Chapter Eleven
Kieran stepped up behind Georgia, eyeing the man in the doorway. He was about six feet tall with dark-brown hair and eyes and lightly tanned skin. Those brown eyes flickered from him to Georgia. He smiled, flashing lots of pearly-white teeth.
“Georgia, my sweet.” With open arms, he took a step forward. She took one back, evading the hug.
The icy shell encasing Kieran threatened to splinter, dark fury bubbling beneath the outwardly calm surface.
The image of slamming his fist into the visitor’s face was immensely satisfying.
It was also against the rules of engagement.
A reaper didn’t interfere in any altercation between two humans.
He clenched his teeth until his jaw ached.
“Don’t call me that.” Her harsh tone was one he’d never heard her use, not even with him—and the gods knew he’d given her reason. If he were a betting man, he’d wager they had a past relationship that hadn’t ended well.
David, as she’d called him, placed one hand over his heart and gave a dramatic sigh. His good looks and smooth ways likely attracted women. The theatrics made Kieran nauseous. He’d seen his type a million times. He had “user” written all over him.
Was he any better? He was certainly in no position to judge anyone else’s actions. This man had played a pivotal role in Georgia’s life at one time. He should walk away and leave them to talk.
That’s what he should do. What he did was wrap an arm around her and pull her against him so that her back was nestled against his chest. She was shaking, but not with fear.
Not his Georgia. What she was was angry.
He inwardly cursed at the slip. She wasn’t his anything.
She was a soul to reap, the first step in the battle to win back his brothers’ immortality.
David noted the possessive action. He was no fool. He raised a questioning brow. “New lover?” This time, his smile held an edge of challenge. “I’m the old one.”
The man’s audacity was unbelievable. The image of the two of them in bed together threatened the last vestiges of Kieran’s control. Every muscle in his body clenched and sweat beaded his brow as he fought to hang on. Not surprisingly, it was Georgia who pulled him back from the edge.
“Kieran’s a superior upgrade from the old model.” She patted the arm he had across her clavicle. “Far superior in every way.”
Oh, pretty boy didn’t like that. There was a flash of anger, and something ugly reared in his eyes before retreating. His smile wavered, then came back full force. “You hung up the other night before we could talk.” He shook his head. “You never used to be so cold.”
Kieran studied David more closely, looking past the polished veneer to the real man beneath.
He might be lacking his normal abilities, but nothing could negate the millennia of experience he’d acquired.
If anyone was an expert at social masks, it was him.
David had a purpose for being here that went beyond winning back his former lover—not that she wasn’t worth the effort.
She was a true gem, a woman of enormous strength, heart, and generosity of spirit.
This man had proved himself an idiot by letting her go.
What does that say about me?
“I was naive and trusting. I’m neither of those things anymore.”
Gods, he was proud of her. Nothing seemed to daunt her for long.
Maybe there’s a way to save her. He squashed the insidious thought before it could take root.
That thinking had likely led his brothers to their current situations.
No one bargained with the Grim Reaper. Kieran’s audacity at giving Malaki an ultimatum to pass along—insisting his brothers never be stripped of their abilities again—would not please their father.
Word had to have reached him by now. Honestly, he was somewhat surprised he hadn’t already been cut down.
Defiance wasn’t tolerated…from anyone, especially not his sons.
There was a lot to think about and consider, but it would have to wait until this joker departed.
No way was he leaving Georgia on her own with him—unless she requested it.
The whole non-interference clause was a bitch, another reason to keep a distance from humans.
Yet his father had thrown him into the midst of her life.
“You were possessive and demanding. We were never exclusive.”
Kieran wanted to knock the condescending smile off his face.
The oven timer sounded. Georgia slipped out of his arms, removed the first pan of muffins, and set it on the cooling rack. “You seem to be under the misapprehension I care what you think.” She removed all the pans, then closed the oven doors.
“I remember a time when you hung on my every word.”
She tossed aside the oven mitts. “Ancient history. Now, I’m busy. If you have nothing else to say, there’s the door.” She pointed. “Feel free to use it.”
Her ex-lover laughed. “Such fire. Shame it was missing when we were together. I would never have turned to Lisette.”
