I’m so focused on listening to the words they are saying, I don’t hear when the stranger makes his way to the door.
I jump in shock when he appears in front of me.
He is shocked as well, but the expression disappears from his face within seconds.
“Ah, you must be my new sister-in-law.” He puts his hand out for me to shake. Manners force my arm to move. I shake his hand softly and only briefly.
“Brenna Doyle.” I introduce myself.
“Brenna O’Sullivan, if I’m not mistaken,” the man says, tilting his head.
Fuck, I’m never going to get used to that.
“Yeah, I guess.” I shrug.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Killian. This one’s little brother.”
I should have been able to guess that just from looking at him. There are a few differences, but those eyes are the same. Though with this one I can see a bit of light. A joy that Cormac doesn’t possess.
“Pleasure,” I say in return.
A moment later, another shadow darkens the walkway. It’s like he brings the darkness with him wherever he goes.
“What are you doing here?” Cormac snarls at me.
I know I should be ashamed that I’ve been caught eavesdropping, but I’m still too pissed about what I’ve heard.
“I live here, don’t you remember?” I snap right back at him.
“Ah, a lovers’ quarrel. I don’t think I should be here for this. Brother, be good. I’ll check on you again soon.” Killian nods his head and makes a show of bowing to me before he turns and walks away, leaving only Cormac and me in the hallway.
I hate that there’s no buffer between us. I don’t want to be alone with this man, but I guess I don’t have much of a choice.
“I gave you a room to be in. I didn’t tell you to go snooping around.” Cormac narrows his eyes at me, but it doesn’t scare me away.
“Yes, and I’ve been in that room for three days. If you meant for the room to be a cage, maybe you should’ve handcuffed me to the wall.”
“Maybe I will.”
“I’d like to see you try.” I take a step forward, getting even closer into his space. “You may be bigger and stronger than I am, but I promise you, if you ever attempt to lock me up, I’ll make it hurt for you.”
His eyebrow quirks up as if he wasn’t expecting me to have anything to say in return. Shows just how little he knows about me. I always have something to say in return.
“You are still not allowed to leave the building or go into the sections I’ve told you are off-limits.” He lifts his head, staring down the steep slope of his nose at me.
“This place is much bigger than just outside and your secret hideaway. I’m sure I can find other places to go that will still keep me out of your sight.” Now it’s my turn to narrow my eyes on him.
We stare at each other for a few seconds, neither of us wanting to give in but both of us knowing we’re going to have to.
“Fine, so be it. Don’t go calling for me when you get lost.” He waves his hand in the air as if to get rid of this conversation and me along with it.
Get lost?
Could this place truly be so large that I can get lost?
Suddenly, just the fact that it’s a possibility makes me a little excited. I wonder what mysteries I can find in here. It feels a little bit like an adventure. One I would quickly forgo if it meant I could just go back home.
Unfortunately, that’s not an option. This hell is my home now. I might as well get used to it.
