Page 8 of King of Ashes (Kingdom of Sinners #4)

KEIRA

I press my back against the door after Phoenix locks me in, sliding down until I hit the floor. My skin still burns where he touched me, his accusations cutting deeper than any knife could. The way he'd grabbed me, spoken to me… treating me like some common whore sneaking off to meet a lover.

My tank top has twisted around my torso, and I yank it straight with indignation. "Damn you, Phoenix." I wrap my arms around my knees, fighting back tears. I refuse to let him break me.

If he only knew the truth, but how can I possibly tell him now?

The hatred in his eyes tells me that there’s nothing I can say or do to change things.

Even if I wanted to explain everything, he'd never believe me.

Not after what my family did. Not after he's convinced himself I betrayed him too. Hypocrite.

I can’t stay here on the floor and wallow. There is someone relying on me. Someone I have to protect. I only hope that I can.

I force myself to stand. I need to be stronger than this.

Smarter. Phoenix is in charge, and I imagine he’ll continue to be.

I can’t hope my father’s men will rescue him, and even if they did, my situation wouldn’t be much improved.

My only recourse now is to bide my time and play my cards right.

Even if it means letting Phoenix think I'm exactly what he believes me to be.

I climb into bed frustrated and worried about Brigit. I can only believe that if they’d found her, Phoenix would be demanding to know more about her. I shudder to think about it.

If I'd been stronger back then, fought harder against my parents, maybe things would be different now. But I let them lock me away, cut off all contact. I believed their lies about his family’s deaths.

Worse, I let them use my mistakes as justification for murder. "We did this because you want to keep your little secret," they'd said. The words still echo in my head, a constant reminder of my role in destroying the man I loved.

I retrieve my secret phone from where I'd hidden it beneath the mattress before Phoenix's men stormed the house. I’d learned long ago how not having a phone made me vulnerable and powerless.

My fingers hover over the keypad as I craft a message to Nanny Fiona.

Are you both safe?

I delete it immediately. Too obvious.

Everything okay with the renovations?

I type instead, hoping Fiona realizes what I’m trying to find out. Phoenix's men could be monitoring my phone. They could trace the message. I need to make it as benign as possible.

I press Send before fear paralyzes me completely.

The message shows as delivered, but no reply comes. It is the middle of the night. Minutes stretch into eternity as I stare at the screen, willing those three dots to appear.

Nothing.

God, what if they found them? What if Phoenix already knows? What if?—

The guard's boots scrape outside my door, and I nearly drop the phone. I shove it under my pillow, patting it down. When it’s quiet again, I pull it out.

Five more minutes pass.

Surely, Phoenix would have said something if he found them. My stomach twists into knots. I remind myself that Fiona knows what to do. She won't fail now.

My phone buzzes, and relief surges through me.

Project looking lovely. No concerns about the new paint job.

Brigit is safe and well. I delete both messages immediately, tucking the phone away. I settle into bed to sleep. I have a fitful night, but at least Phoenix doesn’t show up in my dreams again.

The next morning, I rise, shower, and dress like my life is normal. When I finish pulling my hair back, my door opens and one of our servants brings in a tray of food, setting it on a small table near my window.

Knowing Brigit and Nanny Fiona will be hungry, I make egg sandwiches from the toast and wrap it in my napkin. I’ll figure out how to get it to them later. I eat the fruit parfait and drink the coffee.

I hide the food when the servant returns to pick up the tray.

When she leaves, the guard locks my door and I’m stuck wondering how I’m going to get food up to the attic.

I hear talking and go to the door to listen.

I’m in luck. The guards are being called downstairs.

When I’m sure no one is in the hall, I get the food, pick the lock, and hurry down the hall, up the stairs, and toward the door up to the attic.

I feel like at any moment Phoenix is going to appear, but he doesn’t. I enter the attic, open the door to the secret room, and step in.

"Oh, thank God." Nanny Fiona stands with Brigit behind her. "We've been so worried."

Brigit launches herself at me, and I gather her close, relieved to find her safe and well.

"I brought food." I pull back, brushing Brigit's dark curls from her face. "Are you both okay up here?"

Fiona takes the wrapped bundle, but her eyes never leave my face. "What's happening down there? We heard fighting…"

"Phoenix Ifrinn is alive." The words still feel strange on my tongue. "He's taken control of the house."

"The Ifrinns?" Fiona's face pales. "They’re dead.”

