Now I simply had to remain on the down-low, ensuring the media thought I was on the outside of the periphery of Emily and Kieran’s relationship.
Thanks to their rendezvous at the club, I realized now how painfully tricky that would be. For that to happen, I had to keep to the shadows and avoid public interaction with the two of them. Not an easy feat when one was hoping to build a life with someone. I’d already established the groundwork with Kieran; now, it was a matter of getting Emily to fall in love with us. Probably far easier said than done, and staying away wasn’t going to help matters.
Nor was it something I cared to endure long-term.
However, I managed today by sneaking into Emily’s building via the private entrance I’d had added when I purchased the building. It allowed me to bypass the concierge and go in through the back. My bypass code allowed me to use the service elevator and access her apartment that way.
When I stepped out onto the main floor, I expected it to be empty.
That was my first mistake.
The second, I learned not soon after, was that I hadn’t bothered to notify Kieran of my return, yet he’d seen me with his own two eyes.
He was sitting on the sofa, a glass of whiskey in his hand and a grimace pinned on his brow. Not exactly how I’d hoped this homecoming would go, but hey, beggars could not be choosers. I should’ve been happy that he hadn’t told me to turn around and go back the way I’d come.
“How did I know you were going to sneak in like a thief in the night?” he grumbled, not moving from his spot.
“I thought you’d be asleep.”
“And you assumed I was here?” He held up a hand before I could speak. “Or should I say, you tracked me here?”
“I’m not going to apologize.”
“I didn’t expect you to.”
I approached slowly.
“She’s asleep,” he said, as though knowing I was going to ask that next.
“And you’re not.” I moved past him, heading for the wet bar. I needed a drink. Maybe three.
“You’re not the only one who gets notified of things.”
I glanced his way. “You’re tracking me?”
“I was notified that your private jet returned four hours ago.”
Figured.
“Care to explain why you disappeared without so much as a warning?”
“No.” His gaze tracked me as I returned to the seating area. I eased down onto the sofa opposite him. “Her first week was good.”
Kieran’s blue eyes were sharp, his expression masked. He was pissed, there was no doubt about it. I’d expected as much.
“Get over it,” I breathed out roughly.
His eyes flashed with anger. “What aren’t you telling me, Knox?”
I took a sip of my drink, relaxed a bit. “Nothing I can’t handle myself.”
“Why would you want to?”
“Notwant,” I clarified. “Have to. And you need to let it go.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
Feeling unsettled, I got to my feet, headed for the windows. I could feel my frustration building. I heard Kieran move, braced myself for his touch, but he didn’t come toward me; instead, he was heading in the opposite direction.
