Bloodbound: The Alliance
Chapter 43 - 47

Chapter 43: Chapter 47

He drops the call.

Dad heaves out a hate-harbored breath, shaking his head as he pockets his phone. Our luggage is still parked in the entryway, so we take each of our belongings to our rooms. I start unpacking, shelving what’s clean, and tossing what’s not into my laundry basket. Shortly, my dad enters the room without warning. I glance at him, smiling faintly as he seats himself on the chair. I stop what I’m doing to fix my attention on him, since that’s what he wants.

"I’m sorry."

Simple but devastating words. I falter, sinking to sit on the edge of my bed.

"I never thought in any version of this existence that you would be paying the price for my sins." Long-suppressed emotions rattling his words. "I failed you... and your mother would be ashamed of me. I didn’t mean for things to get this far, the lies... they kept adding up until they became my reality."

"What lies?" I question, exploiting a moment of weakness. "How exactly did you fall into bed with the Yakuza?"

"They threatened my family, and that was enough for me to do whatever they wanted." He runs his hands over his face. "I did it so well that Haru’s demands only grew. My success was at the cost of preserving a deal with the devil."

"Why didn’t you just go to the authorities?"

He throws an irritated look at me. "What would they have done? He has people in the DEA. Hence, none of his shipments have ever been confiscated, nor have his facilities ever been subject to a raid. He has high-ranking officials in law enforcement and intelligence agencies on his payroll... and now because of me. The government as well."

He crumbles, breaking into a cry, shielding his eyes with his hand. Sorrow tears at the seams of my heart and I shoot up, rushing to him, pausing when I’m close enough, holding back for an aimless moment.

"I’m their slave... and I did what I had to in order to make sure that you and the boys are not." He looks up at me with tears swimming in his eyes, revealing everything and hiding nothing. "I did bad things in the name of good, and that good was protecting you and my boys from them. Even when I outlive my purpose, I know too much. They can’t keep me alive. But they also can’t kill me, which means they won’t be able to touch you either."

The phone call Simon played for me. The Vellum.

For some reason, it’s the only thing keeping him alive.

"This nightmare will soon be over," he promises. He takes my hand to give it a reassuring squeeze. "I’m so sorry to have put you through this... in so much danger because of me."

"It’s not your fault," I mumble, my eyes misting. "You only did what you could. I can’t blame you for that. I only agreed to do this to help protect all of us. Mama couldn’t hold it against you for trying to do the same."

He moves to drop his head on my shoulder, sobbing. I inch closer, placing a consoling hand on his back, rubbing idle circles. He stands up abruptly and pulls me into a bear hug, one I never knew how much I’ve missed or needed until now. I respond quickly, wrapping my arms around his waist and nestling deeper into his embrace.

"Your mother would be so proud of you."

My eyes clamp shut, hot tears rolling down my cheeks.

***

The door opens.

Kelsey’s jaw nearly drops to the floor.

"I’m sorry," I blurt.

She looks like she wants to tackle me. "You’re sorry? I was the bitch and you’re apologizing?"

Kel takes my hand and leads me inside, neglecting the open front door. She takes me to her living room with a big gift basket on the table wrapped with all my favorite snacks and treats in one heart-warming bundle of joy.

"I started making that the moment I got home," she says with her glassy eyes. "A ’I’m sorry I was such a dick’ peace offering. Because even though I said those horrible things to you—which, yes, I obviously do remember. No amount of alcohol could make me forget hurting my best friend. And despite that... she’s the one that apologies first. And that is also why I don’t deserve you."

I draw her into a tight hug. "Quite the other way around."

"Avie, I’m so sorry about what I said."

"You were drunk."

She pulls away urgently. "That’s no excuse."

"And you were right," I confess quickly. "Getting involved with a dangerous man like Botan is messed up. But meeting him was like falling—an uncontrollable motion, slipping into a bottomless pit and I don’t know how to get out. And I don’t think I want to."

She bats the tears from her eyes, looking astonished. "Oh?"

"He came to see me..."

Her forehead puckers, perplexed. "How’s that possible? We only got back a few hours ago?"

"At the yacht and once at the lake house."

Her eyes implode, her mouth rounding. "What?" Her eyes narrow before they enlarge again. "Did you guys..."

"No... almost, but no."

"I’d be excited right now if it weren’t for the fact that he’s a whole criminal."

I walk away brusquely.

"What?" she says through a laugh. "Avara, baby. He works for a criminal syndicate—you said so yourself. He’s the right-hand man to the Yakuza boss himself. I’m sure the people he has killed could fill a stadium."

"Kelsey," I snap.

"Avara," she jeers. "I’m sorry, but I can’t support this. You’re literally flirting with danger. This is not the kind of man you want to be with—he’s responsible for all of this."

"No, he isn’t," I say reflexively. "You don’t know him."

"And you do? You’ve seen his ’good’ side... a side no one else has ever seen? Really? Even you can’t be that naive?"

Anger makes an appearance and I make a start for the archway. "Great talk."

She lunges. "Avie, wait," she says, lifting her hands diplomatically. "Okay, I’m sorry. I am sorry, but you gotta see where I’m coming from. He’s a criminal. Guys like him don’t have good sides."

Heh, he said the same thing.

I nod understandingly.

Even though all sense of reason falls prey to disregard when it comes to him.

"I know," I say for the sake of peace. I’m tired of this cold war.

"You saying that to shut me up or has Avara Du Pont finally found sense?"

She knows me too well.

"I found sense... even in places where it’s scant."

"Don’t use your fancy words, it’s a yes or no answer."

I let out a small laugh. "How about..." I gesture to the gift basket. "We get that open, eat those delicious snacks and have a girl’s night and order in. Just you and me."

"Distracting me with food?" She crosses her arms, squinting at me suspiciously. "... Clever."