Page 63 of Unexpected Complication

Sean glanced at the screen. “He’s scheduled to pick up the shipment in two days.”

I smirked. “Too bad Harry and the shipment will go missing.”

Sean smirked back. “And several million more will disappear.”

I took a deep drink of the coffee I was holding. “I want to start escalating it soon.”

“Patience, Cian.”

“I know.”

“You need to stick close to Orson.” His gaze skittered to Skylar, then back to me. “We both do.”

I nodded—for the first time ever, hating the idea of being apart from someone.

“I’ll be fine.” Skylar’s low voice was close to my ear. “Don’t worry about me, Cian. Sean brought me a bunch more movies and books, and I have plenty of food.”

I smiled down at her sweet face. “I hate the thought of you alone. What if you need something?”

She shrugged. “I can use the snowmobile. I know how to get to town if I need to.”

I choked on my coffee, sputtering.

Sean spoke up. “I gave her lessons after you left—in case of an emergency, she needs to know where to go and how to get out of here.” He grinned at Skylar with a wink. “And since a car was out of the question, I decided on the snowmobile. Your girl is a fast learner.”

“You did what?” I growled.

Skylar pulled herself away, sitting up and crossing her arms. “No need to sound so pissy—at least he thought about it.”

“It’s dangerous!”

Sean’s voice was patient. “So is leaving her here alone, with no way to get away if needed.”

Panic built in my chest—a feeling so foreign, I had no idea how to handle it. I grabbed Skylar’s hand, squeezing it. “You can’t leave. You said you wouldn’t.”

The annoyance on her face melted away, her eyes filled with understanding. She leaned forward, cupping my cheek. “I’m not leaving you, Cian. Sean just showed me in case something happened, like you were gone longer than planned and I ran out of food or something.” Her hand tightened. “I’m not leaving you.”

Relief flooded my system, and I yanked her into my arms, my mouth covering hers. I heard Sean’s fading footsteps as I kissed Skylar, my lips hard and unrelenting, my tongue insistent and claiming. I pulled back, burying my face into her neck. “I’m sorry, Kitten… I can’t…I just can’t…”

“Shh,” she whispered. “Sean was only trying to help.”

“He’s right. I should have thought about that.” I shook her slightly. “But you have to be careful. No one can see you—we can’t take the chance of Orson somehow finding out you’re alive. I can’t risk you—I can’t. Only leave if you absolutely have to. Promise me.” I drew in a deep breath. “I should send you to Julia. Let you go.” I shook my head. “But I can’t. So you have to promise me.”

“I promise.” She leaned back, running her fingers over my face, tracing the hollows under my eyes. “Are you all right, Cian?”

I swallowed. “It’s difficult. I knew it would be ugly, but these people are so…inhuman. I thought Tony was ruthless and callous, but they’re in a class of their own. Human life doesn’t matter to them—at all. Even those in his own circle, Orson has no problem getting rid of them once they’re of no use to him. I didn’t bank on how difficult it would be to show no emotion every single moment of the day.” I pulled her closer. “I had to come back to you, even if it was only for a few hours. I needed your sweetness, your light. I needed to hear you call me names and tease me.” I sighed into her hair. “I need you, Skylar, to remind me of who I am.”

Her mouth pressed against mine again. “You’re my Cian,” she whispered. “And I’ll be here whenever you need me.”

“Yours,” I agreed and reclaimed her mouth.

Moments later, I broke away, breathing deeply. Skylar smiled, brushing her fingers over my bottom lip. I pressed a kiss to the tips, holding them against my mouth for a moment. I sighed, knowing we couldn’t get carried away. I couldn’t stay, and we weren’t alone. A few rushed moments with her wasn’t what I wanted. Or what she deserved. Looking around, I noticed a drawing pad on the coffee table and a small palette of watercolors. I frowned, not recalling seeing them until now.

“What is this?” I asked, leaning forward and picking up the pad.

“Oh, um, Sean got it for me.” Sklyar twisted her fingers on her sleeve. “I asked him to.”

“You like to draw?”