“What?” Paulie answers after a moment.

“I hear you’re interested in my wife.”

“Fuck,” he breathes, and I can hear shuffling coming down the line.

“Let me give you the message Snider will unfortunately be unable to deliver. You so much as even think about my wife and I’m coming for you.”

“Kai,” he says, and I can hear fear in his voice.

I have known Paulie Jr. since we were both ten and our fathers began molding us to take over the family businesses. It was during our first meeting that I learned the difference in ways our fathers were raising each of us. Where my father had raised me with a firm hand and a large amount of respect, Paulie Sr. had been raising his son to fear him, and over the years, that fear has slowly caused his son to resent him and crave the power he held over his head. But just because he wanted to dethrone his father doesn’t mean he wants his father to know he is after his seat. If his dad ever caught wind of what his son was up to, Paulie Sr. would take his own son out without a second thought.

“Be smart. Forget you know anything about my wife.” I hang up then look at my brother, who is just getting off the phone as well.

“Sweepers are on the way, and the plane is ready when we are.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, walking over to my laptop, shutting it down, and watching the picture of Myla and me disappear. Even with the war that is brewing, I know the most important fight I will ever be in is waiting for me at home.

Chapter 8

Honey I’m Home

Myla

I walk through the house looking for Pika and Aye. Since I woke up this morning, they have been incognito.

Yesterday, Pika took me to begin the process of filing for divorce. When we arrived at the lawyer’s office, I was a nervous wreck. The old brick building looked like all the others in the area, but there was something about it that put fear in me.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Pika asked.

I looked over at him and then back to the building. “I’m sure.” I opened the car door and climbed out. “I’ll be back.”

“I’ll be here.”

“Thanks,” I murmured before slamming the door closed and heading for the building.

When I was halfway there, I stopped myself from turning around, heading back to the car, and telling Pika to take me home. I knew I couldn’t do that. I knew I couldn’t let Kai be the decider of my future, and waiting for him to get me the divorce papers was doing exactly that.

As soon as I opened the door to the building, the bell over the door rang and a beautiful woman wearing a business suit walked out of the back office and greeted me in the lobby.

“Myla?” she questioned, giving me a small smile and sticking out her hand.

“Hi,” I replied, placing my hand in hers, surprised by the firmness of her shake.

“I’m Tammy. My receptionist took the afternoon off, so I hope you don’t mind if we just get down to business?” she asked.

“No, that’s fine.”

“Would you like a bottle of water or a soda?” she asked.

I shook my head and wrung my hands together.

“It will be okay.” She smiled again. “Just follow me and we can get started.”

“Sure,” I agreed and followed her into a large office, where she nodded at me to sit down in a chair in front of her desk.

“When we spoke yesterday, you said that you were wanting to file for divorce. Is that right?”

“Yes,” I whispered, and then I looked at the door, wanting to make a run for it.

“Can I ask you why?” she probed.

I looked at her then back at the door. “I think I made a mistake,” I whispered.

“I think a lot of women feel like that,” she muttered.

I started to laugh hysterically until tears were falling down my cheeks. It took a minute to get myself under control, but when I did, I looked at her and found a smile on her face.

“I needed that,” I told her, wiping under my eyes and relaxing into my seat. After that, the rest of the meeting went by quickly, and when I left, I felt like I had not only made the right decision by filing, but that I had done the right thing as far as stopping all the lies.

Tammy had told me that she would get the papers prepared and have Kai served. She’d also explained that, if Kai didn’t agree to sign them, we could proceed without him because I wasn’t requesting any of his assets that had rightfully become half mine when we’d married without a prenup.

I come out of my thoughts when I hear voices coming from Kai’s office. Since he’s been gone, no one has been in this part of the house, so I’m surprised to hear the hushed tones of men speaking behind the closed door. I tiptoe across the hall, careful not to make any noise. I slowly put my ear to the door and my hands around my ear so that I can zero in on the sound.

Weight and warmth press me harder into the door.

“What are we listening for?” is whispered in my ear.

I scream as strong arms wrap around me.

“Easy,” says an all-too-familiar voice, causing my body to instantly react and pain to compress my chest.

“No,” I whisper as Kai’s office door is opened and Pika’s and Aye’s eyes land on me. I tilt my head back, praying I’m wrong—that Kai isn’t home—but my eyes collide with his.

“Let me go,” I whisper, bucking against his hold.

His eyes go soft as he whispers, “Makamae,” tightening his arms around me almost as if he doesn’t want to release me.