5. Kyler
Kyler
The amber liquid in my glass catches the firelight as I swirl it, the ice clinking softly against the crystal. Across the room, Kelsey's curled up on the sofa like a cat that's just found the warmest sunbeam, her rich cognac brown curls spilling over the armrest.
She's got that phone in her hand again, thumb flicking absently at the screen, but her cornflower eyes keep darting toward us… like she's waiting for the other shoe to drop.
It's because she's been dodging the real conversation all night, steering us toward safer waters every time we get close to what happened this morning.
Kieran's sitting in the armchair across from her, his silver-gray beard catching the light as he tilts his head, watching her with that quiet intensity that makes most people squirm.
He doesn't say a word, just lets the silence stretch until it's thick enough to cut with a knife. That's his way… let the pressure build until someone cracks.
"Anyone want a drink?" My voice comes out rougher than I intend, the words scraping against my throat.
Kelsey's lips quirk, just a little. "Sure."
Kieran just nods, his jaw tight.
I push up from my chair, the leather creaking under my weight, and cross to the console where the whiskey bottle sits half-empty. The decanter's heavy in my hand as I pour three fingers into each glass, the rich scent of oak and caramel curling into the air.
I hand them their glasses, the crystal cool against my calloused fingers, before sinking back into my chair. The fire crackles in the hearth, throwing shadows across the room that dance like restless spirits.
For a few minutes, we sit in silence.
Then Kieran sets his glass down with a soft click, the sound sharp enough to slice through the quiet. His fingers tap once against the armrest, a slow, deliberate rhythm. "We should probably finish the conversation from this morning."
Kelsey's fingers tighten around her glass, her knuckles going white.
She opens her mouth… probably to deflect, to joke, to do anything but answer but then her gaze flicks between us, her teeth sinking into her lower lip.
The firelight catches the hesitation in her eyes, the way her shoulders tense just a fraction.
"I've been meaning to ask…" Her voice is lighter than it should be, like she's trying to sell the words as casual.
I raise an eyebrow, my pulse kicking up a notch.
Will she finally answer us?
She swallows, her throat working. "I heard from my mom you're not related by blood."
The air in the room stills. I glance at Kieran, his expression unreadable.
"That's a long story," he says.
"We have time," Kelsey says, her voice softer now.
Kieran gives me that look. He's leaving this one to me, then. Fine.
"All right."
I lean back in my chair, the leather groaning under me, and take a slow sip of whiskey. The burn of it grounds me, the heat spreading through my chest.
The memories rise up, sharp and unwelcome.
"My father was a businessman. Built an empire, the kind that makes men legends." My fingers tighten around the glass. "But eventually, I learned the truth. He didn't earn that fortune. He stole it. Through deals that weren't just shady… they were illegal."
Kelsey's expression shifts, her brows drawing together, her lips parting just a little. She doesn't say anything, just watches me.
I drag my gaze away from hers, focusing on the whiskey again.
"Eventually, the law caught up with him.
He was arrested, charged with everything from fraud to racketeering.
He died before the trial ended, before any of it was really resolved.
" The words taste bitter on my tongue. "And I was left in the fallout. "
Kelsey's voice is quiet when she speaks. "How old were you?"
I don't look at her. "A teenager. Old enough to understand what was happening, not old enough to do a damn thing about it."
Her expression softens, her lips pressing together like she's holding back words.
"I was basically alone after that. I had no one left. My mother died back when I was five."
The admission hits me like a punch to the gut. I glance at Kieran, his jaw tight, his eyes locked on Kelsey like he's memorizing the curve of her face.
I clear my throat, the sound rough. "His father was my father's friend. When he learned what had happened, he stepped in. Took responsibility for me."
Kieran nods, his voice low. "My father eventually adopted Kyler."
Kelsey's gaze darts between us, her fingers twisting in the hem of her sweater. "So you've been brothers since then? That's why you're really close."
I shake my head, the memory of those years sharp and clear. "Not at first. We didn't grow up together. I stayed at a private boarding school."
Her brows lift. "Then how did you become close?"
Kieran's voice cuts through the quiet, firm and final. "Later. When we were adults. Helping each other with our companies."
I nod, the whiskey burning a path down my throat as I take another sip. "After I graduated from college, I inherited a fortune. But I didn't want to live off my father's money… or anyone else's. So I started an investment company. Built it from the ground up."
