Page 34 of Bartered Innocence

There isn’t anything that scares me, but the smile that stretches across Sebastian’s face makes my skin crawl. “Not a what, a who.”

Chapter14

Isabelle

After I washoff the mess that bastard made on my stomach, I rummage through the bag my mother left in my room. I change into jeans and a t-shirt and ignore the ache between my legs. I brush out the leftover curls from my hairdo, toss it in a ponytail, and shove on my tennis shoes. With my phone tucked in my back pocket, I swing open the door and stop short at the giant hulk of a man leaning against the wall. I briefly remember him from the wedding because I thought he looked like he could crush me with his bare hands. His auburn hair is pulled back into a ponytail with the sides shaved off. The diamond studs in each of his ears draw more attention to the tattoos etched on his pale scalp. I wonder if Rian has tattoos under his hair too and then shake my head, not wanting to appreciate anything more about him.

“Going somewhere?” the man drawls out. His lips quirk up at the corner. He crosses his thick arms. Bunched muscles flex under the tight black shirt that shows off broad shoulders. More tattoos spiral around his arms, similar to Rian’s, a reminder that this man must be a part of the brotherhood.

I straighten my shoulders back, reassuring myself that they won’t harm me. “Yes.”

He stares at me silently for a moment, his dark blue eyes sparkling in amusement before raising an eyebrow. “Well, don’t leave me in suspense.”

I narrow my eyes. “I would prefer not to tell you.”

“Request denied.” He stands taller, dropping his hands into the pockets of his ripped jeans. I realize that he’s dressed more appropriately for a casual outing instead of a wedding. “You want to leave, you leave with me. Or you turn around and throw your tantrum in that room.”

“I’m not throwing a tantrum,” I scoff. “And I don’t even know you.”

“Didn’t notice me standing beside your husband?”

“Nope, too busy looking for exits.”

“There were four. Two behind the podium, the one you came through, and the side wall parallel with the fifth row from the front pew,” he states in a matter of fact manner.

I blink, some of my anger draining away. “A little too late for that information.”

He smirks, a low chuckle rumbling out of him. “You wouldn’t have gotten far, darlin'.”

Then he nods toward the end of the hallway. “We staying or going?”

“Would you take me to Rian?” I ask, crossing my arms.

His eyes twinkle with humor again. “Absolutely.”

An off-putting sensation prickles at the back of my mind. His quick agreement should be a warning in itself, so I say my feelings. “I feel like this is a trap.”

His grin widens. “I like your intuition. Very useful for being around men like him…and me.”

I take a step back before realizing I don’t have the key to get in the room. I’m stuck in the hallway with a psychopath who could kill me.

The man snorts. “I’m Cillian. You don’t have anything to fear from me. Rian is my brother.”

“Anyone can lie,” I say, proud there’s no waver in my voice. If only my pride hadn’t forced me to storm out of the room without a second thought.

Cillian nods. “Anyone can lie, just like you and Rian pretending he just deflowered you.”

My heart jumps into my throat and I stand taller. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He presses his fingertips to his mouth, hiding a smile. “I’m his brother, like I said. Ready to go find your husband now?”

I let go of the room’s handle and nod. He pushes off the wall and walks to the stairwell, only glancing back once to ensure I’m following him. We walk in silence all the way to the parking garage, where he leads me to an SUV that I am hesitant to climb into. After a few seconds I decide if he wanted to kidnap me, he could have knocked me out at any time.

When he starts driving, I fidget in the passenger seat. This isn’t how I imagined my wedding night going.

“How’d you know about Rian and me?” I ask to break the silence.

He peeks at me before turning his attention to the road. “I was there that night at the bar. I tried to go home with your friend.”

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