52. Cian
Cian
I stride through the halls of Ruairi’s Belfast office, a smug grin tugging at my lips. I’ve got something worth boasting about, and I want to see how he reacts.
Spending time with Aoife in Dublin had been productive. Perhaps not in the way Ruairi was hoping, but he doesn’t need to know that. I’m here to plant the seed, to make him think I’m getting closer to her in a romantic sense. If he believes I’m just another suitor, he won’t see what’s really coming.
But when I push open the door to his office, he’s not there. Ronan, his second-in-command, sits behind his desk.
"Where’s the boss?" I ask, keeping my tone casual.
Ronan sets down a stack of papers, leveling me with a look. "He’s off on business."
“Business?” I echo, brow lifting. That’s news to me. “He didn’t mention anything to me.”
“I’ll give him a call,” I reply, already reaching into my jacket for my phone.
“He said he didn’t want to be disturbed,” Ronan cuts in, his voice sharper this time—final.
My hand stills. That’s interesting. Ruairi doesn’t just go off the radar like this.
“I have information on Aoife,” I say, letting the words hang. “And he’s going to want to hear it.”
Ronan smirks like he sees right through me. "If there’s anything worth knowing, I’m sure Ruairi will find out for himself. He went to Dublin to meet with his sister."
That stops me for a beat. Ruairi and Aoife are together? That’s not what I expected to hear.
I force an easy grin. "That right?"
Ronan just shrugs. "That’s what I said, isn’t it?"
I hold his gaze a moment longer, but he doesn’t give me anything else. Pushing off the doorframe, I offer a lazy nod. "Guess I’ll have to catch him later then."
What the fuck is going on? I need answers, now. I fire off a text.
Cian: Did your brother make it safely to Dublin?
Aoife: How do you know he was here?
Cian: It’s my job to know, lass.
Aoife: We had dinner earlier.
Cian: What did you two talk about?
Aoife: Family stuff. I’m making it look like I want to repair our relationship so he won’t see you coming for him.
Cian: You’re fucking brilliant. We’re going to make one hell of a power couple.
Aoife: We’ll have everyone on their knees begging at our feet.
I stare at Aoife’s message, my grip tightening around my phone.
We’ll have everyone on their knees begging at our feet.
My pulse kicks up as a slow heat coils in my chest, dark and consuming.
Power is a seductive thing, but power with her? That’s something else entirely. A kingdom built on blood and loyalty, on whispered secrets and bodies left in our wake. And Aoife, sharp, clever, deadly, will be right beside me.
Desire coils low in my gut, thick and insistent. The thought of her, dangerous, untouchable to everyone but me, sinks deep into my veins like a drug. My cock hardens at the idea of her by my side, dripping in power and mine to ruin.
Ruairi has no idea. He thinks he can control her. But I see her. I see ambition coiled around her spine like a serpent ready to strike.
She’s the storm that unmoors kingdoms, the ruin men carve altars for. And I’ll kneel first, knowing I’m the one who lit the match.