Chapter 4 Chapter 4
Reyna
There’s been a few times in my life when I’ve felt like my entire world was coming to an end.
The first was when my father announced to me that my mama was dead with zero emotion on his face.
The second was when Alek, the boy I once considered a friend and brother, tried to force himself on me.
And the third was when Father announced that Killian Kozlov was going to marry my stepsister.
I still can’t believe it’s real.
Maybe this is all some terrible dream, and I’ll wake up soon. Unfortunately, I’ve pinched myself enough times to know that this is, in fact, my life.
In a few months, Killian Kozlov will be part of my family.
Father’s words, not mine.
Their engagement will take place in a few weeks, and the wedding will follow two or three months later, depending on Killian’s schedule. This scary man that has probably killed more than a hundred people in his lifetime, will become a part of our family.
Could this day really get any worse??
Isabella has been practically glowing since Father made the announcement, and after dinner, he decided to host a small party celebration in honor of the occasion.
Since then, my ears haven’t known a moment of peace. I take a sip of my drink while Isabella continues talking beside me.
“Can you believe it, Reyna? I’m going to marry the richest and most handsome man in New York! What could possibly be better for someone like me?”
I don’t answer. My eyes wander around the room, searching for Aunt Fredrica. I need an excuse to escape this conversation before Isabella’s voice gives me a headache.
“You know, people say Killian isn’t the committed type,” she continues, completely unbothered by my silence. “He’s never seen with the same woman twice, but he wants to marry me. Me! Doesn’t that prove how special I am?”
I force myself not to roll my eyes. If I do, she’ll complain to her mother, Elena will tell Father, and somehow I’ll be the one apologizing before the night ends.
So I nod as though I’m fascinated.
“Oh, I can’t wait to be his wife, Reyna. Imagine the beautiful babies we’ll have!”
“Congratulations, Isabella. I hope you get everything you’ve been dreaming about.”
She gives me a suspicious look. “That’s it?”
“What else would you like me to say?”
“I don’t know. Maybe something that sounds a little more sincere?”
I turn to her with a small smile. “Would you prefer a speech?”
“Forget it.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “We both know you’re jealous.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Of what, exactly?”
“Don’t pretend you aren’t. You’re going to marry Costa Duriolo, an old, smelly man who probably shits in his bed, while I’m marrying the mafia king of New York.” She lowers her voice, her smile turning cruel. “How pathetic is that?”
My fingers tighten around my glass. For a moment, I consider pouring the contents over her head.
Instead, I take another sip.
“You’re right, Isabella. My situation is tragic. I’ll try to remember to cry about it later.”
Her smile falters.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“And you’re repeating yourself.”
She leans closer, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “At least Killian is handsome, rich, and powerful. What do you have to look forward to? Changing an old man’s diapers?”
I meet her gaze. “At least I’ll know what I’m getting into. You seem to think marrying a man you barely know is the same as winning a prize.”
Her face reddens. “Bitch, it’s none of your business whether he likes me or not, as long as he’s mine. Besides, who wouldn’t fall in love with a goddess like me?”
“Then you have nothing to worry about. Congratulations once again.”
I turn away before she can respond.
A moment later, I hear her mutter something under her breath before she storms off to join a group of women near the drinks table.
Finally. I release a quiet breath and look around the room again.
Unfortunately, now that Isabella has left me alone, my thoughts return to the man I have been trying very hard not to think about.
Killian Kozlov.
Thirty-one years old. Russian/american. Powerful enough to make grown men nervous simply by entering a room.
And apparently, the man my stepsister is going to marry.
I looked him up on my phone earlier, and I intend to do a little more research when I get the chance. There isn’t much information about his personal life, apart from a few professional photos, business articles, and rumors about his connections to the criminal underworld. Like that’s surprising.
Men like Killian don’t become that powerful by allowing strangers to know everything about them.
Still, I refuse to be the only person in this situation who knows nothing. Especially when he knows something about me that I would rather keep hidden.
I need to find out what kind of man I’m dealing with.
Because a part of me isn’t fooled by his calm expression or expensive suits. There’s something calculating beneath that handsome face, something that makes me feel as though he’s always three steps ahead of everyone else.
And I have no intention of becoming his next source of entertainment.
I slip my phone into my purse and turn toward the hallway, hoping to find a quieter place to breathe.
Instead, I walk straight into someone.
“Watch where you’re going, little sister.”
My stomach drops at the familiar voice.
Alek.
I take an immediate step backward, but he moves closer, his eyes traveling over me in a way that makes my skin crawl.
“Excuse me, Alek.”
I try to move around him but he shifts into my path.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?”
“Somewhere else.”
His mouth curves into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“You’ve been avoiding me.”
“Have I?”
“Don’t play games with me, Reyna.”
“I’m not. I’m trying to get past you.”
I attempt to move around him again, but he catches my arm.
My fake smile disappears. “Let go.”
His fingers tighten.
“You should learn to speak to me with some respect.”
With some respect? Who the hell does he think he is? I glance toward the sitting room. Several guests are nearby, and I don’t want to draw unnecessary attention to myself so I lower my voice, leaning forward.
“Alek please, we’re at a family gathering. Don’t make a scene.”
That seems to please him. His expression relaxes slightly, and he releases my arm as though he was never doing anything wrong.
“See? Was that so difficult?”
I rub my arm and give him a cold look.
“You should try listening the first time someone tells you to let go.”
His jaw tightens. For a moment, I wonder whether he’ll grab me again. Then he glances toward the sitting room and straightens his jacket, putting on the pleasant expression he uses whenever other people are watching.
“Where are you going, anyway?”
“To get a drink for Aunt Fredrica. She asked me to.” The lie comes easily.
He studies my face for a few seconds before finally stepping aside.
