Page 80 of Carnal Games

“He-here? Right now?” Anxiety makes her stammer. “I meant your other office.”

“No time like the present.”

“But, Kian—”

My name on her lips does it.

I turn around without warning, causing her small frame to stumble into my torso. My heartbeat picks up for a second beforeI forced it to a normal rate. Releasing her as soon as I steady her, I crowd her against the wall while keeping my hands as far away as possible.

Her eyes go round as I bend my head to her eye level so she doesn’t have to tilt her neck too much. “I just spent a million bucks to save you from a man who wouldn’t have cared you are someone’s fiancé to fuck you. All because you were reckless enough to walk up on that stage wearing a band that made you available for the taking by every single man in that room. More dangerous because we both know you had no intention of following through. You’re done dictating any more demands.”

A long, heavy pause ensues, her rough exhale teasing my lips. Right before I can step back, her soft words reach my ears. “I knew you’d come.”

The pure belief in her confession and hearing the trust she put in me when she doesn’t even know me flays my chest wide open.

“What if I hadn’t?” is all I retort.

Why would she bet on a man she barely knows? Yes, I’m her fiancé’s brother. But it’s just that. A tag. Hollow and meaningless.

Shouldn’t she be loyal to Nathan—the man she loves and vowed to spend the rest of her life with—and despise my guts? I’ve been living under the false impression that she thinks I’m a monster who walked out on his family.

Then, I recall her mentioning that Nathan is aware she’s trying to reach me.

Rather than warning her away, he moves her right next door to me.

What’s his ulterior motive? It can’t be for what I think it is. Except, the harder I think about it, the more the timing of events and pieces fit into the puzzle. Yet the final picture feels too absurd and far-fetched.

Nathan wouldn’t go this far, would he?

We’ve been out of each other’s lives for far too long. He’s not the little brother I remember who followed me around and copied everything I did. Always looking up at me like I hung the moon.

We may not be in touch, but it doesn’t mean I haven’t heard rumors of the brilliant man he’s grown up to be ever since he took over our dad’s company. He’s taken it to new heights our father couldn’t. He’s a born leader.

Our grandfather, who died a few days before my eighteenth birthday, would be proud of him.

However, Nathan is also ruthless and aggressive toward his goals. Especially toward his enemies.

And I’m his biggest one.

Fate made it so.

It’s why all these doubts are circling my head, nagging at me. As I stare at Iris, I can’t put together her role in coming into my life. The thoughts disperse when I notice the play of emotions across her features.

Reality of her actions sinks in, of how her stunt could’ve gone sideways. Shoulders slumping, her eyes close as she whispers morosely, “I’m sorry.”

The apology slices through me.

My hand inches down to tip her chin up before I realize my action at the last second and quickly back away like she electrocuted me.

The sight of her all dejected is strangely unbearable. Even though she’s not my responsibility, I don’t want to discourage her from taking risks. Just the ones that don’t land her in treacherous waters.

“An interview, at the moment, may feel like it can make or break your career because you’re just starting, but it isn’t worthrisking your life.”I am not worth risking your life.“It’s a recipe for regret and disaster.”

Lifting her head, she takes in the ample space between us like she wasn’t even aware I moved back. Blinking up at me, she nods, acknowledging she listened to my advice.

Will she follow it? God knows.

Before my mind can change and I send her on her way, I start down the corridor, knowing she’ll trail after me.