Velvet Corruption (The Dark Prince of Boston #1)

1. Chapter One Kieran

Chapter One: Kieran

S hit with my family was about to get even more complicated.

Fuck.

It was six o’clock in the morning, and my brother wouldn’t stop calling.

For the third time in as many minutes, my phone buzzed with a notification, each one harder to ignore than the last. Tristan was in the middle of some… arranged marriage deal with one of the Orsini girls, and I knew I’d hear him rant about it when we saw each other that night.

If he was calling at this hour, odds were he hadn’t slept—or worse, he’d been drinking all night.

If it was urgent, he would’ve texted. My family didn’t do “urgent” over a single phone call.

Urgency for us came as an avalanche: calls, texts, voicemails piling up until they became impossible to brush aside.

Right now, I wanted to keep ignoring it all and just keep lifting.

The weight room had a way of simplifying things.

No Orsinis. No Callahans. No family drama.

And best of all, no expectations. The clang of iron plates and the grunts of early-morning regulars drowned out the chaos in my head.

For once, the gym’s sterility—bleach and synthetic rubber—felt like a reprieve.

As long as I wasn’t dwelling on how much of a disappointment I was to my father, the day counted as a win in my book.

I only vaguely noticed the girl using the leg press next to me—at first. But once I did, it was impossible not to. Her messy bun looked like an afterthought, but the freckles on her nose and the way her dark eyes flicked to the mirror caught me off guard. She was cute. Gorgeous, actually.

I…didn’t look at her face for long.

Her legs flexed with every press of the machine, her form annoyingly perfect. I wasn’t even pretending not to stare when she glanced over and caught me.

Shit. She raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. “Thought you were too busy on Grindr to check me out.”

I bit back a smirk. “No. I keep all my gay hookup apps on my burner phone.”

Her laugh was low and husky, sending a shiver down my spine. “Smart man. Wouldn’t want to mix business with pleasure.”

I leaned against the barbell, matching her smile. “Who says I’m not mixing them right now?”

She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed, and I didn’t miss it. A victory. Small, but sweet. “Smooth talker. Bet you say that to all the girls at the gym.”

“Only the ones who ask if I’m gay.”

“I never asked you,” she shot back, playful.

I tilted my head, letting the moment hang between us. “Don’t you want to know?”

Her gaze flickered to mine, and she hesitated, just for a second. Then, her lips curled into a smile. The kind that could start wars or end them. “Yeah. I do.”

I stepped closer, my heart racing. “Well, I’m not. But I am very interested in getting to know you better.”

She tilted her head, sizing me up. “Is that so? And what makes you think I’m interested?”

“Well, you’re still talking to me, and you haven’t mentioned a brother or best friend…”

“So you’re smart, cute and have that accent? You must have a girlfriend.”

The Irish accent did help most of the time. At least my parents had done something right.

“Nope, can’t commit,” I said. “But I’m really good in bed.”

“You’re forward.”

“ I’m forward?”

She laughed. Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself chuckling along with her. I stepped closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume: vanilla, mint and lavender.

“I’m Kieran,” I said, extending my hand.

She took it, her grip firm. Her palm was calloused, a fighter’s hand. Of course she was. “Ruby.”

Our hands lingered for a moment too long, and I felt a spark of excitement course through me. It had been a while since I’d felt this kind of instant connection with someone.

“So, Ruby,” I said, lowering my voice. “What brings you to the gym at this ungodly hour?”

“Fewer creeps,” she said.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she said it, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well, seems like that plan backfired,” I teased.

Ruby shrugged. “Jury’s still out on that one.”

We fell into an easy rhythm, chatting between sets. I learned she worked as a legal assistant for the DA’s office, which explained her sharp wit. Funny. Easy to talk to.

Nice on the eyes.

As the minutes ticked by, I found myself watching her more than my reps. The way her nose crinkled when she laughed, the deliberate way she wiped down her bench—it was annoying how easily she held my attention.

When she stood to grab her things, I felt the itch to keep her here. Dumb idea, probably. Still… “Hey, want to grab a coffee? There’s a great place around the corner.”

Ruby hesitated, glancing at her watch. “I have to go in to work. I should really get home and shower…”

“Come on, live dangerously,” I teased. “I promise I don’t bite. Unless you’re into that.”

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile. A crack in the armor. “Fine. One coffee. But if you turn out to be a serial killer, I’m blaming my poor judgment on post-workout endorphins.”

“You could sue the gym for that.”

“Can’t sue them after I’m dead.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” I said.

She laughed, throwing her head back. “My boss would love you.”

“DA Lenta? Yeah, don’t worry. He already loves me.”

She stopped putting her jacket on, eyeing me suspiciously. “Now what does that mean?”

“I’ll tell you all about it over coffee.”

We walked to the coffee shop, dodging commuters and folks doing the walk of shame.

Ruby’s arm brushed against mine as we navigated the crowded sidewalk, and I felt a jolt of desire at each touch.

The coffee shop was bustling, filled with the aroma of freshly ground beans and the hum of sleepy conversations.

“So,” Ruby said as we settled into a corner booth, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug. “How exactly does the DA love you?”

I took a sip of my Americano. “Ruby,” I said. “How long have you been in Boston?”

Ruby narrowed her eyes, studying me over the rim of her mug. “About two years. Why?”

I leaned back, a smirk playing on my lips. “Does the name Callahan ring a bell?”

Ruby took a sip of her drink, buying herself time to think. “Yeah,” she said. “Organized crime family? They keep like…killing people and trafficking drugs and thinking they can get away with it, right?”

