Kaya ! Tommy cries. You’re alright !
I push Veah’s shoulderI doubt she barely feels itand say, Let me down. I’m fine.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to herbesides the time we kissed. Wrapped in her embrace, my head against her chest. Her fingertips curl protectively over my shoulder.
Sheshe smells like cherries.
Where is everyone ? Are they okay ? I ask, as Veah follows Tommy into the Underground. By the time we get to the medical ward, everyone has been taken care ofincluding Cassie.
Kaya ! she sobs. There is a bandage on her temple and one secured over her hand. Covering what must be . . . what must be . . .
Are you okay ?
I thought you were dead !
Finally, Veah lets me down. When my feet touch the floor, I stumble forwards, right into Kaya. Collapsing against her. She holds me as I weep, stroking her pink hair. Cassie . . . Cassie . . . this was all my fault.
Don’t you dare say that, Cassie murmurs into my neck. We’re alive. We’re both alive.
Thanks to Veah, I mumble.
I’m going to miss you, Cassie says, and when I pull back slightly to look at her face, I feel the dampness her tears have left behind.
Why are you going to miss me ? I’m not going anywhere.
Cassie shakes her head. Kaya, you still have to leave. To fake your death.
At that, I see the green-eyed girl’s head snap up. Jude. Interestsilhouetting her gaunt, weary features. There are two girls cocooned tightly in her grip.
Finally, I begin to notice our surroundings. The medical floor of the Underground is crowded with family and friends of everyone here.
You guys gave me a fucking heart attack, I hear Jude say.
Sorry, Mama, says the older oneLacy.
Sorry we got kidnapped by the Yakuza and held hostage, Mama, says the younger one.
Jude groans and exchanges a glare with Hunter. Were we ever teenagers ? I don’t think I ever had this much of an attitude as a teenager.
You’ve always had this much of an attitude, Hunter teases. That sharp exterior fading to reveal a hint of something soft for Judeonly for Jude and their daughters. She presses a light kiss to her wife’s lips and adds, Where do you think they learned it from ?
I don’t have a fucking attitude, Jude snaps.
Over Kaya’s shoulder, I notice the couple from earlier : the Japanese girl who called herself Mikayla, and her fiancee, Gianina, with the full red mouth and the lovely brown skin.
I thought I was going to lose you.
Mikayla places a hand over Gianina’s heart, and Gianina curls her fingers over it. Never, Mikayla whispers. You can’t get rid of me.
Gianina sniffles. We do have a wedding, don’t we ?
I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Mikayla promises.
Gianina gives her a ferocious look. Well, you’d better hope not, Miss Nakamura, or I’d whoop your ass !
I’m counting on it, Mikayla says with a sly grin.
I don’t even realize I’m smiling, just faintly, before Cassie waves her hand in front of my face. Are you even listening to me, Kaya ? You have to go through with it.
After what just happened ? Absolutely not !
You have to go to Tokyo, Cassie insists. Veah will protect you. You’ll make a new identity, and you’ll be safe from them.
You were just kidnapped. Like hell I’m going to just leave you behind.
You have to. Kaya, they want you. As soon as you they think you’re dead, they’ll leave you alone, won’t they ? We’ll all be safe.
Stricken, I look at her. You want me to go ? You’re okay with staying ?
If it means you’re safe, Cassie whispers, then go.
ButI’m leaving you here with an entire Mafia. It’s not safe.
Cassie shakes her head. You have all of these rules. Just let them go for once, okay ? Damn your lawsand society’s lawsto hell. The Mafia here are like overbearing, overprotective family. Probably a little suffocating, but they . . . they mean well.
Out of instinct, it seems Cassie glances somewhere behind me with a faint trace of adoration in her voice. That doesn’t make sense, though. Tommy is the only one behind me.
I’ll see you soon, Cassie says. And give my thanks to Veah, alright ?
Veah ? I stammer out. Veahwho saved Cassie’s life. Who saved my life by coming back for me. Right. Her.
She’s a badass, Cassie says, and I become aware of her presence instantly. For a moment, Cassie leans in towards me and whispers, Please jump her bones soon or the tension between you two is going to be responsible for the suffocation of everybody in a thirty-mile radius.