His Bride

19| Meatballs

CHAPTER NINETEEN

 
"She's alive."

"Oh, I'm already done thanking the gods for that."

His eyes narrowed at my sarcastic remark. Kazmus pressed his lips together as if to stop himself from snarling back at me.

"Your men shot her! They shot her right in front of me!" I cried, rising from the bed. I stood in front of him, seething.

"Their actions are not my orders, Everiss. They won't stand by and do nothing when they see a threat."

Umiling ako at pinigilan ang pagdaloy ng mga luha dala ng frustration, galit at lungkot.

"Kaibigan ko si Sally. She's not a threat!"

"She threatened my men and used drastic measures to force her way into seeing you. You could not blame my men. They're protecting you as sworn in their oath!"

"I don't care about your oath! I don't care about your laws! I care for my friend! My best friend! Siya nalang ang natitirang pamilya na meron ako at tinangka niyo pang kunin siya sa akin! If she's gone too..." Hindi ko napigilan ang pagtulo ng luha sa mga pisngi ko. "I'll be lost."

Lumamlam ang mga mata niyang nagbabaga lang kanina, ang mga balikat ay bumagsak at sumuko. Dinala niya ako sa mga bisig niya at hinawakan ang magkabilang mukha para iharap sakanya.

"I will never allow you to get lost. You have me, Everiss." His thumb gently brushed the tears on my cheek.

I stared deep into his eyes.

"Promise me you won't ever touch my family. No harm shall come to them as long as I am breathing."

His soft expression turned cold in an instant. Hawak niya parin ako pero pakiramdam ko ang layo ko kaagad sakanya. I could feel his warmth around me, but I'm still cold.

"I don't make promises."

"Make one."

"No."

"Kaz."

Dinistansiya niya ang sarili sa akin. I almost cried at the sudden absence of his warmth. Tumalikod siya sa akin, sinabunutan ang sariling buhok dala ng frustration at nang humarap siya muli ay nagtatagis ang bagang nito.

"A family always has the advantage of betraying you first. You won't see that coming. You would never expect that the least."

"They would never betray me."

"How'd you say that? Where are they now? Word has traveled throughout your city that you are bound to me. To a Bratva. If your family truly cares, they could have been shouting outside my house trying to collect you back."

"They were kidnapped," I said firmly.

"By whom? A Bratva? A Mafioso? I would know, Everiss. But even a ghost whisper did not reach me of your family being held captive by my brothers or enemies. They just disappeared."

Iniling ko ang ulo at tinulak ang mga salita niya palayo sa isipan ko. Mali siya. Gusto ko iyong isigaw sakanya. 

My family would never abandon me. Nana, Uncle Pitt, Candice. They were somewhere at alam kong naghihintay sila upang iligtas ko.

"They have Candice. You know that."

"Your cousin, I know. The Palermo. Cruel. Injustice. Brutal. I wouldn't be surprised if she's already dead."

Kazmus expected what happened next, but I did not. My palm burned when it landed on his cheek. Kazmus just made a gentle blinking motion with his eyelids, as if a blow had passed in front of his eyes.