Chapter 47 Tainted!
|| Author POV ||
Killian entered the mansion. He didn’t bother checking on her first. The faint scent of blood clung to him and he refused to let her breathe that tainted air.
His clothes were soaked in blood.
He headed straight to the shower, washing away the grime of the night. When he stepped out, the house was quiet.
Was she already asleep?
He moved silently to his study, pushing open the door and walked inside. Inside, she was slumped over the desk, fast asleep with her head resting on a notebook.
His sharp blue eyes narrowed as they landed on the sum solved on the page. Wrong answers.
His eyes caught the faint glow of her phone clutched loosely in her hand. Was she checking the time and waiting for him?
The thought made a rare soft chuckle escape him.
Killian scooped her up, careful not to wake her. In his arms, she felt impossibly innocent. Reminded him the sharp contrast to the violence he had just left behind. The dark weight of his other life pressed against his chest but he buried it deep.
He carried her to her room and laid her down gently on the bed. She curled inward like a small animal when the cold bedsheet brushed against her skin. A whiny rabbit.
Killian pulled the blanket over her and tucked her in with a protectiveness he rarely showed.
Then unable to resist, he pressed a hard fleeting kiss against her flawless forehead.
The lamp clicked off and he left her in the shadows, heart pounding with a dangerous hunger he refused to feed tonight.
|| FEW DAYS LATER ||
Salvatore Mansion
Killian leaned back against the couch placed in the center of his mansion’s vast hall. The morning light spilled through the tall windows in pale slants.
Chris sat across from him, explaining things to him while Killian nodded absentmindedly.
“The mission is critical.” Chris said in a low voice. “If we want to dominate the Eastern territories, you’ll need to go to Velaris Island. All the high-ranking syndicate leaders will be there for a closed-door summit. They’re eager to meet you.”
At the mention of Velaris Island, a flicker of something crossed Killian’s mind. A flashback.
He gave a slow nod. “Schedule the whole operation for next week.”
Chris’s brow furrowed. “Next week? The sooner we start, the sooner we secure control.” Killian’s gaze remained calm “No need to rush. Just make the arrangements.”
Chris nodded casually.
“And any updates?” Killian asked sharply.
Chris met his gaze, understanding exactly what he asked about. “That man, Cedric Thorne... He’s been playing his cards well over years. There’s something we keep missing. I’ve assigned more men to recheck everything.”
Killian’s jaw clenched tightly. “That motherfucker...” he muttered through gritted teeth. His eyes darkened with cold fury. “He’s going to get the worst kind of death!”
Vengeance still simmered in his veins.
Chris nodded. “That’s it for today. I’ll arrange the meeting for next week and prepare our men.” he said before rising from his seat.
Killian gave a brief nod.
“Velaris Island.” he murmured to himself but then his attention snapped toward the doorway.
Rosa was standing there in barefoot, her presence soft yet impossible to ignore. A silver watering can hung loosely from her delicate fingers, droplets trailing down its edge.
Her round innocent eyes were already on him.
Chris stood frozen for a beat before finally tearing his gaze away. Without a word, he stepped toward the exit.
Rosa shifted aside, clutching the watering can tighter.
‘He’s the same man.’ She remembered his face. The man from before.
Chris walked past her and exited the mansion with a straight face.
Rosa’s gaze drifted back to Killian and immediately dropped. He was still sprawled on the couch like he owned the world. The morning light caught the sharp edges of his face.
Her hoodie was baby pink that slipped down to her thighs like a cozy little cocoon, its soft fabric swallowing her little figure. The sleeves were long, covering part of her hands, making Rosa look even smaller like she was hiding inside it.
Beneath, she wore snug black leggings that stopped just below her knees, leaving her slender legs bare. A tiny cartoon bunny was stitched near her knee.
Her hair was a messy cloud of waves. Her knees were slightly dirt-stained, probably from crouching in the garden. Her cheeks were rosy, a smudge on her cheek.
Rosa looked Impossibly adorable.
Too soft for this cold ruthless place.
Her wide eyes flickered up to meet his for a moment, then darted away, cheeks burning with embarrassment over her messy disheveled look.
But Killian couldn’t look away.
His world was soaked in blood. And there she was standing barefoot nervously. She was soft like spring dared to bloom in the middle of his winter.
Rosa placed the watering can near the doorway, her fingers twitching nervously before she turned toward the stairs. Her heartbeat was an uneven rhythm, fluttering against her ribs like it had a mind of its own.
Killian suddenly stood, his tall frame casting a shadow across the hall. He reached her in just a few long strides. Before she could set a foot on the stairs, his hand firmly caught her arm, turning her to face him.
Rosa blinked up at him startled, her dirt-smudged hands hung awkwardly in the air, unsure where to go. Her cheeks flushed as she realized how messy she must look.
“Where are you going?” His voice was quiet but there was a pull in it Rosa couldn’t resist.
“J-just.. to wash my hands.” she mumbled, eyes flicking to the floor to escape his gaze.
She’d been feeling butterflies for him, chaotic wings fluttering in her chest for days now. But lately, the butterflies in her chest were turning violent now. She had felt them sweetly for days But now they had teeth. Now they ached.
She was falling, even more.
Killian’s hand lifted, fingers grazing her chin before curling just enough to tilt her face up. Her breath hitched.
He leaned in slowly.
Rosa squeezed her eyes shut, heart thudding against her ribs like it was trying to escape. She knew what was coming. She could feel his intoxicating breath just inches away. Her dirt-covered hands hung helplessly in the air, refusing to stain him.
His lips brushed against hers in a possessive suck that made her knees weak. Then he pulled back barely.
Rosa opened her eyes with fluttering lashes only to find him still there. Too close, watching her like she was something delicate he hadn’t decided whether to devour or protect.
Then he tilted his head to the left, his tongue traced the seam of her lips sinfully just once.
Her breath stilled. Her cheeks ignited in a flush so deep it reached her neck.
“Come down after washing your hands. You need to have breakfast. Fast.”
His voice was low near her lips. His icy blues stayed locked on her shy lilacs.
Rosa’s cheeks flamed. She quickly looked away flustered before turning on her feet and hurrying upstairs, nearly tripping over her own feet in her rush. Her oversized hoodie was shifting with her quick steps.
Killian just stood there watching her. The sound of her steps echoed up the staircase.
His hand slowly rose to his mouth, fingers grazing the spot that had just touched hers.
After some time, Rosa came down. She quietly stepped into the dining hall where Killian was already seated, scrolling through his phone.
Her fingers nervously fisted the soft fabric of her oversized hoodie as she made her way toward the table. Killian’s head snapped up at the sight of her small figure.
“Come here.” he commanded.