I sigh for the umpteenth time today, letting the water slip between my palms. I had no idea what to expect when I put the plan into motion. Now all I can do is wait for the phone call that will transport me back to a place I never wanted to visit again. However, fate refuses to offer me a choice. I have to go back to my past and hope that no one suffers in the process.

“Are you certain there isn’t another way?” Kai asks.

He stands at the door, leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. His presence makes me smile, reminding me that even though I have lost many people in the past four months, there are still some who believe in me and love me.

“Kai, make the call.” I mutter. “I don’t have a choice. There are lives at risk, and as long as I am in a position of power, I can’t make choices.”

Exhaling, Kai moves to sit next to me. He dips his legs into the pool like me.

“I know, kid,” he says. “But I can’t risk you with Spade busy and Lance out of commission.”

“The only way to ensure that we survive this and get our family back is to do this. This war is not mine to begin with, Kai. But Alexa Morgan dragged me into it ten years ago, and she’s going to regret that.”

“If anything happens to you, Ace will have my head delivered on a silver platter to the wolves.” He murmurs.

I giggle and snuggle into his side.

“Don’t be so mean, Kai.” I scold him. “Ace isn’t that scary.”

“Forget about Ace for now,” he says. “Where exactly does the end of this war start?” he wonders.

I stay silent for a few moments, thinking about his question.

“It all starts at the beginning of the war, right where it all began.” I finally answer. “It all starts in Milan.”