34

Killian stepped into the cold evening air and had to realize once again that it wasn't as clear and breathable as he knew it from his childhood. The traffic, the people and all the technology squeezed the lungs of the planet until they dared only take a shaky breath.

The groaning of the world roared in his ears and suddenly he wanted to grab Samantha and start somewhere new. But he couldn't escape the world he and his sister were born into, and he'd realized long ago that there was only one way to survive here: he had to be a part of it, confronting the doings of the people who he used to hate making friends and becoming like that.

"What do you want?" he asked, not very diplomatically, looking at the man standing in a corner of the filthy alley, puffing on his cigarette so that the stem briefly glowed fiery red in the dim light. Sebastian wasn't much shorter than Killian, his eyes sparkled like cold ice in the dark and his very square face would probably never win a beauty award.

Still, an unbridled feeling of jealousy overcame him as he remembered the way Sam had looked at that man. Sebastian might not be very attractive, but his aura was usually enough to attract women like flies.

There was something sensually dangerous about him. His closest competitor took another long drag on his cigarette before dropping it and slowly approaching Killian, showing his empty hands. Of course he wasn't armed. He didn't have to. Neither of them would die in that alley tonight.

"I wanted to check something." He aroused Killian's suspicions better than any weapon ever could. "What's that?" "Is it true that Arnold Spencer was here?" Sebastian asked the counter-question. Killian briefly considered lying, but what good would that do him? After all, the policeman had nothing in his hand that he could do anything with. "

"What did he want?" The lie burned on Killian's tongue again. He didn't like Sebastian's interest in his sister, especially not after Viktoria, Sebastian's cousin, had behaved so strangely. Could it be that he missed something serious?

"He's been talking to my sister, wanting to know what she knows." Sebastian's gaze became lurking.

"And what does she know?", he asked strangely calmly. Killian's eyes turned into a warning sticking his nose into our affairs. From what I understand about the police job description, that's his job." And no matter how much money old Collin put into bribing the police. Just as there was always a corrupt cop, there were always those who took their job seriously. It was only too understandable that they were being investigated.

It was common knowledge that Marsh Collin, Victoria's father and Sebastian's uncle, was a criminal asshole. Everyone knew that. But Sebastian just smiled weakly under his angry look, which took nothing away from the seriousness of his following words.

"Because we have a problem. Remember that kid who put KO drops in some of your guests' drinks?" And how Killian remembered the brat.

"He was one of your guys," that wasn't a question, so Sebastian's nod was on it actually unnecessary. Still, he didn't like the direction this conversation was going. It wasn't like he had any idea about it at all. But he didn't like this. "What did you do to him?" Killian suddenly grinned very contentedly.

"He's currently lying in a barrel with the guy you sent to save his skin," he answered coldly, a slightly mocking undertone With, which Sebastian couldn't ignore and which he should take for exactly what it was: mockery. But Sebastian didn't look offended, but... relieved. Which in turn ruined the fun for Killian.

"Fine," he began, his dark eyes now glinting mockingly themselves, "That's exactly our problem: I didn't send anyone, I mean to save him. The policeman who caused you trouble didn't come from me. The Boy I sent you to raise some spirits at your club was on the police payroll." Killian stopped short in horror.

"He was a bloody rat?" he asked - more than surprised. Sebastian nodded and a smile appeared on Killian's face again.

"Anyway, he's in the acid bath." "And yet information is getting through to the cops all the time. We've got a bloody leak, Killian. My uncle, my cousin, me and you. We're all in the same boat and someone is hauling the water in, not out." A knot tightened in Killian's stomach. If they did leak, it wasn't just Marsh Collins' problem and that of his family. Killian had an agreement with the Collins - and no less filthy than they.

Sebastian was right. A rat would hurt them all. Was that why he was here? Still, there was something. A foreboding, a grim vision.

"Of course I'll help you find that leak," he said, meaning every word. He would forget the disagreements with Sebastian and help him. Not because he wanted to behave loyally, but simply because it was for his own benefit. Sebastian grinned widely but shook his head in disbelief.

"We've been dealing with the problem ourselves for a few days and I don't think you'll help us." Killian was about to ask why he believed that, but Sebastian had already spoken the fateful words: "Because it's not good looks like for your sister."

***

This time, Killian couldn't find anything humorous about the situation at all. Because there was nothing to laugh about. No matter what Sebastian and the others thought they knew, they were wrong.

Never. Really, absolutely NEVER would Samantha betray him. She was his sister, she needed him, she loved him and damn it, she wanted him too. Just the hint that it could be different made his blood boil and made him lust for murder. So violently and so suddenly that for a brief moment a dark red curtain covered his vision and he had only one thought: rip Sebastian's tongue out of his mouth and shove it up his butt.

