Chapter 7: The Devil You Let In

Killian Wolfe’s POV

A hard knock came like thunder, then came sharp raps, then a pause. Then came four more, but this time, only slower and heavier, and I knew that rhythm was too much. I had heard it before; that wasn't just a knock. I knew it was a challenge 

“Who is it?" She asked 

And before I could give a reply, she peeked from behind me 

I felt her body turn rigid 

I saw his face grow that annoying smile of his 

“Did you mean?” he drawled. 

Her grip on me tightened, her nails digging holes on me 

“How… “ she began 

" I will handle this,” I cut it. " Stay behind me,” I added, motioning for her to stay back 

He tried to squeeze himself through the half-opened door, but I pushed him back. I locked the door behind me 

And there Tobias was bleeding 

There was a hash split at the corner of his forehead, and his eyes were swollen and nearly closed. Blood stained the collar of his expensive shirt 

“Brother," he rasped. A smirk plastered on his face. 

I clenched my fists at his audacity. I should be surprised by his attitude, but I wasn't, because cowards like Tobias don't vanish— they linger 

A low chuckle came from him. “Brother… you think you have won?” Tobias swayed, but he didn't fall. “You think this is…over, Killian?” 

I heard the opening. I looked behind me to find Emery, her gaze fixed on Tobias, her expression pale 

Tobias tried to walk to her, but I slammed the heels of my palm into his chest and pushed him back 

Emery grasps, and I shield her from view with my back 

Tobias laughed again, but this time, it sounded like a choke 

He stumbled, spat blood on the hallway floor, and hissed, “She's mine." He said, staring at her like she was his to claim, and before I realized what was going on, I grabbed his collar and my other hand reared back and hit him across the face.

Tobias hit the wall with a grunt, and the effects echoed down the corridor, but that didn't stop me; I did stop. I continued

“You don't look at her, you are forbidden to say her name, you can't breathe the same air as her," I snarled, my grip on his collar tightened, and my fist turned white 

“She's not safe with you." He said I knew he was right, but I refused to accept it 

“But she's safer here. With me." I shot 

Tobias hit the wall with a grunt. The thud echoed down the corridor.

I didn’t stop.

“You don’t say her name. You don’t look at her. You don’t breathe near her,” I snarled, gripping the front of his shirt tight. “If you do—if you so much as dream about her-I will put you in the ground.”

“She’s not safe with you either,” he coughed.

“Safer than she ever was with you.”

His teeth turned red as he laughed again, “You are using her, just like I did. She is just another player in your games." 

" Maybe,” my voice flat. "But there is a difference. I would burn the world just to protect her. I wouldn't try to break her.”

And a flash of something different appeared in his eyes. What was it? I don't know. It left as it came, too fast to comprehend. Was it fear — I doubt 

“Do you know?" He questioned, raising my curiosity, he always asks this question whenever we had an argument while growing up. He always had something interesting to say, but I had no interest in hearing.

 “ You think this is the end?” he whispered. “I'm not the only one who wants a piece of her." 

I shoved him back. Hard 

"Don't come back here, cause if you don't, I wouldn't just stop at your face,” I said coldly, and I slammed the door in his bloodied face.

I met Emery inside, a few feet away, her hands were wrapped around herself, her lips were slightly parted as if she was learning to breathe

“Are you okay?” I asked, taking a step towards her, my voice soft, but she took a step backward 

She nodded, but it was a lie. Her eyes were too wide, and sweat had covered her 

“This wouldn't work; he wouldn't give up.” She whispered, " I told you.”

"No, he wouldn't, but he wouldn't touch you not while still here,” I said, my eyes searching hers 

" That's a problem, you make promises like they are weapons and you are trying to protect me, but…” her voice shaking.

 "How do I know?” She asked 

"How do I know that this isn't just another cage warped in gold?” 

" How do I know that I'm actually being protected and not trapped?” 

Her words hit harder than my knuckles on Tobias’s face, “You think it's a trap?”

" I don't know what to think anymore," she said. “You call me your fiancée without asking, you take decisions for me, fight for me like I'm a trophy to be won over, but I'm not. You don't even ask what I want".

“What do you want?" I asked, but I got no reply from her

“Tell me, Emery," I push further this time, I stepped towards her slower, maybe she was scared 

She looked at me, her eyes watery, her lips trembling. “I don't want to feel like I'm being passed between monsters." 

I froze. “I'm not him," I said, “you know that." 

“I want to believe that," she whispered.

She looked up at me, eyes glistening, lips trembling. “I want to feel like I’m not just being passed between monsters.”

“You are not a pawn to me," I said, “ you are the only thing on board that matters." 

" You are still playing the game, Killian.”

I nodded." But I can burn it down for you.”

She stared at me for a long time before finally turning away, and walking to her room, and for the first time in years, I was confused, I didn't know if I was winning or I was losing everything.

I looked at my bloodied knuckle and one that was clear — Tobias wasn't working alone.