Kelsey's lips curve into a small smile, her eyes warming. "Yes, I remember you mentioning when I asked about your work before."
I take another drink, the glass cold against my palm. "Building that empire taught me a few things. How to be independent. How to be ruthless when I needed to be." I set the glass down, the crystal clinking against the wood. "But I kept a few rules."
Her curiosity is a tangible thing, her body leaning forward just a little. "What kind of rules?"
I meet her gaze, my voice steady. "Keep your word. Loyalty matters. Betrayal doesn't get forgotten."
Kieran gives a slight nod. "You learned that from me."
Kelsey turns toward him, her expression shifting, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. "From you?"
Kieran leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him.
"I built my business the same way. From nothing.
" He pauses, his voice dropping. "My father destroyed his company through greed, betrayal, and reckless deals.
Watching that happen taught me exactly what kind of man I didn't want to become. "
Kelsey's lips part, her voice barely above a whisper. "He wasn't all bad, right?"
Kieran's mouth quirks, just a little. "He did find me my brother. Even if we don't have the same parents and are not related by blood. But that distinction stopped mattering a long time ago."
Kelsey stares at him for a moment, her breath catching. Then she turns to me, her blue eyes searching. "Now that I think about it, you two don't look anything alike."
I bark out a laugh, the sound rough and unexpected. "Right."
Kieran gives me a sideways look, his lips curling into something that's almost a smirk. "I look better, right?"
I raise an eyebrow, my own mouth twitching. "Have you seen a mirror lately?"
Kieran's gaze snaps to Kelsey, his voice dropping into that low, commanding tone that makes her shiver. "What do you think?"
The firelight flickers across Kelsey's face, painting her in gold and shadow. Her fingers twist in the hem of her sweater, the fabric bunching under her grip. She's stalling, and we both know it. "I don't know."
I lean forward, elbows on my knees, the whiskey glass warm in my hand. "I think it's time you answer us… Who do you want, Kelsey?"
Her breath hitches, just a little. Those cornflower eyes dart between us, wide and uncertain. She swallows, her throat working. "I can't answer that."
Kieran's jaw tightens, but he doesn't push. He just watches her, his copper hazel eyes sharp, like he's trying to peel back her skin and see the answer written underneath.
I take a slow sip of whiskey, letting the burn settle in my chest. "You should choose."
She exhales, sharp and frustrated. "Why do I have to? I like you both, okay?"
The words hang between us, heavy and electric. My pulse kicks up, the blood rushing in my ears.
Both.
The idea of sharing her isn't new… we've done it the other day, but hearing her say it out loud, raw and unfiltered, makes my skin prickle with something hot and possessive.
Kieran's voice cuts through the quiet, low and rough. "I don't know him, but I don't care."
Her head snaps toward him, her brows lifting. "What?"
"As long as I get to be with you," he says.
I nod and set my glass down, the crystal clinking against the wood. "As long as you're happy."
She blinks, her lips parting like she's searching for the right words. "You're serious."
Kieran leans back in his chair, his fingers tapping once against the armrest. "We won't be asking you to choose."
Her breath comes out shaky, her fingers trembling where they grip her sweater. "Really? Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," I answer quickly. "We know it's worth it."
She stares at me, her chest rising and falling too fast. "How?"
I meet her gaze, unflinching. "Because it's you."
Her lips press together, her eyes glistening. Then she exhales, her shoulders sagging just a little. "Okay."
Kieran's mouth quirks, just a little. "That's settled."
I take another sip of whiskey, the burn grounding me. "But there's still the matter of you not calling us."
Her head snaps up, her eyes widening. "What do you mean?"
Kieran's voice drops, low and dangerous. "You chose politeness over your safety."
I lean forward, my voice dropping. "And now you have to be punished."
Her eyes widen, her lips parting. "Punished?"
She licks her lips, her throat working. "How?"
I stand, the chair creaking under me, and cross the room until I'm standing right in front of her. She tilts her head back, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
I reach out, my fingers brushing against her cheek, her skin warm under my touch. "You won't know because you'll be in your room… asleep."
* * *
The door clicks shut behind me, soft and deliberate. Kelsey's curled on her side, the sheets tangled around her hips, one arm thrown over her head like she's surrendering to the night.