Chapter 5
Kieran's POV
I stared down at him.
Nathan.
Asleep.
Quiet.
The sheets were tangled around us, the room still carrying the weight of what had happened. His hair fell across his face, soft, messy, hiding just enough of him.
I reached out and brushed it back.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He didn't stir.
For the first time since I met him… he looked peaceful.
That almost made me laugh.
My gaze drifted over his face, taking in every detail like I was memorizing it. His lashes. The curve of his nose. The softness of his lips.
There was something about him.
There had been from the start.
Something that pulled at me in a way I didn't like… and didn't intend to ignore.
My fingers traced lightly along his cheek, slow, deliberate.
Mine.
The thought settled easily.
Naturally.
Like it had always been there.
The room was quiet, but my mind wasn't.
Raventon.
His past.
Everything I knew.
Everything I could use.
I had expected to feel satisfaction.
Control.
But this…
This was something else.
Stronger.
More dangerous.
I exhaled slowly, my fingers still resting against his skin.
I could expose him whenever I wanted.
Tear everything apart.
Watch him break.
But I didn't.
Not yet.
There was no rush.
Because the truth was—
I didn't need it.
Not anymore.
Last night had made that clear.
He gave in.
Maybe not willingly.
Maybe not fully.
But he didn't walk away.
And that was enough.
For now.
He shifted slightly, a faint movement, like he was about to wake.
Without thinking, I pulled him closer.
His body fit easily against mine.
Too easily.
I liked that.
More than I should have.
More than I expected.
He felt… small.
Fragile.
Like something that could break if I pushed too hard.
Or maybe something that would bend instead.
Either way—
I wasn't letting go.
Not now.
Not when I had finally gotten my hands on him.
My grip tightened just slightly, enough to keep him close.
A quiet decision settled in my chest.
Firm.
Unmoving.
This wasn't over.
It had barely started.
And I had no intention of letting him slip away.
---
Zane's POV
I sat up in bed, the room dark, the silence louder than it should have been.
I couldn't get him out of my head.
Nathan.
The way he looked tonight… something wasn't right. He had said he was fine, but I knew he wasn't.
I should have stayed.
The thought came again, heavier this time.
I should have insisted.
But I didn't want to push him. He already looked like he was barely holding himself together, like one wrong move would make him shut down completely.
Still…
I shouldn't have left him like that.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly before falling back against the bed. My eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling, but all I could see was him.
I had never felt like this before.
Not even close.
I've had girlfriends. More than enough. And a few moments with guys too.
But none of it ever felt like this.
This… pull.
This constant need to be near someone.
To check if they're okay.
To make sure they're safe.
I turned slightly, grabbing my pillow and holding it loosely against my chest.
Nathan looked so small tonight.
Something how about looked broken.
Like he didn't belong in any of this.
And for some reason… all I wanted to do was protect him.
Hold him.
Keep him away from anything that could hurt him.
The thought settled deeper than I expected.
I was falling for him.
And I knew it.
There was no point pretending otherwise.
I closed my eyes for a moment, and the memory came back instantly.
That moment between us.
How close we were.
How he didn't pull away.
A small smile formed on my lips.
He felt it too.
Maybe not as strongly.
Maybe not as clearly.
But it was there.
I knew it was.
I reached for my phone, unlocking it without thinking.
Then paused.
I didn't have his number.
That made me sit up again.
Of course I didn't.
I had been so caught up in everything else, I didn't even think about it.
I let out a quiet breath, shaking my head slightly.
That needed to change.
Fast.
I wasn't going to wait around for chance meetings or small moments in crowded spaces.
I wanted time with him.
Real time.
Without interruptions.
Without people watching.
The decision came easily.
I'd go early tomorrow.
Pick him up myself.
That way… I'd get to see him first.
And maybe—
Just maybe—
figure out what was really going on with him.
Because whatever it was…
I wasn't going to ignore it.
--
Nathan's POV
I woke up slowly.
For a second, everything felt… normal.
Quiet.
Still.
Then I realized—
The bed was empty.
My eyes snapped open.
Kieran was gone.
For a moment, it almost felt like a dream.
Like none of it had actually happened.
But the moment I tried to move—
Pain shot through my body.
I froze.
My breath hitched slightly as the ache settled in, heavy and undeniable.
Not a dream.
Not even close.
A knock sounded on the door.
My heart jumped.
"Who is it?" I asked, my voice rough.
"It's Veronica, sir."
I moved quickly, ignoring the discomfort as I forced myself out of bed. My legs felt unsteady, and I had to steady myself for a second before grabbing my trousers and pulling them on.
I reached for a singlet, but as I glanced up—
I stopped.
My reflection stared back at me.
Marks.
Too many.
Across my neck. My chest.
Faint. Some darker than others.
Visible.
My stomach dropped.
"Sir, is everything alright?" Veronica asked from outside.
"I'm fine," I replied quickly.
Too quickly.
I grabbed a robe, throwing it over myself and tying it tightly, making sure everything was covered.
Only then did I walk to the door and open it.
Veronica stood there, her expression calm as always, but her eyes lingered for just a second.
"Is everything alright, sir?" she asked again.
"Yeah… I was just busy," I said, avoiding her gaze.
She nodded slightly.
"I'm here to get you ready for breakfast."
"I don't need help," I said quickly. "Thank you."
Her eyes shifted again—this time toward my neck.
Instinctively, my hand came up, covering it.
"I just… scratched myself," I added.
She didn't respond.
Just lowered her head slightly.
"You can go," I said.
She bowed and left.
The door closed.
I exhaled.
Slow.
Unsteady.
What have I gotten myself into?
Another knock.
Before I could respond, the door opened.
"I told you I don't—"
I stopped.
Chris.
I straightened immediately.
"Good morning, sir."
He was already dressed, composed, like he always was.
"Good morning," he replied, his tone neutral.
I adjusted my robe slightly, making sure it stayed closed. My palms felt damp.
Did Kieran tell him?
Did he know?
Chris looked at me for a moment—too long for comfort—before speaking.
"There will be a banquet tonight," he said. "I'll be introducing you and your mother."
He paused briefly.
"Make sure you're presentable."
Then he turned and left.
The door closed behind him.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
A banquet.
Tonight.
I ran a hand through my hair, my thoughts already spiraling again.
I needed a shower.
I walked into the bathroom and stepped into the tub, letting the water run over me before slowly sinking down into it.
The warmth should have been calming.
It wasn't.
My mind went straight back to him.
Kieran.
If he knew about my past…
And still said nothing—
Then this wasn't over.
It was just beginning.
I sank deeper into the water, staring ahead.
That meant one thing.
He wanted something.
And whatever it was…
I had a feeling I wasn't going to be able to refuse.