Page 13 of Killian

“She will be because my men will be with her at all times when she’s in your presence. Do not be mistaken. I will end you if you make any inappropriate moves or attempt to harm her. The same applies for if she’s harmed in your care. You understand?”

“I think you’ve forgotten who I am.”

“I know exactly who you are. I don’t know why you are insisting on Greer, but know that if it comes down to it, I will start a war over her. She’s my baby sister. She is not to be harmed.”

“So now you care about your family?” I challenge.

His eyebrows raise. “What does that mean?”

I shake my head. “Your threats are heard, but just know that I’m not afraid to start a war either. I expect her to start tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.”

“Dinner’s been great,but I should probably go.”

The past hour of making polite conversation has been painful. All I wanted to do was shove food into my mouth as quickly as possible so I could leave. Being here is just a reminder of my place in this family. Nonexistent.

It’s not like it was meant to be this way. Before Papa went to prison, I was allowed to live here with my family. I grew up alongside Bash and Karrisa. While Bash was trained for his future life, I was raised to be a good, meek woman.

Then Papa got locked up, sending the operation into a tailspin. Bash quickly grabbed hold of the reins. But with everything that had transpired, it was decided I should go to Italy for a while to avoid any blowback from the power struggle that would ensue. Karrisa was already married by that point. I was only fifteen, so I was whisked away in the name of protection. Hidden away from prying eyes, but also from my family.

That was the moment my life irrevocably changed.

“Before you go, I have some business to discuss with you.”

I snort. “You talk business with females now?”

Sofia pipes up, “He sure does. He’s learning we are more than a pretty face.”

When she winks at me, I try to withhold my smile. I’ve met Sofia a couple of times, but never knew much about her. She’s resilient, though. I figured that out at her wedding. While Karrisa and my mother went crazy on her dress, she still looked gorgeous. It was like she made chaos seem effortless.

“Shall we?”

I follow him down the hall into his meeting room. I pause at the door a moment, letting the feeling of dread flee from my body. It wasn’t Papa’s place anymore. Bash was inviting me in.

As a child, I was never allowed near these doors, let alone through them. Being here always causes me a bit of anxiety.

“Have a seat.”

Taking the seat across from him, I fold my hands in my lap.

“Greer, I know we have an estranged relationship. I know you don’t approve of the way I run things.” His eyes narrow as I let out a snort but he keeps going. “Please know that everything I do, I do to protect the family. With that being said, I don’t want to argue anymore.”

“It was never an argument, Bash.”

“With you, it seems like it always is. I’ve been told I can be hard-headed, especially when it comes to family and their safety. So I’m trying here. All I ask is that you do the same.”

“Okay.”

“Good. Now, why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to?”

“No. That’s not how this is going to start. I need you to tell me what happened with Karrisa.”

His eyes flash in anger. “Why? You already know the details.”

“I want to hear it from your mouth. I want to know what you did to my sister.”

He grits his teeth. “I lovedoursister, but she went against the family. She went against me. I could not let that stand, Greer.”

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