Chapter Five.

The moment they stepped out of the hotel and into the night air, a breeze hit them. Despite the long sleeves of her new gown, Elara couldn't suppress a shiver.

Killian walked toward a midnight black Rolls-Royce idling at the curb. His driver had already pulled the door open, waiting with a bowed head.

Killian stopped, giving a subtle nod that dismissed the man, who immediately stepped back.

Holding the door open himself, Killian turned his gaze onto Elara, who was standing a few feet away, hesitant.

"Get in." he commanded softly.

"A-actually, I brought my own car. I can just drive my–"

"For God's sake.." Killian muttered under his breath.

Before she could finish her sentence, his hand wrapped around her wrist. With a firm tug, he hauled her into the plush leather of the backseat.

"You talk entirely too much.." he mumbled, sliding into the seat right beside her and slamming the door shut.

The driver immediately put the car in drive, and the Rolls-Royce drove into the city traffic.

"Hey! That was incredibly rude!" Elara hissed, turning in her seat to glare at him.. "You can't just yank someone into a vehicle. In the real world, this is called kidnapping!"

Killian leaned back against the leather, his unblinking eyes tracking the flush of anger on her cheeks.

"You are quite an entertainer to watch, Miss Elara.." he said. "And for the record, this isn't how I kidnap my victims."

The seriousness in his tone made Elara’s stomach drop.

Then, the corner of his lips slowly tilted upward.

"It's far too easy to toy with you.."

Elara’s eyes widened slightly at the sudden smirk.

The playful flash in his expression made him look entirely different, breathtakingly human, yet twice as dangerous.

She quickly snapped her head around to look out the tinted window.

Don't forget who he is, Elara, she reminded herself fiercely, before she finally found her voice.

"You said you could help my father.." she said, her eyes fixed on the passing city lights..

Killian’s amusement instantly vanished the moment she looked away. His features settled back into their cold, rigid lines.

"I did."

"And you insist you want absolutely nothing in return?" she pressed.

"Correct."

Elara turned her head, forcing herself to look directly into the storm of his eyes.

"Then how do I believe this isn't just a sick game you're playing with my life?"

"I don't go back on my word.." Killian said, "I will clear your father's name, and I require nothing from you in return. As I told you, Miss Elara... what I want is already in my grasp."

Elara stared at him..

What on earth could he be talking about?

Before she could press him for an answer, her phone vibrated in her palm. She looked down at the screen.

Patrick.

Letting out a sigh, she quickly swiped the screen and pressed the phone to her ear.

"Oh, thank God..." Patrick’s voice burst through the speaker, breathless and panicked. "Elara, I just heard what happened at the Party. Where are you? Are you okay? I'm going to–"

"Patrick..." she interrupted softly, "I'm okay. Don't worry, alright? I'm going to find a way to get my father out of this mess."

"Elara, you shouldn't be alone right now.." Patrick pressed protectively. "Where are you? Tell me, and I'll come pick you up right now. I swear, if that prick Roman is putting his hands on you–"

"Don't worry, Pat. I'll see you–"

She never finished the sentence, because Killian reached across and ripped the phone right out of her hand.

With a flick of his thumb, he disconnected the call, his eyes locking onto the name clearing from the screen.

Elara sat there, utterly stunned by the audacity. "Don't you think that was incredibly rude? I was still speaking–"

"Who is he?" Killian demanded.

"Excuse me?"

Killian turned his head, his gaze crashing into hers with a intensity. Elara’s breath hitched, and she instinctively swallowed hard.

He looked dead serious, lethal, even.

"Who is he, Elara?" he repeated...

"He's... a very close friend of mine.." she stammered.

Killian’s jaw clenched so tight that a vein pulsed aggressively against his jawline.

"How close?"

"We grew up together. He’s a childhood friend.." she answered..

The moment the words left her mouth, Killian lunged forward, invading her space, she had to press herself flat against the leather seat, as she prepared for the worst.

Instead, she felt the smooth glass of her phone slide back into her palm.

Just as quickly as he had moved, Killian smoothly retreated back to his side of the car, settling into his rigid posture as if nothing had happened.

Elara’s heart was beating out of her chest. She clutched her phone tightly, shooting him a furious side-eye through her lashes.

Arrogant Jerk.. she thought bitterly, trying to steady her breathing.

