Page 34 of Deceived Wrath

Kieran smirks as he leans back in his chair, looking unusually relaxed.

I'm still not used to seeing this side of Kieran, the one where he's not always acting like a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment.

"I have to say, I didn't think you would do it."

"That's me, full of surprises." I click out of my email and switch off the computer.

"So, how does it feel to be the one sitting behind the desk?"

"It feels wrong."

Kieran chuckles under his breath before getting to his feet and walking over to the filing cabinet in the corner of the room.

I frown. "What are you doing?"

"Getting a drink."

I watch Kieran open the top drawer and pull out a fresh bottle ofDevil's Keepand two crystal tumblers.

"You're telling me that's been in here all day?"

Kieran smirks as he sets the bottle down on the desk along with two glasses. "There used to be a full liquor cart in here, but for some reason, Ronan got rid of it when I took over from him."

I pick up the bottle and admire the label. "Can't imagine why. I haven't drunk this stuff in a while. It was always Dad's favorite."

"Pretty sure we buried him with a bottle."

"Wouldn't surprise me."

I'm suddenly hit with a tidal wave of memories as I stare at the bottle, so I quickly set it down, not wanting to get sucked into the past.

Regardless of the fact that my relationship with my father wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, it doesn't mean I wanted the asshole dead. It's something I think about often, the fact that I was on the other side of the country when it happened.

Part of me wonders if I had been there at that party, whether I could have somehow prevented it.

"So, tell me about your assistant." Kieran snaps me out of my thoughts.

I clear my throat as I tug at the collar of my shirt. "Why?"

"Call me curious. Did you choose her because she was the best for the job or because she was the last option?" He shoots me a look before snatching up the bottle of whiskey and pouring us both a glass.

"How do you know she was the last option?" I take a sip.

"I know everything. So, tell me, what is she like?"

Beautiful.

Mesmerizing.

Confident.

I shoot back the rest of my drink, hoping that the burn of the alcohol will be enough to distract my mind from thoughts of Fiona Callahan. "Well qualified."

Kieran narrows his eyes in a way that makes me think he can see right through me. "Is she hot?"

I clear my throat.

To describe Fiona as hot would be an understatement.