“Don’t be too long.”
“Alright, dad.”
The moment I’m out of his reach, I walk away without looking back.
I need a break more than anything. I need to get out of this house.
I make my way through the hallway and push open the doors leading to the terrace. Cool night air brushes against my face, and the distant sounds of music and conversation become quieter behind me.
Finally, some peace.
I walk toward the railing and rest my hands on it, staring out at the garden.
Freedom.
The word feels almost foreign in my mind.
I’ve spent years dreaming about the day I can leave this house behind. I imagine having my own apartment, a job, and enough money to make my own decisions without asking anyone’s permission.
But now I have two weeks before Father expects me to begin preparing for my marriage to Costa Duriolo.
Two weeks.
I close my eyes and let out a tired breath.
I cannot marry that man. I won’t.
Whatever happens, I have to find a way out before Father can carry out his plans.
The thought of Killian makes my stomach tighten again. The way he looked at me across the table like he wanted to pounce on me.
If only I hadn’t met him in that suite. If only he hadn’t looked at me with those infuriating eyes, teased me until I lost my temper, and then pushed me into the hot tub.
I still can’t believe he did that.
“Arrogant bastard,” I mutter.
A quiet chuckle sounds behind me and my entire body stiffens.
Slowly, I turn my head.
Killian stands near the terrace doors, his hands tucked into the pockets of his trousers. The dim lighting casts shadows across his face, but I can still see the amusement in his eyes.
Of course, of all the places in this enormous house, he has to find me here.
“Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people?” I ask.
“Only when they’re talking about me.”
My eyes narrow. “I wasn’t talking about you.”
“No?”
“No.”
He tilts his head, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
“Then I suppose you were insulting the furniture.”
I stare at him as he smiles. I hate that smile.
“Enjoying the party, firefly?”
“Immensely. It became even more enjoyable when I didn’t have to sit across from you.”
“And yet, here I am.”
“Yes. I’ve noticed. It’s difficult not to notice you when you keep appearing everywhere I go.”
“Perhaps you should stop going to places where I happen to be.”
I let out a disbelieving laugh.b“That’s your advice? In my own father’s house?”
“Would you prefer that I leave?”
“More than anything.”
He doesn’t move. Naturally.
I turn toward the doors, intending to walk past him, but he steps away from the entrance and moves closer to the railing instead. His gaze follows me, steady and unreadable.
“You’re not very happy about the wedding announcement,” he observes.
I stop. “Why would you care?”
“Curiosity.”
“Find another hobby.”
“You’re the second person to suggest that tonight.”
“Then perhaps you should listen.”
His mouth twitches. I fold my arms across my chest, determined not to let him see how uncomfortable his attention makes me.
“Look, Killian. Whatever arrangement you have with my father is between the two of you. Whatever you have planned with Isa is between you and her. I have nothing to do with it.”
“Is that what you believe?”
“That’s what I know.”
He studies me for a moment, and something in his expression shifts. The amusement fades, leaving behind a look I can’t quite understand.
“You seem very certain about that.”
“Because I am.”
“Interesting.”
I narrow my eyes. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Then stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to figure out what I’m thinking.”
His gaze holds mine.
“Perhaps I am.”
A strange silence settles between us.
I become painfully aware of how close he is standing. Even without touching me, he has a way of making the space around him feel smaller. I hate that my heart has started beating faster, and I hate even more that he might notice.
I take a step to the side. He doesn’t stop me this time.
But just as I begin to relax, he speaks again.
“Tell me something, Reyna.”
I freeze. I never told him my name in the suite.
Of course, Father introduced us at dinner, but hearing it from Killian’s mouth still sends a small jolt through me.
“What?”
“Do you always sneak into private suites, or was tonight a special occasion?”
Heat rushes to my face. “You promised you wouldn’t mention that.”
His eyebrows lift.
“Did I?”
“You…you did.”
“I remember you threatening me. I don’t recall making any promises.”
I stare at him, furious. “You are insufferable.”
“And you’re very easy to provoke.”
I take a step toward him, my temper rising. “Listen carefully, Mr. Kozlov. Whatever happened earlier was a mistake. I didn’t know the suite belonged to you, and I certainly wasn’t trying to get your attention. So if you’re planning to use it to embarrass me, don’t bother.”
For the first time, his smile fades completely.
“I have no interest in embarrassing you.”
“Then why keep bringing it up?”
“Because you react so beautifully.”
I open my mouth, then close it again.
The audacity of this man is unbelievable.
“You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
I shake my head and turn toward the doors.
“Goodnight, Killian.”
“Leaving so soon, firefly?”
I glance over my shoulder.
“Unless you have something useful to say, yes.”
He watches me for another moment before his gaze shifts toward the garden.
“Be careful tonight.”
I frown. “What?”
“Not everyone in this house has good intentions.”
A chill runs down my spine, though I refuse to show it.
“Are you talking about yourself?”
His eyes return to mine. “Would you like me to be?”
I give him a flat look. “Considering you tried to drown me, I should expect it to be you.”
A low laugh escapes him. I turn away before he can see the effect his voice has on me.
“Stay out of trouble, Reyna.”
I stay quiet and open the door.
“And try not to break into any more of my rooms.”
I look back at him one last time. “Try not to push anyone else into a hot tub.”
His smile widens. Then he inclines his head, as though accepting a challenge.
“No promises, firefly.”
I leave the terrace before he can say anything else. But as I walk back toward the sitting room, his warning follows me.
Not everyone in this house has good intentions.
I hate that his words have unsettled me. I hate that he seems to know more about the people in my family in such a short time.
And most of all, I hate that Killian Kozlov has somehow managed to turn a simple conversation into something I cannot stop thinking about.
I have a feeling this is only the beginning of my problems.