~♤~

The Rolls-Royce drove through the towering iron gates of a sprawling, secluded estate and came to a smooth halt in the courtyard.

"Why am I here?" Elara asked, her eyes darting to the massive, villa outside the window. "Where are we?"

"My residence.." Killian stated simply.

He didn't wait for her reply, he opened his door and stepped out, Elara quickly scrambled out after him, she hurried to keep up with his strides toward the entrance.

The moment they crossed the threshold, automated lights flared to life, casting a warm glow over the interior.

The design was stark, minimalist, and deeply intimidating, a reflection of the man who owned it.

Elara opened her mouth to call out to him, but the words died in her throat as a maid appeared silently from a side corridor. With quiet efficiency, the woman helped Killian slide his overcoat off his shoulders.

As the maid turned to leave, her gaze landed on Elara. The woman stopped dead in her tracks, shocked...

She glanced back at Killian, then shot Elara one last  look before walking away.

What on earth was that about? Elara wondered..

Killian walked into the center of the living room. As he did, his fingers carelessly unbuttoned the top three buttons of his dress shirt, loosening his collar and exposing the lines of his collarbone, then pulled his sleeves to his elbow.

He turned around, catching her looking.

"Does Miss Elara like what she sees?" he asked..

She quickly cleared her throat and stepped closer, trying to regain her professional footing.

"Mr. Va–"

"Killian.." he interrupted smoothly.

Elara’s brows furrowed.

"What?"

"Call me Killian.." he insisted, his eyes locked onto hers.

She looked at him, thrown off by the sudden intimacy of it, but she gave a nod. There were bigger things to worry about right now.

"Fine. Killian. About my father, You said you could–"

"I will take care of it, Elara. Trust me."

He sank onto the sofa, his posture relaxed but he looked intimidating.

"Will you start tomorrow?" she asked, her voice softening a bit "I...I mean...i just don't want my father spending a single night in that cell."

Killian’s expression shifted as he watched the sadness in her eyes. Without a word, he rose from the sofa and began walking directly toward her.

She tilted her head up, her gaze tracking his movements as he slowly raised his hand.

Elara watched as his fingers reached toward a stray strand of hair framing her face.

Before his skin could brush against hers, she took a step away from him and gave him a defensive glare.

Killian swallowed hard, his hand freezing mid air before he slowly closed his fingers into a tight fist, dropping it to his side.

"I think I should leave now.." Elara said. "We can meet again tomorrow. I’ll come by your office during corporate hours."

"You can't leave just yet.." he said breathlessly, as he took a step towards her..

Elara noticed the shift in his demeanor, he was acting entirely too intense, breaking all the rules of social distance..

"Killian, let's be realistic.." she said, "If you've already agreed to help my father tomorrow, there is absolutely no reason for me to be here. Besides, it's late. I need to get back home."

Killian’s jaw clenched so tightly, thick veins began to bulge on his jawline, trailing up his neck and against his forearms,

He looked lethal..

"You don't have a life to go back to tonight, Elara.." he said, "Your home is surrounded by reporters, and your fiancé's family is already preparing a press release to publicly discard you. You stay here."

Elara shook her head, despite the truth of his words.

"I would rather face a firing squad of reporters than stay in a house where I don't belong. Thank you for the dress, but that won't be necessary."

She turned to leave, intending to head straight for the front door, but paused when she caught sight of the maid standing in the corridor.

The woman’s eyes were wide, but Elara looked away from the maid and walked towards the door.

"Wait!" Killian called out.

Elara furrowed her brows and glanced back over her shoulder.

Killian stood rigid, his towering frame slightly trembling..

"I am not trying to trap you.." he said. "I need you to stay here tonight, Elara. The legal team will be here at dawn. If you walk out that door, you lose hours of coordination. Stay, so we can leave together first thing in the morning to handle your father's release. Do it for him, if not for yourself."

Elara stared at him for a long, quiet second, weighing her options.

Running out into the night alone with a ruined reputation, or staying in the villa of the city's most powerful man who can save her father..

Letting out a defeated sigh..

"Fine.." she whispered. "Thank you Killian."

The moment the word left her lips, Killian rigid tension instantly drained from his broad shoulders, his entire posture relaxing..

A small smile appeared on his lip, the one Elara didn't see.