...

Cody sighed tiredly. "It's almost 2 in the morning. Go get some shut-eye, brother." Cody muttered, standing and walking to his room. Kai nodded and walked back to Lorelei before sitting beside the bed with a sigh. He buried his face in his hands and broke down in tears.

...

Kai frantically wiped away his tears--something his father had always said were a weakness for a man and no Vitelli he would have would ever show weakness. "Nothing, go back to sleep. I'm fine" He lied, not making eye-contact. He had never been too good at lying and never to Lorelei especially.

...

Kai hesitated. "I can't protect you. I shouldn't be here. You shouldn't want me. I should be dead so you aren't at risk and the girls aren't at risk. Emily and Cody can hold their own, but imagine my father gettin his hands on those girls--on you. I can't have him take you again." He breathed, tears streaming down his face and his voice breaking a couple times with fear.

...

"I'm failing you. I'm failing you, Lorelei. I can't protect you. You're not safe with me." Kai breathed, unable to calm

...

His eyes met hers and something in his mind clicked. The tears slowed as he nodded and kept his eyes locked on Lorelei's