Page 51 of A Game of Survival

Finally creeping the car onto Kat’s driveway, I pray that the kids stay asleep while we get them into the house. I need time to think, and I doubt I’ll be able to do that while trying to keep all three of them entertained.

“They can all get into my bed.” Kat pipes up from the back, causing Nicholas and I to turn to face her through the center console.

“And where will you sleep?” I ask, raising a brow.

Kat shakes her head and gives me a tight lipped smile. “I don’t think any of us will be getting any shut eye tonight. Come on, I can’t carry them all,” she says, waiting for us to help.

“Thank you for bringing us back.” Kat whispers as I lay Teddy in her large double bed next to Bella’s soundly sleeping form. “I know you didn’t have to, but it means a lot to me that you have, Max,” she adds before placing a soft kiss on my cheek and stepping out of the room.

I stand still, staring after her, mouth open and slightly stunned until Nic strides in with Alessandro wrapped into his thick muscled arms. I watch quietly as he stares down at him before he places him gently onto the bed next to Teddy and leaves the room without saying a word. Fucking weirdo. I hope Silas knows what he’s gotten himself into with this one. I pull the comforter over all three kids and flick on the bedside lamp, switching the dimmer to low, knowing that if Teddy woke through the night he'd be scared of the dark.

I make my way to the kitchen where I find Kat making a pot of coffee.

“I think we’re going to need something a little stronger than coffee.” I laugh, eyeing up her scotch collection on the shelf above the refrigerator. Kat looks over her shoulder at me and rolls her eyes.

“Help yourself. I’d rather keep a clear head,” she says, pouring coffee into a mug and handing it over to Nicholas who smiles appreciatively at her.

“Thanks, Sugar,” he drawls, reaching for the mug. His fingers linger over hers for just a second too long before I notice the blush creep up from her neck. Yep, I definitely need more than coffee to get through this.

“I’m going to patrol.” I snap, swiping a three quarter full bottle of Jack before leaving through the front door to survey the area.

I walk around the entire apartment complex three times before I finally come to the conclusion that I can’t wait any longer. Silas and Lincoln won’t like it but it’s my sister sitting in that cell and I’ll do anything in my power to get her back to Teddy. I pull out my phone, dialing the number Marcus gave me after our interview and swallow down the last of the whiskey.

The line rings once before a monotone voice answers, “Hello.”

“I need to speak with Marcus.” I snap, already impatient.

“Who is this?” The voice asks, with absolutely no urgency.

I run my fingers frustratedly through my hair, trying to keep my calm. Almost regretting guzzling the entirety of the bottle before making this call. “Just put Marcus on the phone. It’s Max Costello. I need to speak with him urgently.” I urge.

“I’m sorry Mr Costello, but Marcus is on a job right now and can not be contacted. I will get him to contact you as soon as he becomes avail-”

“NO. You don’t fucking understand, you absolute jobsworth! I need to speak with him NOW! We need to get to Ronan Costello. He’s taken my sister. Marcus needs to make his move now. I know his location. He’ll fucking kill her if we don’t get there in time!” I shout, hardly able to contain my emotion as I beg into the phone, not caring who overhears me.

“One moment please,” is all he replies in the same uninterested tone and while I rip my hair out at the root. The line goes quiet except for mumbling background voices.

“What is your location?” He asks a moment later. I reel off Kat’s address, giving them strict instructions not to enter the complex grounds but to ring me when they’re outside. I won’t have her space invaded by more men with guns. I hang up the phone, feeling an overwhelming mixture of relief that they actually listened and a sickening apprehension to what happens next.

I make my way back to Kat’s apartment, battling with the temptation not to go back at all. But she deserves more than that, better than another man leaving without explanation.

I brace myself against the doorframe before entering the house, the alcohol settling deep into my system as I take a deep breath and open the door to be greeted immediately with a pointed finger poking me in the chest.

“Where the hell have you been!?” Kat whisper-shouts aggressively, narrowing her eyes at the empty bottle of Jack in my hand.

“I told you, I was going outside.” I shrug, side stepping the rest of her assault on my chest to place the bottle into the trash.

“Do you really think it was a good idea for you to drink the whole fucking bottle, Max?” She hisses, trailing behind me like a shadow. Whether it's the alcohol in me or the alluring smell of coffee mixed with the sweet vanilla of her body, I spin myself around so fast I catch her off guard, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her hard into my chest. She gasps slightly, her eyes widening in shock as her hands splay out against my chest, the tips of her fingers tracing dangerously close to my throat.

“Max,” she whispers, and I swear I hear it as more of a plea than anything else. I tighten my hold around her waist, trailing the fingers of my free hand up her arm, across her shoulder, collar bone and then stroke them up the column of her neck. She tilts her head further up, closing her eyes and allowing me easier access as I lace my fingers into her hair and place feather soft, meaningful kisses against her throat.

“You have no idea what you do to me, Katrina.” I whisper, gliding my lips across her jaw. “But you deserve somebody better than a man like me.” I kiss her neck again, breathing in her intoxicating scent, before angling her head with the hold I have in her hair, hovering my lips a mere breath above her own. It takes all of my self restraint to hold back from devouring her against her kitchen counter, leaving it up to her to decide what happens next.

“Max, please,” she whimpers impatiently, giving me all the permission I need to crush my lips to hers. I slide my tongue between her already parted lips and collide it against her own. Kat snakes her arms around my neck, pulling us impossibly closer as she kisses me with equal fervor, gliding her tongue expertly across my lips before sucking my bottom lip between her teeth. Fuck, I know that if I don’t stop this now, I’ll end up fucking her where we stand. But I don’t have to restrain myself too much as a loud interrupting cough from the other side of the room makes Kat pull away immediately. I grit my teeth as I turn to face Nicholas who stands with his arms folded and a smug grin pulling up the corners of his mouth.

“Nicholas… we were… I was just,” Kat stutters, trying to regain her composure as she flattens her hair. The effect I had from one kiss makes me wonder how much more of a mess I could get her into if I was ever given the chance. I tighten my fists at the thought, willing my cock to stay down. I need a clear head, no distractions.

“Don’t sweat it, Sugar.” Nicholas smirks, narrowing his eyes as he glances at me. What a tool. My phone buzzes loudly in my pocket, bringing Kat’s attention straight back to me. I answer and bring the phone to my ear, already knowing who it is.

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