Playing The Game - Book Four in The WSU Series

- Chapter Forty-Five -

Three Months Ago...

"Get out," I demand to the girl who's currently half-naked on top of Kai. The girl slowly stands before rushing past me, I watch as she grabs her heels before making her way to the elevator. The second the doors close Kai releases a groan. "Really?" He questions as he stands to begin buttoning his shirt once again. "Next time answer your phone," I say as I hand him a folder filled with valuable information.

"Andrew Lewis," I explain as Kai begins to read the sheet of information, "apparently, my wife's godfather," I inform my younger brother as he slowly glances up to see how pissed I am. "The Italian Mafia," I state and Kai blinks, and blinks, and blinks, registering the new information. "I don't understand," he comments as he places the folder and the sheet of paper on the glass coffee table between us. "Neither did I," I admit before continuing, "Elizabeth Bliss played me," I remark. "Lizzie knew that I knew about Giovanni Pazis' dream of going somewhere hot," I explain to Kai who listens carefully. "So, she played me by double-crossing me," and I hate myself for not figuring that out sooner.

"She didn't go somewhere cold, like Norway, or Switerzland," I describe to Kai who watches in fascination. "The places I sent my men," I inform someone other than myself, no one knows of this piece of information. "Instead she's been under my nose the entire time, in the safe company of the rivals," I state, and slowly Kai understands. "She's in Florence," Kai speaks aloud about Lizzie's location and suddenly his smirk appears. It's no lie that my brother liked Lizzie, and at one point she liked him too. Until everything went down, the two of them were actually somewhat close. "Lets go get her," Kai says as he rushes past me to grab his equipment in a hidden wall cabinet, "no."

Kai turns with a small pocket knife in hand, instead of excitement, confusion now fills his face. "No?" He questions as he slips his knife into the band that wraps around his forearm under his white shirt. "Before Lizzie decided to run, I was going to give her that option, allow her the freedom she wished," I explain and Kai slowly steps towards me, "what?" He utters his one-word question, "I refuse to drag her back because I cannot stand the thought of her hating me for trapping her here in my world," I say and Kai shakes his head at my words. "You're being a coward," he comments, "maybe," I shrug at his choice of word to describe my actions.

"I refuse to be back to hate," I admit to Kai, "because I certainly do not hate, Elizabeth Bliss," I finally say, admitting the truth that I no longer hate Lizzie, I never hated her. I hated myself for not hating her as I should. "She's made you look weak in front of the Famille for the past three months," Kai states, it is clear that he wanted to be capo. "You cannot allow Lizzie to be free, at least send men to watch her," he says and I realize that her outburst wasn't because of jealousy, or the power I hold, but rather worry. "You care for her," I utter and Kai rolls his eyes at the truth.

"Bring her home, Kian," Kai requests as his eyes meet mine. Unlike the dark that fills my eyes, his are like the cold, ice blue. I wished I could have protected him from my father, but I know Kai wouldn't have been anyone else. He was made for this life, he thrives in it. "Either you bring her home, or I will," he says before heading outside onto his balcony to overlook the city we control. Maybe one day he'll do whatever he can, to have the power. Kai doesn't know yet what my father plans for him, but this union with the West will do us good. We'll bury them as a threat, which will only then lead Boston and Italy.

I pull out my phone to find Blake's contact number.

ME - Head to Florence, Italy. I need you to watch Lizzie from a distance. She's currently under Andrew Lewis' protection, be careful.

I know Blake is already in Italy, I have eyes everywhere. He may be good at staying under the raider, but I know everything. I know Blake is keeping an eye on Sofia Lewis for Alex, as well as that he has other shit to do, and others to watch. Blake doesn't need to know what I do. A second later I received a text back from my older brother.

BLAKE - Will do, I'll report when I get info.

ME - Talk soon.

As I too look outside to see the sunrise I wonder how Lizzie feels. I promised myself I'd give her the freedom she deserved. I knew Lizzie wasn't cut out for this life, she refuses to be her mother, but can't she see I'd never allow that. Unlike her father, I love Lizzie. That has never changed. I have spent my entire life loving her, and even before Lizzie, my life didn't start until her. Until my gaze landed on hers from across the hall at one of those charity events my mother forced me to go to, three years ago. From the second we kissed in the rain, I knew we were destinated for each other.

We were broken even before we met, but after, I felt whole. Lizzie has always been the one for me, she's the drug that I cannot sleep without.

F4: Thailand was the best version of the show, hands down.

"I hurt you again." - "You're back."

"Is this the look of someone you love? Full of Fear."

"I can't change you again, can I? I love you." - "Get out!"

I'll say it again, go stream the show on YouTube, it's so good. Plus, Thyme and Gorya remind me so much of Kian and Lizzie — I think it's the heartache.

~

Kian, babes, it's okay, you'll be reunited soon. Promise. But in the meantime please do vote and comment on the chapter, it allows the story to grow.

Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed it. Feel free to follow my Instagram if you want to message me or get updates on the upcoming chapters. /multiverseeditsx

<3