Chereads / Bound By Fire / Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: The Mask Slips

Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: The Mask Slips

The day stretched endlessly after the encounter in Adrian's office. Kian sat at his desk, pretending to focus on work while his thoughts spiraled out of control. Adrian's words were heavy with warning, and Marcus's charm suddenly felt more like a calculated game than genuine interest.

But Kian was tired—tired of feeling like a pawn in someone else's scheme, tired of Adrian's constant hovering and Marcus's friendly persistence. If there was one thing he hated, it was being trapped between two Alphas vying for control of a situation he hadn't even asked to be part of.

---

By the time the office emptied for the evening, Kian felt like a live wire, ready to snap. The quiet buzz of his phone pulled his attention. A new message appeared on the screen.

---

Marcus Calloway:

Drinks tonight? My treat. It's been a long week, and I could use the company.

---

Kian stared at the message, his chest tightening. He wanted to ignore it, to go home and let the noise in his head fade into the background. But something about Marcus's persistence nagged at him. If Adrian was right, if there was more to Marcus's motives, then maybe this was the chance to find out.

Before he could second-guess himself, Kian replied.

---

Kian Vale:

Sure. Where and when?

---

---

The bar Marcus chose was upscale and sleek, the kind of place where professionals gathered to unwind after long days. The low hum of conversation filled the air, punctuated by the occasional clink of glasses.

Kian spotted Marcus near the back, seated at a booth with two glasses of whiskey already waiting. Marcus's easy smile widened as Kian approached.

"You made it," Marcus said, standing and gesturing for Kian to sit.

"Barely," Kian replied, sliding into the booth.

Marcus chuckled, pushing one of the glasses toward him. "Figured you could use something stronger than coffee."

Kian picked up the glass, studying Marcus over the rim as he took a sip. "So, what's the occasion?"

"No occasion," Marcus said, leaning back in his seat. "Just thought it'd be nice to unwind after the week we've had. The Rowland campaign was a win for all of us, and you deserve some credit for that."

Kian raised an eyebrow. "You weren't even on the campaign."

"True," Marcus admitted, his green eyes gleaming with amusement. "But I've been watching. You've got talent, Kian. It's obvious."

Kian shifted uncomfortably, unsure whether to feel flattered or suspicious. "Thanks."

Marcus tilted his head, his tone softening. "You don't take compliments well, do you?"

Kian shrugged, his grip tightening on the glass. "I'm just not used to them."

"Well, get used to it," Marcus said, his smile widening. "Because you're going places, Kian. Whether you realize it or not."

The words landed heavier than they should have, and Kian's unease grew. There was something about Marcus's tone, something too polished, too deliberate, that set his nerves on edge.

"So, what about you?" Kian asked, deciding to shift the focus. "What brought you to Blackwell Enterprises?"

Marcus's smile faltered for the briefest moment, a flicker of something darker crossing his face. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Same as everyone else," Marcus said smoothly. "Ambition, opportunity, the chance to work with the best."

"And you think Blackwell is the best?" Kian asked, his tone sharper than he intended.

Marcus chuckled, though the sound lacked warmth. "He's good at what he does, no doubt about that. But that doesn't mean he's untouchable."

Kian's stomach churned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Marcus leaned forward slightly, his green eyes locking onto Kian's. "It means everyone has weaknesses, Kian. Even someone as polished as Adrian Blackwell."

The air between them grew heavier, the faint buzz of the bar fading into the background. Kian set his glass down, his chest tightening.

"What are you getting at?" Kian asked, his voice low.

Marcus's smile returned, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Nothing, really. Just an observation."

Kian's pulse quickened, Adrian's warnings ringing louder in his mind. "You've been watching him, haven't you?"

Marcus didn't deny it, his expression calm and unbothered. "You could say that. Blackwell's an interesting figure—powerful, respected, but far from perfect."

Kian's breath hitched, the tension in his chest threatening to overwhelm him. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I think you deserve to know the truth," Marcus said, his tone soft but deliberate. "You're closer to him than anyone else in the office. You see the cracks, don't you?"

Kian clenched his fists under the table, his anger bubbling to the surface. "If you think I'm going to help you go after Adrian, you're wasting your time."

Marcus's smile widened, his tone turning colder. "I don't need your help, Kian. But it's always good to know where people stand."

Kian stood abruptly, his heart pounding. "I think we're done here."

Marcus didn't stop him, his calm demeanor unsettling. "Take care, Kian. And remember—loyalty can be a dangerous thing."

---

The walk home was a blur, Kian's mind racing with everything Marcus had said. The mask of friendliness Marcus had worn so carefully was slipping, revealing something far more calculating beneath.

