Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

FIONN

I swear I thought I heard her calling my name as I drove away from my business deal. That damn sweet voice, as though reaching for me.

But I know it wasn’t her. I would’ve seen her.

I need to get her out of my damn head.

Easing on the brakes of my Rolls-Royce, I stop at the security gate of my family’s estate, where I live alongside my brothers.

I head into Caellach Academy, an underground assassin school my father built before we were born.

“Hey, Fionn. How are you doing?” Madison glances up from her computer in the IT department.

But she’s not just a computer genius. She’s also a skilled killer.

“I’m good. Do you have anything for me?”

Her mouth thins, and I know instantly she’s got nothing. I asked her to help me find Emily, hoping she gets something new with facial recognition, but she’s clearly got shit.

“I’m sorry. There were no hits.” She lowers a palm to my bicep and squeezes, her gaze lingering on mine.

It was one night a year ago, and it seems like she hasn’t gotten over it. She’s mentioned wanting to date, but I’m not interested. She knew that before we slept together.

I fling her hand off. “Thanks for trying.”

Turning away, I head out. Need to get a good workout in and punch something that doesn’t bleed. Done enough of that lately.

“Look, Fionn, it may not be my business, but maybe you should forget her.”

Grinding my teeth, I turn to her. “You’re right. It’s not your business. How about we keep it that way?”

“I’m sorry. I just meant?—”

“Goodbye, Madison.”

Proceeding toward the gym, I find Cillian already there, throwing punches with Tynan.

“Look who’s here.” Cillian wipes sweat from his brow.

“I’m not looking to brawl. Need some alone time.”

Cillian laughs. “What’s up with you lately? That girl made you crazy.”

“You don’t understand,” I mutter, marching over to grab some boxing gloves. “I need to find her.”

“Maybe I don’t, but this shit you got going here…” He whirls his index finger in the air. “…is not working either.”

“Leave him alone. He’s nursing a broken heart,” Tynan throws out with a laugh.

“Oh, that’s it.” A smirk widens as I slip into my gloves. “Now you’re both gonna pay for it.”

“Bring it, brother.” Cillian gets ready to throw some while Tynan stands back. “The loser buys drinks tonight.”

“Where are we going?”

“Konstantin’s club.”

Shit, I haven’t been there since before I met her. Had no desire to. Haven’t wanted to fuck anyone since I fucked her. Don’t see that changing much.

“Come on, don’t make me go alone.”

Maybe I should go. Maybe I need to get her out of my mind, and this is how I have to do it.

“Fine. But you’ll be the one paying for those drinks.”

“Yeah, we’ll see.”

“One bourbon and one whiskey neat,” Cillian mutters as music plays low from the speakers.

“You sure you don’t need any ice for that bruise on your eye?” I fight a laugh.

“Yeah, fuck off,” he mutters.

He hates to lose, but I warned him. I’m in no state to be messed around with.

Once we get our drinks, we survey the crowd. Some of the people are dressed in tuxedos and dresses; the rest are barely clothed. Women in corsets, panties, and high heels. But everyone is given a mask to wear. It’s part of the rules.

In Konstantin’s club, anything goes. And at one point, I liked it. But now it holds no appeal.

This is the place where I learned that I enjoyed using rope and tested my limits. Now? I want to test them with her. And this is the only place I want to do it. I’d teach and show her how good it can be. I can just picture her eyes taking in everything with shock. That brings a smile to my miserable face.

“Come on.” Cillian smacks me on the back. “Let’s go walk around.”

“Yeah, whatever. I didn’t come here to fuck.”

“I did.” He smirks.

“Right. I’m pretty sure you’re looking for her .”

His face turns tense. “I’m not.”

“Come on, man. I know you. I know how much you still want her. What’s holding you back?”

“How the hell can you say that?” His glare hits me hard. “Her family killed our mother.”

“I know that. But that’s not her fault. Sergey was her uncle. She’s not the one who did it.”

“I’ll never marry a fucking Marinov. It’ll never happen. The only reason I come to his clubs is because I like it. But to marry one of them? To be connected to them like that? Hell no.”

“Fine. What are you gonna do when you lose her for good? Konstantin can arrange a marriage for her whenever he feels like it, and then it’s over for you.”

“I don’t give a shit.” But his jaw clenches.

I know him better than he realizes. My brother hates that he still wants Dinara, Konstantin’s cousin. They dated for a bit, until he realized who she was and broke it off. Now they both pretend to hate each other.

In that second, we both see her—long black hair reaching the small of her back, her eyes just as deep. As I glance at my brother, his breathing grows harsh.

He’s an idiot. I may hate what Sergey did, but my hatred ends with him. Unless the rest of them do some shit, I have no issue with them.

Her eyes scan the room like she’s looking for him too, desperate to find him. And as soon as they lock eyes, she freezes like a deer in headlights.

She’s in nothing but a white corset around her waist, her tits covered by two jeweled pasties, and I swear my brother’s face grows redder by the second.

“Be right back,” he mutters, heading straight for her, while I’m left laughing.

He’s so fucked.

“Hi there.” A blonde woman I didn’t see taps my arm.

“Hey.” My tone’s indifferent, which hopefully means she’ll get lost.

She runs a finger up my arm. “Wanna play?”

Her pink-stained lips curl, and beneath her white feathered mask, her dark gaze sways with desire.

“Not interested.”

