Chapter 64 – Reunions

Chapter 64 – Reunions
Betina stayed frozen in front of the door.

Motionless.

Pale.

My heart raced immediately.

"Betina?"

Nothing.

"Who is it?"

She finally blinked.

As if she'd just snapped back to reality.

Then she opened the door all the way.

And I nearly dropped my mug.

"David?"

My brother stood in the hallway.

Hair a mess.

Face exhausted.

Eyes red.

Like someone who hadn't slept in days.

Actually...

Like someone who hadn't slept since I'd disappeared.

The moment he saw me, he froze.

For a second.

Just a second.

Then he crossed the apartment in quick strides.

"Mikaella."

His voice broke.

I stood up.

And before I could say anything, I was pulled into a hug.

A tight hug.

Desperate.

Too tight.

Exactly like the hugs David always gave when he was scared.

"You're alive."

The words came out muffled.

Against my hair.

And I felt my eyes fill with tears again.

"I am."

He closed his eyes.

As if he needed to hear it.

As if he needed the confirmation.

"Thank God."

For a few seconds we just stayed there.

Holding each other.

Trying to make up for time that could never be made up.

Until Betina cleared her throat.

"I hate to interrupt this touching moment.

But you two are getting my rug wet."

David let out a low laugh.

And finally let go of me.

"You're still heartless."

"It's one of my best qualities."

"Psychopath."

"Drama queen."

For the first time since the kidnapping, the apartment felt normal.

Almost.

"How did you find me?" I asked a few minutes later.

David sighed.

"I followed Betina."

Betina nearly choked.

"What?"

"You're terrible at losing a tail."

"I'm excellent at it!"

"You ran three red lights."

"I was worried!"

"You also parked in a disabled spot."

"Details."

I rolled my eyes.

The two of them were exactly the same as ever.

Which was strangely comforting.

"Does Dad know I'm here?" I asked.

The smile vanished from David's face.

Instantly.

"No."

My stomach loosened.

A little.

"Good."

"But he's looking for you."

Of course he was.

That didn't surprise me.

Nothing surprised me anymore.

"And Romeu?"

The question slipped out before I could stop it.

David watched me.

Closely.

Like an older brother who notices something even before he's told it.

"He's out of his mind."

My heart clenched.

"He's looking for you everywhere he possibly can."

The guilt hit me immediately.

Because I knew exactly what state Romeu must be in.

Desperate.

Furious.

Terrified.

"He hasn't slept in days."

David went on.

"He nearly killed half the people involved in the kidnapping."

Betina nodded.

"I saw it."

"It didn't help."

"I was busy."

"Doing what?"

"Screaming."

David sighed.

"Of course."

The doorbell rang again.

Everyone froze.

Instantly.

The apartment plunged into silence.

My heart raced.

Betina looked at David.

David looked at me.

No one moved.

The doorbell rang again.

"Were you expecting anyone else?" I asked.

"No."

Betina answered.

My stomach dropped.

"Maybe it's Leona."

"Leona has a key."

David answered.

Great.

Wonderful.

Terrible.

Betina walked slowly to the door.

David followed.

Instinctively positioning himself between me and any possible threat.

My brother was annoying.

But sometimes he was annoying in an endearing way.

The door opened.

And the voice that entered the apartment made my heart stop.

"Finally.

I thought I'd never find you."

My world froze.

Because I knew that voice.

Knew it very well.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

I turned around.

And met the most intense eyes that had ever crossed mine.

Romeu.