76. Kassian

Chapter seventy-six

Kassian

M y heart is lodged in my throat as I leave my beautiful girl to dress herself, knowing she needs me to get Kat more than she needs me to dress her. The quicker we act, the faster I can get her to her father. The man who's been more of a father to me than my own ever had.

I grab my phone, dialing Kat's number as I get dressed, praying she'll answer the fucking phone. When the call eventually goes to voicemail, I try Ale's phone with the same result.

I pry my shoes on my feet and run across the hall, pounding my fist against Ale's door. "Open up! Kat!" I'm banging on the door so long that my hand is red and bruising with the force.

The door swings open, and Ale stands in the doorway, his eyes wild and hair tousled. Kat comes running up from behind him, her arms wrapped around her waist, hugging herself. "What the fuck?" Ale shouts at me, but I push past him, ignoring his anger.

I run to my sister, my hands gripping her shoulders as I look her in the eye, preparing to deliver a blow that sends a chill down my spine.

"Kas." Her lip trembles, tears filling her eyes. "What's wrong?" she asks me, and her cracking voice breaks my fucking heart.

"Kitty-Kat, it's Aiyana's dad. He's in the hospital, and we need to go now, " I urge, silently pleading with her not to make me elaborate right now.

She nods. "Go get Aiyana. We'll be ready in two minutes." She rushes, hurrying back to Alessandro's room. Without a second thought, I run back across the hall, unlock the door, and sprint back to Aiyana's room. I find her in a heap on the floor, half-dressed, as her tiny frame lays crumpled, her hands gripping her head as sobs wrack her body.

I fall to my knees beside her, gripping her hands in mine and pulling them away as she curls into my lap. "Baby, we need to go, please. I need you to get up." She nods in between sobs, and I work to get us both up off the ground. She stands on shaking legs, and I grip the waistband of her leggings, pulling them up her thighs before moving to put socks and shoes on her feet.

Once she's dressed, I all but drag her out into the hall, where Kat and Ale meet us seconds later.

Kat rushes to Aiyana, wrapping her arms tightly around her in a fierce hug. She whispers something to Aiya that makes her nod her head before she straightens, standing tall now with her head high as she marches toward the elevator with Kat in succession.

My girl's putting on a brave face for now, but I'll be there when it becomes too much to bear.