CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (ELARA'S POV)

The one thing she had been trying to forget. The one that set her body on fire and made her spine tingle even after they pulled away.

She forced a smirk trying to be cocky. “What do you think?”

Killian studied her for a moment, he was searching for something. Then slowly, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face.

Elara’s breath hitched.

“Elara…” he murmured, stepping impossibly closer. His fingers brushed her bare arm, trailing up to her shoulder, sending shivers down her spine. “Tell me to stop.”

She should stop this. She should step back.

But she didn’t.

Because the way he was looking at her? Like he wanted to devour her whole?

It was intoxicating.

Instead, she whispered, “I won’t.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw, like his restraint had snapped. Then finally, he closed the distance between them completely.

In a flash, his mouth was on hers, claiming, demanding.

Elara gasped, her hands gripping the collar of his tuxedo as he backed her up against the glass railing. His body pressed against hers, heat radiating through the thin fabric of her dress.

His lips moved hungrily, his hands sliding down her waist, fingers digging into her hips as if he needed her closer.

She kissed him back just as fiercely, her heart racing.

She was drowning. And she didn’t care.

His kiss was nothing like the one at the gala—this one was raw, desperate. His fingers slid into her hair, tilting her head back as he deepened the kiss, swallowing the soft sound that escaped her lips.

She needed more.

His hands skimmed down her back, then lower until he cupped her butt, his fingers digging into the fabric of her gown. “You’re so intoxicating” he muttered.

Killian groaned against her mouth, his grip tightening. “You drive me insane.”

Elara smirked against his lips. “Good.”

His hand trailed up her thigh, fingers brushing the slit of her dress. “You’re playing with fire, sweetheart.”

Her breath hitched. “Maybe I like the burn.”

Killian’s eyes darkened. “Dangerous girl.”

He kissed her again—slower this time, more deliberate. Like he was savoring her.

Elara’s head spun.

Then suddenly, they heard the sound of the elevator coming up, making them freeze then jerk apart breathing heavily.

Killian swore under his breath, his forehead resting against hers. “Whoever that is better have a damn good reason.”

Elara exhaled shakily, forcing herself to regain composure.

The elevator dinged then slid open.

Killian turned toward the intruder, his expression murderous. It was one of his security guards that had escorted them to the event.

“What?” Killian snapped.

“Sir,” the man said. “There’s been… an incident.”

Elara straightened instantly, the events that had just happened vanished from her mind instantly.

Killian clenched his jaw. “What kind of incident?”

The man hesitates. “It’s Ivy.”

Elara’s blood ran cold.

“She was just attacked.”

(Killian’s POV)

The air on the rooftop was charged, filled with unspoken undeniable words with Elara and then just as quickly, it got shattered.

"Attacked?" Killian's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. "Where?"

"In the parking garage," his man, Rome, said. "She was leaving when someone went after her. Security intervened, but she’s hurt. Not badly, but—"

Killian was already on the move.

He grabbed Elara’s hand and began to drag her towards the elevator. His heart was still racing because of what had just happened between them. He was rushing not out of concern for ivy but because he needed to know why someone would attack her. It wasn't random, it was a message.

And all messages had senders.

The doors of the elevator slid open and they stepped inside in silence. He tapped his foot impatiently, staring at the numbers count down.

Elara stood beside him, composed but he should still see her hand trembling slightly from their session a few minutes ago.

He exhaled sharply.

Minutes ago, his hands had been on her, his lips claiming hers like he had every right to. Her body was perfectly molded against his. And she had let him. No hesitation. No second-guessing.

He should’ve known it wouldn’t last.

The second they stepped out of the elevator, he felt the shift in the gala. It was still in full swing but everyone was whispering amongst themselves.

Ivy Beckett, the untouchable business woman and sweet young lady was attacked in the parking lot? What could she have possibly done?

Those were the whispers.

They walked to the parking lot and found her sitting on the bonnet of her car with a medic tending to the wound on her temple.

Aiden stood next to her, tensed with his arms crossed over his chest like he was barely containing his rage.

Ivy glanced up as they approached.

Something flashed briefly in her eyes and Killian saw it.

Fear.

Did she think we were the ones who hurt her? He wondered.

She masked the emotion quickly. "I don’t need you both to be here." she said coolly, though her voice lacked its usual venom.

"Who did it?" Killian demanded.

Ivy and Aiden exchanged a look before Aiden spoke up. "Security didn’t get a good look. Masked. Professional." His jaw tightened. "Whoever it was didn’t come to kill. They came to send a warning."

Killian exchanged a glance with Elara, who was watching Ivy with a neutral expression. He knew what she was doing. She was analyzing. Calculating.

Elara had grown up with Ivy. She knew how her mind worked. If anyone could tell if Ivy was hiding something, it was her.

"I hope you're going to check the security footage.” Killian said.

Ivy scoffed, standing. "Of course I am. And when I find out who they are, I’ll make sure they regret ever being born."

Classic Ivy. Always acting untouchable, even when blood was dripping down her temple.

Elara finally spoke. "Any enemies you pissed off recently?"

Ivy shot her a glare. "Aside from you?"

Elara smirked. "Oh, darling, if I wanted you taken out, you'd never see it coming."

Aiden stepped forward before Ivy could lunge. "Enough. This isn’t the time for your games."

Killian barely paid attention to them, his mind was working. The attack wasn't a random one on a random wealthy woman, it was targeted. If Ivy was on someone's hit list then it meant that he and Elara weren't far behind.

"You need to lay low," he said to Ivy, surprising even himself.

She looked at him like he’d lost his mind. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Someone’s making a move, and until we know who, you stay out of sight."

Ivy laughed, shaking her head. "Unbelievable. Do you think I’m some damsel in distress? I don’t need protection, Killian. Certainly not from you. Why are you even talking to me right now?”

"Then get yourself killed. See if I care," he said flatly.

He turned away, nodding at Elara. "We’re leaving."

Elara hesitated for a second l, her eyes still locked on Ivy. Then, without a word, she followed him.

The second they were alone in the car, she exhaled. "That wasn’t random."

"No," he agreed. "It wasn’t."

She tilted her head, studying him in the dim lighting. "And you care if Ivy dies?"

Killian stared straight ahead, his grip tightening on the wheel. "No. But I care about whoever sent that message."

Because if they were coming for Ivy first…

Then he or Elara were next.

But which one of them would go first?