CHAPTER 27

"KY?"

KY's head swings around to the door, where DEBORAH stands wearing a backpack over her shoulder.

"I'm ready, nearly. Could you go check and ensure the kids have all they require?"

She nods, and as she goes off to find them, KY shoves in one last miscellaneous collection of garments before KY closes the bag. Slinging it over KY's shoulder, KY goes downstairs to the others, putting on a cheerful grin.

Let's roll out, guys." KY ushers them out the door and closes it in a hurry after them. The slamming of a car door outside makes KY jump back and bump into DEBORAH.

KY's hands shake as KY tosses the bags into the back of the Uber. KY'm gripping onto KY's purse so hard that KY'm certain KY'm going to break a finger. But KY'll be damned if KY'll let KY's siblings be caught in the goddamn crossfire of all of this.

The drive is tense, and KY's leg bounces with every stop light until they reach PELLA's home. PELLA and her twin, Quin, come out to greet them and take the kids' bags.

KY gives them both a hug and thank them for helping out. "Thanks guys. You're the best, really." KY knows the kids will be safe with them because PELLA's whole family are Imperiosi and they have amazing security.

With a huge hug to all three of KY's siblings, KY leaves them KY's voice to stay even. "You guys have fun, okay?"

"Okay!" the two little ones call out, excited about getting to stay with PELLA. They just love her.

"DEBORAH, try to get you all into bed on time, okay? You'll be too tired for school if you stay up as late as you always want to."

"Got it, Mom." She rolls her eyes a little, but KY smiles, tugging them all back into another hug.

"I'll be back soon, okay?" KY hates keeping secrets from them.

KY's next stop is the bus station, and being alone now only serves to fray KY's nerves more.

KY works down the list of places and picks the one farthest out to leave in an hour. Springfield, Illinois. Perfect. Once KY gets to Springfield, KY'll decide what KY does next from there.

KY pays cash for it all. The ticket, the water bottle, and the pretzel pack. KY doesn't want anyone following KY through KY's bank cards.

Forty minutes later, KY boards the bus. Yanking KY's hood over KY's head, KY settles into the hard, unforgiving seat. KY'm exhausted.

A car backfires on the street outside, and KY jumps. KY glances around the bus again. Memorizing who is there besides KY. At least there isn't anyone who appears to be here to kill KY.

KY's head against the glass, KY lets out a sigh as the bus finally departs. And after what feels like an eternity, the thick New York traffic dissolves into nothing but the interstate.

The bus's quiet provides the perfect backdrop for KY's imagination to run wild. What if Carmine does catch up with KY? What if he has guys in Illinois? What if KY's photo is being brought to the hitman right now?

KY's leg jumps more quickly as KY's thoughts spin. KY can't afford much money to spend. KY didn't want to withdraw any money before KY left in case it alerted anyone to KY's leaving. KY needs to be clever. One night in Springfield, then KY moves. It's the only way to do this.

Why KY's life ended up so twisted like this, KY has no clue. KY closes KY's eyes, KY's fist tightening. The sobs burn KY's eyes. KY's life is in ruins, and KY knew it was bound to be only a matter of time before everything in KY's life would break down and be in ruins. 

ISAAC

Almost a day later, ISAAC watches as the bus comes to the station. Exhausted with fatigue, ISAAC tilts his chin and slings his bag over his shoulder. He can't stop. Stop, and he's dead for certain, and he won't let that happen.

Sliding off the bus, ISAAC melts into the crowd, eyes lowered.

Step by step.

He can do the entire on the run thing.

He has to. Because he's not freaking dying because some asshole couldn't keep his hands to himself. He's not dying and leaving those three kids all by themselves and behind. 

ISAAC

ISAAC's phone buzzes against his hip in his pocket, but he doesn't feel it. It's fucking VINCENT DANZA. Go suck shit. ISAAC's seethed since he found out he wants KYOLINE to marry GERARD.

ISAAC pushes away from the wall and walks out to his vehicle with angry strides. A hand is dragged through his hair, mussing the already disheveled locks.

ISAAC pulls out his cigarette and his lighter, but his phone starts vibrating again with VINCENT DANZA's name on the screen. "What?" ISAAC growls into it as he lights the lighter.

"Where are you?"

"Out."

"Well, come back. We have to talk."

"I'm busy." ISAAC draws the smoke into his lungs, the familiar buzz soothing the knotted muscles of his body. "Can't it wait?" ISAAC grinds out.

"No."

"VINCENT DANZA—

"Get back to the MANCHESTER LED, ISAAC."

