Chapter 28%
The flash of cameras was blinding.
As Killian stepped out of the black vintage Rolls Royce and offered his hand, I placed my fingers in his palm without hesitation. My heels clicked against the marble as we walked toward the grand auction venue, the velvet rope parting before us. Whispers followed like perfume in our wake.
“That’s Athena Valcruz…7
“And Killian Arrows, God look at them!”
“They are magnetic. Is it true the wedding’s in two weeks?”
“They look like they already rule the world together.
His hand rested gently at the small of my back. His touch wasn’t possessive…it was protective. Fierce. The kind of touch that said he’d burn the world down before letting it bruise me again.
Inside, the room shimmered under golden chandeliers. Every eye followed us. I wore white silk laced with icy diamonds at the wrist, my hair swept to the side. Killian wore all black, sleek and lethal. A devil carved in marble.
We sat at the front, and I could feel it… the tension. The heat between us. It wasn’t staged. It never was.!!
He leaned toward me as the auctioneer began announcing the first item. “You look like a war worth starting.”%
I bit back a smile, whispering “And you look like a sin I wouldn’t mind committing.“8
Laughter danced in his eyes, and our hands brushed. The air crackled with something electric, something more dangerous than any Ballroom whisper.
Lot after lot was called–paintings, rare heirlooms, antique brooches, Killian bid on a few with casual grace.
Until it began.
A new bidder entered.
An anonymous buyer purchased every single item I even glanced at.
At first, it was subtle. But then came the emerald necklace that reminded me of my mother. The moment I looked at it, the bidder raised the price threefold.
People tumed. Curious.
Then the final item an ivory lace hand fan from 1700s Spain, with a story etched in its silk.
Killian reached for the paddle, but I held his hand.8
And stood
“I am sorry.” I said, turning to the host. “But I must clarify something before you deliver any of these gifts to me.” The room hushed
“I don’t know this man who keeps bidding for me. I don’t take gifts from strangers. And most of all-” I turned, eyes fierce, voice firm, “My fiancé is standing right here. I won’t dishonor him by entertaining the past“)
A ripple of applause followed, and I saw it then. From the shadows near the curtains, a figure stepped back. His eyes–hollow, desperate met mine.B
Xander,&
He looked like a man possessed. Like someone who had lost air, warmth, and meshing and had chosen obsession instead.
I turned away.“]
Killian’s fingers brushed my arm as he rose from his chair, his eyes following the flustered auctioneer now whispering into his earpiece. The tension in the room hadn’t faded, it had twisted. Tightened.
And then he laughed.}
A slow, wicked sound that cut through the ballroom like a blade wrapped in velvet
“Did a man just try to gift all this… to my woman? Killian said, voice rich with amusement, laced with something sharper. “Without even showing his face?”
The audience went silent.
Killian raised a single hand–and with that lazy wave of his fingers, the entire hall stirred.!
Dozens of servants rushed forward like rehearsed chaos, each one carrying the purchased auction items. Antique watches, diamond brooches, velvet–bound heirlooms, are art all stacked and gently laid down.
Almy feet.
Gasps erupted.
I stood still, breath caught.
Killian stepped closer. “I don’t need anonymous bids,” he murmured beside my ear, “when I can give you the whole daylight.”
whole damn world in
Then before I could say a word, he scooped me into his arms–bridal style–his jaw proud, his gaze blazing with something unshakable. The cameras snapped..
People clapped.
10:05 AM ď ď ·
But behind the applause, another voice rang out–hoarse, strained, and breaking apart.
“Put her down.“}
Killian didn’t stop walking.
“I said put her down!” Xander shouted, stepping out from the shadows, his eyes wild, his hair a mess, his tuxedo wrinkled like he’d clawed through hell to get here.
Killian’s grip didn’t falter. He turned slightly, not stopping his pace, a smirk curling his lips.
“Oh? And who exactly is asking?” he asked coollun
“You know who I am” Xander said, voice trembling with fury. “And that’s my fiancée you’re holding.“>
The room froze.
Killian’s laughter this time was sharper. Cruel. He adjusted my weight in his arms with deliberate grace and turned fully to face him.
“Your fiancée?” he repeated, mock–thoughtful. “That’s strange. I don’t see Jessica Valcruz anywhere around.”
Xander’s breath caught like he’d been punched.
The air was sucked from the mom.
Killian’s eyes narrowed slightly, still smiling, but now his voice was laced with fire. “Because as far as I remember… that’s the woman you danced around while Athena bled. That’s the woman you protected while she was breaking the one you’re calling yours now.“”
Xander stood paralyzed. I saw it then the way his shoulders sagged, the way his eyes couldn’t meet mine. As if Killian’s words weren’t wounds, but truth bladed and absolute.
Humed my face into Killian’s neck. The scent of cedar and steel calmed me.!!
Killian looked down at me once more, then tumed his gaze back to the broken man before us.}
“Next time” he said softly “if you want to play hero, try not being the villain first.”
And with that, he walked out of the auction hall, carrying me past stunned guests, flashing cameras and one man who had once been whole world…
…but now stood with nothing but dust in his hands.