“Not Phoenix and his brothers.” I guide Brigit to the small table so she can eat. “It’s important that you stay hidden, but I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to come up. He’s locked me in my room.”

“Why are they so mean?” Brigit asks around a mouthful of eggs and toast.

“They feel they were wronged. You know how you get mad if you think someone was mean to you first?”

She nods.

“It’s the same here.” Except with guns and killing . I kiss her forehead, forcing a smile. "We're going to be brave, just like always. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

But as I hold her, I wonder how I can possibly keep that promise when Phoenix's hatred is at lethal levels.

"Well, isn't this cozy?"

My blood turns to ice at Phoenix's voice behind me. I spin around, instinctively stepping to block Brigit from his sight, but it's too late. He fills the doorway of the hidden room, his massive frame blocking our escape route.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve sneaking out again.” His eyes scan the space, taking in the makeshift beds, the food on the table. "Quite the setup you've got here."

"Phoenix—” My throat closes around his name.

"Who's hiding up here that's worth risking everything for?" He steps closer, but I lift my chin. He won’t get Brigit. Maybe at least he’ll drop the idea that I have a secret lover, although I prefer that to his knowing about Brigit.

"Leave her alone!" Brigit darts around me before I can stop her, planting herself between us with her tiny hands on her hips. "Two wrongs don’t make a right!"

Phoenix goes completely still, his eyes locked on Brigit's face.

Everything inside me goes still. "Brigit, go to Nanny Fiona. Now."

"No!" She stamps her foot. "I want to stay with you. You promised we'd always be together!"

"How old are you?" Phoenix's question cuts through the air.

Brigit lifts her chin. "Nine. And I'm not afraid of you."

"You're the only one who isn't."

I can't breathe. Can't think. Can't do anything but stand there as my carefully constructed world crumbles around me.

“You living in the attic?”

“We’re just playing up here,” Nanny Fiona says.

Phoenix’s eyes narrow. “Who are you?”

“The nanny.” Nanny Fiona is trying to look strong, but I hear the fear in her voice.

“Nanny, take the girl to?—”

“I have a name. It’s Brigit.”

I close my eyes, for once wishing Brigit weren’t so outspoken.

His eyes narrow, but his lip quirks up as if he’s amused by her. “Take Brigit to her room. You’re both to stay there.”

Brigit takes my hand. “I don’t want to leave Keira.”

Phoenix's lips curve into what might pass for a smile, but his eyes remain cold. "You have no choice."

The casual way he says it sends chills down my spine. There's no mistaking the underlying threat, the absolute control he now wields over all of us.

Fiona hesitates, her gaze darting between Phoenix and me. I give her a slight nod, knowing we have no choice.

"Come along, dear." Fiona gently pries Brigit's fingers from my arm. "Let's get you comfortable downstairs."

"But—”

"Now, Brigit." The steel in Phoenix's tone brooks no argument.

Brigit's bottom lip trembles as Fiona leads her away. She looks back once at Phoenix. “You’re mean.” She disappears with Nanny Fiona.

The silence stretches between me and Phoenix, thick with unspoken accusations. The stillness feels like a noose tightening around my neck.

Phoenix's fingers grip my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "How long did you think you’d be able to hide them up here?”

As long as it took. “They’re innocent in your vendetta. Let them go.” The idea of losing Brigit nearly brings me to my knees, but if I have to let her go to save her, I will.

“I suppose you want me to think this is where you were going last night.” His thumb traces my bottom lip, the gentle touch at odds with the fury in his eyes. “Clever ruse, really. Once again, I’ve underestimated you.”

“Phoenix—”

His grip tightens, not enough to hurt but enough to remind me who holds the power. "I don't want to hear your lies."

“You don’t seem to want to hear the truth, either.” I can’t say where my bravado is coming from. Desperation to save Brigit, I suppose.

"You know what happens to people who keep secrets from me?"

Before I can respond, his phone buzzes. He steps back, never taking his eyes off me as he answers.

"What?" His expression remains passive. “Good. Have everyone gather in my office. Now." He ends the call, tucking the phone away in his pocket. "Time to find out exactly what's been happening under my roof."

I nod. “I’d like to go to Brigit?—”

He laughs. “I don’t give a flying fuck what you’d like to do. You’re coming with me. It’s time to discover your secrets.” His smile is sinister as he gives me a push toward the exit. “This should be fun.”