ROSE
Caelin was unusually quiet on our way back home. Not the loud kind of quietness, but the unsettling kind. The kind that makes you fear what he was thinking.
I prayed silently, that he doesn't talk about what the woman had said about my brother because that might blow my cover. Yet, I was dying to hear his own side of the story to my brother's death.
"Did she say anything strange to you?," he suddenly asked.
My stomach dropped a little.
"No," I lied, shaking my head. "She didn't."
He paused for a while, then turned slowly toward me.
I looked away, like he might read my thoughts if I stared back.
"You're strong," he said.
I forced a smile and nodded, still looking away.
When we arrived at the resort, the guards had tripled.
"Are you okay?" Hayden rushed toward me, checking for injuries.
"I'm —," before I could finish, Caelin grabbed him by the wrist.
Hayden winced. "Let go of me."
Caelin held still, firm. His jaw twitched as he yanked Hayden closer to himself.
"What is she, your wife?"
"You know?" Hayden began, Caelin struggling with Caelin's grip. " Some of us are actually human, and care about people."
Caelin tightened his grip on Hayden's wrist.
"What is your mission on this trip? Why are you here?"
Hayden laughed dryly, his breath labored from struggling.
"What do you think? It's not like this is your personal resort."
I watched with both pity and irritation.
Pity for Hayden, and irritation for the way Caelin treated him.
Caelin released his wrist quickly, but before Hayden could realize what was happening, Caelin grabbed his neck.
"If you ever come close to her again, I will dismantle you piece by piece," Caelin growled.
He released Hayden and he stumbled.
"Let's go," he said, before walking away.
Caelin didn't walk beside me, he walked ahead.
I followed two guards down a long hallway I had never seen before. The carpet was thick, pale cream, soft enough to swallow sound. When the door opened, I froze.
The room looked like it belonged to royalty.
Floor to ceiling windows were decorated with old accents, the bed was so large it felt like it was meant for six people, fresh flowers sat on a marble table, still wet from mist. The air smelled clean, expensive, untouched.
This was not protection, it didn't feel like it, this was possession. Like he was showing me all things I stand to get if I'm his woman, he was showing off effortlessly.
"Miss Rose," one of the guards said softly. "Please sit, the doctor is on the way."
"A doctor," I repeated in my head.
I had never had the luxury of a doctor coming to where I reside to care for me, I had been the one making the journey. Another show off.
"This bastard wanted me by all means," I thought to myself.
I sat on the edge of the bed, hands folded tight in my lap. My body still hurts in different places. The kidnapping, the fear, the gunshot. All of it lived under my skin now, like scars.
The doctor arrived quickly. A woman.
Calm eyes, gentle hands. She checked my wound, my pulse, and my pupils. Asked if I felt dizzy, nauseous, tired. I answered everything with one word replies.
"I'm fine."
She didn't look convinced, but she nodded anyway.
"You're very lucky," she said while packing her bag. "You should rest."
Lucky.
The word tasted bitter on my tongue.
When she left, the door clicked shut behind her. The thick and unsettling silence flooded the room. Slowly, I climbed down from the bed and went to stand by the window. I was staring out the window when I felt it. That shift again.
Caelin.
He walked in, now wearing different clothes. Black shirt, sleeves rolled up, no jacket, his presence filled the room without effort. He closed the door himself and leaned against it for a moment, watching me like I might vanish if he blinked.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm fine," I replied, softly.
His eyes narrowed slightly, like he didn't like rehearsed answers.
"Don't tell me you're fine," he said. " You were kidnapped and tortured."
"Yes, but I'm fine."
That earned me a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Silence stretched between us. Not awkward, but thick and tense.
"Why did you save me?" I asked suddenly.
The question slipped out before fear could stop it.
He straightened, slow and deliberate. He walked closer, not too close, just enough that I felt him.
"You drank poison meant for me," he said. "You took a bullet meant for me."
I swallowed.
"You showed loyalty."
I laughed softly, humorless. "You barely know me."
"I know enough," he replied. "I don't joke with loyalty."
His voice was calm, but there was something sharp beneath it.
"And besides," he added, "you're part of my household now."
There it was.
The cage, wrapped in silk.
I cursed him silently, cursed fate, cursed myself for playing the long game. If he knew the truth, that every breath I took near him was calculated, that I was keeping him alive just so I could end him slowly, painfully, he would never stand this close to me. He mistook my silence for hesitation.
"You should let me take care of you," he said. "Let me treat you like a queen."
I looked up at him, then attempted to roll my eyes but suddenly stopped myself. I hadn't forgotten his warning so fast.
"And do what?" I asked. "Be your woman?"
His jaw tightened, just a little. He didn't deny it.
"I can't date my boss," I said flatly. "I've told you this before now."
"That's your concern?" he asked.
"That's one of them," I replied.
"I can protect you," he said. "No one will touch you."
I shook my head. "Your world is dangerous. People die in it."
He watched me closely. "So you're afraid of me."
I almost laughed again. If only he knew.
"I'm afraid of what follows you," I said instead. "There's a difference."
He stepped closer, close enough now that I could feel his warmth. His voice dropped.
"I can make you untouchable."
I hated him at that moment, hated the way he spoke like fate bent for him, hated the way part of the world believed him.
I wanted to slaughter him for my brother, for the blood he spilled and never mourned. For the life he stole and the secrets buried with it.
He was about to say more when his phone buzzed.
His expression changed instantly.
"Stay here," he said, already turning away.
The door closed behind him, and then my phone buzzed.
My heart slammed against my ribs when I saw the name on the screen, my stomach twisted.
Mrs. Marcello.
I hesitated before answering.
"Rose," she said smoothly. "Why did you go on a business trip with Caelin without informing me?"
I exhaled slowly. "I didn't know I'd be traveling. Caelin said it was an emergency."
She paused for a while.
"I heard you were kidnapped."
"Yes."
"And—,"
"I'm fine now."
She paused again.
"Good," she finally said. " Because there's no time to slack off," she added.
" I know," I replied.
"Do you have any information on him yet?" she asked, almost immediately.
"Soon," I said. "I'm getting close."
I lifted my eyes and saw Caelin standing there, hand on the doorframe, eyes locked on me.
My heart dropped straight to the floor.
I had no idea how long he'd been listening.