Love Me in the Dark

RIVER

Shock? Not so much. I knew one of these days the notorious playboy CEO Kai Selik and I would cross paths, but I did not expect it would be tonight when I just had the best spa of my life, thanks to the most handsome man beside me. No doubt, this was going to be an awkward reunion.

Krew just threw out curses, narrowing his magnetic eyes at his brother. Wait a sec, Krew didn't know? He didn't know that his brother paid me a visit and threatened me?

"You went to see her and threaten her? When did it happen? Before or after she went to the tower?" he asked Kai, sitting across us beside Krystyn.

Krystyn rolled her eyes. "Are we gonna-" "

Kai and Krew raised hands, causing Kystyn to give them another eye roll.

Kai looked apologetic as he admitted. Deep regrets flashed in his eyes. "Yeah. I talked to her, but that's the reason why I am here."

"What did you exactly say to her?" Krew pressed.

"Guys, now it's not the time. We're about to have dinner, and this is not the right place for a little family argument. Look around you." Kystyn widened her eyes as she looked around who was watching the banter between her brothers.

"No. I need to know now, or I and River walk out this restaurant." Krew was damn stubborn.

"Make it the three of us. Sorry, Krystyn," Journey said before she leaned to my side and whispered, "They're even hotter when they're pissed."

I chuckled. "Are they? Piss, I mean."

Journey pressed her lips together to hide her smile while the two continued arguing. "You mean your man is not yet pissed, but he looked like he was about to blow fire at Kai? How hot is he in bed?" "Your voice," I whispered through greeted teeth and elbowed her.

"You changed since you met him again, you little bitch. You don't share any deets with me anymore, Ri. One of these days, I'm gonna corner you to spill everything to me.”

I covered my mouth with my hand. "Nothing to spill, silly."

"Care to share what the two of you are whispering about?" It was Krew, gripping my thigh under the table.

I straightened in my seat, curling my toes when he moved his hand up and stopped just right an inch to my panties. He squeezed me again, causing me to bite my lip. I could feel my skin burning. My cheeks were definitely crimson right now.

"River?" he called me.

"Are you two done?" I asked instead of giving him what he wanted. I looked at him, then to Kai, and back to him with an arched brow.

"Damn. I wish I first knew her." I knew Kai was messing with Krew, and my man's jaw clenched instantly, and if looks could kill, Kai was definitely dead right here, right now.

"Sorry to break it to you, casanova, but you're not my type."

"Oops. Let me guess, it doesn't happen often, does it? Being turned down by a woman." A rich Southern accent tinged with laughter as she lifted her chin towards Kai.

"Are you ready to order?" Krystyn broke the tension between her brothers and Journey. "Please, you may brawl when you're not in front of us."

"And I'm starving," I announced even though I wasn't. Because of the tension upon Kai's arrival, I felt like I couldn't even swallow anymore. It wasn't that he intimidated me, but I was not ready to face him even if I was dating his baby brother.

"You haven't eaten lunch?" Krew asked me.

I opened my mouth, but no words coming out.

"We had. I fed your girlfriend, but it's dinner, Krew," Krystyn interjected. The word girlfriend was still new to my ears, and I didn't even know what level we had yet.

"We should eat," Krew called the waiter waiting for us. It seemed that Selik might be VIPs in this restaurant.

I let Krew take care of my order while Kai chose the wine.

"Journey, you should try their specialties. You would love it. Trust me."

"I'll go with your choice." Journey and Krystyn got along quickly. Krystyn might be an heiress, but she was down to earth and jolly.

I took a deep breath as I grabbed the glass of wine and sipped it before I started, "Kai visited me before I found two lawyers knocking on my door. He introduced himself and told me that I took quite a shine on Krew and took me as a challenge. His own words. His last words before he left. Stay away from my brother. You don't wanna cross a Selik, girl." I bit my lip after I said the last word. It still affected me. I was not going to lie about it.

Krystyn stared at his brother as if he just turned into a monster. "Tell me you did not say that."

Kai dropped his gaze and nodded slowly. "I did."

Krew cursed silently beside me. I could feel his anger rushing through his system. I held his hand under the table and rubbed tiny circles around his thumb.

"Krystyn met me once." Her brothers stared at Krystyn, piercing her with their gazes.

"We only talked. Jeez. I'm the one who said that we couldn't be friends. Then before she left, she told me that if I need anything, like anything, I know where to find her. That was why I went to her. Okay? Now stop burning holes into her head."

Krew and Kai sighed in unison.

"I'm glad you went to see me," Krystyn said to me.

"I'm truly sorry for what I did. The pressure was on me. I was dealing with loss, company pressured, the position that I wasn't near ready for, and then my lifestyle had drastically changed. I had a big shoe to fill I was warned and on the boards' radar that if I wouldn't change my reputation, the position would be taken over by my uncle, and I couldn't let that happen. My father would not be happy with it. That's his legacy. He worked hard to build the company. His sweat and blood. That was why I want Krew to focus on the business. The last thing I wanted from my brother was a distraction, and his slate-clean reputation would bring the company up. If I lost the position, Krew would be ready to take it. At least the company would be in the right hands of my brother."

"I understood, Kai. You love your brother, and what you did was what you think for his own good."

"But you went too far," Journey added.

"I know, and I would do anything to help you build up your career, River. Look, for what it's worth, I now see the aftermath of what I did, and I'm truly sorry."

Krew chuckled. "Good luck with that, brother." He then sipped his wine.

"I'll be fine. The last thing I want is another Selik helping me."

"Why not?" Krystyn asked.

"I'd love to do it on my own." I rose from my seat. "Excuse me. I'll be right back."

Krew managed to hold my hand before I could walk away. "Where are you going?"

"To a place called a powder room, and you're not coming with me." I gave him a warning look.

"Oh, good. Not again," Journey seconded.

"Fine." Krew finally gave in.

I entered the ladies' room and let go a few shuddering breaths. Thanked, god. It felt good to let go of those feelings. I felt relieved at this moment. I washed my hands while looking at my reflection in the mirror. I saw a matured version of me, a woman who found her voice again.

I dried my hands. Before I could walk out, the door swung open. Then a man entered. My eyes were enormous. A rush of fear chilled my bones, and I couldn't make my feet move.

"Hello, River." There was something in his voice, so cold and terrifying no matter how calm it was.

I stared transfixed, gulping, but my throat clogged. I was too terrified that I couldn't even find my voice to speak.

"I just wanna talk to you." He looked different than the last time I saw him. Right now, all I could see was the melancholic and miserable Briar. "I just wanna apologize for what I did. I'm so sorry." He stepped forward, and we were only a meter apart. I prayed in my head that someone would walk in.

I managed to step back. "Briar, you shouldn't be here."

"I saw you came in. I just wanna say sorry. I won't do that again, I promise. Please, give me another chance. We were so good together. We are perfect for each other, River. You know that."

We were merely a step apart. I could see the desperation in his eyes, and there was something more, but it was gone in an instant.

"I'm sorry, but I can't." Calm down, River. Don't show him how terrified you are, but I passed beyond that.

"Why not? I know you still love me, River. I can see it, and I can feel it." He held my shaking and cold hand, gripping it.

When did I say I love him? He was delusional. He was insane.

I pulled my hand back. Thankfully, Briar let it go. "I should go."

"No!" His voice echoed. It was like a deja vu.

I jumped before I heard a splitting scream. I barely recognized my own voice. In a split second, I was on the floor. My head was in excruciating pain.

"Freeze! Hands above your head. Briar Witley, you're under arrest for assault and stalking. You have the right to remain silent.....”‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒☐☐☐