Or maybe he wasn’t mistaken. Maybe he was just outright lying to her because he was, as he’d admitted, a controlling bastard.
She was still struggling to make sense of his words when the spanking ended and his hand came to rest on her bottom. Something about the way he was holding her felt almost possessive, and she hated herself for the little quiver of pleasure in her chest.
“Are you going to do as you’re told and stay away from Richard Williams, Aria?” His voice had softened, and she could have almost mistaken it for affection if she didn’t know what kind of man he was.
“I’m not quitting my job just because you said so.”
“Then quit because you’re too fucking smart to continue putting yourself in danger just because you’re feeling stubborn.”
“If I thought I was putting myself in danger, I would quit. But I’m not, so I won’t.”
To her continued shock, his chest rumbled with laughter. “You really are your father’s daughter. Stubborn to the fucking core. Luckily for me, I know Braden well and prepared for such an eventuality.”
Dread settled in her stomach at his words, and the deadly calm they were spoken in. “What do you mean?”
“Since you’ve proven you cannot be trusted to take your safety seriously, the choice is no longer yours. An email will be sent to Richard Williams on your behalf, explaining that you are resigning your position effective immediately. There is a bedroom upstairs with an attached en-suite for your comfort. You will have a guard assigned to you at all times, and if you so much as step a foot outside this house without said guard, you will find yourself bent over the desk in my office for a dozen of the best with the cane.”
Her mind struggled to grasp exactly what he was saying. No, that wasn’t quite right. He’d made his intentions perfectly clear. What she was struggling to come to terms with was the thought that this could, in any way, be real. This kind of thing didn’t happen to people, not outside of movies and smutty romance novels.
“Killian… you can’t just keep me prisoner here.”
Another of those low, wicked laughs vibrated in his chest. “Oh, princess. I think you’ll find I can do whatever the hell I want.” Slender fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her head up as his voice dropped to a low growl. “I warned you once that I would do whatever it takes to keep you and my child safe. And I intend to do exactly that.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Aria
She was in shock. That was the only possible explanation for why she didn’t punch him in his stupidly pretty face the moment he helped her to her feet. Or for why she didn’t immediately go running for the front door when he guided her out of his basement and up to the main floor.
But even though she couldn’t find the strength to make a break for it, her gaze traveled every inch of the stunning marble floors, the curving staircase with the wrought iron scrollwork in the banister. Soaring ceilings gave the space a much more open feel than the basement, and on the walls hung what she imagined were carefully curated pieces of art.
Everything about the home whispered of wealth. And not the new kind that begged for attention, but the old, established kind that had been accumulated over generations and simply commanded respect. Comfortable, yet powerful enough to open doors that were closed to most people.
Even her father.
If there were guards, they were well-trained enough to blend into the background, which would present a problem when planning her escape. Navigating this fortress of a house was going to be difficult enough without having to guess where his goons were hiding.
“Killian!”
Turning toward the furious voice, Aria watched in continued shock as a woman descended on them, her expression full of the same fury as her voice, her long dark hair billowing behind her with every step. There was something familiar about her, but Aria didn’t have time to ponder it before the woman was on them, drilling a finger into Killian’s chest.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” A hint of Ireland whispered in the woman’s words, reminding Aria of how Killian had sounded the morning he’d discovered who she really was. “I have to find out from Lochlan of all people that you had him kidnap the mother of your child and hold her hostage in our basement?”
Hope exploded in Aria’s chest, so bright and strong it was painful. Was this her guardian angel, come to rescue her?
But just as quickly as it bloomed, that hope withered and died with the woman’s next words. “I can’t believe you didn’t let me help! You know I love a good snatch and grab.”
What. The. Fuck.
Capturing the finger still jabbing him in the chest, Killian did the last thing Aria expected of him.
He smiled.
“I would have told you, but I was under the impression you were, ah, otherwise occupied this morning.”
The woman’s mouth kicked up in a smirk. “I was, indeed. But still. You could have at least texted.”
“Next time, I promise.”
