4. Cian
Cian
G od, I was tired. I hadn’t been sleeping much anyway, and last night watching over Skylar had afforded me even less than normal. I needed a nap, but I didn’t want to sleep without someone monitoring Skylar.
She was sitting in the chair, wringing her hands, her toes wiggling, and muttering away to herself.
Sean would be gone for a while. I glanced over at the shelves in the living room and grabbed a small stack of books.
When I had checked her backpack, aside from a few pieces of clothing and some personal toiletries, I’d found two obviously well-read books.
I made two cups of coffee and, with the books tucked under my arm, reentered her room.
She glared at me as I sat down on the bed across from her, placing the coffee cups on the table. “Do you like sugar?”
“No.”
“Good—that makes this easier.”
She frowned at me, her gaze flitting to the books I had beside me. “Makes what easier?”
I lifted a mug and took a sip, then repeated the action with the second cup.
“Now choose which one you want. No drugs in either.”
With an exaggerated roll of her eyes, she reached for the cup closest to her. “You could have just let me choose, fuckwit. I’m getting tired of sharing your cooties.”
A loud shout of laughter burst out of me. “ Cooties ? What are we—ten?” Still chuckling, I picked up the other mug. “Just thought I’d stop the drug theory. Sean said you liked coffee, so I thought I’d bring you one.”
Her eyes moved to the books beside me. “What are those?”
“Do you like to read?”
“Yes.”
I handed her the small pile. “A peace offering.”
She reached for the books, then pulled back. “What’s the catch?”
“Just take the books, Skylar.”
She accepted them, trying hard to be nonchalant, but I could see how excited she was by the way her eyes lit up and her fingers rubbed over the spines.
“They’ll help you pass the time.” I paused, waiting for her to meet my eyes. “You can’t get out the window. Stop trying.”
“I figured that out.”
I leaned back on the bed, propping myself up on my elbow, taking a deep swallow of my coffee. “What was your plan?”
She shrugged. “Get out and run.”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere. Where did you think you’d run to?”
She tossed her dark hair. “I can take care of myself. I’d be fine.”
I tamped down my impatience. She had no idea. “Leave the window alone, MacGyver. You can’t get it open. You’ll only hurt yourself if you keep trying.”
Her gaze flew to mine, then to the window, and finally, she nodded.
“Are there more books?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll read.”
I stood. “You’re here so I can keep you safe from what you saw. From the people who know you saw it. It’s that simple. Your safety.”
I made it to the door before I heard her—the words so quiet I almost missed them.
“But who will keep me safe from you?”
“Kitten?”
She looked up.
“I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
She didn’t say anything as she buried her face into the book.
I took my laptop to the kitchen table with another cup of coffee.
I needed to stay awake until Sean came back.
He could keep tabs on Skylar, and I could nap.
I looked at the screen with a grin. She was curled up in the bed, under the covers, the book now holding her attention.
I watched her for a while, smiling even wider as the book kept slipping from her hands as she dozed.
When Sean arrived back, he set down the bags and looked over at the screen.
“She’s out, Cian. I think she’ll be for a while.
Go get some rest. I think we can all rest for a bit. ”
I indicated the screen. “She might…”
“You have her file. There’s nothing else she can use. Let her sleep, and I’ll make dinner later. Maybe she can eat with us and get out of the room. I got her some clothes and a couple puzzle books.”
I stood. “Now who is showing their true self, Sean?”
He shrugged. “No need for her to keep being afraid of us.”
I grinned. “I’m not convinced she is. She informed me your sauce needed more basil.”
He started to laugh. “She’s right.”
“And the lack of ‘real’ Parmesan bothered her. The freshly grated kind—not the ‘shit’ in a plastic can. She was questioning your heritage.”
He slapped his knee as he chortled. “I’ll do better.”
I shut my laptop. “I’m going to lie down.”
“Good. See you in a bit.”
I walked back into the kitchen a few hours later, feeling more rested. Sean was humming and I inhaled deeply. “Something smells great.”
