Chapter 47
CHAPTER
FORTY-SEVEN
Killian
H er fists start to fly, but I bring her close to shut her up in the easiest way I can think of.
I kiss her.
The mix of fear, shock, and anger is an aphrodisiac to me, and I take her mouth there on the street, her body plastered to mine.
She’s divine, earthy, an esoteric mix of what I want and never knew I desired. Her innocence shines through, even though both Xavier and I have done our best to sully her and shred that innocence.
She reaches up, grabs my hair and pulls it, ripping my mouth from hers.
Iris licks my throat, rising up, and then she bites me hard, sucking like she wants me maimed, wants her claim staked.
I laugh and turn her, pushing her into the shadows of the low-lit area, right up against the wall of the apartment building. Inside the wall is a courtyard. It’s still on the edge of the Lower Side, a melting pot of well-off and working class, of social climbers and criminals.
Pressing up against her, I kiss her throat, using the cloak to hide my hand as I pull up her skirt from the dance and do the thing I wanted to do the moment I saw her.
Finger fuck her.
Okay, I want more than that, but it’ll do, and her cunt is so glorious with my fingers stretching it. Stroking up into that soft and tight space is a special reward in and of itself.
She’s so fucking wet and ready that she starts to pulsate and spasm in minutes. I let her come before whipping my hand away.
Then I drag the hood over her head and tuck her in close, holding her tight. “What the fuck are you doing out here?”
“Running.”
“People over or…”
Her eyes glitter as she glares up at me. “The girl ran into me. Let me go.”
I don’t, just move her along. “And where were you going?”
“Maybe I’m running to Xavier.” Her snapped words fail to stick.
“That’s not how it works, brat. You know we come as a team, and you let us both mark you.”
“Sure you did,” she snarls.
I drag her with me as I traverse the streets I know well, leading her by alley and back street to Black Briar.
It’s getting busier. It’s always busy at night in the Lower Side, and while she’s covered, I don’t particularly want to expose her to anyone.
After all, I tell myself, she’s useful.
And mine.
Ours.
Like it or not, as much as I want to run from that fact I can’t. We claimed her, and until we want to rid ourselves of her, we’re stuck with her.
Xavier’s never letting her go.
“You danced with Alicia.”
I almost ask who the fuck that is and then I remember the blonde Omega from the ball who had desperation written all over her.
“Her? She was pathetic.”
She makes a small sound, but finds my hand and slips it into mine. “If you could do that, pretend to be society, then why not just present to the Councilwoman and plead your case yourself?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Seems like it to me.”
It isn’t, but I’m not about to tell her I took a risk doing that because of her, to try and save her from scandal.
Because if things don’t change, our claim won’t stick, and my history isn’t one I want up for scrutiny from the Monarch.
It’s not a matter of scandal hiding there.
It’s Emmie. It’s our activities. One event I can get away with.
No real official announcement and it’s been done where a passing Alpha attends.
If I could have spoken to Sophine…
But that didn’t happen.
“Looks,” I say, “are deceiving.”
“Are you both rich?” she asks.
I laugh. “I have money. Inherited, but…I don’t use Blackwater for a reason.
The name died when my family did. You’ve read the Stitch by that gossip hound?
My family died. A fire. Blah blah blah.” It hurts to say that.
It hurts, but I do it. I have to. It’s the only way through the pain of losing Amelia.
She squeezes my hand. “Oh, Killian. I’m?—”
“It’s a long time ago. C’mon, this way.”
I take her down the back alleys leading to Black Briar. And almost like he knows we’re coming, Xavier’s outside, leaning against the wall, one boot resting on the brick, an unlit cigarette in his hand.
His gaze moves from me to settle on Iris.
He doesn’t sign a thing. He doesn’t have to.
“She’s fine,” I tell him.
Still, he doesn’t sign a word, just tucks his cigarette away and opens the door, stepping inside.
Iris lets me go and rushes after him. I bring in the rear.
“I found her running about, Xav,” I say. “Trying to get trampled by some idiot Council dude.”
Nothing.
“Xavier?”
He turns, puts the cigarette down, and closes the gap between them.
She takes a small nervous step back, right into me, and he grins.
Iris is caged in.
Then, he kisses her.