Chapter 6
Iwant to unravel the mystery of Kieran and understand why he seems to keep showing up in my life. Why looking at him feels like my missing memories and fragmented friendships don”t matter. I”ve asked my friends, even my boss Sarah, what they know of Kieran Calder. Their reactions range from surprise to annoyance that I”m asking about him.
My sister bristles when I mention his name. ”The Calder”s... they”re dangerous. They pretty much control Kingsdale. The rumors are that they are a mob family. Why are you asking about Kieran, anyway?” Iris peers at me.
I realize I may be stumbling upon something bigger than I bargained for.
”Why do you think they”re dangerous?” I ask Iris, trying to keep my voice steady.
”I”ve heard things,” she says, her eyes darting around as if she”s afraid someone might be listening. ”Whispers about shady deals and illegal activities. And people who try to cross them...well, let”s just say it doesn”t end well and they disappear.”
My mind races with possibilities. Could Kieran be involved in these activities? Or is he just an innocent member of the notorious Calder family?
As if reading my thoughts, Iris adds, ”I”ve seen him around town with his brother. They always seem to be up to something.” Her eyes narrow and I get the sense that she is going to lecture me like I’m not the older sister. “You should stay away from him, Avalina. Nothing good comes from the Calders.”
The threat from Iris just makes me want to investigate more.
Later that day, as I”m working at the library, I ask my co-workers what they think of Kieran.
”Kieran Calder?” Mavis frowns. ”He mostly keeps to himself, him and his family. No one really knows much about them.”
Even my boss, Sarah, tries to warn me away. ”It”s best to stay away from the Calders. They”re trouble, and I don”t want you to get caught up in their mess.”
Her words only fuel my curiosity even more. Who are the Calders, and why are they so feared?
I can”t resist the urge to do some research on the Calders on the library computer. After hours of digging through old newspaper articles and online forums, I come across an interesting piece of information–Kieran”s father, Anthony Calder, was once arrested for racketeering but was released due to lack of evidence.
Could this be why everyone is so wary of the Calders? Is Kieran following in his father”s footsteps?
I try to brush off their warnings and vague comments, but it only makes me more curious. I had seen Kieran and his brother Liam in the restaurant the other night, and something about him had captivated me. It wasn”t just his rugged good looks or his magnetic dark eyes. There is something else that draws me to him.
Since then, my dreams have been filled with Kieran - his powerful arms around me, full lips claiming mine. It both scares and thrills me all at once. And during the day, I swear I can feel his eyes on me as I go about my daily routine.
But despite my curiosity and attraction towards Kieran, my friends refuse to tell me anything more about him. So I decide to take matters into my own hands and find out about him myself.
I take the long way into town, still not able to drive the same route that I had my accident on. It takes longer to get anywhere this way, but I have fewer nightmares. Heading into town, my eyes scan the streets and shops for anyone who might have insight into the elusive Kieran Calder.
As I pass the bar that I ran into Kieran a couple of weeks ago, an idea comes to me. Bartenders are known to be fonts of gossip and rumor. Surely someone there has stories to share if plied with a drink or two.
I pull into the parking lot and make my way inside the dimly lit bar, the fragrance of stale beer permeating the air. I’m not the only one here, and other patrons dot the bar counter, with a few more having lunch at the tables.
”What can I get you, lass?” the bartender asks in his gruff voice.
”Oh, just an iced tea for now, thanks,” I say as I slide onto a bar stool.
He raises an eyebrow but pours my drink without comment. As I take a sip, I gather my nerve.
”I was wondering if you could help me with something,” I begin casually. ”I”m trying to find out some information about Kieran Calder.”
The bartender”s eyes widen briefly before his expression turns guarded. ”Can”t say I know much about him or his family. They keep to themselves mostly.”
I study his face, certain he knows more than he”s admitting. I lean in conspiratorially, pulling a $20 dollar bill from my jeans pocket and sliding it across the counter.
”Please, I”d be very grateful for anything you could tell me. I”m just so fascinated by him,” I say, infusing my voice with as much innocent allure as I can muster.
The bartender hesitates, then relents. ”Not much to tell, really. The Calders have lived here for ages, but don”t mingle with the townsfolk.”
He polishes a glass, then adds quietly, ”Best steer clear of Kieran, though. He has a dangerous air about him.”
Just then, a burly patron at the end of the bar overhears our conversation and interjects gruffly, ”You”re asking about Kieran Calder? Watch yourself around that one; he”s not someone you want to cross.” His words hang ominously in the air as he takes another swig of his drink.
My heart races as the patron”s words sink in. What does everyone mean by ”watch yourself” around Kieran? I can”t help but feel drawn to him, but now I”m starting to question if that”s a good thing.
Before I can ask any further questions, the patron finishes his drink and leaves without another word. The bartender looks at me with a mix of pity and caution, as if he knows something he”s not telling me.
”Is there something you”re not telling me about Kieran?” I press, hoping against hope that he”ll crack under my persistent questioning.
But the bartender just shakes his head. ”I”ve said all I know. Now why don”t you leave this alone before you get yourself into trouble.”
I sigh in frustration and finish my iced tea. It seems like no one wants to tell me anything about Kieran, and those who do only warn me to stay away from him. But the more people try to scare me off, the more determined I become to uncover his secrets.
Leaving the pub, I decide to take a walk around town in hopes of stumbling upon someone else who might have information about Kieran Calder. But as I stroll through the quaint streets and charming shops, it seems like everyone is purposely avoiding talking about him.
Feeling defeated, I make my way back home as dusk settles over the horizon.