Page 8

Seven

Reign

We follow my papa as he stomps inside like a child.

Okay maybe not like a child but he sure looks like one when he’s huffing and pouting. I notice Baba looking at Killian with interest as he stands near the doorway, not knowing what to do.

“He looks damaged,” Baba says, whispering so only Mama and me can hear. “He’s just so serious and seems closed off.”

“He’s a madman, Ma. Of course, he is closed off. Ace probably taught him young,” Mama comments as she looks at Killian, who is looking around the house with a bored expression on his face.

Papa went to his office, probably to drink as much brandy as he can to forget about Killian’s existence.

“Who’s Ace?” I ask Mama.

“He is the Don of the Italian Mafia. His daughter was supposed to take the role, but I heard that she didn’t want it anymore after her husband almost died. Killian, I assume was supposed to take the position but as he said, he’s disowned.”

“I wonder what happened. Ace would never disown his only son,” Baba says with a skeptical tone.

“Ace is always hot and cold,” Mama says. “But I heard he was worse before Aria came into the picture.”

“She is such a sweet woman. I met her at one of the galas and she was talking to me about her daughter and how she was trained. Very different from Ace,” Baba says.

“Does her daughter still participate in the business at all?”

“I am pretty sure she does.” I see Baba look back at Killian. “Reign, I think you should show Killian to the guest house.”

I raise my eyebrows at Baba “What? Why me?”

To be honest I’m kind of scared of Killian. He gives me a feeling that I’ve never recognized before. I have no clue how to talk to a man like him, which is odd because I usually love talking to people, no matter who they are.

“Well, I know that it may be hard for him here. Seeing as your dad doesn’t like him so I think you should show Killian around and make him feel comfortable. Your dad said he wants Killian in the guest house so you should take him to it.”

“I agree. It must be hard coming to a different family and asking for their help,” Mama agrees.

My eyes go to Killian, and I pause as his green eyes collide with my blue ones. He isn’t smiling or giving me a specific look. He is just openly staring at me.

I give him a small smile but nothing on his face changes much.

“I guess I can.”

“Maybe he can even show you some new techniques for fighting or missions. I heard he was sent to a private academy where they taught him how to be one of the best assassins. Plus, he was trained by Ace and Aria. I think if Killian showed you some stuff you might become better than your dad thinks,” Baba says, making me look down at her.

She has a smirk on her face, and I can’t help but smile at her.

She loves scheming.

“Okay.” I walk towards Killian who is still in the foyer. “Hey.”

Killian still has an expressionless face as I stand in front of him. Now standing face to face with him I notice how tall he is and openly admire his features silently. He has striking green eyes that look down at possibly anyone to intimidate them. It’s probably not hard for him to look down at someone with his height. I’m about 5’8” while Killian has to be standing roughly over 6’1” for sure. He’s wearing a suit, but I can tell underneath the fabric he is full of muscle.

“Did you come here for a reason?” Killian asks, making me meet his eyes.

“I thought I would show you where you’ll be staying. The house is starting to kind of settle down since it’s getting dark. We usually have family dinner, but you know since you’re here and everything-”

“Where’s the room?” Killian cuts me off, still holding eye contact.

I blush, realizing I was talking more than I should’ve. “Right, sorry. Follow me.” I turn around and walk towards the backyard. I show him the massive pool overlooking the city and the garden where I love to spend time, just to look at the flowers. I spend most of my time in the garden or at the beach when it’s midnight so I can talk to Dyado. We walk up to the front step of the guest house, which is massive. Papa likes his privacy so whenever guests are over, he throws them here. “Here it is.” The house is white and has two floors. One kitchen, living room, bedroom with a bathroom and a walk-in closet. Killian walks inside the house and inspects everything. As we walk through the house, I watch him. “Thank you.” Killian turns his head to look at me. “For helping me.” I clarify.

Killian leans his body against the back of the couch. “What kind of assassin are you anyway? You almost got yourself killed.”

He could have just said ‘you’re welcome’ like a normal person.

“I’m just starting out. It was one mess up. Won’t happen again.”

“You wouldn’t last a day on your own without your family or your dad’s men,” Killian comments. “I’m surprised you didn’t die before I saved you.”

My hands clench by my side and I feel myself growing annoyed with what he’s saying.

I mean I’m still learning, and my Papa never taught me young because he only saw me as his little princess, still does. He doesn’t want me in this kind of business, but I just want to see what it’s like.

“And I suppose you can do a better job at teaching and training me than my dad?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

Killian snickers. “Yea.”

I take a step closer to him which Killian notices by the way he observes me.

“Then how about tomorrow morning, before breakfast, you do a training session with me?”

“I doubt you could keep up.”

“You’d be surprised.”

Killian licks the inside of his cheek and leans off the couch to stand about a few inches away from me. “Your dad and I are very different when it comes to training. I will break you, Reign. I don’t train pretty,” Killian says in a low voice, almost threatening.

“I can handle it.”

“Doubt it.”

“Then tomorrow.”

Killian nips his bottom lip as he looks down at me and I swear I see something dark flash in his eyes before he nods. “Fine. Tomorrow at 5:30 am. Don't be late.”