“No can do, Bro.” The door opens and both Blaise and Flint push their way in. Their gazes immediately go to Keira and I see relief in their faces. What the fuck did they think I was going to do to her?
Blaise turns his attention to me. “You’ve got guests.”
“They can wait.”
“If you want to reassure them of your power, you’ll return to them.” Flint takes off his coat and offers it to Keira. The gesture pisses me off more. I’m not a monster.
Liar, my conscience says.
To my surprise, Keira shakes her head. “Thank you, Flint, but I think I’d just like to return to my room, if that’s okay with you.” She looks at me, and I see so much pain and humiliation, and yet strength, it nearly brings me to my knees.
“You can go.” My voice sounds hollow, distant. I feel like I’ve lost control of this night. Of everything.
“Good night, gentlemen,” she says to Blaise and Flint. She turns and heads out the door. I watch her, mesmerized by her as I’ve always been. She should look broken, yet somehow, Keira moves with a dignity that shames me.
The minute she’s out of sight, my brothers turn on me.
“What the fuck, Phoenix?” Flint’s eyes burn hot. “I didn’t fully believe Blaise when he said?—”
“What?” Blaise interrupts. “You thought I was lying?”
“I thought you were exaggerating. But holy fucking hell. Please tell me you haven’t forced yourself on her.”
I close my eyes, hating that they’d think I’d do such a thing. The fact that they do sends me into a rage. “It would be within my right?—”
They gape in shock. “Jesus, Phoenix.”
“But no. Despite what you think, I have a few scruples left.” I need a drink. I push past them and return to my guests. “I need a bourbon,” I say to a passing server.
“Yes sir.”
John Donnelly puts a hand on my shoulder. “That was quite a display, young man.” John is a large part of why I’m here and the Keans are in the basement. This party is to celebrate him and the others who supported me and my brothers’ return to reclaim what Hampton Kean stole.
“I have to say, I’m glad Hannah is married to Ash and not you. Not sure I’d have wanted to see my girl paraded around like that,” he finishes, referring to his daughter and my brother’s arranged marriage that has turned into a love match.
“I wouldn’t have paraded Hannah,” I say through gritted teeth. “Keira is a Kean.”
“Quite right. Good move to marry her. But you might consider not being so obvious in your disdain if your goal is to appease Hampton loyalists. They’ll see it as a reason to challenge you.”
I take the bourbon the server hands me and down it. “Let them come.”
John lets out a sigh. “Ah, the self-confidence of youth.” I’m not sure if he’s given up on me or decided he said what he needed to say, but either way, he moves on to another group.
“I see your fiancée hasn’t returned,” one of Riley’s men says to me with a gleam in his eye. “I guess you had to show her who’s boss.” He waggles his brows.
Fucking hell. They all believe I’d force myself on Keira. And this dickwad is all for it. Worse, I have to go along with it. I can’t let them think Keira got the best of me when she tossed her drink on me.
“She’s not the only one.” I set my sights on the fucker who dared touch Keira. I’m surprised he stuck around. I stride over to him. “You touch what’s mine again and you’ll pay with your life.”
The man flinches. “I meant no disrespect, sir… It’s just that… well, you…”
“I what?” But I know what. Keira was right. My actions weren’t that of a possessive fiancé looking out for his woman. I was showing her off to leering men like a spoil of war.
“I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.”
“Make sure that it doesn’t.”
I scan the room. A few have taken notice of my return and chastising of this man. Most are engaged in conversation and partaking of free booze. My brothers stand with their wives, disapproving expressions on all of them. It breaks me a little to think I’ve lost my brothers’ respect.
