"Get that reporter," Kieran said, his voice low as he side-eyed Damon.
Damon nodded immediately, then turned to the crowd and said something to the other men.
Kieran gently guided Genesis into the car, stepping in after her. The door shut with a soft thud, and he settled into the seat beside her. For a moment, he didn't move toward her. He just watched her.
Her chest heaved with uneven breaths, sweat beading on her brow. The press conference had wrapped up only a few minutes after that reporter's question—that question. And somehow, it hit Genesis harder than anyone realized.
She couldn't explain why. It wasn't just embarrassment—it was fear. Being called out about her silence, in front of so many people, twisted something deep inside her.
She pressed a trembling hand to her chest.
Kieran moved in. He didn't say a word. He simply pulled her into his arms and gently placed her on his lap. She looked up at him, and he met her gaze—her eyes glassy with unshed tears. He wanted to comfort her. Desperately.
That's when her tears spilled.
She wiped at them furiously. She didn't want to cry anymore.
She wanted to be strong.
So why did that question break her?
It felt like her step family still had the upper hand. Even as she fought to cut their puppet strings, a noose still clung to her neck—tight and unrelenting.
And she hated it.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Not even a sound. Kieran closed his eyes and took a slow, calming breath.
Genesis tried again. And again.
Still nothing.
Tears streamed faster now, the pain crushing her chest. It was suffocating.
She stared at him helplessly, then wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him as tightly as she could. Her eyes shut, and Kieran held her close. He said nothing—because she didn't need words.
She just needed someone.
Someone to remind her she wasn't alone.
A few minutes later, Kieran carried a sleepy Genesis out of the car. One of the men shut the door behind them. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow across the sprawling estate.
"Tell Damon to come to me once he has her," Kieran said.
"Yes, boss."
He turned and headed into the house, passing through the large double doors. As he walked past the living room, a small voice shrieked with delight.
"Uncle Kier! You're back!"
A very excited Daisy rushed toward him.
He quickly pressed a finger to his lips, signaling for her to be quiet. Genesis stirred in his arms.
Daisy's eyes widened. She tiptoed closer and touched Genesis's pale toes. "She's sleeping," she whispered.
Kieran nodded and affectionately ruffled Daisy's hair, making her giggle.
"Now go back to watching TV, okay? I need to put her to bed."
She pouted. "Will you come down after you put Lily to bed?"
He glanced down at Genesis, then back at Daisy, who looked hopeful.
"Oh honey, I have—"
"You always say that," she interrupted, her voice suddenly soft. "You never play with me anymore. You don't like me now, do you?"
Her eyes shimmered with emotion.
Kieran knelt down, still holding Genesis gently. "Of course not. Why would you say something like that?"
She crossed her arms. "Because it's true. Ever since Lily came, you only care about her. I like her too, but... you like her more."
He ran a hand through his hair, sighing.
He hadn't realized Daisy felt that way.
Sliding an arm around her small shoulders, he pulled her in close.
"Genesis is my wife. But that doesn't mean I love you any less. Never think that, okay? She's just... been through a lot."
Daisy nodded slowly, her eyes drifting to the long scar on Genesis's arm. She reached out and touched it, her expression thoughtful.
"And she's not like other women or your Aunt Veronica," Kieran added gently.
Daisy nodded quickly.
"So we show her love, because she doesn't have a family like you do. But I'm really sorry for making you feel left out, sweetheart. I love you so much."
He pulled her in again for a warm hug, her small frame pressed between him and Genesis.
After a minute, he stood.
Daisy looked up at him. "Okay."
He smiled and watched her head back toward the couch. The maids, who had definitely been listening, quickly turned their attention to the TV, pretending they hadn't heard a word.
Kieran felt a wave of guilt wash over him.
Just as he turned to go upstairs, he paused.
"Daisy," he called.
She turned instantly, face lighting up.
"Get Doc McStuffins and Mr. Poodles ready. I'll be down soon."
Her eyes widened. "Yayyyy!" she screamed, then zoomed off toward her room.
Kieran smiled faintly and headed upstairs.
In the bedroom, he gently laid Genesis on the bed and brushed her hair off her face. Sitting beside her, he studied her features quietly, tracing a finger along her cheek.
"God, I adore you, Angel," he whispered.
His fingers brushed along her lashes, then down to her soft, bitten lips.
He watched her, mesmerized. "You don't know why I call you my peace, do you?"
He slowly pushed a finger into her parted lips, then another, watching her breathe against his skin. His bright blue eyes had darkened.
"You are the peace to our madness."
He pulled his fingers out, glistening with her saliva, and rubbed it across her lips again before his hand drifted to the collar on her neck.
Not just a symbol.
A warning.
A claim.
His.
Only his.
Kieran's breath hitched as he ran his thumb over the engraved tag: Property of Knight. Diamonds sparkled in the metal, like it belonged to a queen. His queen.
He leaned closer—
A ringtone shattered the moment.
He didn't move at first. Then he placed a slow kiss on her lips, pulled away, and licked his lips before bringing his fingers wet with her saliva to his mouth.
Unhinged. And he knew it.
He finally pulled the phone from his pocket.
"We have her," Damon said.
Knight rose from the bed and looked at Genesis. She'd curled up, her dress hiked up slightly, her body small and soft against the blankets.
He smiled.
"Keep her there. We need to have a little chat. I'll be there soon," he murmured.
"Okay, boss."
Knight ended the call and gave Genesis one last glance before turning and heading back downstairs.
****
Genesis jerked awake with a silent scream, flailing wildly.
She stood up on the bed, chest rising and falling rapidly.
The room was dark.
And panic gripped her like a vice.
Not that place again.
Please, not that place.
Genesis bolted from the bed, her heart thudding wildly, but in her panic, the bedsheet tangled around her legs. She crashed to the floor with a loud thud, but barely noticed the sting. She scrambled to her feet and dashed toward the wall, fingers fumbling until they found the light switch.
The overhead lights flicked on, flooding the room in a blinding glow. Harsh. Cold. But she didn't care.
A shaky breath escaped her lips—relief. She was still here. Still safe. Still in Kieran's home, not... there.
She took a step back from the door, trying to steady herself, but a sudden, sharp pain twisted in her stomach. Her face scrunched. Nausea surged like a tidal wave.
Genesis clapped a hand over her mouth and stumbled toward the bathroom. The second she reached the sink, she bent over it and vomited. Her body heaved again and again—dry, aching, breathless.
When it finally stopped, she stood there, trembling, one hand clutching the porcelain edge. The other reached for the faucet, and she turned it on, splashing cold water on her face, rinsing her mouth.
Then she looked up.
The girl in the mirror didn't look good. Her skin was ghost-pale, lips trembling. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, and sweat clung to her brow.
She pressed a shaky hand to her stomach, still feeling that queasy twist. The dizziness followed—slow and heavy—pulling at her, trying to drag her back down.
She gripped the sink tighter, her knuckles white.
What's wrong with me?