But Sebastian was definitely allowed to blame his sister for such an accusation. And especially: then he wouldn't be here and would kind of warn Killian, because he was right: Even if Sam was guilty, he would defend her until his last breath. Killian would give his life for hers because he knew exactly what happened to traitors in his world: they ended up in an acid barrel. Sebastian broke through his anger and faced him calmly after Killian had regained control of the urge to kill.

"Shortly after Spencer got out of here, he filed for clemency for your sister. In the event that he busts us all, not only will your sister get away with it, she'll never be charged. In addition, an account was opened in her name, where money has been deposited regularly for three months and... as luck would have it: Guess what, That was impossible. Simply impossible.

"That guy went to Sam's uni?" Killian asked, having a hard time imagining the kid he'd personally put a bullet in the head , could read at all. Besides, if his sister wanted to betray him and the Collins, she'd be too smart to open an account in her own name. That was just stupid. But another question arose.

Because Killian didn't think Sebastian was here to harm him. It didn't match. "Why are you here? You must realize that I would never hand my sister over even if I thought it could be true." Sebastian smirked. Found his pack of cigarettes and lit another butt. It looked like the interesting part of the conversation was about to begin.

"Do you know that my uncle plans not only to make you his son-in-law, but also to force your sister on me?"

"Yes," Killian growled, full of uncontrolled jealousy again. He wouldn't let it! His little sister was his alone!

"Who has told you that? My uncle personally?" Sebastian asked further without responding to Killian's reaction.

"No. Viktoria," Killian answered truthfully and then it hit him like a bolt of lightning. Viktoria...that miserable bitch! "Well, then we have a real problem. Viktoria told me the same thing, but I should take it as a chance to dance here and get closer to your sister. Then I should gain her trust and eventually kidnap her to kill her.

"Viktoria is the leak," Killian concluded in a flash and Sebastian just nodded in agreement. "All this information I just gave you comes from her contacts. My uncle hates me, he would never include me in the family like that, he's been fighting to get me out for years. Your sister has no motive whatsoever. Why would she betray you?"

She had no reason for that. She was too clever and in this case the risk far outweighed the benefit. "She wouldn't, but why Viktoria?" At first glance she didn't seem to have a motive either. She was only hurting herself and why blame Samantha for everything?

"Because she has to get rid of your sister, so as not to lose everything? Don't play dumb, Killian. There are rumors about you and your sister..." he was silent for a moment, letting the truth out before he continued: "You wouldn't even put a pair of pliers on Viktoria if my uncle didn't order you to. You you do it because you owe him a debt that would not have to be paid if he died."

"Are you suggesting that Viktoria is trying to secure her position by shedding female competition? As much as I want to believe she's behind this, why now? It doesn't make sense." Sebastian seemed to disagree. He handed Killian the pack of cigarettes, but he just held up his hand in refusal. Samantha didn't like it and he didn't want to give her a reason to she had enough theoretical reasons to spurn him tonight, even without the smell of cigarettes. Sebastian didn't seem offended.

"My uncle's inner circle made it very clear that they would never follow Viktoria and would prefer me to be their leader in the event of his passing. Especially because my uncle never confirmed Viktoria himself. He wants you as his successor, and there's a good chance this circle would at least respect that wish on his part. Without you, she loses everything and as long as your sister exists, she is a threat."

But only if the rumors about Samantha and Killian are true - but Sebastian didn't say that. As if he didn't know if it was true or just bad rumours. Killian briefly considered keeping him in the dark, but what did he have to lose?

It was true and soon everyone would know anyway because he had no intention of keeping it a secret between himself and Sam. He would make it very clear to all men that Sam was no longer available. She was his alone.

"OK. What do you suggest?" Those words were enough to tell Sebastian that it was all true and that Samantha was indeed in danger. For a moment, Killian expected disgust or something else of disgust to cross Sebastian's face. But nothing came. just a hint of a nod that he got the words right,

"I want the place I deserve without you, so I'd be thrilled if if you and your sister live happily ever after. So I'm offering you a deal: you stay here in your damn club, cut your little side income, and get out of business. Of course you will be compensated for this. In return, I'll help you get these allegations off your sister. Not everyone is so clever and sees through Viktoria's plans, some already believe her and as luck would have it: I found out today from my uncle's doctor that he probably won't last much longer. That will also put Viktoria in a tight spot."

Viktoria had to be sure of Killians as soon as her father died, otherwise she would lose. He was her only chance. As for Sebastian's demands: he could more than live with that. A quiet life, with Sam by his side? It seemed like a dream come true to him, after all he had never wanted Sebastian's position or the year-long conflict it had led to.

"Then it seems to me that we have an alliance to celebrate!" Killian grinned broadly and Sebastian smiled back coldly.