Bound To Fall

Off Limits

Sterling

I waited impatiently at my desk until finally, Eve notified me that my guest of honor had arrived. A few moments later Scarlett entered my office and headed right for me. She took a seat and waited for me to say something.

I gave my parents the excuse that I needed Scarlett's help to pick out something for Isabelle. I figured they had no idea what Scarlett has been up to and I didn't want to put any stress on them since this is something I'm capable of handling.

"Mom said you needed my help." Scarlett raised a brow as she broke the silence. "What's up?"

"I lied." There was no reason to tiptoe around the subject, Scarlett knows what she's done. "I needed to get you here so that we could have a little chat."

Confusion washed over her face. "About?"

"What did you do last night?" I asked, keeping my face expressionless because I didn't want her to see how pissed off I am just yet.

"Went to dinner with mom and dad." She casually shrugs. "You already knew that."

"Yeah, I did." I nodded and sat up in my chair. "I also know you were in the same place that Killian was supposed to meet a date who happened to stand him up."

"Well that's a shame." Her blue orbs look into mine. "You think I had something to do with it?"

I remained silent. She already knows the answer to her own question. If she wasn't my first suspect she wouldn't be here right now.

"I see." She folded her arms across her chest. "I gotta give it to you big brother, you've wised up since you left the cunt."

My muscles tensed at the mention of Elise. I know Scarlett brought it up to try to deflect the situation but it won't work. She's right, I have wised up and I've learned to tap into reading people better.

"What did you do?" I questioned. I wanted to know just how she pulled this off because then maybe, it won't happen again.

"I noticed him when we went into the restaurant." She confessed and proceeded to explain more as to how she pulled it off. "I got the waiter to give us a table where I could watch who he was meeting up with. I noticed a girl stare at him for a moment before hurrying into the bathroom. So I excused myself and the poor girl was a nervous mess, so I talked some sense into her."

My gaze intensified and I allowed the displeasure inside of me to begin to take over my face. "What did you say?"

"I asked her if she was okay. She happened to open up to me that it was her first date after a lengthy relationship." A sardonic smirk tugged onto Scarlett's lips. "I didn't want the poor girl to waste her time, we both know how Killian is. He fucks them and then he leaves them, I didn't want her to be a victim so I helped convince her that going home was the right option because Killian could be a huge mistake for her."

"Damn it Scarlett!" My voice raised as I stood up, causing her smirk to disappear. "Your little crush has gotten out of hand!"

Her throat bobbed as she looked at me and tried to play it off. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Stop bullshitting me." My fist clenched as I looked at her with so much anger. "You're only almost sixteen, Killian is twenty-two. What you're doing is wrong and you know it."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh boo, so I have to wait two years? Doesn't mean I can't fight off the girls he's not good enough for."

"God damn it!" My fist slammed on my desk as rage engulfed my voice, making Scarlett jump. "You just don't fucking get it! Killian is off limits! He is not interested in you and he will never be interested! Stop fucking with my best friend's life right now or else!"

She exhaled a low agitated breath. "Or else what?"

"I'll let both Killian and dad know what you're up to." It's not an empty threat I'm making, it's a fucking promise. "Dad would be livid to know you're pulling this shit and well Killian, he just might find it worthy to cut ties with you all together."

I watched as her mind mulled over my words. I could tell by the way she shifted in the chair and the look of worry on her face that I've got her.

Scarlett may be intimidating to others, but she's no match for her own blood. Especially when it comes to our father, he's the last person she wants to piss off. Just because she's been a daddy's girl doesn't mean she's safe from his wrath.

"Killian is off limits, even when you are of age." My words were firm as I allowed myself to relax. "Understood?"

"Yeah." She nodded, refusing to look at me. "Understood."

"Good." I responded. "You're excused."

She didn't say another word as she got up from the chair and left the office. I could tell she was pissed off, but she knew not to push it. It was one thing when I was weaker, she had more of a chance to put up a fight to my face but now she knows it won't bode well for her.

After she's gone, I exited my office and noticed Isabelle standing by. I knew she'd be curious to see what happened.

"Come in." I jutted to my office with my head.

She followed me inside and once the door was shut, she looked at me for answers. "What did she say?"

"She did it." I exhaled a low and irritated sigh. "It's not as bad as I thought. I was worried she was using a fake account to get his attention. Thankfully, it's just that she noticed him in the bar of the restaurant and watched for his date."

"So what's going to happen?" Isabelle asked.

I walked over to the windows looking out of the office. "I told her he was off limits and that if she didn't stop interfering with his life that I would let my father and Killian know. That was enough to scare her for now."

"For now?" I could hear the curiosity in her words. "Do you think she'll really keep trying?"

"I hope she doesn't, but I know how determined she can be." When Scarlett wants something she stops at nothing to get it. "I'm sure she'll let things die down, but when she knows my guard is down she'll start again."

Isabelle joined my side, looking out of the window. "So what's the plan then?"

"To never let my guard down." I answered. "Eventually she'll grow out of this crush."

**Author's Note**

I know there are some of you who don't follow my socials, so I wanted to take the opportunity to let you all know that Deep Within is FREE on the Kindle app from Nov. 1st-Nov. 5th! If you want to read it now is your chance, all you have to do is download the Kindle app.

ALSO!

If you've followed me for awhile, chances are you know about my characters Alex and Chloe. Their books are part of a four part series that I'm slowly moving over to Kindle. The first book, The Damaged Boy has been completed and the pre-order is now live on Kindle! You can find all the links on my socials or you can look it up on Amazon.

If you read the original version, it's grown twice the size and some big changes have been made so the reread will be worth it!

Most of all, thank you all for your love and support! I hope you guys enjoyed the update, let me know your thoughts! Do we think Scarlett will listen?