There isn't room to argue. ISAAC doesn't even take the time to answer before he hangs up and climbs into the driver's seat. ISAAC doesn't even stop to say hello as he rushes through the lobby and doors until he gets to VINCENT DANZA's office.

The men who are waiting outside raise an eyebrow, but ISAAC doesn't have time for that as he pushes past.

"What?" ISAAC growls at VINCENT DANZA.

"Sit."

ISAAC's fist tightens at his side, but he complies, breathing his outrage into a short grunt.

"I have to get KYOLINE."

"What for? To bring her down to the altar and wed GERARD? I thought you had that handled."

"She's out of town."

ISAAC leans in, putting his elbows on his knees. "What do you mean?"

"Carmine's still set on revenge against KYOLINE.". He feels that if it wasn't for her, his brother would be alive today. We need to locate her and remove her from here before he can hurt her. It's only a matter of time before someone does the deed. None of our Imperiosi guys would ever dare cross me and do it, but he's put it out among some contract killers. And it's a costly price." VINCENT DANZA stands there, running his hand down his face.

ISAAC doesn't even nod that the news impacts him—because if he did, that would mean that he has a heart. And as far as VINCENT DANZA knows, ISAAC's as coldblooded as they come. He exhales heavily. "Looks like she's flown the coop somewhere. Left the children with PELLA for the meantime.". She told her that the children would be much safer if she was out of the way for a little while. You would expect Carmine to also be going for you since you were also involved in the whole Calcedonio fiasco at the funeral, but it seems he has chosen to go for the softer target instead.

Fucking coward," ISAAC growls, finally losing his patience. "We'd know it if Carmine already reached her. He'd be parading it from the rooftops."

"I know. That means she's still alive. But for how long, I don't know. That's why you need to go get her."

"Me? Why me?

His eyes settle on ISAAC's face. "Because you're the best. And PELLA is going out of her mind with worry over KYOLINE."

ISAAC's hands bend around the edge of the armrest to support his dignity. "What's in it for me? This is not my usual kind of job. Listen, VINCENT DANZA, I've already told you that I'm not a goddamn babysitter or bodyguard or whatever else you require me to be. I'm here to locate and eliminate the business traitor, and that's all."

I consider her like family, so we must stand up for her. PELLA would never forgive me if something happens to KYOLINE." He's not letting this go. ISAAC pauses for a second, but not long. "If I help you find her, what do I get out of it?"

"Come on, ISAAC." He pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Good request, VINCENT DANZA, since I've got me out here running around the damn city still working on our other problem. This is going to take my mind off that."

"Why does it have to be for something?"

ISAAC's forehead furrows. He's going to get to her anyway—because no one but him is laying a hand on KYOLINE. But that's alright. He doesn't need to know that. If ISAAC plays his cards just right, he's going to have everything he fucking wants. "What's it worth to you, VINCENT DANZA?"

His jaw is clenching, and ISAAC's pretty sure he's considering whether or not it's worth it to walk across the desk and strangle him. One beat, then another, and he breathes. "What do you want?"

ISAAC bites back the smirk. Clockwork. ISAAC's not going to say he's a little too easy to control. ISAAC taunting him with the fact that he knows him too well. That he knows he loves PELLA but that he loves KYOLINE too. ISAAC's a bastard, and he knows it, but he doesn't care.

"Fine, just tell me what you want," he sighs.

"KYOLINE."

ISAAC

The single word slips off ISAAC's lips without hesitation.

VINCENT DANZA's eyes shut in and he shakes his head. "Not happening."

"Then find someone else." ISAAC starts to push himself out of the chair.

"Sit. Down."

ISAAC freezes, hanging just over the chair, staring into him. The threat of realization that passes through his eyes has ISAAC sitting back down again. The tension lingers between them, thick and heavy.

"Marry her? You want to marry her?" he asks in a voice filled with disbelief.

"Yeah." Being an Imperiosi, ISAAC must seek the approval of the Capo before he ever marries anyone.

"For fuck's sake, ISAAC. I did not think there was anything going on between the two of you."

ISAAC just looks at him. ISAAC owes him no explanation about his life.

"Do you really think you can have a genuine relationship, ISAAC?"

"yeah."

"But with a girl like her? She's a handful, you know." "I can manage her perfectly well," ISAAC grinds out.

He glares at ISAAC and shakes his head. "Fine," he snaps. "You may have her. But only if she will marry you."

"She'll agree because it'll keep her safe," ISAAC replies. ISAAC shoves up from the chair once more, hands stuffed into his pockets as he turns to the door.

"ISAAC."

ISAAC's mid-step when he stops, turning his head toward him.

"Just promise me you'll find her before Carmine does."

ISAAC gives a silent nod and then walks to the door silently.