Page 39 of Promise to Break

"How do you know that?"

Raven says, "Because my dad told me not to come and see Auntie Isa and that Uncle Franco is furious. The Knights are a big family, and Uncle wanted to tie the families together, just like with Liam and me, and the fact that Killian said no will ruin many businesses for Uncle Franco."

"I think she's right," Julian says after his long silence.

"What do you mean?"

Julian swallows. "He made Killian go to the basement again."

The pain on Raven's face freezes something inside me. "Explain."

Raven says nothing, and I know Julian's knowledge is limited, but then he says, "I don't think it's my place to say." He looks at my friend, waiting for her permission—for what I don't know, but I know I'm not going to like what's coming.

After a tense silence, Raven says, "It's the punishment room. We have it also. My father tried to subdue my older brother's behavior there, but it was useless." So Killian killed him. She doesn't say the words, but I know now that the rumors are true. Some say it was by Franco's orders, but others say it was because of Raven.

"So Killian got punished?" Why my voice shakes at the thought, I'm not sure. I knew they weren't a normal family. Despite that, I have this urge to run and make sure he's okay.

"Uncle Franco loves that room. Many of his soldiers have been punished in that place."

"Fuck," I say, staring at the gloves in my hands. "Fine. Forget about the poison ivy. I'll find another solution." I'll just have to ignore Killian and be less interesting.

Chapter seventeen

Killian

Losing my shit on Liam just made him so much more fascinated with Maricela. "She could teach Ugly Birdy some stuff," was all he said, with his face red and full of what could only be described as elation. Kai let me know about his lack of amusement by not speaking for a week. And on top of all of this, the wild child has changed her strategy by giving me the cold shoulder.

I imagine she thinks she's making herself uninteresting, but all she's accomplished is to aggravate me even more. After all, I'm not a patient man. My conflicted tendencies urge me to acquire the things I want by any means necessary, and Maricela is the thing I want most right now.

Her attempts at egging me on only push me to my limits. Her jabs have been futile and only heighten my desire to fuck her senseless.

So, she changed tactics like the smart little thing she is. Now she gives me her back, and pretending I don't exist appears to be her newfound hobby.

I stand in the kitchen and try to capture her attention but only get zilch in return. She offers everyone smiles but me. The sun refuses to show her rays so early, yet Maricela runs around, loaded with energy, chatting and smiling. Her greetings for everyone but me are sincere, warm and kind.

Her makeup-free face shimmers due to the heat of the stoves, and her hair is tied up in a messy knot. The oversized apron she's wearing is already covered in stains, revealing only glimpses of the unlaudable T-shirt underneath with an undoubtedly bizarre pun on it. And still, I want her.

Although his amused eyes are on me, the cook asks Maricela, "Did you make the salads? I made some couscous for lunch. It would go well with some Mediterranean veggie salad and the chicken."

I send him a "don't fuck with me" look, and in return, he sends me kissy faces. I can't see the wild child's reaction since her back is to me, but the shake of her shoulders sells her out.

Maricela is great in the kitchen. She's a fast learner, and she never complains about the amount of things she has to do. Even now, she listens to the cook with her posture tense and ready to act just like she does at the mansion when helping Marlina in the kitchen.

"Not yet," she replies. "I need fresh tomatoes, the Meggie ones, but I believe they're out of season. Maybe we could use some bell peppers instead?"

"Great idea. We can make some Muhammara salad as a dip. Go ahead and bring out the peppers."

The cook taunts me with a wink and scans me as if I'm a rare cut of steak he's about to eat. I think she called him Ro or something.

Maricela's steps are quick as she passes by me to get the freaking bell peppers she needs, not even looking my way, as if I'm not even standing here.

"Wild One," I begin, but as always, she starts singing in Spanish under her breath, not paying me any mind.

"My patience is thinning," I warn her, but still get no reaction. It's almost six in the morning when I finally give up and leave after another unsuccessful attempt at talking to Maricela.

Once outside, I spot Raven on her usual morning run. She does it to purge her energy and stay calm. I kill people to do the same. To each their own.

I catch up with her. "Raven," I call, but she can't hear me with the music blasting in her ears.

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