6
CARA
Killian Scarano is the most…horrible person I’ve ever met. And that’s saying a lot considering I’ve literally grown up in the mafia. I’ve known men who have tortured, killed, and sold drugs, and none of them have ever come close to how I feel about my groom-to-be. He figured out that my father most likely hadn’t known I’d gone to The Salamander. This club was entirely off-limits, being under Italian territory. Killian had the balls to threaten me right in front of my own family.
I can’t tell if he’s stupid or just underestimates me.
He baits me for the rest of the dinner, and it’s all I can do not to rise to the challenge. But if I give one snappy reply, if I try to fight back in any way, my father shoots me a warning look that promises punishment later. My father wants this alliance to work—I’ve noticed that much. He’s being far more polite than he ever has with any other business, and it’s been throwing me off.
I understand why the Italians need us. But why do we need them?
Our beers arrive within moments. I hurriedly snatch up my glass, knowing I won’t be able to get through this without some sort of buzz. I never drink during important business matters. Never. But already, Killian has become a bad influence. Without thinking, my eyes flick to him, watching as he takes a sip of his own beer. His face screws up, grimacing as he puts it back down.
I smile. “How is it? This is one of our best brews,” I tell him as sweetly as possible.
He doesn’t miss a damn beat. “It’s great. But I thought your other beer was much better. I believe it was called Eavesdropper?” My fingers grip the glass, my teeth clenching to hold back a retort.
My father overhears him. “I don’t believe we have one by that name, lad,” he says, frowning.
Killian looks slightly shocked. “Ah, it must have been another brand. My mistake. You know, since I drink so much, I often forget what it is I’m drinking.” He shoots me a wide grin, but his eyes hold a warning.
Don’t mess with me.
My chair nearly topples to the plush carpeting as I stand. “I need to…go to the bathroom. I’ll be back shortly.”
The others look surprised by my abruptness. Killian just looks amused. I want to wipe the smug grin off his face. Preferably with a right hook. Not that I know how to throw one. Ignoring him, I weave through the tables, heading straight towards the bathroom.
As soon as the door closes behind me, I can take a breath. I relax against the door, trying to calm my nerves. Anger thrums through me, my hands shaking. I hardly let anyone—anyone—get under my skin. In the world of business, you can’t be emotional. You have to deal with the facts and all the small text and the people that try to screw you over for a better profit. I know this.
But Killian is something else. It’s like he gets off on embarrassing me. As if this is all some sick joke and not some serious matter. That bugs me the most. I’m about to give him my entire future, and he’s treating it like this is just another wild night out.
And he disrespected our beer.
I stomp towards the sinks, angrily flipping them on and running my hands through the cool water to try and calm down. Honestly, I wish I could splash it on my face to get a grip, but I spent way too long on my makeup this evening. So instead, I resort to simply dabbing the back of my neck, letting the cool droplets drip between my shoulder blades.
“Get yourself together, Cara,” I mutter. Gripping the edge of the sink, I lean forward, staring at my reflection. “You are a boss ass bitch who can handle anything. Nothing phases you.”
“Is that really what you tell yourself?”
I whip around with a short yelp. Killian’s leaning against the wooden door frame, arms and ankles crossed as if he hadn’t just walked into the women’s bathroom. “What the hell?”
“I think you need better affirmations, sweetheart.” He grins, completely relaxed.
“And I think you need to get the fuck out of the women’s restroom,” I snap. It’s not the best comeback, but he’s surprised me. And I really don’t like surprises.
“Tsk, tsk. Your manners are atrocious.” Killian’s eyes spark with amusement, and I realize he’s laughing at me. That thought alone makes me burn with anger until I realize it’s pointless.
“Just get out, Killian.” I slump against the sinks, looking away.
“You really don’t want this engagement, do you?”
His words surprise me. My head whips up, finding him studying me with that same inscrutable gaze from the club. “I want what’s best for my family,” I say, carefully choosing my words.
“But you don’t think I’m what’s best for your family.” It’s not a question, so I don’t answer. He can figure that one out on his own.
Killian’s silent for a moment, indecision in his eyes. But it’s gone in a split second, and I’m left to wonder if it was ever really there. He steps closer, stalking towards me. I tense. He stops just inches away, his chest brushing against my shoulder and I shiver.
“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” His voice is low, rumbling through me, crashing into my core.