When it’s over, I don’t pull out, releasing her hair in favor of her hips, keeping myself inside of her. When my eyes drop to hers, she’s watching me, just like I told her to. An unreadable expression on that perfect little face.
“So what’s the verdict, Briar Rose? Still hate me?” I smirk into the mirror.
“No,” she says, her voice soft and maybe even a little sad, her answer putting me right back on the fucking edge. “I’m starting to think… I might not hate you at all.”
59
I PROMISE
BRIAR
Now
Koen dropped me off at my apartment a couple of hours ago. He didn’t follow me upstairs, and I didn’t invite him up. Neither of us said much on the ride over, both of us still reeling from what happened in the dance studio.
What we did.
It shouldn’t have happened, and I could kick myself for being so stupid. Hooking up with Koen complicateseverything.
It’s late, close to two a.m., but I can’t sleep. So here I am, pacing my empty apartment, feeling unsettled. My head’s a mess, and I can’t focus. I attempted to read a couple of books that are now overdue from the library, only to lose interest a few pages in.
I’ve resorted to curling up on the couch, watching trailers of shows and movies without committing to any. Not finding anything to match this mood I’m in.
He said he’d be back tomorrow to pick me up for the Delacroix Conservatory’s charity gala, like it’s no big deal. Likehe didn’t just rearrange my insides and send me to both heaven and hell before dropping me back on Earth.
Gio texted earlier wanting an update on any new information on Koen. I’ve been feeding him as much insignificant information as I can. I just can’t bring myself to give him anything that might hurt Koen or his family, and I can tell I’m starting to piss Gio off, but I just keep playing dumb, claiming Koen’s still keeping me at arm’s length.
What am I doing?
What. Am. I. DOING?
Koen gave me an out, he begged for it actually, all I had to do was tell him to stop. Why didn’t I saystop? Why didn’t Iwanthim to stop? There’s no future with him. There’s no universe in which he and I live happily ever after together.
This isn’t a fairy tale.
I’m pissed off and angry, and I don’t even know who I’m mad at. Koen? Myself? I had made peace with it. I had all but convinced myself that Koen O’Rourke was nothing but bad news. Violent, unhinged, and far too much of a risk for me—for Remi.
But that little box I’d shoved him into? It’s getting harder to keep him inside. Is Koen violent and unhinged? Yes. Absolutely. But he’s also gentle, considerate, and protective.
And don’t get me started on how the dark Irish King takes time out of his day to make sure his brothers have home cooked meals.
It might be time to rethink my play here…
But where do I even start?Hey Koen, so real quick… I’ve been secretly hiding your daughter from you for four years and oh, yeah, since we reconnected, I’ve also been leaking information to Giovanni Moretti and his cronies about you and your brothers.
Yeah, I’m sure that conversation will go over just fine.
A pounding at the door has me looking up, instantly tense. It’s the middle of the night, and Koen already told me he wouldn’t be back until morning,not that he would use the door anyway…
Whoever it is pounds again, and slowly, I switch off the television, carefully placing the remote on the coffee table before walking slowly over to the door. It’s probably Gio, or one of his men, checking in. I did let that last text go unanswered.
“Open up. I know you’re home,” a gruff voice barks out, accompanied by more pounding, harder this time. The voice sounds vaguely familiar.
Standing on my tiptoes, I peek through the peephole, feeling myself pale when I recognize who’s on the other side. I make sure the door’s chain is secured, then I take a deep breath and crack open the door.
A smile creeps across Daniel’s face at the sight of me. “Good evening, sweetheart. You wanna invite me in?” His eyes flick to the chain above my head and then back to me.
I do a quick scan of the hallway. He’s alone. “What can I help you with?” I ask, leaving the chain in place, keeping the barrier between us.
