Leia's POV:
I felt lighter the moment I stepped out of the mansion's suffocating walls. Kieran was surprisingly easy to be around. He was gentle, attentive, and refreshingly sincere. He had the kind of charm that made you feel seen without being overwhelmed. I was more than willing to call him a friend.
"Kieran, it's honestly hard to believe you've never dated anyone seriously," I said, glancing at him with a teasing smile. "Women must be falling all over you."
He chuckled softly, keeping his eyes on the road. "They are. But I've never been interested. I tried a few times during college, but no one really wanted to know me. They were drawn to the title, the wealth, the name... not the person behind it."
I tilted my head, thoughtful. "Not all women are like that."
"Maybe not," he said, shrugging lightly. "But the ones I did like were. And things always got worse once they found out about my brothers. Lucien's name alone makes people tremble in fear, and Ronan... well, he's not exactly known for his patience."
"Sounds like they're both hopeless romantics," I said playfully.
Kieran laughed. "Not exactly. More like romantically challenged. They don't really get love, or how to handle it. But now that you're in the house, maybe things will shift. Lucien, at least, seems to be making an effort to keep you comfortable. That's rare for him. So... maybe he's better with women than I thought. Regarding Ronan, I'm also unsure. But I can tell you none of us will ever harm you."
I wondered if I should trust his words. Well, my plan was to bring these brothers against each other, so that I could run away from them.
The car finally screeched to a halt and we were in front of the mansion. I wish I could run away, but Lucien was too smart. He didn't allow me to go outside without trying to test me. He looked calm, relaxed all the time but behind that exterior I knew a dangerous man was hidden to whom making a fool wasn't easy.
I stepped out of the car and carried the muffin box inside.
"Kieran, thanks a lot. This outing really helped me. Surprisingly, this city is so peaceful and beautiful," I said as we entered the living room.
"I am glad you enjoyed this short trip," Kieran said.
"Now, I feel hungry. I will check in the kitchen what's being cooked," I opined.
"Sure. I need to answer this call. I'll see you at the dinner table," Kieran said before stepping away, his phone already pressed to his ear.
Left alone, I asked a nearby maid for directions to the kitchen. Once there, I found two chefs preparing for the dinner. When they saw me, they paused briefly to greet me with polite nods.
I smiled in return and walked over to the counter, setting down the box in my hands. Carefully, I unpacked the muffins I had picked up from the market and arranged them neatly on a large plate. This was a small gesture, an attempt to win over the brothers, even if just a little. Every step mattered if I wanted to gain their trust and eventually find a way out.
I stopped outside Lucien's room and knocked.
"Come in," came his firm voice.
I stepped inside and found him lounging on the couch, shirt half-open, focused on some documents in his hand. A scar cut across his chest, just partially visible, hinting at a story I didn't yet know.
"I brought muffins from the market," I said softly.
He finally looked up from his file, his intense gaze meeting mine. I approached and set the plate in front of him. "Have some."
"Sit," Lucien said.
I glanced at the armchair across from him.
"Next to me," he added, patting the space beside him.
Reluctantly, I settled beside him on the couch. He picked up one of the muffins, raising it toward his lips—but then turned, holding it out to me instead.
"You first, Leia."
"I'll eat later," I said, trying to keep my tone light.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do you want to feed them to me now?"
I clenched my jaw. "Don't eat then," I snapped, snatching the muffin back and setting it down with more force than necessary. Without waiting for a response, I stood up and walked out of the room, the plate still in hand.
"Did he think I mixed something in them?" I muttered under my breath, a dry chuckle escaping as I descended the stairs.
Next, I went to Kieran's room. He was still on his call as I could hear his voice. Just as I raised my hand to knock, the door opened. He smiled at me and gestured for me to come in.
I held up a muffin with a hopeful expression, silently offering it as I waited for his conversation to end. To my surprise, Kieran leaned forward mid-call and took a small bite, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He chewed, then smiled even more and gently took the muffin from my hand.
He gestured for me to take one too, as if saying, 'He loves it.'
I smiled and waited patiently for him to finish the call. When he finally hung up, he turned his attention to me, finishing the last bite of the muffin in his hand.
"Your choice is good. It's delicious," Kieran said.
I had taken one too, nibbling on it slowly. "I picked them randomly," I said through a bite, then added, "Eat one more. There are plenty on the plate."
He chuckled softly. "I need to save space for dinner," he replied, then looked at me with a playful glint in his eyes. "You should eat them."
Before I could respond, his fingers reached out and gently brushed the crumbs off the corner of my lips. The touch was soft, but it made my heart skip for just a second.
Feeling flustered, I quickly wiped my mouth with my fingers and finished the second muffin in silence, trying to compose myself.
There was something dangerously kind about Kieran.
"I should go and give some to Ronan as well," I said.
"Don't go near him," Kieran said, holding my wrist as I had almost turned to the door.