Kieran sits in a chair in a white button-up dress shirt and black slacks, his head resting on his fingers as he messes with his phone. He’s probably checking in with his dad or men back home, which reminds me. I need to see if Dominic has been blowing my phone up. My eyes sweep into the kitchen, finding Eddie with an apron on in front of the stove. His lip is stitched up from where Kieran pulled out his lip ring and I can’t take my eyes off it.
“Morning miss, eh.” He looks to Kieran with a confused look. He doesn’t know what to call me and by the look of panic on his face, he’s scared if he messes up Kieran will do something violent.
“You can call me Leona.” I help him out, and he smiles. Kieran looks up from his phone, a cold stare stabbing into the back of Eddie for a few seconds before looking back down at whatever he’s doing.
“Right. Do you want some eggs or something?” He waves a spatula around, a big goofy grin on his face. His red hat is slid backward and matches his sleeveless shirt, his torn-up blue jeans are too big, and he has dirty shoes. He has a lot of freckles, and bright blue eyes. Features I couldn’t see in the dark last night.
Pulling out a chair, I take a seat and look to Kieran with wide eyes before looking back at Eddie. This is weird, is he making him our housekeeper now? How did this happen?
“No, I’m fine,” I tell him. I could use some coffee though. Looking around the kitchen, I seek out a coffee pot. Finding it near the sink I stand, grabbing a cup from the drainer next to the sink and fill it. It’s not Starbucks, but I’ll take anything right now.
“Oh, and I’m sorry about last night.” He takes his hat off and runs his through his blonde hair before replacing it. His eyes anywhere but mine which I’m thankful for. I don’t know what Kieran did to this guy, but it’s like he’s our personal bitch now.
I give a tight-lipped smile, both of my hands cupping the mug. This is weird. This guy beat me up last night and now is offering to make me breakfast.
Sitting on the edge of my seat, butterflies swarming in my stomach, I clear my throat.
“I would like my phone back. I’m sure one of my men have been trying to reach me and if I don’t reply bac—”
“Dominic? Yes, he has reached out and I’ve let him know you’re fine.” Kieran replies, tucking his phone into his slacks. This takes me aback, he’s answering my texts now? How did he even un-lock it?
“Eddie, why don’t you start mowing.” Kieran flicks his finger toward the front door. Without a word, he takes off the white apron and goes outside.
I turn in my seat.
“When do I get my things back?” I clip, with brooding fear rustling in my ribcage. My tone might make him angry, that kiss last night nothing but a simple delusion of what it might be like behind closed doors, but not what I could expect in the daylight.
“When I feel like you won’t try and have your men kill me,” he responds casually.
Sighing, I take a sip of the coffee. I wouldn’t have anyone come kill him, but to talk to someone about what is going on in my head would be nice.
“I have a cousin that I would like to talk to.” I Inform him, I need some girl chat. It’s essential for me to know if what I’m feeling is insane or natural.
He just looks at me and doesn’t reply. He doesn’t want me to talk to anyone, he wants me to decide for myself what I think of him; of us.
Turning my head to see Eddie outside wrestling with the lawnmower. To see him at Kieran’s beck and call is surreal and says something about the kind of power the man has. My foot begins to tap nervously with that thought.
“What did you say to him?”
Kieran taps his fingers on the arm of the chair, a sly smirk on his face.
“Some boys crave discipline, I’m simply helping give him what he needs to be a man,” he states, totally bullshitting around what he really said to Eddie when I was asleep. There’s no telling. Kieran is the epitome of power and manipulation. That’s what I crave about him sadly.
A horn outside has me stand up, and Kieran follows.
“Who’s that?” I ask nervously. He gives me a look but doesn’t answer.
Going outside there’s a furniture truck backed into the driveway, and Eddie is inside with the driver helping him tug out some mattresses.
Kieran stands by, watching.
Eddie jumps down and the driver hands them down to him. It’s warm out, the overgrown grass making my eyes water. I’m not used to living out here in the country and my allergies are acting up.