Chapter 1
Katy
Present Day
The ding of the notification on my phone woke me up from my sleep.
Excitement spread through my veins when I heard the special notification sound that signaled he’d replied to my text.
Smiling, I rolled over in the enormous bed, eagerly opening the chat window.
My smile widened when I saw his message.
Good morning, Princess. Best wishes for your graduation. Proud of you, kiddo.
Kiddo!? I frowned at that nickname. Ugh!
How I hated that. It had been four years since that fateful day, and here I was, ready to graduate.
Majoring in psychology, with additional certifications in women and child safety.
Yet I was a child? Perhaps it was because we didn’t get to meet each other for four years.
Shuddering at the reminder of that fateful day, I instinctively clutched the blanket around me, almost mimicking Barun’s strong hold around me.
After getting back home from Plum Island, I’d been mute and in shock for days, only ready to speak to Barun for food and my basic needs.
My father and brothers had gone berserk, and the resulting war had nearly wiped out the Vikings.
Later, I’d heard whispers of the bloodshed and how Noah and Rhett had destroyed most of their men.
My brothers have been feared and revered ever since, and were unmistakably at the top of the chain right now.
As for me, I eventually sought therapy to deal with the claustrophobia of being stuck for hours inside a dark cupboard and other, deeper issues. That man had been cruel, showing me his collection of my photos, even going as far as telling me how he’d like to violate me.
Therapy had helped me heal to a large extent, although I continued to put in the effort to stay above the dark thoughts that threatened to consume me now and then.
One thing that helped me deal with the incident and not get stuck in victimhood was taking up psychology as my major. Knowing I could help women and children who were put through excruciating circumstances soothed some of my wounds. Allowed me to turn my pain into purpose, even.
Despite all the work I’d put in, the one thing that I couldn’t handle was men.
Aside from my brothers and Gio, who was also like another brother to me, I didn’t interact with men.
I didn’t look at them; I didn’t want them; I wanted nothing to do with them.
I’d deleted my social media profiles, and to this day, I couldn’t stand the thought of putting out my life the way a million other girls did every day. Perhaps I hated men.
That’s not entirely true, a voice immediately whispered in me. Looking at the ceiling, I agreed with that voice. Because there was him. Barun! The knight who had saved me from those animals.
After rescuing me, thanks to my initial mutism, he’d patiently stayed back until I was comfortable enough to get out of my room and interact with the staff.
He’d been my shadow, a constant companion through arduous nights where he would sit next to my bed in an armchair, quietly assuring me he would slay any dragon for me.
I don’t recall the exact moment I fell in love with Barun.
Perhaps it was after he’d gone back to his life, a week before my eighteenth birthday.
The first week of his absence resulted in an acute ache near my heart.
Until I realized it was because I missed him.
His reassuring presence, his deep, soothing voice.
That’s when I texted him. Just to say hi. To know I could reach him at least virtually. Then on, he regularly checked on me, encouraging me to get my degree, chase my dreams, and work on my fears. By the time I was nineteen, he was well and truly lodged in my heart.
To my disappointment, he rarely visited the mansion, busy building his business with his partners.
Twice, when he’d come in, I didn’t get to meet him although my heart had yearned for a single glance.
Stalking the internet didn’t help either.
That man lived a life cloaked in mystery, not having any presence online.
Not that I blamed him. I suppose that in his field of work he couldn’t afford to have his details splashed online.
That’s when I actively looked out for any crumb of information my brothers or Gio threw about Barun, immediately safeguarding it within my heart.
So far, Barun’s security company was top in demand, and he appeared to be single.
Which suited me just fine. The very thought of him with another woman tore at my insides.
Picking up my phone, I bit my lip when I looked at the next message.
I have a surprise for you today. Before you ask, you’ll know this evening. Have a good day, Princess.
I sent a pouty smiley in reply and put my phone away. I knew Barun wouldn’t crack. If he said it was a surprise, it was! Shaking my head, I got up from the bed, ready to face the day.
My brothers insisted we have a small graduation party.
I knew they were keen to celebrate any little milestone in my life; it was almost pathetic.
But I gave in, knowing it would make them happy.
It was also their way of making it up to me for locking me within the Falcone house.
I wondered how they would have reacted if I had brought in friends.
But the thought was moot since I didn’t have any friends in the first place.
I couldn’t get mad at my brothers, knowing they did their best to give in to my every request, provided I didn’t have to get out of these walls often.
Long distance degree? Yes! Shopping spree or anything else I wanted?
Yes, but one of them accompanied me. It had been okay at first, but for the last few months, I was beginning to feel stifled.
I craved female friendships; I craved… more!
But I couldn’t voice it aloud. Knowing my brothers, I could bet they haven’t really forgiven themselves for my kidnapping. Rather than encouraging them to address their misplaced guilt, I gave in to their whimsies, allowing them to express their love in their own way.