Page 21 of Fractured Memories

“You are not.” I snatch up my gloves but don’t put them on yet. “You are staying here.”

“Is this because of the last time?” I stalk past Lochlan to my boots. “I swear I won’t turn the betting tables into a bloodbath. I’ll mind myself.”

Rohan snorts. “You don’t know the meaning of that.”

“You treat me as if I am a child.”

“Well, you act like a child⁠—“

“I’m leaving,” I snap at the two of them. I already have enough to worry about tonight. I don’t need them adding to it. “Don’t kill each other while I’m gone.”

“Kieran.” Rohan’s sharp tone has me turning back around. I quirk a brow in question and hope he can’t see right through me. “You are taking Jude?”

I nod. “I’m taking Jude and am not looking to draw attention to myself.” I cut a look at Lochlan, who at least looks a little sheepish. When he acts like this, it’s almost hard to believe that he’s the most bloodthirsty of us three.

And that is saying a lot considering I got my first kill at the ripe age of six.

Rohan gives me a sharp nod, though I have no doubt that he’ll push more later. For now, he stays silent as I turn on my heel and head for the door where Jude already waits.

Behind me, I hear Lochlan protesting, but Rohan’s sharp tone cuts through. “Just let him go,” he snaps, accent thick with agitation. I almost chuckle listening to those two, but I hold it in, glad I was able to slip away.

I wasn’t lying when I said I was taking Jude. He will be the one behind the wheel, driving me down the mountain into the city itself. The one eyeing me suspiciously as he pulls up to the chalet that I own in case I ever have meetings I need to take away from the compound.

And the only one that knows what I’m really doing tonight.

But given the majority of his loyalty lies with me, he doesn’t fight me as I exit the vehicle to head inside. I know he isn’t fond of leaving me here alone, but I insisted on no guards tonight. I’m not keen on having witnesses, especially when this is a secret—the only one I can think of—that I’ll be keeping from Lochlan and Rohan.

I stop at the stocked bar along the wall of the open living space and pour myself a generous glass of whiskey. I don’t feel fear. I don’t get nervous. But tonight is the closest I’ve ever gotten to experiencing those emotions.

I cross to the reinforced glass along the backside of the chalet. Even though this one is set apart from the others that the upper class lives in—a luxury to stay in the city proper and elevated up from the slope and foothills of the mountain—I’ve taken extra precautions to avoid any incidents. There’s no outdoor patio like at my actual home, no space to step out into the cool evening air, so I’m left taking in the view from the windows—which are nearly impenetrable, of course.

Sipping from the glass, I enjoy the silence. It’s so rare that I even get that. But for tonight, I want the chance to have something new without anyone else tainting it.

Or at least I hope I will.

When the door opens behind me, I’m careful not to tense. I take another sip as if I’m unbothered, but when I hear the click of heels, I can’t stop my grin.

“I have been fetched by your loyal dog.” Eden’s words have a bite to them, and I turn slowly to face her. “The least you could do is acknowledge me.”

I wasn’t certain she’d come. Jude was initially against this plan altogether, but I eventually convinced him. He insisted on dragging up every piece of information about Eden he could find and even followed her for a few days to ensure my safety, but I told him I didn’t want to know a thing he found.

I wanted to learn whatever she would tell me. I wanted to earn it.

It took a week, but he finally agreed to escort me down here and retrieve her. I told him not to force her to come if she rejected the invitation. I would have drunk here all night if he had come back alone.

But here she is.

Not only that, but she’s wearing the dress I sent with him. I selected a sleek, black number that hugs her toned body down to her knees. A long slit runs up her right thigh until it’s almost indecent, giving her the freedom to move and showing me more skin. With her left hip cocked and right leg jutted out, I’m getting an eyeful of her thigh right now.

Despite the glare she’s shooting me, pride surges through me as I take her in. She agreed to come meet me. She let Jude drive her. And she put on the dress.

I take another drink as my smile grows, savoring the heat from her gaze. Seeing her all riled up only makes my dick hard. In fact, it makes me want to push her a little farther—not enough to actually make her mad but to see her control fray.

“You look so good.” Her features start to soften a little at the compliment, but I can’t seem to help myself as I tack on, “Especially in something I bought you.”

Her eyes narrow at that. “Did you really have me brought here on my night off to provoke me? I’m sure that you need the practice, but I might be too advanced for you.”

I chuckle as I cross the room, the sound low and raspy. She pulls a side out of me that I’m not even sure I knew existed.