He grinned. “Chicken Parm. I thought Skylar could use some protein.”
“Hope you added some more basil to the sauce.”
He snickered as he stirred. “I did. And there’s enough of the good Parmesan. She’ll be happy.”
I indicated the open laptop. “What’s she doing?”
“Reading. I told her she could join us for supper.”
“I bet she was enthused by the invitation.”
“She seemed calmer. I think she likes the books.” He opened the oven door and poked at something. “It’ll be ready in five. Go get her.”
I looked at the table, frowning at the silverware. “Are you sure?”
“Cian, I only put out forks and spoons. What do you think she’s gonna do? Fork you to death?”
I stifled a groan at his attempt at humor. “Fine,” I huffed. “She’s sitting beside you, though.”
I opened the door to a different-looking Skylar.
Obviously, Sean had given her the clothes he’d purchased.
The sweatshirt and pants were still a little long on her, but the blue color looked nice against her pale skin.
Her hair was washed and hung down her back, still damp.
She looked up from her chair, an almost-friendly smile on her face until she saw it was me.
I stifled a sigh. Clearly, Sean was okay—I was still on her shit list. For some reason, that bothered me.
“Dinner is ready.” I held out my hand. “Come with me.”
“I can eat in here.”
“No. Sean made dinner, and you’re eating with us.”
Glaring, she stood. “I’m not holding your hand.”
I reached for her as she tried to sidle past. “Fine. I’ll hold yours.” I held her hand firmly and tugged her down the hall.
“Let go!”
“No.”
“I’m not gonna do anything,” she seethed.
“I like to hold your hand.”
“Why?”
I grinned at her, her ire making me smile. “I like your cooties.”
“Fuckwit,” she mumbled.
I pushed her down in the chair next to Sean, who was watching us and shaking his head. “Let’s try to get along, shall we?”
“He started it,” Skylar said petulantly at the same time I muttered, “She started it.”
Sean laughed as he picked up a plate. “The two of you are driving me nuts.” He filled Skylar’s plate and set it in front of her. “I don’t want any arguing. Eat.” Then he filled my plate. “That goes for you too.”
I picked up my fork, chuckling inwardly as Skylar did the same thing.
His plate was overflowing, and he set it in front of himself. “I’m too old for this shit,” he grumbled.
I caught Skylar’s eye, and before I could help myself, I winked at her.
For an instant, her lips curled into the sweetest smile.
It transformed her face into one of sheer loveliness, making my breath catch in my throat.
And then, as fast as it appeared, it was gone. She lowered her eyes and began to eat.
My gaze fell to my plate, my chest feeling strangely tight. Why, I wasn’t sure. It certainly couldn’t be because I got her to smile at me.
Could it?
D inner was quiet but good. No one said much, although Skylar did thank Sean for the meal and praised his cooking.
She never questioned the lack of knives on the table and shook her head when Sean offered her the butter dish for her bread.
No doubt the tiny spreader in the dish held no appeal to her as an escape tool.
After dinner, she sat quietly, sipping her cup of coffee.
Sean spoke up. “What book were you reading this afternoon?”
“ The End of Time.”
“Any good?”
She shrugged. “Not bad.”
I chuckled. “You fell asleep pretty fast—even drinking a cup of coffee. I don’t think you made it past the first chapter when your head started nodding.”
Skylar’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowed. Sean shook his head, and inwardly, I groaned when I realized what I’d given away.
“How do you know that?” she asked, her words slow and pronounced.
“I came in to check on you. You were asleep.”
She shook her head, anger making her shoulders tense. “You wouldn’t know I was ‘nodding,’ unless—” she drew in a slow, deep breath “—you were watching me.”
Sean and I exchanged a glance.
Her eyes widened as all the facts came together. “That’s how you knew about the window.”
She clenched her hands on the table and began to yell. “You were…weren’t you? You bastard ! You’ve been watching me!”
“I check on you—that’s all,” I stated firmly.