This war has just begun. 

Walking to my room, my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number — Thought you got rid of him? You missed me, we will be seeing her soon.

I clenched my jaw at the message. Now I knew that I should have taken Tobias's word lightly. This wasn't just about Emery anymore.

Someone wanted her, and they were coming.

Emery Sinclair’s POV

I closed the door behind me, my hands shaking 

My room felt smaller; it was like the walls were inching closer,, ready to crush me between them. The image of Tobias’ bloody face and his twisted smile wouldn't leave me. Killian's voice echoed in my head while vibrating through my chest and those terrifying, beautiful, raging eyes.

I slid down, my back pressing against the door

Is there really a difference between them? I don't know

He said I was the only thing that mattered 

He said that I wasn't a pawn

I want to believe him, but I couldn't not when his words were laced with threats and his knuckles dripped blood from soaking them in violence — different wrapper but same poison 

Was I too broken, or maybe I could no longer tell what mattered 

I sat for a long time, the wind my only comforter while I counted from seconds to minutes, and then came a knock, it wasn't hard or loud, just soft like he was asking for permission 

“Can I come in?" He asked 

I hesitated, contemplating whether I should or should not open the door. I stayed silent, staring at the door 

“Are you there, Emery?" 

I finally stood up and unlocked the door. 

He stepped inside, slower than normal, his eyes searching mine. “ I had no intention of scaring you," he said, his voice now controlled 

"You didn't," I lied

“I don't need you to lie to me.” 

"What do you expect from me?" I asked, my eyes fell to the floor 

“I expect you to be honest with me even when it hurts." 

“Then fine," I exhaled 

After I long pause, Killian spoke up, “I don't regret my actions." 

"I didn't ask you to.”

“But I wouldn't have even if you were.”

I looked up sharply. 

His eyes locked with mine. Something dark, intense, and burning, I couldn't place my hand on. Obsession? Possession? Love? Maybe 

He stepped closer, “You are not a weapon. Not my shield. Not part of my plan but… You are the plan.”

 My breath got stuck 

“You think I don't see it?” he continued, " the way you flinched at any topic related to him.” his voice cracked. " He did this, and it kills me to see you like this." 

My gaze rose to meet his. " I don't need saving,” I whispered, my eyes glistened 

“But still I would protect you even if it means crossing that uncrossable line," he said 

That's the thing about him. He doesn't ask, he just decides. You either accept or you run, and I wasn't sure what to do 

“ You don't have to forgive me, but you can't keep shooting me off either,” he said, taking another step towards me, we were now close that I could feel the heat from his pulse 

I could push him away. I could run, but something in me ached for him… for the safety he offered, even though it came with a dagger at the neck.

“I don't know what we are doing anymore," I murmured. “The whole engagement is a lie." 

" Then let's make it real.” 

I froze, “What?”  

"Dinner tomorrow night with the board members,” 

My stomach twisted. " Killian. That's not…" 

“I need them to see you," he said. “To see us not because of business but because I will burn everything for you, Emery, but you have to light up the first with my hands wrapped around your" Killian cut in 

" You are using me.” 

" No, Emery, I'm choosing you 

I trembled at his words. I didn't say yes, neither did I say no, nor did I stop him when he reached out and gently brushed some strands of hair from my face 

His touch was soft like I was something sacred, and I wish I could believe him. Then he leaned in, his lips grazed my forehead.

“Get some rest," he whispered, and then he was gone. The cold sensation of his lips lingered, leaving me breathless 

**

The next evening, I stood at the front of a full-length mirror admiring the black silk dress he had sent me. It hugged me, showcasing my curve, and it exposed just enough skin to make me uncomfortable, or maybe that was the idea 

The door opened, and Killian stepped inside in a tailored charcoal suit. His eye darkened at the sight of me 

“You look breathtaking," he said 

“And you look terrifying," I shot back 

“The best combo,” he smirked 

He offered his arm, and I took it hesitantly

**

The restaurant was filled with powerful men and sharp women. Board members, investor sharks in thousand-dollar suits.

All eyes were on us 

“Killian Wolfe," one of them said as we approached the long table, “and the infamous fiancée 

I forced a polite smile. “Emery Sinclair."

" A pleasure, though I must admit we weren't sure if you were real,” the man said, kissing my hand for far too long 

" She is very real and off limits too,” Killian said, his voice was smooth, but the warning was clear 

I spent the evening wrapping in designer silk and lies. I laughed when expected, smiled when Killian squeezed my thigh under the table, and talked about a love story that never existed, and yet his eyes were on me the entire time, protective. Possessive. Proud and then something in my chest broke— it stirred something.

Was this hope? 

Or just another calm before the storm 

I excused

myself halfway through the dinner to the bathroom

As I walked through the dim hallway, a figure appeared. It wasn't either Killian or Tobias 

He had cold eyes and a cruel smile. “Tell your fiancé that he just started a war he won't survive.”