“Email work that you have a family emergency. We’ll figure out the rest later. The important thing is getting you somewhere Mark can’t find you.”
There’s a long pause, and I can almost hear her weighing her options, calculating risks.
“Okay,” she finally says. “When?”
“Tonight, if possible,” I tell her. “I’ll call with details. Pack light but bring anything important.”
“Kori?” Her voice catches. “I’m so sorry. For everything.”
I close my eyes, emotions warring within me. Part of me is still angry, still hurt by the betrayal—even though I understand the circumstances. But a larger part remembers the sister who held my hand on the first day of school, who stayed up all night when my first boyfriend dumped me, who always had my back before Mark came between us.
“We’ll talk more when you get here,” I say, not quite ready to offer forgiveness but no longerconsumed by rage. “Just stay safe until then.”
After we hang up, I sink onto the edge of the bed, suddenly exhausted. Kane sits beside me, close but not touching, giving me space to process.
I look at him, this man who barely knows me yet is moving heaven and earth to help. “Thank you. I know this is a lot to ask, but do you think everyone will be upset?”
“No, absolutely not. It’s nothing,” he says with a slight shrug. “Besides, I’m pretty sure Mia would be happy to have a word with Mark if he shows his face here again.”
Despite everything, I laugh at the image of the petite former assassin facing down my soon-to-be-ex-husband. “I almost wish he would try.”
Kane’s expression turns serious. “Your sister should still file a police report, Kori. What Mark did—to both of you—it’s criminal.”
“I know,” I sigh, leaning against his shoulder. “One step at a time, though. First, get her somewhere safe.”
He wraps an arm around me, careful of my bruises. “You’re a good sister. After everything, your first instinct was still to protect her.”
“She’s family,” I say simply. “And now I understand she was a victim too.”
We sit in silence for a minute, watching the fire burn down to glowing embers. The weight ofthe day settles over me—Mark’s appearance, the confrontation, Lana’s revelations, all of it swirling together in a toxic stew of emotions.
“What happens now?” I ask, not sure if I’m talking about Lana, Mark, Alberta, or us.
Chapter 37
Kane
“We need to tell the others,” I say, standing up from the bed. “If Lana’s coming here, they should all know why.”
Kori nods, her face pale but determined. I helped her to her feet, concerned by the slight tremor in her hands. The bruises on her arm are darkening, a visual reminder of what Mark is capable of. The thought of him putting his hands on her makes something primal stir in my chest, a protective rage I’ve rarely felt before.
We find the others in the kitchen, still gathered around the remnants of their baking session. The easy banter stops as soon as they see our faces.
“What’s happened?” Declan asks immediately, setting down his coffee mug.
I let Kori explain, watching as her voice grows stronger with each word. She tells them about Mark’s assault on Lana, about the coercion and threats, about our decision to bring her to the estate.The room falls silent when she finishes.
Then Kat says without hesitation, “I’ll go get her,” already reaching for her jacket.
“Me too,” Wren adds, exchanging a look with Declan that suggests she won’t take no for an answer.
“I’m coming as well,” Mia says quietly. There’s something cold and focused in her expression that reminds me of her former profession.
“I should go too,” Kori insists. “She’s my sister.”
“Absolutely not,” I say before anyone else can speak. “If Mark is watching her place, he could be waiting for you to show up.”
“Kane’s right,” Declan agrees. “You’re safer here.”
