Criminal Desire | ✓

31. DANGER

"Oh, come on. That is not an answer." Sofia giggles, "I've seen the way you two look at each other. You guys are not really ━ how do you say it ━ slick with it."

Kalani rolls her eyes with a groan, "Never say that again. You sound like my grandma."

Sofia scoffs, "Well, I think your grandma sounds great. So I'll take that as a compliment."

Kalani flashes her middle finger at her friend, a sarcastic smile on her face, "And I don't know what's going on between us..."

"Cazzate." Bullshit. Sofia spits, "You like him."

"Is that Italian for somethin'?" Kalani says, dismissively. She squeals when Sofia pinches her skin between her fingers, "Fucking abusive. Does that run in your family 'cause... ?"

Sofia smacks her thigh, "Tell me everything."

"How about no?" Kalani smacks her back, Sofia wincing in pain, "And stop fucking hitting me, that shit hurt. And I'm heavy handed so I should know."

"You're right about being heavy handed." Sofia laughs as she rubs out the red mark on her skin.

"Yeah, I used to fuck my brother up whenever we fought." Kalani says, thoughtfully, "Which was, like, all the time. He said it builds character."

Sofia looks at her friend as her smile fades wistfully, "Tell me about him."

The woman turns to face her friend, "Why? I'm going to be mourning him in a couple of weeks anyway."

Sofia reaches a hand over to hold Kalani's, "Don't think about that. Think about all the good times you've had with him. It doesn't make it easier, but it'll put a smile on that beautiful face. Collecting all those memories will make it easier to think back on whenever you have to."

Kalani had accepted the fact that her brother would be killed for his deeds, but it seems to hit her in pulses.

And with that, she starts her walk down memory lane.

KELLAN REED PACES ALONG THE loft floor. It was dark and abandoned, a building he found in Palermo three months ago. He'd taken his computer hacking skills into good use and erased himself from the internet as best he could.

He's been off the grid for a lot longer than that, however. Ever since he was dishonorably discharged from the Navy, he removed all traces of himself in hopes of becoming invisible.

While stationed in Russia, he'd gotten into quite an altercation with the Bratva. In return, he began to work for them ━ initially as an informer. It soon escalated into more when he felt that first touch of money and power in the palm of his hand.

Then, when he overheard the head of the Bratva wanting to steal more power from the Italian Mafia, he jumped at the opportunity to take out Alessandro Lazaro. So, with a loan of thirty thousand dollars, he set out on his one-man mission and killed the most powerful man in Europe.

That did nothing to ebb the power flowing to the Mafia ━ it only allowed Giovanni Lazaro to take over and seek vengeance. Kellan wasn't surprised that the Italian boss brought his sister into it.

He should've warned her.

He should've kept her safe.

But it was too late. And now she is in his enemy's grasp.

So, along with trying to come up with thirty thousand dollars to repay the Bratva, he was also actively trying to find a way to get his sister to safety.

He knew the only possible way would be to surrender himself but that would ensure certain death.

He wasn't ready to die.

He couldn't bring himself to come up with a viable solution.

One that would free his sister and repay his debt.

Except to kill Giovanni Lazaro.

If he doesn't kill him first.

well kellan is a selfish ass mofo, just give yourself up 🤦🏾‍♀️ cause you brought this on yourself 👀

anyways im gonna make this a habit of checking up on y'all every chapter. y'all might get annoyed really quickly but just know im always here to talk 😔

how are you guys?