Mine

Mine
Kieran's POV

I followed Kieran down the hallway, trying to roll my shoulders in an attempt to feel stronger than I really was.

To be honest, I’m fully expecting Kieran to take back what he said and send me and Cae on our way.

It would be easier for him to cut ties with me.

The wood floor creaked beneath my feet with every step, and the silence in the cabin amplified the sound.

Kieran closed the door behind us, flicking the lock with a soft click. He walked over to the window first, staring outside for a few seconds. I remained still, staring at his back and preparing for the gut punch.

“How are you holding up?” he doesn’t turn towards me, and I’m grateful, because that was not what I expected to come out of his mouth. “And don’t bullshit me, Rae.”

This time, he glances over his shoulder, the blue in his eyes like a raging ocean staring back at me.

“I’m having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I killed someone,” I whispered, feeling ashamed. My eyes darted to my feet, “It makes me feel weak for caring so much about someone who intended to do horrible things to us.”

My vision blurred so much that the socks on my feet blended with the deep stain of the hardwood flooring.

Kieran’s finger pressed against my chin, forcing my face upward, “Do you want to know why I can’t stay away from you?”

I swallow down the lump in my throat as my bottom lip trembles.

“Because you’re so goddamn good, Rae. You have a heart of fuckin’ gold, and you see things from a perspective that is so vastly different from the world that I came from,” his rough, calloused hands slowly move across my cheeks, fingers tangling in the hair at the base of my neck, “I love your softness, baby.”

Kieran’s lips press against mine, and I melt into his touch. It’s gentle, soft, and unlike anything I’ve experienced from Kieran.

“I thought you came in here to tell me you’d changed your mind.”

“I’ve had months to change my fuckin’ mind, Rae,” Kieran’s fingers trail down my arm until he’s interlocking our fingers. “I always end up right back to the same conclusion.”

He walks us over to the bed, dropping down, and tugging me beside him. Our thighs are pressed together as are our shoulders.

“My father won’t stop,” he changes the subject, but I’m still stuck on his words from before. I want to cry, of happiness, sadness, and relief. It’s hard to push aside my emotions when there are so many mixing and blending together.

Kieran’s hand reaches up, running down his face, “When he decides something, there is no way out. He’ll do whatever he fuckin’ has to in order to ensure things go his way.”

“Why do you think he sent those men last night?”

“He wanted me dead, Rae,” Kieran’s knee bumped against mine. “I’m not like Ares. He was able to stomach the life my dad built for him. He’s really fuckin’ good at what he does, but me,” he shrugged. “I didn’t want to be on someone else’s leash.”

“I met Ares a few nights ago,” my teeth clamped down on my bottom lip, waiting for Kieran to explode, but he doesn’t, so I continue. “I wanted answers, and I thought I was being smart… But I played right into his hand… I’m sorry.”

“Hmmm,” he hums, and I steal a glance. His expression is pensive, and I hold my breath, waiting for him to say something… Anything. “What happened?”

Kieran’s voice is strained, and I know he’s fighting to keep his reaction neutral.

“I stole my father’s gun and threatened to shoot him.”

A choked sound bubbles from his throat, “You what?!”

“I figured out he was behind the bodies… that look like me,” a shiver rolls down my spine as the image of the last woman, sitting atop my mother’s grave, flashes in my mind. Her eyes are burned into my brain. “And I wanted… needed to find out why.”

“What made you think it was him?” Kieran’s voice shook a little as he spoke, and his leg bounced rapidly.

“He admitted it.”

For a few tense moments, Kieran was silent. His leg continued to bounce rapidly, and he clasped his hands in front of his mouth, staring at the far wall.

“He seemed more amused than anything,” I muttered, feeling the weight of his silence.

“That mother fucker,” Kieran spat through gritted teeth. “Everything is a fuckin’ game to him,” he muttered under his breath. “Rae, baby,” he finally turns his attention towards me. “Do not meet with him again under any circumstances, do you understand me?”

He pins me with a look that screams he won’t tolerate anything other than agreement.

“Do you understand me?” he snaps, startling me.

“Yes,” my voice is small, barely above a whisper.

“He’s not safe,” Kieran sighs. “And you being alone with him makes me sick.”

“I’m sorry.”

I thought I’d been doing the right thing. I assumed the gun would keep me safe that night, but when I stared into Ares’ eyes; I knew I couldn’t do it. He’d been kind to me, and maybe it was all just a game, like Kieran said, but it didn’t feel that way.

Kieran describes Ares as soulless, but I see something in him.

“Don’t be fuckin’ sorry, Rae,” he sighs again, as if reeling in his frustration is taking a toll on him. “Just… Please. Trust me on this. If you run into Ares, I need you to avoid contact with him…. I need you to be safe.”

“Okay,” I whisper, slowly lowering my head onto Kieran’s shoulder. I’m shocked when he turns towards me, pressing his lips to the top of my head.

“The apartment is being cleaned by some people I know. My father should be getting a delivery of bodies within the next hour. Once the job is done, I want you to move in. Whether it be here, or there…”

“Here,” I rush out, knowing that Kieran’s room at the apartment would be a constant reminder of what I’d done.

He lets out a soft chuckle, “I thought you might turn me down.”

“Why would I turn you down?” I raised my head to look into his eyes.

“Because I’m a drug addict and a piece of shit, baby. Someone like me doesn’t deserve unlimited access to someone like you,” Kieran drags his thumb along my bottom lip, pulling it away gently, “I’m going to ruin you. Poison that goodness that I love so much. But even knowing that,” his eyes dip to my mouth, “I wouldn’t have allowed you to say no.”

Kieran’s lips crash against mine, “You’re mine, Rae,” he grits out, devouring my mouth. “Mine to destroy… Mine to taint…. Just fuckin’ mine.”

His words should terrify me, and if they came from anyone else’s mouth; They might. But not Kieran.

“Come with me to the party. I want to show Emilio that he won’t win,” Kieran drags my bottom lip through his teeth. “I want to show him that you are mine.”