, so I continue, “Your absence was like having an empty hole in my chest, but I couldn’t bring you in. Not when your life, Gareth’s, and Asher’s are at stake.”
That makes her wrap an arm around my waist. “I know, but it still sucks.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t fix the fact that you hid it from me.” She pushes back. “I can try to understand not being invited, but we talk all the time—how come you never mentioned it? If Kyle hadn’t come to visit, would you have ever told me?”