Kross was silent. A minute passed. Then two.

I sighed, rubbing my face. “Don’t judge me, man.”

“Who says I’m judging?b” /b

“That silence can only be described as you judging.”

“I wasn’t judging. I was just shocked. What happened toing back after five yearsb?/bb” /b

“Hey, who says I’m noting back?”

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I could almost see him raising his eyebrow as he said, “You think you could divorce her and leave if your feelings for her grow deep?”

“Who says my feelings are going to grow deep?”

“Cut that bullshit, Kade. We both know it would.”

I sighed again, resting my back against a wall and slumping down until I was sitting on the ground, my knees drawn up and my head hung low, my phone on my shoulder. “You’re not helping, man.”

“This is a matter regarding your heart. How am I supposed to help?”

“I don’t know, man! Talk me out of it or something!”

He fell silent, and I knew he was pressing his temple right now. “When did you realize you’ve fallen for her?”

“Tonight.”

“Did something happen?”

“Yes.” I paused. “She fell apart… in my arms, and I suddenly had this urge that I wanted to protect her, to take away her pain, and just get rid of everything causing her pain.”

He fell silent again. “Well…”

That was all he could say. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that her scent triggered my rut, and that I turn to a fool whenever her scent filled my head, but I couldn’t let those words out because I wouldn’t see the end of it.

“You’re no help,” I grumbled. “I’m hanging up. Axel will be more helpful.”

I ended the call, dialing Axel immediately. He took some time but he picked it up.

“Heeyyyy, Kadey!”

I scowled. “Don’t fucking call me that.”

10:54 bFri/b, bOct /bb3 /b

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But he acted like I didn’t speak. “To what do I owe this honor, Kadey? I’m sure it’s almost midnight in Italy. Keepingte nights, are we?”

“Shut up.”

“How rude. You called me and yet you’re shushing me.” He tsked. “I thought married life would change you, but you’re still the same cold bastard.”

“Axel, for fuck’s sake, will you shut up and listen to me? I’m stressed enough as it is.”

“Fine, fine. Go ahead.”

I cleared my throat, but now that he’s quiet, I could barely get the words out. Saying it the first time was easy, but saying it the second time would make it sound so real. It made reality hit, and I was suddenly questioning myself. What the fuck was I doing? Falling for Bedonna? Really? fn9797 Updates are released by FindN0vel/fn9797

“Sure, Kade. Take all the time you want. I have all day.”

I sighed, grabbing the hair at my nape and pulling to keep myself grounded. “I’m sorry. I-” I inhaled deeply. “I think I’ve fallen for Bedonna.”

“Aha!” Axel eximed, and I had this image of him jumping to his feet. I was proven right when I heard a thud and I knew he knocked something down.

“Jesus, Axel!” I heard Rosette’s voice. “Don’t break that. It’s new and damn expensive.”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” Axel said in a small voice, and I couldn’t help but smile.

They seem happy, and that bitterness that was rted to Rosette was nowhere to be found. I also didn’t feel anything when I heard her voice.

Maybe I’ve really fallen for Bedonna, and she’s squeezed herself inside me that she’s all I can think of.

“Kross owes me a few thousand,” Axel said.

“What for?”

“We made a bet, dear big brother. I said you would fall for your wife, and Kross put his feet down and said you wouldn’t. He has no sense when ites to matters of the heart. He should just stick to business.”

“You bastards,” I said, but my words didn’t hold water.

“But I gotta admit, I didn’t expect it to be so soon. You’ve shocked me, Kade.”

“Axel, I need your help.”

“Ask away, big bro. Little bro is at your rescue.”

“How do I stop myself from falling further? I really can’t afford this.”

“Why? Because you can’t imagine yourself spending the rest of your life in Italy?”

10:54 Fri, bOct /bb3 /b

“You know I have nothing here.”

:

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“And neither did I have anything in London when I first came here, but now I have everything. Things I never thought I would need. Warmth I never thought I would find. And happiness, Kade.”

I dropped the phone, resting my head on my knees. I didn’t bother to put the phone on the loudspeaker. “What are you trying to say, Axel?”

“I’m saying why not give it a try? Do you n to be alone forever? That would be a miserable life. We’ve been through so much, Kade. Don’t you think we deserve to be happy?”

so much,

“She’s human, Axel,” I whispered, my voice thick.

“So? Rosette’s human, isn’t she? If we let that fear weigh us down then we’ll be miserable beyond belief. Take a leap, Kade, and see where yound.”

I scoffed, my throat tight. “You’ve grown a lot, haven’t you?”

I could hear the smile in his voice as he answered, “Yeah. Love does that to a man. So give it a chance, big brother. Trust me, if I could, I would set Kross up just to find someone for him.”

I chuckled. “Kross would kill you if you tried that.”

“Yep. So because I like my life, I wouldn’t be doing that. I gotta go. My fiancée needs me. Take care, brother.”

He ended the call and I sighed deeply.

Take a leap, Kade, and see where yound.

Could I really do that? Could I find happiness again? Did I deserve it?

I stood up from the ground, dragging myself back into the house, but instead of going straight to my room, my legs took a turn and moved to her room.

I entered quietly to see that she was still sleeping peacefully. I sat at the edge of the bed, a knot tightening in my chest as I looked at her face.

Don’t you think we deserve to be happy?

I didn’t know what to answer to that. My brothers could be happy, sure, but not me. I’ve taken a life, so I should suffer for it as my punishment.

My hand moved on its own and I found myself stroking her lips with my thumb. And as ifpelled, I leaned down, pressing my lips to hers.

I didn’t move my lips, just kept it there. My wild heartbeat finally calmed and all thoughts flew from my head.

But that didn’tst.

“Kade?”