Page 14 of Declan

“Fuck, Viviana.” He pushes me away and practically bolts inside, not even bothering to answer.

Like Declan, the Irish accent rises when he’s flustered.

Leaning against the cold stone wall, I let out a slow breath. Teasing him is too easy; it’ll be fun to toy with him. He’ll be running for the hills soon enough.

But Kian? He’s another story entirely: smart, ruthless, and too wary to let anyone get close. Still, getting under the skin of one Callaghan is enough for tonight.

And then there’s Declan. The devil himself.

Everyone knows who he really is; we’ve all seen the true extent of his darkness. When his fiancée died, he unleashed hell. This entire city was ripped apart in the chaos that followed, with bodies piling up and blood staining the streets.

The Irish Consortium made its threats, but it was Declan who had the upper hand, torturing anyone who crossed his path or knew something he wanted.

My father lost men in those dark days. Declan suspected they had information and tore through them like they were nothing. No one dared defy him, and for good reason.

Back then, I was already living in my little apartment, trying to stay out of the crossfire. The nights became too dangerous. Men were jittery, fingers twitching on triggers. I’d heard rumours of two men Declan had tortured so brutally that they killed each other in their cell rather than face another day in his grasp.

My heart beats faster as I remember those years. The fear of the Callaghan’s was real, and it still is. But I’ll never show that fear. I can’t. Men like Declan feed on control, on knowing theyown you. The moment you let them see your fear, you become dispensable. And I refuse to let that happen.

Not to me.

It’s late. The wedding is still going on, but my mind feels like it’s been run through a grinder. I can’t deal with it anymore.

These Irish fuckers love to drink until they drop, and I have zero patience for it. I want a warm bed and Netflix. Maybe if I slip away to the far end of the garden, near the trees, I can hide until everyone leaves. Then I can finally escape to my bedroom.

Wait, do I even have a bedroom? I’m not sharing one with Declan, right? I’d rather sleep in the damn lake.

I make my way toward the trees, thinking I can steal a few minutes of peace. But before I even reach the shadows, a hand grabs my arm. Not harshly—gently—but firm enough to stop me in my tracks.

“Making a run for it?” The low voice makes me shiver, but I don’t even need to turn to know who it is.

“In a garden with more guards than the White House?” I bite back, my voice thick with challenge. I’m not in the mood for games, but it looks like I’m getting dragged into one anyway.

“You’re known for being a little…” He pauses, stepping closer, his breath warm against my ear, “…reckless, Viviana.”

Shit.Kian. He’s the opposite of Connor; that much is certain. While Connor might flinch at my teasing, Kian leans into it, meeting me head-on. Dangerous. Calculating.

“I might be reckless,” I say with a chuckle, finally turning to face him, “but I’m definitely not stupid, Kian.”

Kian’s eyes gleamed with something between amusement and challenge, his lips curling into that cocky, knowing smirk that could make lesser people uneasy.

But not me. I can hold my own, and I’m not about to let him see even a flicker of fear.

“I’ll give you that,” Kian says, stepping closer until there’s barely an inch between us. “But your little stunt with Declan and the employee wasn’t very smart.”

“Are you sure about that, Kian?” I give him a slow, deliberate once-over, my eyes flicking from his sharp jawline to his broad shoulders before meeting his gaze again. “Because I think it went exactly as I planned.”

“Are you sure about that?” His smirk widens, but his eyes narrow, watching me like a predator studying its prey. “You know he’s going to retaliate.”

I take a step closer, refusing to back down. Our bodies almost brush, the tension crackling between us.

“I don’t care, Kian.” I keep my voice low but steady, my eyes locked on his. “You and your brothers might think you can control everything in your little kingdom, but I’m not some toy you get to play with. I’m here because I must be. That doesn’t mean I’m going to roll over and bend to your feet.”

Kian chuckles a low sound that vibrates in his chest. “That’s the thing with you, Viviana. You think you’re walking in here as an outsider, but whether you like it or not, you’re one of us now. Youarethe fucking game.”

“Then let’s play it,” I shoot back, my chin lifting defiantly. “And since I’m the game, I’ll make my own rules.”

His expression darkens just a shade, intrigued but cautious like he’s trying to decide whether to push me further or back off.

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