Chapter 4 Chapter Four

Fianna. 

“Stór, it’s time for the party.”

Three sharp knocks rattled on my door as I massaged my temple. My skull felt like it was going to split into two and the whiskey hadn’t helped. Neither had the pacing I’d done overnight helped. 

Two days ago, I lied about being in love with Kian, and here we were—Engagement night. 

What the hell was the rush for? 

I was still adjusting my earrings when the door creaked open and that familiar cologne filled my room. I sighed heavily, nobody should have access to spare keys in this house.

“Ronan,” I muttered without even looking up. “I’m sure I didn’t call for you.”

He ignored me. Ronan lifted my chin instead, with two fingers, his green eyes softer than usual. “You look stunning, Fianna. Ma would have been so proud.”

My chest tightened. Ma was a sensitive topic for us all in the household. I rolled my eyes at him. “There is nothing to be proud about being rushed into something.”

“Not at my own pace.” I added. 

“At the end,” he responded calmly, “It’s love that matters. You love Kian, don’t you?”

My heart skipped. Ronan was a bloody hawk that always saw through me. My tongue itched for an answer, but I forced out, sounding so foreign to me. 

“Yes, I love him. We just didn’t plan for it to be all this fast. We still wanted—”

“Stop, Fianna.” He cut me off, his voice sharp. His gaze pierced straight through me. “You are such a terrible liar. How does the old man not see it? You want to tell me you suddenly fell in love with someone you framed for stealing back in school?”

I crossed my arms, refusing to fold. “I don’t know what you are talking about. It’s totally normal.”

His face hardened. “I won’t say a word, Fianna. Not because of you—but because it’s Kian O’Sullivan. Still, don’t insult me with lies. I detest it. And I hope you chose the right path.”

“The right path?” I scoffed. “Anything’s right but being imprisoned by the Slanes.”

Ronan’s jaw twitched. He leaned closer, “At least with Slane, I’d have been assured they wouldn’t hurt you unless they wanted war.”

That earned him a dark laugh from me. “And Kian isn’t crazy enough to hurt me either. He knows better, unless he wants to wake up poisoned."

His lips curled into a tiny smile. Then he pulled me into a brief hug, patting the top of my head like when we were kids. His warmth burned more than comfort though.

“Tell me, Ronan,” I said against his chest. “Why the hell did they arrange that marriage in the first place?”

His hand stilled and he looked down at me. “I’m not in the position to tell you the reason.”

“So there was a reason?”

“Of course, Stór. Do you know how much I restrained myself from blowing their heads with a gun at that dinner?”

I pulled away with a wicked grin. “Then I hope Kian is a better option.”

He hesitated a bit before nodding. “He is.”

I wasn’t sure if he was lying or worried. 

He offered me his large palm. “Ready?”

“Yes, brother.”

The garden was dressed like a dream except it was a nightmare for me and Kian. Fairy lights wrapped the tall oaks. A string quartet played something sweet enough to rot your teeth. Faces turned the moment Ronan and I stepped into view. 

Every eye. Every whisper. They screamed at me. 

Not as many guests as I had expected. Just a small circle of made families, all here to witness Callahan switching from Slane to bagging Sullivan. 

“Go on, Fianna,” Ronan murmured, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “Go have fun.”

Fun. I doubted it. 

I nodded and broke away, forcing a smile as I swept toward my grandfather, who stood with two old friends. Glasses in their hands as if this was a joyful occasion. 

I kissed his cheeks. “Good evening, old man.”

“You look so beautiful, a Stór,” he whispered against my ear. “But tell me, why isn’t a single Sullivan here tonight apart from your fiancée of course.”

A prickle crawled down my neck. Kian had told me his family doesn’t have a say in agreeing to the engagement but he should have at least dragged them here. 

Why was he acting like I forced him? 

I pasted a dazzling smile. “They weren’t expecting things to move this fast. Don’t worry, grandfather. I’m sure they will come around soon.”

His eyes narrowed and I knew he didn’t buy it. But all he said was, “If they ever treat you badly, you will tell me.”

I laughed lightly. “Oh, trust me to inform you instantly.”

But as I said it, my gaze swept across the garden. I noticed the extra guards posted along the walls, hands on their weapons. My stomach turned. 

I leaned closer to him. “The Slanes didn't throw tantrums over being jilted right?”

I could swear that something flickered in his eyes. Sharp and ugly. But then, he smiled. “Don’t worry. I took care of them and they wouldn’t cause us problems.”

I didn’t believe him for a second. 

He tapped my arm and tilted his head. “Go to your fiancée. He hasn’t stopped staring at you.”

I almost laughed. Staring? Please. More like he was reconsidering his decision to do this. 

Still, I let my hips sway as I searched for him. And there he was. 

Kian. 

Brooding as if he had been carved from a stone. He was leaning against a pillar like he was a security man except his outfit screamed otherwise. He had at least bothered to clean up, wearing a black suit and a loosened tie. 

Every inch of him screamed control and all I wanted to do was to shatter it. 

I walked straight to him, feeling the weight of a dozen eyes on us. He narrowed his gaze, his lips parting like he was about to curse me out in front of everyone. 

But I didn’t give him the chance. 

I threw my hands around his neck and pulled him down. 

The crowd gasped. 

For just a split second, I thought he was going to push me away. Instead, his arms locked around my waist—strong and commanding. My breath caught. I could feel his body heat as it soaked through my dress. 

Without thinking, I pressed my lips against his. It was supposed to be chaste, just enough to convince the crowd that this was real. 

But Kian ruined me. 

His hand slid into my hair, tugging me closer. His lips parted, sucking on mine in a slow and deliberate manner. His mouth was like fire, his control unraveling enough to scorch me. 

Shit, my knees went weak, and all of the murmured gasps and whispers in the background blurred. 

For a heartbeat, I almost forgot it was fake. But it was always going to be fake. Kian could never be real to me. 

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

Gunfire split the night…..