Chapter Twenty-Five
Killian
Lyra doesn’t say the words back or agree to willingly be mine, but when I slide her engagement ring back on her finger as she sleeps, she doesn’t take it off again. I take that to mean she’s starting to resign herself to her fate.
Good girl.
Over the next week, I recover fully from my wound. I bulk up security around myself and Lyra, and hound Cain for updates on his most recent mission, until he threatens to kill me if I don’t let his crew work in peace.
The issue is, I don’t have the time to afford him working in peace. The tribunal looms ever closer, and I couldn’t convert Spencer. I reach out to Ryan for a meeting, but he blows me off, saying he’s unavailable.
Oddly enough, it’s Raegan who bites and agrees to meet with me. Her only condition is that I bring Lyra.
She invites us to her home, a tasteful estate in Connecticut. Coincidentally, if I do end up moving Lyra and myself here, we’ll practically be neighbors with her.
It’s Raegan’s husband that greets us at the door when we arrive. He’s a stout man somewhere in his fifties, with kind eyes and an easy-going smile. He seems to be Raegan’s counterpart in every way that could be imagined.
What’s far more surprising is that we’re not the only guests tonight. Carter’s here, along with… fuck me. Annalise.
We see them shortly after we enter, speaking with Raegan in the foyer. I glance over at Lyra, who’s staring at them with wide eyes, as if her friend is an apparition.
She turns to me with an expression of vague horror. “Killian,” she whispers. “What have you—”
“Ah, so lovely to see you.” Raegan detaches herself from the happy couple and slinks closer to us, extending her hand to Lyra. “My dear, you look splendid. Enjoying the early days of engagement?”
Lyra manages a smile that looks very convincing. “Very much,” she says demurely. Her cheeks even tinge with a faint blush.
I’m not sure whether or not she’s lying anymore. This isn’t the time or place to ask, either.
“I wasn’t aware you were having other guests,” I say calmly, handing Raegan the bottle of wine I fetched from my cellar. Her eyebrow arches as she glances over the label, and she gives me a nod of approval.
“Last-minute addition,” she explains. “Carter had some business to discuss. You have some business to discuss. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone.”
Anna and Carter approach us, and Lyra stiffens ever so slightly. Raegan misses nothing, her sharp eyes taking in the interaction, and a smile spreads on her lips. She’s fucking amused, at my Lyra’s expense.
“Anna,” Lyra says, offering a strained smile.
“Lyra.” Anna’s greeting sounds more like a question. Her gaze flits between us, then zeroes in on Lyra’s engagement ring.
This is not a complication I expected. Neither is Carter’s presence, frankly. Neither of them are supposed to be here. Tonight is for me to speak with Crow, the member of The Eyes and try to get her vote, not Raegan, the meddling hostess. Carter’s presence could ruin my mission.
“Carter.” I shake his hand. “What are you doing here?”
“Same thing as you.” He gives me a thin smile. “Hedging my bets.”
I arch an eyebrow. This isn’t the first Eyes social function where I’ve run into him, but it is the first where he’s been invited to the privacy of someone’s home.
He’s obviously here pursuing an agenda that involves the Eyes.
We’re going to have a nice, long chat regarding what the fuck he’s playing at.
I do not appreciate being blindsided by an ally.
Unless we aren’t allies anymore, and he’s backing Silas. I wouldn’t put it past Carter to switch sides if it benefits him. Which still leaves the question of what the fuck Annalise is doing here.
“You’re… engaged,” I hear Annalise breathe.
Carter slants her a thin smile. “Shouldn’t we pass on commendations to the very happy couple?”
“It was a bit of a whirlwind.” Lyra gives a strained laugh. “I didn’t see any of this coming…”
“I imagine all the more so since you and Killian spent some months apart.” Raegan gives Lyra a challenging look.
To her credit, my Lyra doesn’t bat an eye. “Yes, well, after the… incident in the media took place, I wanted to get away from the states for a while. I’ve never had a desire to be recognizable, and certainly not for a fake video.”
“Well.” Raegan clears her throat. “I’m so pleased for the both of you that you’ve had such a happy reunion. And, Carter, it truly is a pleasure to see you. You and Killian seem to know each other—are you friends?”
I let Carter answer. Whatever he says will be telling.
“If I made investments as idiotic as having friendships, yes, I’d consider him a friend.”
Comforting.
“Why don’t we get to dinner, dear?” Raegan’s trophy-husband slides an arm around her waist, resting his hand on her hip. “We wouldn’t want to miss the first course.”
