Page 74 of Wicked Savage

CILLIAN

There’s nothing worse than sitting in a board meeting when your mind’s elsewhere.

Like on her. The woman I can’t stop thinking about, even after I left her heartbroken.

I tried texting her all night, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. What’s the point? I can’t be with her. It’d only drag it out, and we’d both end up worse for it.

But still, I can’t forget her. The way she smelled. The way she felt in my arms. Her taste still haunts me. I was pissed at myself after jerking off to thoughts of her and realizing she wasn’t there.

I was alone again.

For the longest time, that didn’t bother me. Until she came along.

I grip the edge of the table, pretending to care about some proposal to expand our hotels. I’d rather be anywhere else. When the meeting finally ends, I’m the first one out the door.

“What the hell’s wrong with you today?” Tynan asks as he catches up with me, Fionn right behind him.

“Nothing. I need to get home.”

“Nah, something’s off.” He grabs my arm. “Come on, let’s go to my office. You can tell us what’s got you so wound up.”

Great. Just what I need.

“You seriously look like shit.” Fionn gives me a quick once-over. “What the hell did you do last night?”

Stayed up all night trying to figure out how to be with her. Got nowhere.

I bite back a response, and he assesses me even more curiously.

We head into Tynan’s office, and I slump onto the leather sofa, Fionn plopping next to me.

“Talk.” Tynan crosses his arms. “What happened?”

I let out a heavy sigh and rub my face. “Where do I even begin?”

“At the beginning,” Tynan insists.

“Fine.” I take a deep breath. “I met someone.”

“That girl from the club?” Fionn smirks. “Is that why you’ve been smiling more than usual?”

“Probably.” I shrug

“So, what happened?” Tynan gestures for me to continue.

“I found out she’s a Marinov.”

“No way.” Fionn leans forward, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

“Yeah. Found out yesterday, so I ended it.”

Fionn snickers. “Why the hell did you do that? You need to let it go. She’s not?—”

“Don’t you fucking dare.” My voice hardens.

Fionn holds his hands up in surrender. “Fine. But just hear me out. Messing up your future over somethingshedidn’t do...that’s damn stupid. Mom wouldn’t want this for you.”

My chest tightens, anger bubbling up. “What do you know about what Mom would’ve wanted? Not like we can ask her. We didn’t even get a body. Konstantin’sfuckingfather took that from us.” My hand clenches, trembling with rage.

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