When Kian finally reached his apartment, he collapsed onto the couch, his hands trembling as he pulled out his phone. Without thinking, he typed out a message.

---

Kian Vale:

You were right. Marcus isn't what he seems.

---

Adrian's reply came almost instantly.

---

Adrian Blackwell:

I told you. Stay away from him, Kian.

---

Kian stared at the screen, his chest tightening. He wanted to believe he could handle this on his own, but for the first time, he wasn't sure if that was true.

The walk back to Kian's apartment wasn't enough to clear his mind. The crisp evening air did little to cool the heat rising in his chest, a mix of anger, confusion, and fear. Marcus's words played on repeat, their meaning twisting with every step.

"Everyone has weaknesses, Kian. Even someone as polished as Adrian Blackwell."

"Loyalty can be a dangerous thing."

Kian's thoughts raced. Was Marcus testing him? Trying to gauge how much Adrian trusted him? Or was there a bigger plan at play—something Marcus hadn't fully revealed yet?

The realization that he'd been dragged into a subtle power game between two Alphas made Kian's stomach churn. He'd worked too hard to build his reputation on merit, on skill, only to now feel like a pawn on someone else's chessboard.

As he stepped into his apartment, the quiet felt oppressive rather than comforting. He tossed his bag onto the couch and poured himself a glass of water, his hands trembling as he gripped the glass.

Kian's phone buzzed on the counter, the sound slicing through the silence. He grabbed it, his heart sinking when he saw Marcus's name flashing on the screen.

---

Marcus Calloway:

I hope I didn't upset you tonight. Just wanted to give you something to think about.

---

Kian's jaw tightened as he stared at the message. He wanted to reply, to demand answers, to call Marcus out for whatever game he was playing. But another part of him—one that sounded suspiciously like Adrian—told him to stay quiet.

Instead, he tossed the phone onto the counter and slumped onto the couch. His mind was still racing, the weight of Marcus's words pressing down on him.

And then there was Adrian.

"Stay away from him, Kian."

The text had been short, direct, but packed with the same intensity Adrian carried in every interaction. It was infuriating, how Adrian always seemed to know more than he let on, always holding his cards close to his chest.

Kian let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. He needed to talk to someone, to sort through the mess in his head. Against his better judgment, he picked up his phone and opened his messages with Adrian.

---

Kian Vale:

I don't think staying away is an option anymore. Marcus isn't just curious—he's trying to get me to turn on you.

---

The reply came faster than Kian expected.

---

Adrian Blackwell:

I'll handle him. Meet me at the office tomorrow morning at 7. We need to talk.

---

Kian's stomach twisted at the implication. "I'll handle him." What did Adrian mean by that?

---

The next morning, Kian arrived at the office early, the usual hum of activity replaced by an eerie stillness. The empty halls made his footsteps echo as he made his way to Adrian's office.

The door was slightly ajar, and Kian hesitated before knocking.

"Come in," Adrian's voice called, low and calm.

Kian stepped inside, his heart pounding as he took in Adrian's sharp, unreadable expression. Adrian gestured for him to sit, and Kian complied, his hands gripping the edge of the chair.

"I'm guessing you didn't get much sleep," Adrian said, his voice devoid of the usual edge.

"Not really," Kian admitted, his throat tight. "You said you'd handle him. What does that mean?"

Adrian leaned back in his chair, his sharp gray eyes locked onto Kian's. "It means Marcus crossed a line, and I'm not going to let him keep dragging you into whatever game he's playing."

Kian's chest tightened. "What if you're wrong about him? What if he's just trying to make connections?"

Adrian's jaw clenched, the tension in his frame palpable. "He's not. Marcus isn't here to make friends, Kian. He's here to climb the ladder, and he doesn't care who he steps on to get there. You're the easiest way for him to gain leverage, and he knows it."

Kian swallowed hard, his mind racing. "Why me?"

Adrian leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Because you're talented, trusted, and close to me. That makes you a threat to anyone who wants to undermine my position."

The weight of Adrian's words settled over Kian like a heavy blanket. He hated the idea of being seen as a tool, hated that Marcus's attention wasn't about him as a person, but about his proximity to power.

"What do we do?" Kian asked, his voice quieter now.

Adrian's smirk was faint but cold. "We make it clear that Marcus doesn't get to play games in my office. And we do it on my terms."

Kian's stomach twisted. He didn't like the sound of that, but a small part of him—one that had been overshadowed by doubt—felt a flicker of relief. For once, he wasn't facing this alone.

But even as Adrian's confidence filled the room, Kian couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to escalate—and that he was standing in the middle of a storm he wasn't ready for.