Her eyes were wild with panic. “Where?”
“What?”
“Where exactly do you watch me?” Her hands covered her mouth for a moment. “Is my whole room being watched? Oh, my God, are you watching me while I’m in the shower? You sick bastards! Both of you!”
I stood, towering over her, anger filling my chest. “No.”
She stood as well, refusing to back down. “Why should I believe you?”
I wanted to scream at her that I had made her safe. That I would never do anything to hurt her. I wanted to shake her until she believed me. But instead, I ground out the only words I could speak.
“Because I said so.”
“I don’t accept the word of murderers. You fucking bastards!
” She picked up her plate, throwing it against the wall, the dish barely missing my head.
The crockery hit the surface with such force it shattered, exploding into hundreds of shards.
The plate of butter flew past me as well, and I cursed when some of the butter hit my head.
Her mug followed, although this time, I sprang forward, knocking her arm so it hit the floor, breaking and spilling hot liquid everywhere.
“Enough!” I roared, lunging for her. She struggled out of my grip, slipping in the liquid and falling to the floor. Bending down, I picked her up, tossing her over my shoulder. She fought me, cursing and screaming as I carried her down the hall. I flung her onto the bed and stood over her, panting.
She was livid. Beyond livid. Her cheeks were red, her hair everywhere. Her eyes were brilliant in her face, and she curled her hands into fists of rage as she continued to hiss and curse at me. I should have found her anger maddening, but somehow, it saddened me.
I leaned forward, hovering over her, and covered her mouth with my hand.
“One camera. To make sure you were okay. It’s here for your safety.
I can see you sitting in the chair or lying in the bed.
Nowhere else. We check and make sure you’re okay every so often.
” I neglected to mention I found her fascinating and did, on occasion, watch her for short periods of time.
“That’s it.” I pressed harder against her mouth.
“Do you understand what I’m telling you? ”
She nodded against my hand, her eyes shooting daggers at me. “If I take my hand away, will you stop yelling?”
Her eyes narrowed, and I felt the sting too late.
Her sharp little teeth clamped down on my palm and bit.
Cursing, I pulled my hand back and looked at the skin.
Teeth marks were already turning a dull purple.
I glared at her but lowered my hand when I saw the fear behind her bravado.
She was sure I’d hit her. I shook my head in frustration.
“For your safety,” I repeated. “I will not hurt you.”
I stood and went to the door. “Calm down.”
“I hate you.”
I paused at the door. “That’s a shame, Kitten. Because I quite like you.” I shook my head. “When you’re not being a total bitch, that is.”
The cursing started again as I shut the door.
Sean was still sitting at the table when I went back to the kitchen. “I’m not cleaning it up,” he said dryly. “You started it.”
I grabbed the broom. “I know. It slipped.”
“Amazing what slips when it comes to her,” he observed.
I ignored him and kept sweeping up the broken dishes.
Muffled thumps came from down the hall.
“What is she doing?” I grumbled.
“Well,” he drawled, “I’m no expert, but knowing Skylar and how stubborn she seems to be, she’s trying to find the camera.”
I groaned. “Can she?”
“Not a chance.”
“So, we ignore her?”
“Yep. Let her alone.” He stood. “Shame. She didn’t get dessert.”
“One less dish to throw at us.”
He chuckled. “ You , Cian. She aimed them all at you .”
“Yes, Sean. I’m well aware of that fact.”
“I’ll let you finish. After she calms down, you might want to go in there and talk to her. Really talk to her.”
I knew he wanted me to tell her everything, but that was something we didn’t agree on, and it was my decision.
She needed to accept she was safe, and that didn’t include knowing the whole story.
I felt she was better off in the dark. It was private and painful.
She didn’t need to carry that burden with her the rest of her life.
“Thanks for the advice.”
He snickered. “I almost wish the plate had hit you, Cian. Might’ve knocked some sense into you.”
“Not happening.”
“Your funeral. She’s gonna keep fighting you.”
I ignored him.
Again.