CHAPTER 34

KYOLINE clears her throat. "Of course. How stupid of ME. It's so generous of you and VINCENT to decide what is best for ME to do without even asking ME what I desire. I don't know how I'M ever going to thank the two of you."

"You have a better idea?"

"Besides pretending to be engaged?"

"Yeah, because I'M listening."

She opens her mouth and then clamps it shut.

"That's what I thought."

She isn't yet won over by the plan, and ISAAC scowls at her as HE deliberates a way to get her to go along. "Play a game of chess with me. If I win, you are MY fiancée. If I lose, I leave you alone."

"Why would I want to do that?"

ISAAC quirks an eyebrow at her. "Afraid of losing?"

"Meaning no disrespect, VINCENT. There is no way you could possibly beat ME.".

"Prove it," HE clipS.

She glances for a fraction of a second. "Alright. But don't say I didn't warn you. And if I win, I get to stay here."

"Deal," HE nodS. HE knew she couldn't resist a challenge. All chess players like competition—that's the whole point of the game. Now, HE just have to beat her…

KYOLIN

A minute ticks away, and I'm seated on the bed before HIM, the chessboard a battleground between us. The board was all I brought with me when I escaped, and I'M hungry for this game—and for victory.

The room is dimly lit, shadows running across the gleaming pieces. ISAAC haS a stern expression as HE studyS the board with an intensity that's palpable.

As HE and I make MY moves one after the other, I sense the wheels turning in HIS mind, the clack and click of the pieces a ticking clock to a inevitable conclusion. HE told ME HE can't play chess, so I'M surprised HE knows even the basics, but I guess many people do know some of the game since playing it a few times when they were a child. HE even knows a few good moves from the looks of things. But despite that, HE'S no chance with the smart tactics I'M using here.

MY hand lies on MY knight, balancing MY next turn. I know the importance of each decision—how with each turn of mine the balance of the board is changed.

The knight appears a viable choice, a chance to overturn HIS game.

But glancing up, HIS eyes catch mine, and for an instant there is a flash of something that causes ME to hesitate.

And then, at last, I make MY move. The knight leaps forward, its path a confident arc around HIS pawns. Confidence overflows ME.

HE does not hesitate, does not even blink. HIS bishop sweeps across the board, captures MY knight with an ease that is almost effortless. Frustration catches in MY throat, but I swallow it. I cannot afford to lose my focus now.

MY fingers tap on the edge of the table as I study the board, searching for a new approach. MY queen stands defiantly, a column of strength and potential. Maybe she can turn things around.

I move her into combat, but HE'S got one step on ME. HIS rook swoops into place, closing in her escape.

I see it now, the trap I'VE fallen into.

HIS plan is flawless, each move a calculated step to triumph. I see that I'VE been playing right into HIS hands the whole time.

The game continues, each move a blow to MY defenses. HIS pieces close in, and MY king has to fall back, beset by HIS unrelenting onslaught.

MY head is spinning, searching for a way out, but options are dwindling. HE leans back in HIS chair, the tip of a satisfied smile playing on HIS lips. HE'S got ME. And HE bloody well knows it.

The endgame is swift. HIS queen moves. I know the checkmate is certain.

I try one last desperate move, but there is no hope. HIS rook moves in, and MY king is reduced to its final move.

"Checkmate," HE clipS.

HE'S beaten ME.

I just sit there staring at the board, shaking my head in awe at what the heck happened.

"Well played," HE says, but I can hear the smugness in HIS tone.

"How did you do that?" I ask in a burst. "You said ME you can't play chess."

"No," HE drawlS, "I said I didn't play chess. And I don't. This is the first time I'VE played in a very long time.".

MY mouth drops open. "You lied again…"

"No, I didn't."

"But why on earth would you do that?"

"To learn your favorite plays and your most employed strategies."

"And what does that have to do with anything?" I demand.

"You spend all day on Chessgenius.com, and anyone can watch you there in order to learn all about your game."

"You've been tracking my games?"