The bastard was taunting her with the woman he’d cheated with. Don’t interfere. Don’t interfere. Don’t interfere. Kieran repeated it over and over until the words ran together in his brain.
“Hmm.” She began to assemble more ingredients, her movements fast and economical.
Watching her in the kitchen was akin to watching a dancer dance or an artist paint.
She was in her element. “You should text me her address so I can send her a thank-you note. She did me a favor. Without her, I might not have realized what a spineless, talentless weasel you are.”
“You go too far!” Fists clenched, David started toward her.
Kieran stepped between them. It was instinctual. All his self-talk had done nothing to curb his protectiveness. He kept his mouth clamped shut and looked to Georgia for direction, hoping to negate the impact of his action.
Georgia gave him a slight shake of her head, letting him know she’d handle this, before addressing her ex. “You’re an excellent manager, David. Lovers aside, you’re adept at handling people, marketing, and coming up with ideas. That’s where you shine.”
Her ex straightened, his chest puffing out slightly.
This guy was a piece of work. Kieran’s stomach soured. Was this a sign the two were supposed to reconcile? Surely she couldn’t be thinking about giving this clown a second chance?
“What you aren’t,” she continued, hands on her hips, “is a great baker. Oh, you’re better than average, but you’ll never be on the same level as the people you hire. It’s not your passion.”
He should have known she wasn’t finished.
She’d gone straight for the jugular, hitting where it would hurt the most. Kieran admired that.
There wouldn’t be a better friend or lover than Georgia, or a fiercer enemy.
Her kind nature assured she’d have few adversaries.
David was likely in a category all his own.
“You think you’re in any position to judge?
” David glanced around the kitchen, his upper lip curling.
“It’s not exactly Petras’ Bakery in Boston, but I imagine it’s the best you can manage in this backwater town.
I own the most successful bakery in Boston, the best performing shop in the Petras Bakery empire.
And you?” He looked down his nose. “You couldn’t hack the competition, couldn’t handle the pace.
You ran home with your tail between your legs rather than handle a little competition for your spot as head baker. ”
This son of a bitch had not only cheated on her, he’d wanted her to challenge his new lover for her job?
It was times like this that it was a damn good thing Kieran wasn’t in charge of who lived and who died.
He might not have been able to refrain from ending this arrogant ass on the spot.
But this wasn’t his fight, his life; it was Georgia’s.
Her smile never wavered. “Your family owns the most successful bakery in Boston, not you. Oh, you manage it quite well. Your mistake was pitting your top two bakers against each other—personally and professionally. You weren’t worth the effort.
And if I’m not good enough to work in your shop, why are you standing in my kitchen in— What was it you called it? ‘This backwater town?’”
Kieran wondered the same thing.
David pulled back his shoulders. “You’re entitled to your opinion, no matter how misguided.
We’ll speak at another time. I have a business proposal to discuss.
One that would be beneficial for us both.
” He gave Kieran a side-eye. “Perhaps when you’re not busy with your new lover.
Since he’s not baking or adding to the conversation, I assume his talents must lie elsewhere. ”
Shadows crept across the floor toward the man, drawn by Kieran’s laser gaze. Something dark and deadly broke free inside him and pulsed in the air. The dishes and pans on the shelves began to rattle, the tethers on his powers stretched to their limits.
“Get out!” At first, he assumed Georgia was talking to him, but she shoved by him and confronted her ex. “You, of all people, do not get to come in here and insult Kieran.” She yanked the door open.
Rather than push it, David nodded. “Very well. I’ll give you time to cool down. I’m staying at Ivy House. It’s not much, but it’s the best the town has to offer.”
He’d best not let Alexiares hear him say that, or he might very well end up with the beating he deserved. Since he was basically human, Alex could deliver it without repercussions from their father. Maybe he should call his brother later.
When Georgia continued to glare, David exited, but not before getting in a final word. “There’s quite a bit of money at stake. From the looks of this place, you could use it.”
The door slammed, rattling the dishes again. This time it was all her.
She flipped the lock and pulled the blind over the window. Then she burst into tears.
…