I raised my brow, trying my best to hold back a smile. “Well, that’s an oversimplification.”

Her brow furrowed for a moment before recognition dawned in her eyes. “Wait, you’re not…”

I nodded, watching her reaction carefully. “Guilty as charged. You never asked for my surname.”

Ruby set her mug down with a soft thud, her earlier playfulness melting into something more guarded. “Shit. I must have seen your face. So when you say DA Lenta loves you…”

“It’s complicated,” I finished for her. “Family business and all that. And whatever I was arrested for, I can assure you it wasn’t my fault.”

Ruby’s eyes narrowed, her earlier playfulness replaced by caution. “Right. Not your fault. I’m sure that’s what all the Callahans say.”

Her tone was sharp, but she didn’t get up to leave.

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “You work for the DA. You tell me–how many times have I been convicted? Also, DA Lenta is known for his…hyperbole. My dad might be an asshole, but I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Your conviction record doesn’t mean anything,” she said. She looked like she was about to gather her things to leave, but then sighed instead, locking her gaze with mine. “Why are you telling me this?”

I hesitated, weighing my words carefully. “Because I liked talking to you. And I didn’t want to start whatever this is with a lie.”

Ruby’s expression softened slightly, but the wariness remained in her eyes. “And what exactly is ‘this’, Kieran?”

I leaned forward, my voice low. “I don’t know yet. But if you’re open to it, I’d like to find out.”

She bit her lip, fingers tracing the edge of her mug.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. You’re… well, you’re you. And I work for the DA.”

“All the more reason to get to know each other better,” I countered. “Think of it as gathering intel.”

A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. “Is that what you’re doing? Gathering intel on the DA’s office?”

I held up my hands in mock surrender. “You caught me. My master plan was to seduce the prettiest legal assistant and pry all the DA’s secrets out of her.”

Ruby scoffed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“That’s what my brothers say,” I told her.

Ruby’s eyes flickered with interest at the mention of my brothers. “Ah yes, the infamous Callahan boys. I’ve heard stories.”

“All good things, I’m sure,” I said with a wry smile.

She leaned forward. “So which one are you? The charming one, the dangerous one, or the smart one?”

I chuckled. “Can’t I be all three?”

“Modest too,” she quipped, but her smile was genuine.

“Look,” I said, my tone softening. “I know that who I am and what my family does complicates things. But I’m not asking for your hand in marriage here. Just a chance to get to know you better.”

“I thought you couldn’t commit.”

I smiled. “Now, Ruby,” I said. “Why would you ask me to commit?”

Ruby’s eyes widened slightly, a flush creeping up her neck. “I—I didn’t,” she stammered. “I was just repeating what you said earlier.”

I leaned in closer, my voice low. “And here I thought you were trying to lock me down already.”

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile. “You wish, Callahan.”

“You might be right.”

She glared at me. “You should know,” she said. “This…this thing you’re doing right now, it doesn’t work on me.”

“Straight up honesty doesn’t work for you?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t do that.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at her irritation. There was something about riling her up that sent a thrill through me. “Do what? I’m just being myself.”

Ruby leaned back, crossing her arms. “Right. The charming, dangerous, smart Callahan boy who’s ‘just being himself.’ I’m sure that line works wonders on most girls.”

“But not on you?”

Her stare didn’t waver. “No. Not on me.”

The silence between us was heavy, weighted with attraction and unspoken confessions. I found myself leaning in, drawn to her defiance. “So what does work on you, Ruby?”

For a moment, I thought she might actually answer.

Then she shook her head, breaking the spell. “Doesn’t seem fair to spill all my secrets.”

“How about a drink?” I asked. “A real drink, not your morning cappuccino.”

“I probably shouldn’t…”

“C’mon,” I said. “Don’t you want to know what the criminal underworld of Boston is all about?”

“No! I worked really hard for this job,” she said. “I probably shouldn’t be seen talking to you…”

“Right. So come to my place. No one will see you then.”

She cocked her head. “You’re bad news,” she said. “And this seems like a terrible idea.”

I shrugged, letting my grin widen. “The best ideas usually are. C’mon. Live a little, Ruby. When’s the last time you did something just because you wanted to?”

“Don’t make me regret this, Kieran,” she said.

My grin softened into something more genuine. “No regrets, I promise. Just a drink and some good conversation.”

Ruby hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, one drink. But I’m leaving as soon as things get weird.”

“Define weird,” I teased, standing up and offering her my hand.

She took it, rolling her eyes, but the smile on her face didn’t falter. “I have to go home now so I can get ready for work.”

“Great,” I said. “I’ll text you my address?”

“Sure,” Ruby said, pulling out her phone. She hesitated for a moment, then handed it to me. “Put your number in.”

I did, but I didn’t think I was going to hear from her again.

She hesitated, then took the phone, her fingers hovering over the screen for a moment before typing. “I really shouldn’t be doing this,” she muttered under her breath.

By the time we left the coffee shop, the sun was higher, and the streets were filling with the usual Boston chaos. We walked side by side, her arm brushing against mine occasionally, each small touch more distracting than I wanted to admit.

Ruby stopped at the curb, turning to face me. “Alright, Callahan. I’ll see you this weekend, I guess.”

“So we’re on?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t push your luck,” she drawled.

I raised my hands. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

I watched her walk away, my gaze lingering on her until she disappeared around the corner.

This was a bad idea.

A terrible one, actually.

A girl working for the DA? My father would kill me. My brother would freak.

But fuck…they didn’t have to know. And I couldn’t wait until the weekend.