Page 21 of Twisted Thorns

"Some of these are from your phone." Kieran says as he puts his phone back in his pocket. "After your accident, after I realized you didn't remember, I deleted all evidence from your phone, email, everything."

Anger surges through me. "You deleted them? When? What gave you the right to do that?" I push against him, wanting distance.

Kieran doesn't move, doesn't even seem to register my anger. "When you were in the hospital. I asked your sister for your phone. Told her what I wanted to do. She agreed to go along with it."

"Wait," I hold out my hands. "Iris knew about us?"

He finally looks guilty at that. "She did. Not at first, but eventually you wanted to tell her. But after the accident, I wanted you to have a fresh start. Not be dragged down by my shadows." He glances at me. "You may not remember our relationship, but you've lived here your whole life, Avalina. I know you know what I do."

I shift my weight, suddenly nervous. "I know the rumors."

Kieran bites back, "And what are those rumors, Avalina?"

A shiver ghosts down my spine, but I'm not so sure it's from nerves this time or if it's from the way my name sounds on Kieran's lips.

"That your family is involved in less than savory business." I slowly make out. Kieran just stares, waiting for me to continue. "Buying off whoever you want, blackmailing those you can't."

"Is that all you've heard?"

"Iris may have mentioned to stay away from you and your family. That you're bad. That you, in particular, aren't afraid to hurt people to get what you want."

"Hmm" Kieran's voice rumbles. "Your sister is right."

"All that you've heard," Kieran begins, "is true. And whatever you think you know about how bad and dark I am, I promise I'm worse."

Mouth agape, I stare up at him, confused by the picture my words are painting in contrast to the man standing next to me. "Why are you here now, telling me this?" I peer up at him through my lashes. His chiseled jaw flexes as he stares back at me with those dark eyes.

Suddenly I'm pressed against the tree trunk, his arms caging me in. "I thought I could do the right thing. I thought I could be the hero for once. Do something good. But I'm not a hero, Avalina. I'm not a good man."

I swallow, thoughts scrambling to keep up. Iris had briefly mentioned Kieran and the Calder family to me after the accident. I knew who they were, what they supposedly did. But here Kieran was, telling me we had a secret relationship.

Would I have done that? Had a secret relationship with someone who dealt in power and money? Who bribed and extorted to get what they wanted? And even if I had done that, would I do that now?

I blink, realizing how close Kieran still is to me, how I haven't moved. I put my hands on his chest, thinking I should push him away. But somehow my hands don't get the signal, and instead of pushing, I'm grip his leather jacket with my fists, inhaling his scent of whiskey and smoke.

I exhale a shaky breath and force my hands to my side.

"This... is a lot to take in."

"I know." Kieran steps back, sensing I need space.

"I don't know..." my voice trails off.

"I know." Kieran says again. He pulls his phone from his pocket, typing once again.

A ding rings out in the silence. I look at my phone, seeing the text from an unknown number with a link that says, Here's everything.

"It's from me," Kieran states.

I click the link and can only blink as I watch my phone download photos, videos, texts, and emails. All from Kieran. To Kieran. With Kieran.

"It's everything I deleted. I figured you'd want it back. If you don't, just delete it."

I'm out of words. My brain has shut off, overwhelmed by the information. I just stare at my phone, startled as Kieran's hand touches my cheek, pushing some hair away from my face and behind my ear. His touch ignited an inferno within me, reducing my trepidation to ash.

"I should go," he murmurs.

Then he turns, his strides quickly putting distance between us.

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