For the first time since I’ve known her, I watch Raegan softer just a little bit. Enough for me to clock her family as her greatest—and possibly only—weakness.
“Yes, that would be nice.”
We migrate into the dining room which boasts a high ceiling with gothic metal light fixtures, a stone table, and large windows overlooking a lake.
I pull out Lyra’s seat for her. I’d have her on my lap if I could, but I don’t think Raegan would appreciate the covert PDA.
Besides, as much as I love having her as close as physically possible, I need to keep eyes on Carter.
I appreciate him almost calling me a friend, but the jury’s still out on whether he’s become an enemy.
Me trying to pull him into the Eyes is one thing. Him fucking around with them on the side is another. Is he planning on joining or just doing some light business with them? And what in the actual fuck is Annalise doing here?
Raegan makes small-talk with Carter and me idly throughout the dinner, largely aided by her husband’s easy going and welcoming conversation starters.
He knows how to avoid unpleasant topics and instead steer toward light discussion regarding things as mundane as weather, yet somehow make them engaging.
No wonder Raegan married him; he seems to balance her out perfectly.
It's only after the dinner that I’m invited to Raegan’s study to discuss business.
Unfortunately, Carter is invited, as well.
This could easily turn into a blood bath—Carter is famous for killing people who irritate him—but I don’t get the sense it will.
He was as respectful of Raegan as he’s capable of during dinner. That has to count for something.
“Killian, I’m sure you’re aware our group has been courting Carter for some time,” Raegan says once we’ve poured night caps and taken seats around a grand fireplace. “It sounds as if you’ve been doing the same.”
I’m not sure if I’d call unconventional methods such as threats and bribes courting, but I’m not going to correct her. “Correct,” I drawl, glancing at him. “I’m so glad you’re considering it.”
“Difficult not to,” he says idly. “The benefits are… considerable.”
What the hell has he gotten into that makes joining the Eyes seem like a good idea? I know he’s been expanding his business dealings on an international scale. Could he want the Eyes to help him with some conflicts he’s run into?
“Mm.” I nod. “They are, indeed.”
“Killian, dear. I believe you came here tonight with the hopes of talking to me regarding the upcoming tribunal.”
What the fuck? Raegan is discussing this in front of an outsider? What the hell is her play here? That’s breaking all of the unspoken rules of the Eyes. It’s an offense punishable by death.
“Raegan,” I murmur. “Is it wise to be discussing this now?” Is she trying to get both of us killed by discussing internal Eyes business so freely?
“One of Carter’s concerns in joining is our handling of your case.” Raegan offers me a thin smile. “He’s worried that such conflict is routine, and that we might inhibit his dealings rather than accelerate them.”
“I’m also worried that all of you are chasing me so hard, it’s like you want to drop to your knees and take turns sucking my cock,” Carter quips. I barely hide a wince. He’ll get himself killed saying shit like that.
“Performing fellatio for anyone who isn’t my husband is not on my to-do list,” Raegan says, still maintaining her thin smile. “But, rest assured that such internal conflicts are rare. When they do arise, they’re dealt with fairly.”
Carter rolls his eyes. “Please. You’re more corrupt than politicians.
I expect there’s nothing fair about how that cute little tribunal will be handled.
So, allow me to make something clear.” He leans forward.
“I won’t even consider joining your organization if your tribunal ends with any harm coming to Killian. ”
I raise my eyebrows. This favor he’s doing me is not going to come cheap. He’ll expect my eternal loyalty in return for this, which might cause problems down the line. If it keeps me alive, though…
Raegan looks at me. “You’ll have my vote.” She glances at Carter. “But my vote is one among five. I believe Killian already has another. Still, he requires one more, and that is outside my influence.”
“You better make it inside your influence.” Carter stands and buttons his blazer. “Otherwise, I’ll declare war. Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I’d like to get back to my girlfriend.” He leaves after dropping that bomb.
How he escalated from stalking Anna to dating her and parading her about in a matter of weeks is beyond me. I usually wouldn’t care, except for the fact that this will stress Lyra, and I’d prefer to minimize stress in her life. I’ve certainly already brought her enough of it.
“Some friends you have,” Raegan comments.
I knock back my whiskey, releasing a dark chuckle. “You can say that again.”
Lyra
Anna pulls me away from the dining room as soon as it’s socially acceptable, and into some sort of ridiculously lavish but somewhat private sitting room, tucked into a corner of the home.