“Well…” She grabs my ass. “Maybe later?”

Tugging her wrist, I gently push her away, my veins filling with disgust. “Definitely not.”

You look nothing like the woman I can’t stop thinking about.

Turning my back, I order another drink, and seconds later she’s walking away.

“Shit,” I mutter, running a hand down my face.

I should go home. There’s nothing here for me. I’m damn dead inside, and it’s all my little rabbit’s fault.

I picture her as though she’s right here. In a bright red corset and a matching thong.

I’d show her around. Touch her while she watches others fuck. She’d get all shy at first, then once she’s turned on, she’d forget where she was, lost to the feelings I bring out in her. I’d have her begging for it before I took her into one of the private rooms, tied her up to one of the horses, and had my fill.

My eyes shut, my cock throbbing. Grabbing it, I stroke through my trousers, the need becoming too much to bear. Gotta get out of here.

“Want me to help you with that?”

Fucking hell.

Looking over, I find another woman, a curvy one with black hair, glancing at the outline of my dick.

And I swear she looks like Emily.

Little rabbit.

My heart beats, the hollowness she left behind filling me up with desperation, even while I know this isn’t her. But she’s not here, and all I’m left with is a lie.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

She runs a finger over a bare nipple, and I imagine it’s Emily. Not whoever this woman is.

“Cassandra.”

I grab my belt buckle and undo it, glaring hard through my black mask. “Tonight, you’re Emily. Understand?”

She laughs. “Anything you want, handsome.”

“Drop to your knees.”

She instantly does, dragging my zipper down while hungrily staring up at me.

But I have my eyes shut, picturing Emily up against the elevator, her cunt stretching for my fingers the way it did for my cock.

The woman clutches my dick and squeezes, her tongue circling around the crown before she sucks me whole.

Fuck .

“Yeah, that’s it, little rabbit. Take it all.”

“What?” she asks, stroking me.

I don’t even bother peering down at her. Don’t want to see her.

“Never mind. Just keep sucking.”

She continues on my command, and all the while, I dream of her, wanting her so badly I’d bleed for the devil if he’d send her back to me. Give anything, even my damn soul, if I could just kiss her again.

I’ve gone crazy, and I know it.

My release fills her mouth, and she takes it all before I’m shoving her off. “You can go now. Thank you.”

She snickers. “Asshole.”

Frustration returns as I zip up and grip the back of my head.

Wonder what she’s doing right now. If she’s out there with someone else.

Shit. I can’t think about that.

“Feel better?” Cillian’s voice appears behind me, his hair a mess.

“No. I need the real thing. I need her. But it seems like you had a nice time.” I smirk, and he groans in response.

“Shut up.”

I let out a laugh. “How long are you gonna keep fucking her and pretending you’re not into her?”

He runs his fingers through his hair. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Right.” I shake my head. “I’m going home. I’m not feeling this place anymore.”

“Gotta get over her, brother. You’re not gonna find her.”

“Not happening.” I look down at my cell. We haven’t even been here for an hour, and I’m done. “I’m leaving. You can do whatever you want.”

“Fine. We’ll go.” He finishes his drink, dropping the crystal cut glass on the bar top just as Konstantin appears.

Tall son of a bitch. A good few inches taller than all of us.

“Gentlemen, how happy I am to see you here. It has been a while, no?”

“Konstantin,” I greet him, and Cillian does too.

“Is there anything you need. Anything at all? I can deliver.”

“Can you find someone I lost?” A wry chuckle slips out.

“And who might that be?” I can’t see his face well through his black mask but I know those cunning eyes are assessing me.

“No one.”

The last thing I want is for him to find my girl. He’s not coming near her.

“Cillian.” He looks to my brother. “I saw you and Dinara a little bit ago. Care to share what that was about? Anything I need to concern myself with?”

“Just saying hello.”

“Good. Very good.” He slaps me on my shoulder blade. “Let’s have a drink, yes?”

“Sure, we’ll have a drink.” I glance over at my brother to cooperate.

Keeping the peace with the Russians is in everyone’s best interest, and Konstantin knows it too.

“Vlad, get me the Imperial Faberge Pearl.” He glances at us. “I like to treat my friends to the best.”

The bartender brings over an ornate ivory-and-gold egg-style case, pouring us each a shot. Tipping it to my mouth, I toss it back, the liquor scorching its way down.

Damn, that’s some good vodka.

“You like?” He lowers his glass.

“Yeah, it’s good.”

“I’m glad. Have more. Please.” He gestures to Vlad to pour us another. “I must go attend to some business, but you enjoy yourselves.” As he sets to go, he peers at Cillian over his shoulder. “You know, she’s still single.” He smirks before walking away.

“What the fuck was that?” Cillian turns to me. “I’ll never marry her.”

“You could do worse.” I let out a laugh. “You know he’s been pushing the marriage alliance for a while. Maybe take one for the team.”

“ You take one for the team.”

“You’re right. Maybe I should. Let me go find her. Maybe after you, she’ll want me. Keep it in the family.”

As I start, he roughly grabs my shoulder.

“Don’t fucking touch her.”

My body rocks with laughter. “You’re an idiot. Did I mention that? Either you marry her or someone else will.”

He snaps his fingers around the shot glass, and I know he’s thinking about it. But my stubborn brother won’t give in until he has to.

I don’t want Dinara or anyone else.

I have the one I want.

All I need to do is find her.