"Stalking is an exaggeration, so do not flatter yourself. After all, every single one of my games is open to the public viewing."

HE'S witnessed ALL MY games? Leaning MY moves and strategies the entire time? "You've been observing my game, while I do not know anything about your playing style. That's like…like…cheating."

"Hardly. Anyway, it's NOT MY fault you didn't pick up on what I told you." HIS tone is nastier than smug and triumphant.

I give HIM a dirty stare. "Being a good liar isn't something to brag about."

HE raises an eyebrow at ME. "You think I'M handsome?"

"In your dreams, VINCENT," I bluff.

"Anyway, you're too naive," HE drawls. "You're too controlling!

That's what a game is all about. Getting around your opponent so you can win."

"Not all things in life are about manipulation, VINCENT."

"Maybe not. But it makes life a lot more interesting."

This infuriating man. I should have avoided HIM from the start. Because VINCENT DANZA is a gorgeous liar and a goddamn genius all mixed up.

I scowl MY eyes at HIM. "Can I punch you yet?"

But HE just chuckleS at that. "We've got an engagement to plan first." MY face falls. I'D totally forgotten about the bet while I'D been focused on the chess.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, but I must admit the strategy and skill HE'S employed. I reconstruct the scenes, replay the game in MY mind, each miscalculation shrieking and screaming now that it is gone. Next time, I vow to myself—next time, I'LL be ready.

The game's done, but the war between us has only begun.

ISAAC

Hell, yes, she's lovely. HIS eyes consume her, and HIS body heats up. Earlier, HIS heartbeat was racing from adrenaline. Now, it's racing for a very different reason. KYOLINE'S hair is draped on top of her head, and those green eyes that tormented HIM since the very first time she vanished without notice tighten. "Time to take you back home. Pack up your things."

HE can tell she's not exactly thrilled about HIS fake fiancée plan, but that's the least of HIS worries right now. HE don't know why it is her that has HIM in the dark. She's a difficult woman, like chess. She's a game HE wantS to win, a game HE wantS to dominate. But she doesn't trust HIM after all the lies HE'S committed. She probably doesn't even care about HIM anymore that HE'S gone and done this to make her HIS fiancée. Turning on HIS heel, HE stands in the doorway, arms crossed over HIS chest. HIS gaze follows as some bodies across the parking lot get into their rooms. HE is waiting for everything. Keeping HIS world at all times in sight.

HE can see her looking toward the bathroom. "Don't even think about the bathroom window. You'll get yourself stuck, and we're on a timetable," HE clipS without turning to face her.

She huffs, and HE smirkS. The relief running through HIM right now is its own high, but it's battling with HIS bubbling agitation. We're not safe yet. She pulls her hair out from the bun as she tugs on some warmer clothes clothes. Greedily, HE takeS her in. The flare of her hips, the curves of her legs, the way her jeans cling to her thighs. HE turnS HIS face back to the hallway.

"Ready," she says to me.

"Good. Let's go."

The ride is tense and heavy with things neither of us are ever going to say. Good enough by HIM. Because it's more than enough to have her in that seat in front of HIM. Breathing. Alive.

HE knows she's scared of returning to New York. Scared that it'll risk putting the kids in danger. But HE'LL never let anything bad happen to her or to those children.

Taking a deep breath, HIS hold on the steering wheel tightens as her chocolate mint perfume drifts into HIS senses.

HE watches her closely as HE drives. The first opportunity she gets, she's gonna flee again—and HE'S goddamned tired.

Tired of worrying.

Tired of staying awake nights, wondering if she's lying in a ditch.

Tired of feeling powerless and at the mercy of fate…

While HE drives, HE tells her HIS plans. "We'll be staying at a hotel tonight. I have a house in VINCENT DANZA, and we can just move in there tomorrow. But for tonight, I'M having people work all night so that some rooms will be furnished for the kids. It's already pretty late, and the kids would've been asleep by now, so we'll drop by and pick them up tomorrow."

"We have to live together?" HE hears the shock in her voice.