Chapter 6 Six
Fianna.
My bare feet slapped against the marble floor, heels dangling in my hand like weapons as I stormed into the elevator. My pulse was still hammering loudly from the chaos, the way grandfather had made the decision to drag me out suddenly.
It felt like I was already wearing Kian’s chains.
I shoved myself into a corner and crossed my arms. He followed, still silent, all long legs and a predator energy. He pressed the button on the top floor and I snorted.
Top floor in this building? Please.
I blurted out the words before I could stop myself. “Really? You don’t have a more decent house?”
My voice dripped with scorn, echoing and still, he was quiet. His jaw flexed, eyes fixed on the numbers blinking above us. The silence stretched so long that I almost laughed.
Then—ding!
The elevator opened, and we stepped into a hushed hallway. Only one door at the very end. Kian strode ahead without a word, his broad shoulders cutting through the dim light, and stopped in front of the door.
“This is a penthouse. It has maximum security and you will be staying here.”
“Oh, how generous,” I responded, twirling my heels between my fingers. “I just didn’t take you for the kind of man who would want to live amongst humans. Thought you’d go for a fortress or an island or something.”
His hand stilled on the keys. For a second, I swore I saw the corner of his mouth twitch. Then he slid the keycard, the lock clicked, and he shoved the door open.
Inside the penthouse screamed Kian. Minimalist. Monochrome. Sadist. Name it. It lacked basic warmth and dare to say I might actually fall into depression living in the house.
Not even a single personal touch except the lingering smell of his scent in the air.
I sighed and dropped my heels. “Alright, where is my room?”
He tossed the keys onto the counter and shrugged, like the question bored him. “Check around. Pick an empty one.”
I froze. “Are you serious?”
He raised his brows at me.
My jaw dropped. “Courtesy demands you at least show me where I will be staying. Or are you too inhumane for basic hospitality?”
His head snapped towards me, his eyes narrowing into icy slits.
“I don’t owe you hospitality.” His voice was low and lethal.
“Fuck you, Kian.”
The sound of the door suddenly opening behind us pulled my attention away.
I turned and my eyes landed on them. A tall man. A lady beside him, in an oversized shirt, a lollipop stick poking from her glossy mouth.
I blinked. “Oh? I thought you said no one but you had access to this place?”
Kian didn’t answer. His gaze was locked on the lady—hard and dangerous. He looked like he wanted to snap her neck off within seconds.
“Why the fuck are you still here?” His growl rattled in the air.
The man stepped in casually, “I came to pick something up but then I found her here. She said you told her to wait.”
Kian’s jaw worked. His voice rose, harsh. “The fuck I did? I told you to leave before I got back. And what the hell are you doing wearing my shirt?”
I burst out laughing, clapping my hands together but in reality, it wasn’t funny.
“This is rich. Is that your girlfriend? God. You are such an asshole, Kian.”
First night in this arrangement and the drama’s already delivering.
The man’s eyes darted to me then widened. Recognition flickered in his eyes. And just like that, I recognized him too.
Finn. The loyal dog. Kian’s shadow, and his so-called best friend.
His nostrils flared as fury overtook his features. He stepped forward, spitting the words like venom.
“Why the fuck is this bitch in our space?”
My brows shot up. I turned to Kian, my eyes sharp as glass. “Are you going to let your friend talk to me like that?”
Kian didn’t even glance my way as he responded. “Since when do you need me to fight for you?”
His eyes stayed locked on the lady, “Finn. Get her out of my sight.”
Finally, the lady found her voice. Fake tears streaming down her face, candy forgotten.
“Kian, you are so mean! I just thought I could—”
“You could do what?” He snapped like he had reached his limit. “You were a one night stand. The deal was clear. You leave the next day, it’s been days now. Just get the fuck out.”
I gasped dramatically, my hand over my heart. “One night stand? That’s classy. Tell me, Kian, do you always recycle your shirts for them?”
The lady’s watery eyes glared at me and I scrunched my face up.
“Don’t even dare. Direct your anger at the one who fucked you and not me.”
Kian’s voice sounded. “Finn. Out. Now.”
Finn didn’t argue, he grabbed the lady’s arm and dragged her out, but not before he sent me another murderous glare.
The door slammed and silence fell.
Kian exhaled sharply, strode to the bar, and poured himself a glass of wine. Dark red liquid caught the light as he sipped, ignoring me completely.
I folded my arms, my eyes burning into him. “I’m just going to pretend that didn’t happen.”
“Better for you,” he muttered, glass still at his lips. “That thing was days before the engagement and I haven’t been home since then. Give it a rest.”
“Of course, I will. Just make sure you keep your cock on a leash until this arrangement is over. I don’t need you screwing this up.”
That made him whirl, his eyes blazing. His voice dropped to a snarl.
“Don’t talk to me like you are the only one with something to lose. I have my own reasons for this, Tiger. And I don’t sabotage my deals.”
The air crackled and I lifted my chin. “Good. Then we understand each other.”
Another door slammed. Finn was back and he strode in with fury dripping from every step. He stopped dead in front of us as Kian spoke up.
“Fianna, this is Finn,” he said flatly. “Finn, meet Fianna.”
“I know who he is,” I muttered.
Finn obviously ignored the pleasantries because his eyes bore into mine. Accusingly.
“I have a few questions.”
I arched my brow, “For me or your master?”
“Either,” his lips curled. “Whoever is brave enough to answer.”
I leaned back on the couch and crossed my legs, deliberately slow. “I don’t take orders, especially not from you.”
His voice sharpened. “Well, jokes on you, Callahan Curse. You are in the devil’s den so you do well to cooperate."
My pulse jumped but then he pointed at me like I was in a trial.
“You were the one who made his life hell?”
I held his gaze. “I did? Yeah, that was me.”
His voice rose. “You shot him in the shoulder two years ago and gave him a scar?”
A smirk tugged at my lips. “I did.”
His face turned crimson. “And you are the one who fucking sent him to prison—”
CRASH!
Kian’s glass shattered loudly on the floor, wine pooling like blood.
“Enough!” His voice thundered.
Finn froze at the order. Kian’s eyes were dark, unreadable, as he seethed.
“There is an arrangement. She’s my fiancée for now, Finn. Let it rest and I promise I don’t want to hear another word.”
The silence rang loud and heavy.
I clapped slowly, sarcasm dripping from my voice. “Well. That was hell of a drama. You should keep your dog on a leash, Kian.”
Finn lunged a step toward me, but Kian’s roar stopped him.
“Finn. Get the fuck outside now.”
Finn glared at me one last time before he obeyed his friend and stomped outside.
And then it was just me and my devil.
He rubbed his face, and turned those grey eyes at me. “Stay here. Tell your brother to bring your things tomorrow. The caretaker will come by too and you can ask her if you need anything.”
He was already moving towards the door.
I sat upright. “Where are you going?”
He paused, his hands on the handle. He raised his brows like I was the fool here.
“Don’t tell me you’re deluding yourself into thinking this is a real engagement?”
“Kian—”
“Stay in the house. Play the mafia princess. And mind your goddamn business.”
The door slammed behind him, leaving me in silence.
And for the first time since this whole circus began, I wondered if I’d traded a prison for another.
Something funny? I have always been scared to stay alone in a house.