Chapter Three.

"M-Mr. Vane..." Roman stammered, as blood continued to drip from his nose onto his expensive shirt.

Killian didn't even blink in his direction, his gaze was pinned entirely on Elara.

an uncomfortable heat rushed through her, and she took a cautious step backward.

The moment she retreated, a subtle shift crossed Killian’s face, his jaw tightening just a bit.

"W-we are so incredibly sorry.." Roman sputtered, "We had no idea this was your private suite."

"This is a restricted floor.." Killian said flatly, "Were you blind when you entered the elevator, or simply illiterate?"

Roman shivered nervously..

"I-it was just a mistake. A misunderstanding caused by... my fiancée."

To save face, Roman reached out and grabbed Elara, hauling her back against his side.

Elara shot a glare at Roman, but with Killian watching, she forced her social mask back on, pinning a fake smile to her lips.

Killian eyes dropped to Roman’s fingers around Elara’s waist. Then, very slowly, Killian lifted his gaze back to Roman’s face.

"Get out."

Roman nodded eagerly, terrified enough to obey without question, and began dragging Elara back toward the open elevator.

"You leave.." Killian’s voice halted him. "Miss Elara stays."

Elara’s eyes widened. She stared at Killian, searching his stern expression.

How does he know my name? The thought sent panic through her chest.

Roman blinked, his small mind trying to process the command.

"W-what? Um... I’m sorry, Mr. Vane, but she’s my–"

"You have exactly ten seconds to get the fuck out of my sight.." Killian interrupted calmly, "Or the financial crisis I will drop on your family name will take you an eternity to clear."

Elara gasped..

Roman’s jaw clenched, his eyes darting between the billionaire and his ruined pride.

He looked at Elara, swallowed hard, and did exactly what she knew a coward would do.

He let her go.

Roman scrambled back toward the elevator, and got inside.

As the doors began to hiss shut, Roman stared out at Elara, his bleeding face twisted in anger. But his gaze quickly drifted past her, catching the way Killian was staring at her, intensely and almost scary.

Do they know each other? Roman wondered, just before the doors closed..

The moment the elevator closed, Elara gulped, her pulse racing as she looked back at the man in the dark.

She dipped her head slightly, trying to maintain her high society composure.

"I’m truly sorry for barging in here, Mr. Vane.." she apologized, her voice trembling slightly. "It... it was a careless mistake."

More than anything, she just wanted to run. Killian Vane wasn't just a businessman, he was a shadow deity in this city, a man you stayed far away from if you valued your survival.

And getting on his bad side? You are doom for life!

Killian simply watched her, his eyes mapping the rise and fall of her chest.

Elara lifted her head, meeting his gaze. The way he was staring at her, suddenly got her irritated..

But she kept her lips sealed.

"If you will excuse me, I’ll take my leave now." she said, about taking a step toward the elevator.

"I didn't say you could leave, Miss Elara."

Very slowly, he set his crystal glass of scotch down on the dark marble table beside him.

Then, he stood up.

He was still across the room, but Elara instinctively took a step backward. His height was utterly intimidating, his silhouette under the moonlight seemed to wrap entirely around her.

"I... I don't–"

"A grand party, by the way.." he murmured..

the reminder of her ruined engagement party stinged. She gave a stiff, tight nod.

"But..." Killian continued, as he tilted his head, "what a pathetic dick you chose for a fiancé."

Elara’s breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, unable to bear the honesty in his gaze.

"C-can I leave now?" Elara stammered, "I... I have something incredibly important to take care of, Mr. Vane."

Killian’s eyes swept down her body, tracking the curve of her shoulders, the tight fit of her dress, and the exact places where Roman’s hands had just been.

Under his intense, Elara suddenly felt completely exposed.

Is something wrong with him? she thought..

Killian slowly turned and walked toward a leather couch nearby. On the cushion sat a designer shopping bag. He picked it up by the silk ribbons, turned, and began walking directly toward her.

Instinctively, Elara took a step back again.. "D-don't come any–"

"Change." Killian cut her off, he dropped the designer bag right at her feet.

"I hate that dress on you."

She stared at the luxury logo on the bag, then snapped her gaze back up to his face.

Without another word, Killian turned his back on her and walked back to his armchair to sit.

"And I hate that man's scent on your skin." he added, lifting his scotch glass back to his lips. "Clean up. Use the bathroom through that door." He pointed to a door.

Elara’s brows furrowed in disbelief, is he this arrogant?

"Mr. Vane, thank you for your... hospitality.." she said, her voice tightening as she tried to maintain her dignity. "But, I have to go. I have an urgent matter to attend to right now–"

"And do what? Run straight back into your pathetic fiancé's arms?" he asked..

Elara glared at him.

At least Roman is a danger I understand.. she thought bitterly.

She opened her mouth to snap back, but before she could utter a word..

"I can help you."

The room went dead silent. Elara narrowed her eyes.

"Help me with what?" she asked.

"To pull your father out of the grave he just dug for himself.." Killian replied.

The words left his lips so casually. She stared at him, her chest heaving.

"How... how do you even know about my father's–"

"The media is already picking the bones of your estate, Miss Elara.." Killian cut her off, almost boredly. "By morning, the Pierce name won't be worth the paper it's printed on."

Elara clenched her fists. Anger, sadness, exhaustion, and frustration threatened to choke her.

But this was Killian Vane.

Every billionaire in the city feared him. He was effortlessly handsome, yes, but he was also the most ruthless, terrifying entity in the entire corporate world.

Rumors followed him like a shroud, stories of empires he had crushed overnight and men he had ruined without a second thought.

He didn't do charity. He didn't save people out of the goodness of his heart. Buying into a debt with Killian Vane meant selling your soul, and she wasn't that desperate.

She would rather beg for scraps on the street than owe a debt to a man like him.

"Well, then.. " she said, forcing her chin up despite the tremble in her knees. "If you know my family is ruined, you know I don't have time to stand here playing whatever game this is. Goodnight, Mr. Vane. I don't need your charity."

Killian rose from his chair again, walking towards her..

"I see you’re still as stubborn as you are reckless.." he murmured.

Elara’s brows furrowed..

"Still? You talk to me so informally.. Have we met?"

Killian paused just a few feet away, for a second, his expression shifted, something deep crossing his face before it vanished behind.

"Let’s not lose ourselves in the past just yet." he said softly. "The facts remain, Miss Elara. I am the only one who can help you."

Up close, his appearance was breathtaking. It was unfair that someone so dangerous could look so perfect.

"I am not offering charity.." Killian whispered, his gaze dropping to her lips before locking back onto her eyes.. "I am offering a transaction. And unlike Roman Sterling... I can actually afford the price."

Killian Vane wants to help me? she thought.

She shook her head , trying to clear the fog of his presence.

There was always a catch!!

"I don't need your help, Mr. Vane.." she said. "This is my family’s mess. I will handle it myself."

Killian’s jaw clenched..

"Handle it?" he repeated, taking a step closer. "And how exactly do you plan to do that? By crawling back to the coward, Sterling?"